| Day 01 |
Arrive Delhi |
| Late night arrival at Delhi's International airport. Upon arrival you shall be welcomed by the Mondial Trails representative and you will be transferred to the hotel. |
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| Day 02 |
Delhi to Haridwar (295 m) |
By Shatabdi Leave Delhi early in the morning, arrive Haridwar and check in to the hotel.
Haridwar - Haridwar ( literally means gate way to God ) Town stands on the right bank of the Ganges at the foot of Shivalik mountain. It has been sacred place from time immemorial and is one of the most important pilgrimage on the Ganges , It is one of the four pilgrims centres where Kumbha mela is held every twelve year . According to mythologicaly belief Millions of Hindu takes holy dip in the sacred river Ganges , seeking emancipation from the worldly sins. Attend the Pooja ceremony in the evening where you see hundreds of devotees float little flower's bowls in the river with oil lamps.
Overnight at Haridwar. |
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| Day 03 |
Haridwar to Rishikesh, 23 kms.(350 m) |
Rishikesh is a great piligrimage centre of India attracting a large number of pilgrims. Rishikesh is the abode of saint and sages from where they sojourn before undertaking the arduous pilgrimage that lay ahead on the distant Himalayan peaks.
The city is also known for the Yoga and meditation centre its worth to visit some of the Ashrams. Evening ritual ceremony at triveni Ghat is great attraction, hundreds of people gather here on the banks of Ganges to participate the ceremony and to float the little flower's bowl with oil lamps in the river.
Overnight in Haridwar |
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| Day 04 |
Rishikesh to Rudrapryag, 150 kms. (610 m) |
| After breakfast drive to Rudraprayag, where river Alaknanda mingles with Madakini. Full day drive. Overnight in Rudraprayag . |
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| Day 05 |
Rudrapryag to Ukhimath (14511 m) 61 kms |
After early breakfast , leave with packed lunch to Okhimath , Stop at the sangam of Mandakini and Alaknanda ( Rudraprayag .) , follow the kedarnath road towards the Kund which is junction of two roads , one leads to Kedarnath and other to Chamoli via Ukhimath . Another 10 kms of drive to Kalimath , where Mahakali , Mahalakshmi and Mahasarswati are all worshiped in different temples but the shrine most popular is where Kali the all pervading Goddess of energy is worshipped as a killer of evil forces.
Afternoon drive to Okhimath.
Overnight in Hotel |
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| Day 06 |
Okhimath to Pipalkoti (1220 m).88 kms |
| Leave to Mastura for 7 kms , A three kms one way trek will lead you to Deoriatal( lake 3350 m) set amidest in a beautiful Bugyal ( high altitude meadow ) have stroll around and back to Mastura ,on way back proceed toward Gopeshwar , Chamoli , Main attraction of Gopeshwar is the massive shiva temple. It sprawl over a large area , A huge trident standing in the courtyard bears some inscriptions that have been attributed to a Gorkha ruler of the thirteen century . There are several broken ideols around the temple which supports the theory that ancient time there were several more temples in Gopeshwar . Next 11 kms drive to Chamoli . Beautifull town situated at the 960m and is the capital of Chamoli distt . On the way one can enjoy the view of Shape of Terraces made by farmers for cultivation in the hills . Reach at Pipalkoti which is a busy and large town cradled in the lap of lush green mountain and terraced fields , night stay in Pipalkoti . |
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| Day 07 |
Pipalkoti to Badrinath 79 kms .(3096m) |
Leave to Badrinath , road leads through narrow valley ,deep gorges carved by the constant flow of the water from time unknown and the rocks hanging over narrow road. Badrinath is situated on the right bank of Alaknanda river , after lunch visit the main shrine of Vishal Badri or Badri Vishal , giving rise to the resound chant of the devotees as they approach to the shrine ' jai Badri Vishal ki 'After visiting the temple stroll in the bazzar to feel the ambiance of colorful pilgrims crowd at the beneath of snowcaped peak of Neel Kanth ( 6957m ).
Visit Mana village : Known in Hindu scriptures also as Manibhadrapam.is 3 kms north of the main shrine of Badrinath. Celestial abode of Shiva is peopled with the Himalayan semi- nomads who form a small group . |
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| Day 08 |
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Full day in Badrinath, visit temples and enjoy the Himalayan view.
Overnight in Badrinath. |
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| Day 09 |
Badrinath to Joshimath 45kms |
| Morning enjoy the view of magnificant Himalaya.. After lunch leave to Joshimath , on the way one can observe the variety of flora . a short drive to visit the issolated village of Tapovan situated on the foot of Nanda Devi National park . Back to Joshimath , Chek in hotel Dunagiri .
Joshimath is the winter seat of Rawal sahib of the Badrinath shrine . In 9th century the Adiguru Shankaracharya a Hindu theologian did meditation and attained enlightenment while sitting under the mulberry tree near cave .Holy town is full of temples but most famous are the Narsingh ( Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Lion and Durga ( The Goddess of power ) temples ; Now a days it is a famous spot for trekkers and mountaineer to fill up their final packing for the expeditions in the region. |
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| Day 10 |
Joshimath to Auli 13 kms by road ., ½ hour trek |
| A short scenic drive through the dence forest of Oak and spruce, one can use the cable car but as it is leassured day its advised to have short trek through meadows ( Bugyal ) for one and half hour till hotel to be more free to enjoy the Extensive view of the Niti Valley which led to Tibet ( Now passage closed for civilian from the last village) Nanda Devi sanctuary which cover the area of 324 sq .km and the snow caped peaks which appears one after one as you climb up , most Known peaks are trishuli 7172 m, Nandadevi 7817 m, Drunagiri 7050m, Neel Kanth 6597m ,Kamet 7756 , Kedarnath 6942m and Shivling 6501 m etc . One can spend hours and hours to watch these magnificant mountains in panorama of 180 degree.. Night in hotel. |
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| Day 11 |
Auli to Joshimath- Gwaldam , 160 kms . |
Drive through the valley of Alaknanda via Joshimath , Chamoli and till Karanpryag for 92 kms , Karanprayag - confluence of the Alaknanda and the Pinder Ganga which rises from pindari Glacier on the eastern flank of the great Peak., It is the place where centuries ago Karana the hero of the Mahabharata, worshipped Saturn (Surya) or the sun God to grant to him the boon of the impregnable shield which gave him invincibility at the battle and made him a hero . Hence the named after him Karanprayag,
From karan Pryag follow the Pinder river , uphill drive to Gwaldom , it offers excellent view of trishuli and Nanda Ghunti ., night in tourist rest house |
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| Day 12 |
Gwaldam |
| on the way visit Baijnath temple located in the valley of Gomti river . Tinny hamlet of Baijnath has a stunning temple complex on the west bank of the Gomti river ; there are 18 temples in the complex , constructed by katyur's who ruled Kumaon and Garhwal between 8th and 14th century . The main temple holds in the inner sanctum one of the most exquisite stone carved images . a 1.5 m high statue of Parvati . ; Explore the village behind the temple , one can see the beautiful wooden carved window and doors. , have packed Lunch on the bank of the river , After lunch follow the river toward Bageshwar lying at the confluence of the saryu and Gomti rivers an important piligrim town known for Uttrayani fair held in month of January every year . explore the old bazar with labyrnith of winding alleyways which leads to the ancient Bhagna temple sacred to Shiva ; thereafter back to Kalmatia Sangan Himalayan resort via Taklu , Basoli , Kaparkhan and Dinapari for 65 kms. |
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| Day 13 |
Excursion to Chittai temple |
| It is a famous temple of God of Justice( Golu Devta) The temple is hung with belles with in several shapes and sizes which brought by greatful devotees . After proceed to Lakhudiar ( prehistoric rock painting s) on the way to Jageshwar , After Panwanaula turn left towards old Jageshwar( 2300m) for 8 kms . best place for the pic-nic ( packed lunch ) surounded by Rhodendron and Oak trees with Panoramic Himalayan view, Walk down for 2 hours to Jageshwar , the trail goes through typical villages , explore the life of villagers , follow the sparkling stream through forest of cedar to the ancient temple complex with its 124 temples , which houses 8th of the 12 jyotirlingas of India ? Afternoon back to kalmatia sangam . |
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| Day 14 |
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| Short drive of ½ hours to Sitlakhet ( an ancestral village of the late Govind Bhallabh panth who was the first chief minister of Up and did lot for Kumaon and particularly for Almora . ) Stop at the old colonial forest reshouse at Sitlakhet , an easy trek of 2 kms to Syahi devi temple dedicated to goddess Durga where blood sacrifices took place in the ancient times , have beautiful view of himalaya ,surounding forest abounds in fruit orchards and herbal plants used for medicines , packed lunch at the temple complex , back to forest rest house and proceed via Katpuria towards kosi ,From here 2 kms uphill trail through villages leades to the 800 years old Katarmal Sun temple , only Sun temple in India after Konark it houses some fine statues including the main image of Surya ( Sun ) holding sundials in his arms , drive back to Kalmatia , afternoon at leisure to stroll around toward Kesar devi temple for 1 kms . ( dated back to 2nd century . ) one can enjoy the sun set overlooking the Kosi valley .. and back to resort |
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| Day 15 |
Drive to Binsar wildlife sanctuary |
In the morning ( 45 mins drive ) stroll through beautiful forest of oak and Rhododendron offering the majestic view of Himalaya , drive back to resort for lunch , afternoon those who are interested can visit Almora town , even thought the first British hill station in India established in 1815 . It is one of the few not created by the British ; It was ceded to the east India company in 1815 in commemoration for the British driving out the Gurkhas .
Stroll down to the old Almora Bazzar with slates road , ( closed for vehicle ) , passing old merchant houses , with their intricately carved doors and windows , Lala bazzar , Govind panth Museum with its fine collection of ancient Kumaoni arts and crafts , metal , stone and terracotta statues , Aipana paintings , coin etc . Possibilities of shopping as pashmina shawls , copperwear , paintings and traditional Kumaoni jewellery etc . according to train schedule in evening transfer to train station at Kathgodam , packed dinner on board . Night on Board.
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| Day 16 |
Arrive Delhi at 0445 hours |
| Transfer to hotel, after breakfast day at leissure, After dinner evening transfer to airport and flight to onward destination |
| Service Ends. |
