Char Dham Yatra

Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Haridwar - Barkot (220 kms/7-8hr) HT: 1352 MTS.
Day 02: Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot {36 kms drive & 6 kms Trek HT : 3235 MTS.
Day 03: Barkot - Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr) HT :1352 MTS.
Day 04: Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 each side) HT : 3048 MTS.
Day 05: Uttarkashi - Guptkashi (220 kms/8-9hr) HT : 1319 MTS.
Day 06: Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30 kms by road & 19 kms Trek)
Day 07: Kedarnath - Guptkashi (19 Kms Down Trek & 30kms/1hr byRoad)
Day 08: Guptkashi - Badrinath (215 kms/7hr) HT : 3133 MTS.
Day 09: Badrinath - Pipalkoti (80kms) / Rudraprayag (160 kms) /Kirtinagar (200 kms)
Day 10: Pipalkoti - Rishikesh (220 kms/7-8hr) /Rudraprayag - Rishikesh (140 kms/4-5hr) / Kirtinagar - Haridwar (135 kms/3-4hr)

DAY 1: Haridwar - Barkot (220 kms/7-8hr) HT: 1352 MTS.
Drive to Barkot via Mussoorie, Enroute visit Kempty Fall (Suggestible to have your lunch at Kempty fall as further no good restaurants are available before Badkot). Later drive straight to Barkot, and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight stay at Barkot. Barkot is known for its scenic natural beauty. Located at the confluence of the Yamuna and tons rivers. At an elevation of over 4,000 G, apple orchards are ringed by the Himalayan range. Barkot offers panoramic views of the snow capped mountains of Bandar Poonch. Barkot is an important stopover en route to Yamunotri and Gangotri, among the four Char Dham Pilgrimages. (Weather - Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius, Winter: The Days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold, temp ranges from 10 deg to 05 deg)

DAY 2: Barkot - Yamunotri - Barkot {36 kms drive & 6 kms Trek (one side)} HT : 3235 MTS.
Early morning, Drive to Jankichatti/Phoolchatti, trek start from here to Yamunotri (6 kms). Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost. Arr. Yamunotri, One can cook rice by packing it in a cloth and dipping it in the hot water of the hot kund.
Pilgrims take this cooked rice home as "Prasad". Here near the temple "Pooja" can be offered to DivyaShila, AGer taking bath in JamunabaiKund's warn water and having "Darshan" of pious "Yamunaji" returning to Jankichatti. Return back to Barkot, Overnight stay.
Yamunotri Temple: Maharani Gularia of Jaipur built the temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.
Surya Kund: There are a Number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flows into numerous pools. The most important of these is Surya Kund.
Divya Shila: A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple Weather - In summer the maximum temp is 18 degrees and the minimum is 10 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasantly cool but the nights are cold.

DAY 3: Barkot - Uttarkashi (100kms/4hr) HT :1352 MTS.
Drive to Uttarkashi. Check in Hotel, Later in the evening visit Vishwanath Temple. Night Halt. Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varun Parvat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva (Kashi Vishwanath Temple) in the centre of the town.
Vishwanath temple - Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Northern India. Re-constructed in 1857 by Maharani Khaneti Devi of Tehri State in the ancient architectural style. It is situated at the heart of the town. A massive iron trident, symbolic of divine mother's, is erected and worshiped from time immemorial at the temple complex. Ganeshji, SakshiGopal and Markandeya Rishi's small shrines are also part of the temple complex. AkhandJyoti as well as Akhand Abhishek, special aarti at morning and evening are offered. As per SkundaPuran, Uttarkashi is known as 'Saumya Varanasi', the abode of Lord Shiva in Kaliyug and counted as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Shakti temple - Right in front of the Vishwanath temple is Shakti temple. It has a big 'Trishul' of about 6 meters in height and a circumference of 90 cms. at bottom.
Though there are different views about the making of this, the upper part of it seems to be made up of iron and the lower one is of copper. As per the epics this Shakti was thrown on the devils by the Goddess Durga(Shakti), hence it gets its name.Since then this Shakti is erected over here
(Weather - Generally hot in summer, the temperature ranges from 30-35 degree Celsius but nights is pleasant, Cold in winters).

DAY 4: Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi (100kms/3-4 each side) HT : 3048 MTS.
We proceed to Gangotri (3048 mts), enroute we enjoy picturesque Harsil village, Bhagirathi River and the most magnificent view of the Himalayas. After Gangotri temple Dharshan return to uttarkashi.Gangotri Temple: The temple, constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18 th Century, is situated on the r ight bank of Bhagirathi. Submerged Shivling: Submerged in the river, this natural rock Shivling is the place where, according to mythology Lord Shiva sat when he received the Ganga in his matted lock. It is visible in winter months  when  water level  decreases. Kedar Ganga Sangam: Around 100 Yards from the Ganga Temple flows the river Kedar Ganga. Starting from the Kedar Valle, this river meets the Bhagirathi on its leG bank.

DAY  5: Uttarkashi - Guptkashi (220 kms/8-9hr)   HT : 1319 MTS.
Drive straight to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. Enroute you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini river comes from Kedarnath,
drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi. On arrival Check In at the Hotel,
evening visit Ardh Narishwar Temple. Overnight stay at the  Hotel. The name GuptKashi means "Hidden Benares. Mythology describes how when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shivji first concealed himself at GuptKashi, but later fled from them further up the valley to Kedarnath, where the Pandavas finally got their wish fulfilled. There are more tangible connections as well-the Kedarnath pandas (hereditary pilgrimage priests) live in GuptKashi during the winter months, and aGer the Kedarnath temple closes for the winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through GuptKashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter. (Weather - Generally pleasant in summer, the temperature ranges from 25-30 degree Celsius. Cold in winter).

DAY 6: Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30 kms by road & 19 kms Trek)
After medical check-up proceeds to Sonprayag, Trek start from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (3584 mts) by pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woollen, toiletries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Visit Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay.
Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas aGer having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption.
He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations.
The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar.
Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as PanchKedar.

DAY 7: Kedarnath - Guptkashi (19 Kms Down Trek & 30kms/1hr by Road)
Early morning, After Temple Darshan trek down to Sonprayag. Further drive to Guptkashi. Check-in Hotel. Night Halt.

DAY 8: Guptkashi - Badrinath (215 kms/7hr) HT: 3133 MTS.
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check-in Hotel. Later in the evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay. Badrinath one of the 'Four Dhams' is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage spots of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. This revered spot was once carpeted with wild berries. Thus the place got the name "Badri van", meaning "forest of berries".
TaptKund: Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.
NaradKund: A recess in the river, near TaptKund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
BrahamaKapal : A flat plaVorm on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.
Sheshnetra: 1.5 km. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.
Charanpaduka : 3 kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.
Mata MurtyTemple: Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include SeshNetra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.
ManaVillage: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. Vasundhara: As the name suggests, Vasundhara is a magnificent waterfall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. ismotorableuptoMana.
BhimPul: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
VyasGufa (cave) : Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where VedVyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.

DAY 9: Badrinath - Pipalkoti (80kms) / Rudraprayag (160 kms) / Kirtinagar (200 kms)
Early morning, pilgrims aGer having a bath in the Taptkund and have the Darshan of Badrivishal.
Brahamakapal is significant for PinddanShraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spots like Mana, VyasGufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Later drive back to Pipalkoti / Rudraprayag / Kirtinagar via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay.

Joshimath is situated on the slopes above the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. Of the four 'Maths' established by AdiShankaracharya, Joshimath is the winter seat of Badrinath. The idol is brought down to Joshimath and installed in the temple for people to worship. There are many other temples in the township. The most important is the temple of Nir Singh with the idol of Lord Vishnu. The leG arm of this deity is getting destroyed with time and the popular belief holds that the day the arm completely withers Badrinath valley will cease to exist and the Gods will transfer the residence into the neighboring Niti Valley at BhavishyaBadri.

DAY 10: Pipalkoti - Rishikesh (220kms/7-8hr) /Rudraprayag - Rishikesh (140kms/4-5hr) / Kirtinagar - Haridwar (135 kms/3-4hr)
Drive to Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of “Hrishikesh” and this area hence firth came to be known as Rishikesh. Visit rishikesh, Laxman Jhoola, Ram Jhoola, Bharat Mata Mandir and evening drop at Haridwar Railway station.