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Home >> India Tours >>Pilgrimage Tour >>Char Dham Tour
“CHAR DHAM”
YAMUNOTRI, GANGOTRI, KEDARNATH & BADRINATH
Up in the misty heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, awaits a rejuvenating spiritual experience for the devout. Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy pilgrimages of India – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath, collectively referred to Char Dham of Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in search for divine; have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as “Kedarkhand”.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival meet & greet and transfer to your Hotel.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the tall and modern skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising that what constitutes Delhi today is really a conglomerate of seven cities. Down the ages the region in and around modern Delhi saw Lalkot built in mid eleventh century; Siri, established by Allauddin Khilji; and Ferozabad built by the Tughlaks followed by the city of Lodis; and then followed by Shajehanabad, the capital of the Mughals respectively.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 02: Delhi/ Haridwar(By Train) Haridwar / Rishikesh
Early this morning in time transfer to railway station to board train for Haridwar. Upon arrival you will be met and drive to Rishikesh en route visiting Haridwar city. Here the Holy River Ganga cuts its passage through the mountains, where bells and gongs ring and chants fill the air. It is said when Raibhya Rishi did hard penance, God appeared by the name of “Hrishikesh” and this area was henceforth called by the name. Situated on the right banks of the Holy River and surrounded on three sides by Himalayan Ranges, known from medieval time as celestial abode, is a great pilgrimage center of India, attracting a large number of pilgrims throughout the year.
On arrival check in at the Hotel and relax.
 Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 03: Rishikesh
Morning after breakfast proceed for city tour visiting Laxman Jhoola, a bridge that spans the river and lends its name to the locality. Temples, Ashrams and religious retreat centers, rise in the wooded slopes. The pilgrims flock to this gorge-centered town sits in rows on the steps of the Ghats.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 04: Rishikesh / Hanumanchatti
After an early breakfast check out from the Hotel and drive to Hanumanchatti.
On arrival check in at the Camps / Guest House. Balance day free to relax.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 05: Yamunotri
Early this morning trek for Yamunotri (14 Kms one way). The source of the revered river Yamuna originating from the Champasar Glacier lying 1 Km ahead of the shrine, situated in the opposite direction to Gangotri at an elevation of 4,421 Mts. On the Bandarpunch Peak.
Yamunotri finds a special mention in the Hindu mythology. According to a legend, this secluded hilly spot was the home of an ancient sage, Asit Muni. Among the major attractions of Yamunotri are the hot water springs nearby. The trek is spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests. The main temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Maharani Guleria of Jaipur built the present temple in the late nineteenth century, once destroyed by an eartquake. After the darshan your steps back to Hanumanchatti.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 06: Hanumanchatti / Uttarkashi
Early this morning you head towards our next dham “Gangotri”. A 100 Kms/6-7 hrs scenic foothill drive along the river Bhagirathi brings us to Uttarkashi, a large village situated along the banks of the river. On arrival check in at the Camps / Guest House and relax.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 07: Uttarkashi / Gangotri / Uttarkashi
Morning leave for Gangotri, 4-5 hours by road along the Ganges gorge to the settlements at Gangotri. The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. According to mythology, Goddess Ganga – the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimize the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.
Along the right bank of Bhagirathi stands the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height of 3042 Mts., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander, Amar Singh Thapa. The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 18 kms. Further uphill, along the Gangotri Glacier. After the darshan, drive back to Uttarkashi.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 08: Uttarkashi / Rudraprayag
Early this morning continue on yatra towards Kedarnath. A scenic drive along the River Bhagirathi to Rudraprayag is the confluence of the River Bhagirathi and Alaknanda to form the sacred Ganga. On arrival check in at the Camps / Guest House.
 Rudraprayag – situated at an altitude of 610 mts., is the confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, and is an unending source of delight to the visitors. The ancient Narad Muni meditated here for several years at the temple of Rudranath, so as to Attain perfection in the science of music.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 09: Rudraprayag / Gaurikund
Early this morning visit the confluence and continue along the river to Mandakini to Gaurikund, the trekking base to Kedarnath. Upon arrival take a holy dip in Taptkund & Gaurikund and continue trek to Kedarnath.
Gaurikund / Kedarnath
After the holy dip in Gaurikund, set on foot for one of the four dhams dedicated to Lord Shiva (14 kms one way). Amidst the dramatic mountainscapes of the majestic Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas” of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lying at an altitude of 3584 Mts. On the head of the river Mandakini, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus.
The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic Mahabharata. According to legend, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone the killing of their kith and kin in the great battle of Krukshetra.
 Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 10: Kedarnath/Gaurikund/Joshimath
Early this morning steps back to Gaurikund and continue on our drive along the river Alakanda to the town of Joshimath (145 kms/7-8 hrs). Joshimath, with its bracing climate, magnificent scenery and religious significance is situated at an altitude of 1,875 mts. In the early hours dawn Nanda Devi, Nilkanth and other peaks present a spectacle view, which is a feast of colors and is repeated at the sunset.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 11: Joshimath / Badrinath /Joshimath
This morning we continue our drive to Badrinath, (42 kms/2 hrs). There is a gate system from Joshimath; the first gate opens for traffic at 0630 hrs and the last at 1630 hrs. Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines, Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda. With the splendid Neelkanth mountain as the backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with “badris” or wild berries and hence was famous as “Badri Van”.
The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology. Its sanctity is emphasized in the ancient scriptures as “There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be”. Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.
 The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda River dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 Mts. The present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya – an 8th century’s philosopher saint. After the darshan return back to your hotel in Joshimath.
Overnight at the Camps / Guest House.
Day 12: Joshimath / Rishikesh
Early this morning drive back to Rishikesh. On arrival check in at the Hotel. Balance day free to relax.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 13: Rishikesh / Haridwar / Delhi(By Train)
Morning in time transfer to Haridwar railway station to board train for Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to airport to connect flight for onward journey.
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