Haridwar Badrinath
05 Nights – 06 Days
Day 01: Dehradun / Haridwar - Guptkashi (210kms/7-8hr) HT : 1319 MTS. Pickup from Dehradun / Haridwar Railway Station, drive straight to Guptkashi. On arrival Check In at the Hotel, evening visit Ardh Narishwar Temple. Overnight stay at the Hotel. The name Gupt Kashi means "Hidden Benares. Mythology describes how when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shivji first concealed himself at Gupt Kashi, 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 Gupt Kashi during the winter months, and after the Kedarnath temple closes for the winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through Gupt Kashi 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 winters.
Day 02: Guptkashi - Kedarnath (30kms by road & 19kms Trek)
After
medical check-up proceed to Sonprayag, Trek start from Sonprayag to
Kedarnath (3584 mts) by Pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal
medicines, heavy woolen, 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 after 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 r! emaining 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 Panch Kedar.
Early morning, after Temple Darshan trek down to Sonprayag. Further drive to Guptkashi. Check in Hotel. Night Halt
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Later at evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay.
Day 05: Badrinath – Rudraprayag (160kms) / Kirtinagar (190kms)
Early morning, pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal. Brahamakapal is significant for Pinddan Shraddh of ancestors (Pitrus). There are other interesting sightseeing spot like Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, Bhimkund and the "Mukh" of the Saraswati River. Just within the three kms of Badrinathjee. Later drive back to 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 Adi Shankaracharya, 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 left 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 Bhavishya Badri.
Day 06: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh – Haridwar (160kms/5hr) / Kirtinagar – Rishikesh - Haridwar (135kms/4hr)
Drive
to Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on
the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by 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 Temples & Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir, Shivananda Ashram.
Later transfer to Haridwar Railway Station / Dehradun Airport. Tour Terminate.
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".
Tapt Kund : Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath temple.
Narad Kund : A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
Brahama Kapal : A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform proppitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.
Sheshnetra : 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.
Charanpaduka : 3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.
Mata Murty Temple : Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.
Mana Village : Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet.
Vasundhara : As the name suggests, vasundhara is a magnificent water fall. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 kms. is motorable upto Mana.
Bhim Pul : 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.
Vyas Gufa (cave) : Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries
About Helicopter Service in Kedarnath
Valid identification is required as well as biometric registration.
There are 3 different helipad locations (Phata, Sirsi and Agatsya Muni) and ticket will be booked according to availability. If your hotel is far from helipad you need to start early to reach on time. If you prefer particular helipad only kindly contact company before making payment.
If the helicopters are not flying for any reason like weather or other reason we will be not responsible. You will get your money for helicopter ticket cost refund but date change will be difficult for us. In case of cancelation of flight for the day due to any reason, the current day passenger will be given priority over previous day passenger. Previous passengers may be accommodated subject to availability of seats; else full fare will be refunded. No extra refund for meals / accommodation / transport will be provided only helicopter ticket cost will be refund.
Aerial photography from helicopter is prohibited.
Reporting time for Helicopter is as per the aviation company information on ticket and we will be not able to change it and if you don’t reach on reporting time no refund is possible. All passengers should report at the given reporting time, the boarding may take place any time after that depending on traffic and flight schedule. Boarding time can take 2 hrs also after reporting but guest must reach on time according reporting time.
Priority Darshan passes (VIP tickets) for Kedarnath temple for same day passenger will be charged as per rates decided by Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC). Approx 1100 to RS 2500 Per Person. That amount you have to pay as per crowd & committee instruction at the helipad.
Seating of the passengers will be depending on the helicopter load carriage and guests may have to be divided in separate flights.
Two way passengers will have priority over one way passengers.
Night halt passengers will be booked for 1400 hrs onwards flights only. Reporting time at Kedarnath helipad, next day for return flights, will be 0600 hrs. Night halt passengers will be allowed to stay at Kedarnath after the declaration by Govt. of Uttarakhand
Passengers are entitled only one piece of baggage weighing not more than 2 kilograms, any additional piece of baggage will not be allowed.
Children above 2 years of age will be provided with a seat and will be charged full fare. For infants less than two years is free and no seat will be provided to the infants.