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Garhwal Himalaya Itinerary
Duration: 13 days Dehra Dun to Rishikesh / Haridwar (September 20th - October 2nd) Grade: Moderate Altitude: 3,892 m (12,766 ft) Land Cost: $909 USD |
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Garhwal Himalaya Itinerary
Duration: 13 days Dehra Dun to Rishikesh / Haridwar (September 20th - October 2nd) Grade: Moderate Altitude: 3,892 m (12,766 ft) Land Cost: $909 USD |
This journey is one of the most popular Trekking and pilgrimage routes in the Indian Himalaya-for good reason. As a protected national heritage site it is the headwaters of India's most sacred river-the Ganges at Gaumukh. It is also a spectacular mountain region surrounded by mighty Himalayan snow peaks. To reach Gangotri (the beginning of the trek to Gaumukh) one actually crosses through the Greater Himalaya. For pilgrims, trekkers or mountaineers, Gangotri is the source.
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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
Our itinerary begins in Dehra Dun after arriving by train from New Delhi. People can also meet in New Delhi and travel together after their international arrival in India. We will be spending three days (four nights) in Mussoorie, a lovely "hill station" at 1921 m (6300ft). This is the home and head office of Trek Himalaya- a lovely place to acclimatize, rest and hike (& shop) in preparation for our journey. We will be staying at a great guesthouse with wonderful views. We then drive out of Mussoorie crossing through the Greater Himalyan Range on our way to Gangotri staying overnight at Uttarkashi. Gangotri itself is the end of the road and a a famous pilgrimage center, one of the four "dhams" (the four pilgrim power centers in the Indian Himalaya: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath). We will stay overnight at Gangotri -where we will offer our respect to Mother Ganga at the evening puja (service) at Gangotri temple. The next day we will also visit the village and it's well known resident "photo swami" Swami Sundaranand -a very interesting swami who has been an acknowledged photographer & man of God. Our return trek to Gaumukh-the Source of the Ganges-will be at a relaxed pace over four days with ample time to acclimatize and enjoy the experience. The actual source is a powerful natural site at the end of of the Gangoti Glacier where the holy Ganga emerges. Our return road trip takes us back down to Rishikesh and Haridwar-also on the sacred Ganges, which has been the traditional gateway to the hills and home to many ashrams. Our itinerary ends here to board the train back to New Delhi.
*Note - that we can provide assistance in securing your accommodation, in New Delhi and travel plans to Mussoorie, before the start of our itinerary below...
/ /Sept. 18: Arrive in Delhi - overnight hotel
/ /Sept. 19: Around Delhi (leisure day) - overnight hotel
Day 1/ /Sept. 20: Train to Dehra Dun from New Delhi, transfer and drive several hours up to Mussoorie, overnight guesthouse (Winkie's).
Day 2/ /Sept. 21: Mussoorie-rest day-explore town. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 3/ /Sept 22: Around Mussoorie -leisure day. Overnight Guesthouse.
Day 4/ /Sept 23: Around Mussoorie -training day hike. Overnight Guesthouse.
Day 5/ /Sept 24: Drive to Uttarkashi (approximately 7 hours) Overnight at Monal Hotel.
Day 6/ /Sept. 25: Short drive to Gangotri. Overnight at GVMN Guest House. Evening visit & puja at Gangotri temple.
Day 7/ /Sept. 26: Around Gangotri -visit with Swami Sundaranand- Trek 8kms to Chirbasa. Overnight camp.
Day 8/ /Sept 27: Trek 4 kms to Bhojbasa. Overnight at GMVN Guesthouse.
Day 9/ /Sept 28: Trek 5 kms to Gaumukh (Source of the Ganges). Hike back 9 kms to Chirbasa. Overnight Camp.
Day 10/ /Sept 29: Trek back down to Gangotri. Transfer and drive to Uttarkashi. Overnight at Monal Hotel.
Day 11/ /Sept. 30: Drive to Rishikesh. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12/ /Oct. 01 :Around Rishikesh. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13/ /Oct. 02: Around Haridwar. Board train to New Delhi.
Tour Cost Excludes: International flight, airport taxes. Visa, passport fees, medical and trip cancellation insurance. Any personal items such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, phone calls, and any personal medical expenses. Personal camping gear such as sleeping bags etc are also not included. Also, any expenses such as accommodation, food and transportation before arrival (while in New Delhi) in Dehradun (ie Day 1 of itinerary) and train cost to DehraDun & back to New Delhi from Haridwar.
Information Contact: This year Phyllis Victory will be conducting the tour from Vancouver, B.C. with assistance from Bill Marion for the Source of the Ganges Trek. The above 13 day program is part of a "Unique 30 day tour of Spiritual India" that she is facilitating. She can be contacted for all the information on this -at her e-mail address at: phyllis_victory@hotmail.com Phone number: 604-708-6115 cell: 604-230-0197. Bill Marion can be contacted at: e-mail: billmarion@codacom.com phone 604-736-9957
Travel Options; Various travel options are available to people who wish to extend their journey in India, which can be booked before you leave New Delhi through our reliable affiliate travel agent in New Delhi at VinString Holidays at the Y.W.C.A International Guest House in New Delhi, which is also a reasonable place to stay. The contact person there is Vini and he can be reached in advance to help organize your Delhi stay & further travels options to Agra etc... by e-mail (from outside the Himalaya) at: vin.india@vsnl.com
The address there is:10 Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001: Phone (in New Delhi) 91-11-3368717-3368759. Mention your referral by "Trek Himalaya".
Note that Trek Himalaya can also provide other "Himalayan" options in Garhwal, Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur & Spiti) and Ladakh, including a special Yatra to Holy Mt. Kailash in Tibet -see Optional Treks section of this web site for details.
