Day 01 : Delhi - Rishikesh (230 kms/6 hrs)
In the morningyou can drive to Rishikesh or take an AC train for Haridwar by 06:55 hrs. Arrival at Haridwar by 11:25 hrs and then drive to Rishikesh by car. Check in to hotel. Evening explore the religious town of Rishikesh,and visit the Ganga river bank for the spectacular Aarti ceremony - a spectacle of sights, sounds and chanting. Rishikesh is well known for its scenic beauty and the spiritual experience. Flanked by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It is fabled that when Raibhya Rishi penanced hard, God appeared by the name of "Hrishikesh" and this area thereafter came to be known as Rishikesh (Locks of the sage). Overnight in hotel.
Day 02 : Rishikesh - Ghat
After an early breakfast drive to Ghat via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag and Nandprayag, the most famous confluences of Garhwal Himalayas. Ghat is a huge village with more than a couple of schools, government offices and more or less happening market for the nearby villages. The Forest Rest House can also be used as a reasonably priced accommodation. The river Nandakini emerging from Mt Trishul passes near this village (hence the name “Ghat”)Overnight in guest house/ hotel.
Day 03 : Ghat - Selu Bagar - Ghunni (6 kms/2-3 hrs)
It's time to the board typical Himalayan village jeeps which will takes one to Selu Bagar (Chesna), a small center with a handful of shacks serving as village shops and the starting point for the trek. This drive covers 7 km and takes around 30 minutes. Meet the ponies/porters at this point. The trail from here is well marked with continuous switch backs to the ridge from where one can see the settlements of Ramni and Ghunni villages. The villagers are essentially a farming community, and grow potatoes, wheat and mustard for their daily needs. From here it is a walk through the village full of colors of Himalayan inhabitants. After passing through a couple of cluster settlements, the trail goes past the village and thereafter, after covering a total of 6 kms and climbing steeply for 3 hrs, one arrives at an open plateau , known as Ghunni, which is the campsite for the day. The massive campsite is also used as a playground and hosts innumerous sporting events. Overnight in tents.
Day 04 : Ghunni - Vinayak Pass - Jhinjhi Village (13 kms/6-7 hrs)
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The day requires an essential early start not only to negotiate the day's rigours, but also to relish the beautiful Himalayan views! The trails winds up to the ridge top towering high above the campsite at Ghunni. After crossing the ridge one comes to an open meadow with stunning views of some of the mountain peaks. From here the trail continues to climb gently, passing through beautiful forests of Rhododendron, followed by pasture grasslands for sheep and cattle with many Chhanis (seasonal dwellings for local shepherds and cow herds). Continue with the trail which is more or less gradual finally takes you to Vinayak Pass. The pass is marked with a Ganesha temple with a prayer flag. From here one gets to see some excellent view of Himalayas and first view of Kuari pass at a distance, and also Trishul,and Nanda Ghunti, One can also view Ramni and Ghunni settlements lower down in the valley. On a clear day one might also be able to view the famed Roop Kund area from here. From this point on, the trail starts to drop down gently, and at times becomes very steep - passing through Sem Kharak. The 4 hrs of descent through the well laid path finally takes one to the village of Jhinjhi- inhabited by 30 – 35 families, and located by the side of a mountain stream. This is also on the route to the trek to Saptrishi Tal. Overnight in the small campsite in tents.Day 05 : Jhinjhi - Pana Village (8 kms/4-5 hrs)
The day's walk showcases the living style and culture of people of Jhinjhi village as one walks through it! The trail continues to descend through the village finally comes to the valley floor after a 2 km descent and brings one to a high suspension bridge over river Birahi Ganga – originating from the famed Roop Kund (Skeleton Lake). After crossing the bridge one gets to the true right of the valley. The trail zig zags steeply initially and flattens at the ridge. Some admirable views of the nearby settlements and peeks of the Himalayan snow clads are a sight to behold! From here the path is gradual and goes through a beautiful forest of Rhododendron finally going past Kaliagad to the settlement at Pana. A final ascend of less than a kilometer will brings one to the campsite above village of Pana- a bustling village located on the ridge. A well deserved cup of tea, after having covered an uphill stretch, totalling 7 kms, is a welcome respite! The campsite is very small and often with smaller groups one prefers a family stay over tented accommodation. Overnight in tents.
Day 06 : Pana - Dakhwani (3300 mts/10824 ft) 14 kms/5 hrs
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The trail is well marked above the camp site passing through a thick Rhododendron forest with a few false summits. The 2 kms finally takes one to the ridge. The trail now, gradually passing through the forest enters an open meadow at Sartoli - which serves as a camping site as well as pasture land for a sheep & cattle. This is an ideal place to view Kuari Pass dominating the horizon.Initially the trail from Sartoli starts to descend gradually for a couple of kilometers but in the latter part, the final descent to the side stream is very steep with loose moraine (The guest are required to use their trekking poles during this stretch). One has to cross over the side stream and start a steep ascend with a series of switch backs to the ridge top. From here the trail traverses slightly with a couple of ascend again and finally takes one across the stream just below Dhakwani. From this point it is no more than a half hour climb to the campsite at Dhakwani, and the delicious water from the mountain stream looks like Manna from heaven for the parched throats!. A cup of tea awaits at the camp!. Overnight in tents.
Day 07: Dakhwani - Kuari Pass (3800 mts/ ft) - Tali (9 kms/5-6 hrs)
This day requires an early start in order to get a magnificent view at the pass. The trail from Dhakwani continues to climb through the forest until one crosses the tree line. From this point the path traverses to the left of the valley just under the pass and continues with a series of switch backs straight to the pass. The pass looks deceptively close and seems to take ages to reach . It is customary to make an early start so as to see the sun rise at the pass.Take your time, relax and enjoy photography at the pass, and capture beautiful memories forever!
The trail from the pass slightly ascends to a hump. From where one gets an excellent view of Dronagiri peak. After this the trail descends to a point with a bifurcation to Tapovan (via Khulari) & Tali. Continue on the trail taking care not to slip or get injured owing to the loose gravel and rocky area covering a total of 7 kms. The last leg of the day’s trek leads to a ridge with temple and prayer flags having covered 2 kms of an uphill climb. From here the Great Nanda Devi peak comes in view. The trail goes past through pasture land and enters the forest and finally leads to the campsite at Tali. Overnight in tents.Day 08: Tali - Auli- Joshimath (2550 mts/8364 ft) 17 kms/5-6 hrs
Take today’s morning at ease. The trail from Tali is a gradual climb across mountain ridge. This trail is narrow and requires cautious walking until it reaches Gorson meadows. From here it is Himalayas all around! The great Nanda Devi peak dominates all the other peaks. The crossing of Gorson meadows with its vast meadows and wild flowers is most enjoyable. Finally the man made structures can be seen from a distance, marking the location of the village of Aul! It is now time to say adieu to the ponies and porters, and to board the Jeep to Joshimath – a 13 kms drive away. The town of Joshimath (Distortion of the word - “Jyotirmath”) is a bustling market place and serves as the main bazaar for nearly all the nearby villages. The town was thus named in honour of Guru Adi Shankaracharya, who visited the town in 300 CE, and established a temple here.Overnight in hotel.
Day 09: Joshimath - Rishikesh
Early morning drive to Rishikesh. On the way visit Rudraprayag where river Mandakini and Alaknanda meet. Lunch enroute. Arrive Rishikesh by evening. Check into the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
