Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath

• Distance: 253 km (Drive)
• Duration: 10-11 hours
• Altitude Gain: 372m to 1875m

Description:

• Start:
  • Pick-up: Gather at Rishikesh at 6:30 AM, where the journey begins.
  • Route: Embark on a scenic drive along the Badrinath Road, a route known for its mesmerizing landscapes and river confluences.

• Driving Route Highlights:
  • Rishikesh to Devprayag:
    • Highlights: Witness the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, forming the holy Ganges. This sacred confluence, known as Sangam, is revered in Hindu culture.
  • Devprayag to Srinagar:
    • Landscape: Drive along the meandering Alaknanda river, with the road often flanked by towering mountains and deep valleys.
  • Srinagar to Rudraprayag:
    • Confluence: Witness the meeting point of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, an important site in Hindu mythology.
  • Rudraprayag to Karnaprayag:
    • Confluence: Observe the merging of the Pindar and Alaknanda rivers, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
  • Karnaprayag to Joshimath:
    • Scenery: The final stretch is a scenic drive through rugged mountain terrain, leading to Joshimath, a town known for its spiritual significance and natural beauty.

• Stay:
  • Accommodation: Overnight stay in a guest house at Joshimath, offering shared accommodation.
  • Facilities: Basic amenities include comfortable beds, hot water, and nutritious meal services.

Drive from Joshimath to Govindghat-Pulna and Trek to Ghangharia

• Trek Distance: 40 km (Drive) + 9 km (Trek)
• Duration: 4 hours (Drive) + 5 hours (Trek)
• Altitude Gain: 1875m to 2926m

Description:

• Start:
  • Morning: After an early breakfast, embark on a 40 km drive from Joshimath to Govindghat - Pulna.
  • Trek: Begin the trek from Pulna, making your way to Ghangharia, the base camp for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.
• Trail Details:
  • Pulna to Ghangharia:
    • Terrain: The trail is a gradual ascent along a stone-paved path, offering spectacular views of the river and surrounding mountains.
    • Water Availability: Several streams along the route allow for refilling water bottles, ensuring hydration during the trek.
• Highlights:
  • Govindghat: A small town that marks the starting point of the trek, often bustling with pilgrims and trekkers.
  • Ghangharia: Also known as Govind Dham, Ghangharia serves as the base camp. It’s a small settlement with guest houses, eateries, and a helipad. The area is surrounded by dense forests and cascading waterfalls.
  • Nature: Encounter verdant landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and a variety of Himalayan flora, making the trek an immersive experience in nature.
• Stay:
  • Accommodation: Overnight stay in a guest house at Ghangharia.
  • Facilities: Basic but comfortable amenities, including hot water and wholesome meal services to rejuvenate after the day’s trek.

Ghangharia to Valley of Flowers and Back to Ghangharia

• Trek Distance: 8 km (Round Trip)
• Duration: 7 hours
• Altitude Gain: 2926m to 3500m

Description:

• Start:
  • Early Breakfast: Begin the day early to fully explore the Valley of Flowers, ensuring enough time to immerse yourself in the natural beauty.
• Trail Details:
  • Path: The trail features a mix of level walks and gradual ascents, with the path leading through dense forests and meadows.
  • Water: Streams and small waterfalls along the route provide fresh water, allowing for bottle refills.
• Highlights:
  • Flora: The valley is renowned for its diverse flora, with unique flowers such as the white leaf hog foot, blue poppy, Himalayan rose, snake foil, and meadow geranium. The landscape is a riot of colors during the blooming season.
  • Views: The trail offers breathtaking views of the valley, ending with a glacier that marks the farthest accessible point.
  • Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch amidst the natural splendor of the valley, as there are no food services available within the protected area.
• Significance:
  • Valley of Flowers: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the valley is famed for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and breathtaking natural beauty. It’s also a paradise for botanists, nature lovers, and photographers.
  • Wildlife: Keep an eye out for rare Himalayan wildlife, including the elusive Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, and blue sheep.
• Stay:
  • Accommodation: Overnight stay in a guest house at Ghangharia.
  • Facilities: Basic amenities to ensure a comfortable stay, with hot water and meals to relax after the day’s exploration.

Ghangharia to Hemkund Sahib and Back to Ghangharia

• Trek Distance: 11 km (Round Trip)
• Duration: 7 hours
• Altitude Gain: 2926m to 4300m

Description:

• Start:
  • Early Breakfast: Set out early to reach Hemkund Sahib, a spiritual and natural high point of the trek.
• Trail Details:
  • Path: The trek to Hemkund Sahib is a challenging ascent, with steep sections that are well-paved and manageable with a steady pace.
  • Water: Refill your water bottles at roadside dhabas along the way, ensuring you stay hydrated on this strenuous leg of the journey.
• Highlights:
  • Flora: The trail is adorned with high-altitude flowers, including the revered Brahma Kamal and blue poppy, adding a splash of color to the rugged terrain.
  • Hemkund Sahib: At an altitude of 4,329 meters, Hemkund Sahib is the world’s highest Gurudwara. This sacred Sikh shrine is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and holds immense spiritual significance.
  • Hemkund Lake: The serene glacial lake is surrounded by snow-clad peaks, offering a tranquil and spiritually uplifting experience.
  • Lunch: A hot lunch is provided at the Gurudwara’s langar, a community kitchen that serves all visitors.
• Significance:
  • Spiritual Significance: Hemkund Sahib is a revered pilgrimage site for Sikhs, and the journey itself is considered a test of endurance and faith.
  • Scenery: The panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the serene ambiance of the lake make this trek a memorable experience.
• Stay:
  • Accommodation: Overnight stay in a guest house at Ghangharia.
  • Facilities: Basic amenities are available, including hot water and nourishing meals to help recover from the challenging trek.

Ghangharia to Govindghat and Drive Back to Joshimath

• Trek Distance: 13 km (Trek) + 20 km (Drive)
• Duration: 5 hours (Trek) + 1 hour (Drive)
• Altitude Gain: 2926m to 1875m

Description:

• Start:
  • Breakfast: After an early breakfast at the guest house, begin your descent from Ghangharia to Govindghat.

• Trail Details:
  • Path: The trek is a descent along a well-maintained trail, making it easier on the legs compared to the ascent. The trail meanders through lush forests, passing by streams, and occasionally opens up to panoramic views of the valleys below.
  • Scenery: The route offers stunning natural beauty, with verdant landscapes, flowing rivers, and distant mountain peaks. The descent is a good time to reflect on the journey while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

• Arrival at Govindghat:
  • Completion of Trek: Upon reaching Govindghat, your trek officially concludes. The sense of accomplishment is palpable as you look back at the distance covered and the experiences gathered.
  • Transport: A vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Joshimath, offering a comfortable ride after the trek.

• Drive to Joshimath:
  • Drive: The drive from Govindghat to Joshimath is relatively short, taking about an hour. The road winds through the mountains, offering scenic views along the way.
• Stay:
  • Accommodation: Overnight stay in a guest house at Joshimath, offering shared accommodation.
  • Facilities: Basic amenities include comfortable beds, hot water, and nutritious meal services.

Drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh

• Distance: 253 km (Drive)
• Duration: 10-11 hours
• Altitude Loss: 1875m to 372m

Description:

• Start:
  • Early Departure: Begin the drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh early in the morning after breakfast.
• Route Highlights:
  • Scenic Drive: Enjoy the picturesque views as you retrace your route through the Himalayas, passing through notable confluences like Karnaprayag and Devprayag.
• Arrival in Rishikesh:
  • Journey's End: Arrive in Rishikesh by late evening, marking the end of your trek and drive.