India,
the captivating land, with an incomparable diversity
of flora and fauna, is regarded as the ‘trekkers’
paradise’ and, indeed, it is a treat to in the Great
Himalayan, which offers
challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions
of the spectacular Himalayas range, the lush meadows,
green woodland and fragrant orchards.
You visit Gangotri Temple - built early in the 19th
century, at an altitude of 10200 feet on the right
bank of Bhagirathi river. According to a legend,
as a result of the curse of a great saint, Kapil,
ancestors of King Bhagirath were burnt alive at
this spot and could achieve salvation only if the
Ganga could be brought down from heaven to touch
the bones of the dead. Their grand son King Bhagirath
meditated at this spot for several years and the
Ganga was thus brought down from heaven to touch
the ashes of the dead. They rose to life and attained salvation.
The Ganga is called Bhagirathi, after King Bhagirath,
until it joins Alaknanda at Devprayag about 200
km further down. It is believed that by bathing
in this river and drinking the water all sins are
washed away and the devotee attains heaven at the
end of life. Hindus worship Ganga as a sacred river
and refer to her as'mother' for it protects them.
Adventure
into the legendry land of holy Ganges, starts from
Gangotri and goes past the snout of the Gangotri
glacier at Gaumukh, 18 km. where the legendary Bhagirathi
river more commonly known as the holy Ganga, emerges.
The journey takes you through the holy city of sages
into dense blue pine forests and flowering meadows
and comes to an end at the “Queen of Hills”- Mussoorie.
Mussoorie – Dehradun - Delhi
Day
1- Arrival Delhi
– Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer
to Hotel Ambassador.
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Day
2 -Delhi -
Late evening transfer to Old Delhi Railway station
for overnight train to Haridwar. Mussoorie Express
Dep 2215 hrs Arr 0545 hrs.
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Day
3 - Haridwar / Rishikesh
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive
(45 minutes) to Rishikesh via the Temples and Ghats
of Haridwar.On arrival stay at Hotel Natraj. Afternoon
visits the sights of Rishikesh. Evening witness
the Arti (Prayer ceremony) .
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Day
4 - Rishikesh / New Tehri/Uttarkashi - Morning leave for New Tehri (2 hours ) situated at an altitude
of 7000 ft, is an upcoming hill station. The Asia's
biggest Hydroelectricity Dam is being built at Old
Tehri at the confluence of Ganges (Ganga) and Bhilangna
(which comes from Khatling glacier) rivers. From
New Tehri, you have close views of great Himalayan
range which includes Mt.Nandadevi (7916 mts). From
New Tehri and the surroundings we have magnificient
commanding 180* panoramic views of the entire Garhwal
Himalayas. Afternoon leave for Uttarkashi
(2 1/2 hours )
Uttarkashi is the district headquarters bustling with activity
on the right bank of the Bhagirathi. There are several
temples in the town, the most important being Vishwanath.
The state run Nehru Institute of Mountaineering
is also located here.
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Day
5 – Uttarkashi / Gangotri
- After Lunch, drive to Gangotri (5 hrs) following
the valley of the Bhagirathi. Garhwal is a land
of living legend and from now on every town, river
and temple is a part of the great Hindu mythology.
Gangotri is a small village housing one of Hinduism's most
charming temples, which sits astride beautiful waterfalls
beneath towering cliffs and snow tipped peaks.On
arrival stay at a simple guest house.
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Day 6 - Gangotri / Chirbas - Setoff walking on
the well paved pilgrim trail along the Bhagirathi
towards the Source of the ganges. Valley broadens
and the trees gradually decrease until you
have reached the glacial debris deep in the mountains.
The scenery is magnificent, the views changing at
every step. The trail is well made and easy, and
today is quite a leisurely walk with plenty of time
to take in the grandeur of the scenery. Camp by
the banks of Bhagirathi river at Chirbas.
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Day
7 - Chirbas/Bhojbas -
3 hours walk takes you to Bhojbasa. Arrive and camp
by a small ashram. All along the walk we meet
people from different parts of India. Amongst them
are the Sadhus, India's wandering holy men; many
live in tiny caves at the trail side. They
are the people wrapped in orange robes, carrying
tridents, little pots with which they beg to survive.
The Source of the Ganges is visible from Bhojbasa.
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Day
8 - Bhojbasa/Gaumukh/Tapovan -
Set off again to the Gangotri glacier. Its foremost
point is "The cow's snout" and is called as
Gaummukh Soon you are face to face with a huge wall
of ice that blocks the whole of the valley and from
under which the Ganges emerges. At Gaumukh,
you are closest to the mother nature. You find yourself
surrounded by the great peaks of the garhwal: Meru,
vasuki, Shivling, Bhagirathi group of peaks
(I, II, III), Kharchkund, Mandha and many other.
The most distinctive peak is Shivling, its cream
coloured rocks blending into the snows.
Later trek on the east bank of the Gangotri Glacier to Tapovan
( 5 kms ) it has a breath taking setting in a grassy
meadow. It is a base camp for expeditions to
mount Shivling (6543m) "Matterhorn of the Himalayas".
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Day
9 - Tapovan / Bhojbasa -
Today descend back to Bhojbasa. Overnight Camping.
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Day
10
- Bhojbasa /Uttarkashi – Take an easy descend back to Gangotri, and drive
back Bhagirathi. On arrival stay at a simple hotel
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Day
11 - Uttarkashi/Mussoorie/
DehraDun/Delhi - Early morning drive (6 hours) to Mussoorie the "Queen of
Hills". Mussoorie is situated between high
mountains to the north and the plains below. Mussoorie
has the famous Gunhill from where the British Army
used to fire exactly at 12 noon. In the evening,
one can look far below to the twinkling lights of
DehraDun. It is still a very typical British town
with colonial houses. Later drive (45 minutes)
to DehraDun. Dinner in a local restaurant and transfer
to the railway station in time to board overnight
train Mussoorie Express Dep 2115 hrs Arr 0700
hrs
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Day
12 - Delhi
- Assistance on arrival at railway station and transfer
to Ambassador Hotel. Transfer to international airport
to board onward flight
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End
of tour
