CHAR DHAM YATRA (8N/9D)

                                                                                            CHAR DHAM YATRA

The term char dham was (four adobes) was first used by a Hindu philosopher and reforms shri Adi Shankaracharya, where he defines the four famous Vaishnavite pilgrimages.

The ancient pilgrimages that were mentioned in the scriptures were Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Each of these has its own significance and importance in Hindu mythology. In recent times, these ancient sites are identified as Chota char dham to differentiate them from the bigger circuit which includes Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Puri and Dwarka. 

The basic description of the Char dhams are:-

BADRINATH DHAM:-

Badrinath temple is one of the famed shrines of Chardham Yatra dedicated to Lord Vishnu.It is Situated along with Alaknanda River on the hills of Uttarakhand state, Badrinath Dham is one of the holiest temples for the Hindus.

It is believed that, once upon  time, it was Lord Shankar's home, But looking at the glory of that place, Lord Vishnu Narayana asked for it and Lord Shankar very happily gave up his favourite place to go and reside in Kedarnath.

When the flow of two rivers meet and then flow as one this point at which they meet is called prayag. On the way to Badrinath you will get a chance to view five prayags. On the way to Badrinath, all devotees get the fortune of going around Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Nand prayag and Vishnu prayag.

The river that emerges from Gangotri Gaumukh is known as Bhagirathi, And the river that comes from Badrinath is known as Alaknanda. When Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet affectionately then they are known as Ganga.

The mata murti fair that takes place in Badrinath is  celebrated in the descending memory of goddess of Ganga And this is a very well known fair. Situated in north India, the chief priest of this temple who is also known as Rawal they are traditionally Nambudiri Brahimins. They are the residents of Multaha Kerala.

KEDARNATH DHAM:-

Kedarnath mandir is a hindu temple located in the Himalayan region, near Mandakini river in Uttarakhand. It is one of the twelve (12) Jyotirlingas and also a part of Chota char dham yatra. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigraham (deities) from Kedarnath temple are carried down to Ukhimath and where the deity is worshiped for the next six months. The shiva linga  worshipped at  kedarnath is triangular in shape. Maa parvati worshipped Kedareshwar for uniting with lord Shiva as ardhanarishvara.

GANGOTRI :-

Gangotri is a small town in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of river Ganges. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft). It is one of the four sites in the Chota char Dham pilgrimage circuit.

According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair.

The original Gangotri Temple was built by the Nepalese general Amar Singh Thapa.The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glacier, and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri.

The temple is closed from Diwali day every year and is reopened on Akshaya Tritiya. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil.

YAMUNOTRI:-

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna in Hinduism in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sites in Uttarakhand's Char Dham pilgrimage. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to the Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Janki Chatti.

The temple of Yamuna, on the left bank of the Yamuna, was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The deity is made of black marble. The Yamuna, like the Ganges, has been elevated to the status of a divine mother for the Hindus and has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.

Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Surya Kund is the most important kund. Near the Surya Kund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes, tied in muslin cloth, to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam. The pujaris of Yamunotri come from the village of Kharsali near Janki Chatti. They are the administrators of the sacred place and perform religious rites. They are well-versed in the Shastras.

SHORT ITINERARY:

Day 1:- Dehradun - Haridwar / Rishikesh to Ranachatti (169 km Drive / 6 hrs. approx)

Day 2:- Ranachatti to Yamunotri to Ranachatti (45 km drive and then 6 km trek)

Day 3:-Ranachatti to Uttarkashi (114 km drive / 4 hrs. approx)

Day 4:- Uttarkashi to Gangotri to Uttarkashi (100 km drive / 3 hrs. approx)

Day 5:- Uttarkashi to Guptkashi (198 km / 7 hrs. approx)

Day 6:- Guptkashi to Gaurikund to Kedarnath (30 km drive and 16 km trek)

Day 7:- Kedarnath to Gaurikund to Guptkashi to Joshimath (14 km down trek and 145 km drive / 8 hrs. approx)

Day 8:- Joshimath to Badrinath to Joshimath (46 km drive / 2 hrs. approx)

Day 9:- Joshimath to Rishikesh / Haridwar /Dehradun (298 km / 8 hrs. approx)

CHAR DHAM YATRA ITINERARY

Day 01:  Dehradun- Haridwar/Rishikesh to Ranachatti

Distance and time: 169 km drive approx 6 hrs.

Haridwar is considered as one of the seven holiest cities in india. The ancient city is located on the banks of river Ganga in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Haridwar can be reached both by train or Air. The nearest airport of Haridwar is Jolly Grant airport. It is around 40 km away from Haridwar and it will take almost 1 hour 15 min to reach Haridwar from Jolly Grant airport by car. If you are going there then don't forget to visit Har ki Pauri ghat and watch famous ganga aarti there. Har ki pauri is one of the most sacred Ghats in Haridwar. It is a well known landmark of the place.

Rishikesh is situated along the convergence of ganga and chandrabhaga River, Rishikesh is a beautiful place located on the foothills of Himalayas. It is a place where you can enjoy scenic beauty, Tranquillity, some exotic spa and yoga treatment and at the same time can experience some of the best adventure sports which will surely give you some adrenaline rush.

The road that leads to Rishikesh from Haridwar is one of the most beautiful roads of India. Upon reaching Rishikesh don't forget to visit Ram jhula. Ram jhula is a suspension bridge built in 1986. The bridge runs across the sacred Ganga and connects Shivnanda nagar to swarg ashram. The bridge is 750 feet long and is a purely engineering marvel.

You can reach Ranachatti from Rishikesh by road which is almost 213. Km away from Rishikesh, it will take almost 6 hrs and 35 min to reach Ranachati from Rishikesh via NH 709B. Or you can Reach Rishikesh from mussoorie which is almost 200.8 km and it will take almost 5 hrs and 30 min to reach via NH 709B.

ated. You can reach uttarkashi from Ranachatti with the help of a bus or cab or your personal car. It is about 113.1 km from Ranachatti and it will take almost 4 hrs and 8 min to reach there via NH 134.

DAY 04:  Uttarkashi to Gangotri to Uttarkashi

Distance and time: 100 km drive / 3 hrs. approx

Gangotri is a small town in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of river bhagirathi/ganga and origin of river ganges. It is on the greater himalayan range, at a height of 3,100 metres(10,200 ft). You can reach gangotri from uttarkashi by the means of road via NH34 which is almost 99.5 km and it will take almost 2 hrs and 59 min to reach gangotri from uttarkashi.

DAY 05: Uttarkashi to Guptkashi

Distance and time: 198 km / 7 hrs. Approx

Gupta kashi or Guptkashi is a fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319 meters (4,327 ft) in the kedar-khanda in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttrakhand, India. Guptkashi can be reached by buses or cars via NH107 from uttarkashi. It is around 215.3 km away from Uttarkashi and it will take almost 7 hrs and 16 min to reach guptkashi from Uttarkashi. Or you can reach Guptkashi via Uttarkashi-kedarnath Bypass which is around 194.4 km and it will take almost 7 hrs and 18 min to reach Guptkashi,  Or you can reach Guptkashi with another road which is NH34 and the distance is almost 43.8 km and it will take almost 8 hrs and 10 min to reach Guptkashi.

Day 06: Guptkashi to Gaurikund to Kedarnath

Distance and time: 30 km drive and 16 km trek

Gaurikund is the commencement point of the trek of 16 kms to the sacred shrine of which is situated at an altitude of 6502 feet above mean sea level in the Garhwal Himalaya. The distance between Guptkashi to Gaurikund is 14 km. You can reach there with the help of the road.

Kedarnath temple is situated at a height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft). The name kedarnath means the lord of the field. It derives from the sanskrit word kedara which means field and natha which means lord. This temple opens between  the months of April to November due to climate.  The distance between Gaurikund to kedarnath is 16 km. You can reach kedarnath from Gaurikund by trekking or you can hire a horse or palanquins or you can use the helicopter service.

Day 07: Kedarnath to Gaurikund to Guptkashi to Joshimath

Distance and time: 14 km down trek and 145 km drive / 8 hrs. approx

The distance between kedarnath to Gaurikund is 16 km. You can reach Gaurikund from kedarnath by trekking or you can hire a horse or palanquins or you can use the helicopter service.

The distance between Gaurikund to Guptkashi is 14 km. You can reach there with the help of the road.

Joshimath is also known as jyotirmath, is a city situated in the chamoli district in uttarakhand, india. It is Located at a height of 6150 feet (1875 m). Jyotirmath can be reached by road via NH 107A and NH 7 which is around 145.5 km from the Guptkashi and it will take almost 5 hrs and 20 min to reach joshimath.

Day 08: Joshimath to Badrinath to Joshimath

Distance and time: 46 km drive / 2 hrs. Approx

Badrinath temple, also called Badrinarayan temple, is a hindu temple dedicated to vishnu. The temple is located in Garhwal hills track in chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River at an elevation of 3,133 m (10,279 ft) above the mean sea level. Badrinath can be reached with the help of a road which is around 44.2 km from Joshimath via NH 7,  it will take almost 1 hour and 56 min to reach Badrinath from joshimath.

Day 09:- Joshimath to Rishikesh / Dehradun

Distance and time : 298 km / 8 hrs. Approx

You can reach Rishikesh with the help of a road which is around 254.4 km  from Joshimath via NH 7, it will take almost 7 hr and 44 min to reach Rishikesh from Joshimath.

Once you reach Rishikesh then with the help of a cab or train you can go to your destination (dehradun) which is around 44.4 km and it will take almost 1 hr and 9 min to reach dehradun from Rishikesh.

Price Inclusion

For the duration of your trek, you will be staying in hotels and camps from day one to departure day.

Meals: From the first supper to the departure day morning, all meals are included. We offer easy, nutritious vegetarian food on all days of the trek.

Transportation: We will provide round-trip transportation from pick up point and drop point.

Camping fees: Both trekking permits and woodland camping fees are included in the price.

All of the camps will provide you with high-quality tents and sleeping bags for your trek. We have high-altitude sleeping bags that can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C. Ropes, microspikes, and gaiters are all available. 

Price Exclusion

Expenses for personal reasons: For instance, during the trek, personal bags must be transported.

Emergency Costs: Any expense arises as a result of any kind of emergency

What to take

> Trekking shoes

> Backpack: 40 Liter

> Daypack: 20 liter

> Clothes: Fleese jacket, T-shart, thermal inner one pair, Light towel, raincover bag, poncho, rain coat, down jacket, etc...

> Trek pant

> wind proof / water resident jackets,

> Woollen shocks

> Woollen cap: 1 & Scarf : 1

> Sunglasses: good quality

> Trekking pole : 1

> Handgloves: one pair waterproof

> Torch (extra sell), sunscreen, cold cream, lip bam, toilet paper, hand sanitizer

> Water botal 1 Liter ( Avoid Bisleri Bottles)

> Glucose, Chocolates & nuts

> Personal medical kit

> Paracetamol - 4 tablets (fivar)

> Saridon - 4 tab (headache)

> Digene - 4 tablets (acidity)

> Crepe Bandage - 2 pair

> Band-aid - 10 strips

> Cotton - 1 peket

> Ors - 5 peket

> Bentadine or any antiseptic creem

> Move, spray (aches & sprains)

> ( If you required )

Cancellation Policy

> In case you wish to cancel your trek please email us at info.thehimalayan@gmail.com

> Cancellation charges are based on the total trek fee, irrespective of the amount paid either full     or partial.

> The cancellation policy is based on the original booking time and original start date of the trek.

> Before 30 days: 90% of the total Land Package Cost is refundable

> Between 21-30 days: 75% of the total Land Package Cost is refundable.

> Between 11-20 days: 50% of the total Land Package Cost is refundable.

> Less than 10 days: No refund.

Trek cancellation due to weather:

>  In case of an incomplete trek due to weather conditions, one can opt for the same trek again    throughout their lifetime on all our fixed departure for the same trek.

>  This attempt only covers the trek fee and will not include any rentals or the transportation amount paid earlier.

>  This is non-transferable