.gif){kind=small}
This is a 14 days tour with 4 days of trekking in the Garhwal Himalayan Ganges. Gangotri at a height of 10365 ft is in a spectacular setting marking the confluence of Kedar gorge and the river Bhagirathi, the source of the river Ganges. The trekking route passes through the rich green forests across beautiful meadows. The region has many specifically important Hindu pilgrimage site. Best season to travel: May, June & September to October.
DAY 01: DELHI.
Arrive in Delhi, met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 02: DELHI.
Half day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi, this includes visit to Rajghat (place where the last rites of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi were performed), the red fort, Jama Mosque and in New Delhi government buildings like the President's house, the Parliament House, the India Gate and finally Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb and Qutub Minar. Evening free.
DAY 03: DELHI - RISHIKESH - DRIVE 225 KMS.
The drive to Rishikesh is through the plains of western Uttar Pradesh with lush green fields. Basically a rich garvesting zone of India. Haridwar, 25 kms before Rishikesh, as the name implies is the gateway to the heaven. Lying at the foot hill of the Himalayas it is the link city between the plains of India and the Himalayan ranges on the north.
Rishikesh in ancient times was called Tapobhumi or the place of meditation. It is situated on the right bank of River Ganges and dotted with numerous Ashrams and Yoga centres. Swargashram and Geeta Bhawan across the river are worth visiting by the tourists, accessible by boats or more conveniently by Laxman Jhoola a hanging bridge, the oldest in that area across the river.
DAY 04: RISHIKESH - UTTERKASHI
After breakfast and visit to the various places
at Rishikesh we drive to Uttarkashi. We follow the river Bhagirithi for a
distance 125 kms. We halt at Uttarkashi, the district headquarters. The
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering & an ancient Shiva temple known as the
Vishvanath Temple are places of interest in the township.
DAY 05 : UTTARKASHI - GANGOTRI - 101 KMS
The drive is along the right bank of Bhagirathi through a narrow &
high gorge. The Ganga finds her source near Gangotri at Gaumukh, about 18
kms away in the Gangotri glacier. Literally a Cow's mouth, from where it
gushes out of a shout in the glacier. Ganga the stream o life, is a faith
by herself. According to Hindu belief this daughter of heaven came down
to earth as a reward for King Bhagirath's penance of several centuries
and Gangotri is the place where she descended. Here the river is
worshipped as a deity. The shrine of Gangotri nestles at the dreamy
height of 3140 metres. The temple to the river goddess Ganga which is
built here is said to have been built by the Gurkha commander Amar Singh
Thapa in the early 18th century and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of
Jaipur. The Gauri Kund waterfalls flow here. The Aarti held at the shrine
tin the evenings is both a spiritual & a mentally fascinating vision.
Overnight halt at Gangotri.
DAY 06: GANGOTRI - BHUJBAS - TREK
Trek to Bhujbas a distance of 16 kms. Overnight camp.
DAY 07: BHUJBAS - GAUMUKH - TAPOVAN
After breakfast trek to Tapovan. Crossing Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh.
Overnight in tents.
DAY 08: TAPOVAN.
DAY 09: TAPOVAN - BHUJBAS - TREK
At leisure, afternoon trek 8 kms to Bhujbas. Overnight in tents.
DAY 10: BHUJBAS - GANGOTRI - TREK
Same day drive from Gangotri to Uttarkashi 99
kms. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 11: UTTARKASHI - RISHIKESH DRIVE.
Overnight in hotel.
DAY 12: RISHIKESH - DELHI
Approx. 5 hours drive. Drive in Delhi around lunch time, day free,
overnight in hotel.
DAY 13: DELHI - AGRA - DELHI
Leave hotel early morning for departure by Shatabadi Express (the
fastest air-conditioned train of India). Departure time 0600 hrs arrival
in Agra at 0800 hrs. breakfast will be served on board.
Leave for sight seeing of monuments-Fatehpur Sikri (the abandoned city of
Mughal emperor Akbar) 45 minutes drive from Agra and then the Red Fort.
Late afternoon and the evening free for shopping and a visit to an
artisans place to witness inlay work of semi precious and precious stones
in marble. Finally proceed to the railway station for departure from Agra
to Delhi. Departure of train at 2000 hrs and arrival in Delhi at 2200
hrs. a light dinner is served on board. Transfer to hotel from the
railway station.
DAY 14: FINAL DAY IN DELHI.
Late check out from the hotel. Day free to do whatever one wishes to.
In the evening a visit to an Indian home for cocktails and thereafter
transfer to the airport for flight on the way out of Delhi.