Chardham Pilgrimage Expedition
Overview
Since the 1950, the importance of the Char Dham as both an actual destination and an object of the national Hindu religious imagination has grown considerably. Buoyed by "religious tourism" and by the rise of a conservative Hindu population compelled by sites that speak to the existence of an all-India Hindu culture, the Char Dham has become an important destination for pilgrims from throughout South Asia and the diaspora, particularly Bengalis, Marwaris, Odias, Marathis, Gujaratis, Delhites and people from Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Today, the circuit receives hundreds of thousands of visitors in an average pilgrimage season, which lasts from approximately April 15 until Diwali (sometime in November). The season is heaviest in the two-month period before the monsoon, which normally comes in late July. After the rains begin, travel to the sites becomes extremely dangerous. Even before the rains begin, safety is a major concern, as extensive road building and heavy traffic have critically destabilized the rocks, making fatal landslides and bus/jeep accidents a regular occurrence. Mortality rates for a season often surpass 200. Some pilgrims also visit the sites after the rains ends and before the sites become impassable due to snow. Although temperatures at the shrines in the early winter months of October and November are inhospitable, it is said that the mountain scenery surrounding the sites is most vivid after the rains have had a chance to moisten the dust of the plains below.
Breakfast
Sightseeing
Hotel
Transport
Trip Highlights
- 1. Yamunotri temple is the temple dedicated to Ma Yamuna River (Goddess) & Yamunotri Glacier is the source of Maa Yamuna River.
- 2. Gangotri temple is the temple dedicated to goddess Ganga or Maa Ganga and Gaumukh is the source of Ma Ganga.
- 3. Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Shiva and also one of the twelve Jyotirling in India.
- 4. Badrinath temple is dedicated to Vishnu and one of the biggest Char Dham of India.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Delhi
On arrival at Airport, you will be met by our representative who gives you a warm welcome. Check into hotel.Rest of the day is at Leisure. Overnight stay is at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Haridwar
After breakfast proceed to Haridwar,
Haridwar: The holy city of Haridwar translates to "Gateway to God," and the breathtaking city, replete with temples, is a magnet for religious pilgrims from all over the globe. Religious festivals hold even further draw, and tourists can’t helped but be compelled by the city’s aura of intense spirituality. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places of the Hindus, located on the banks of River Ganges. The sheer numbers of people gathering around Har-ki-Pairi Ghat give Haridwar a chaotic but reverent feel. Evening visit Mansa Devi Temple & Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
Day 03; Haridwar – Barkot
After breakfast proceed to Barkot via Mussoorie, enroute visit Mussoorie Lake & Kempty Fall in Mussoorie. Later drive straight to Barkot. Check into the hotel arrival in Barkot.
Day 04 Barkot;– Yamunotri - Barkot
Early morning after breakfast (packed breakfast), drive to Jankichatti / Phoolchatti & star trek from here to Yamunotri (6kms) (Either by walk or by horse or by Doli at own cost). After taking bath in Jamunabai Kund's warm water and having "Darshan" of "Yamunaji" return to Jankichatti by trek. Later drive towards Barkot,
Day 05 Barkot;– Uttarkashi
After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi. Visit Shivgufa on the way to Uttarkashi. Arrival in Uttarkashi visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi city. After that check in Hotel. Day free for rest.
Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams, temples. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is also situated on the banks of River Ganga Stay at Uttarkashi
Day 06 Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi
Early morning (packed breakfast) drive to Gangotri, enroute at Gangnani take a holy dip in Garam Kund, further drive to Gangotri via beautiful Harsil Valley. Harsil is famous for its nature beauty and for the majestic views of the Deodar trees and mountains. On arrival at Shree Gangotri, take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges which is also called Bhagirathi at its origin. Perform Pooja and Darshan, after that relax for some time in the lovely surroundings. Later drive back to Uttarkashi.
Day 07 Uttarkashi -Guptakashi
Morning after breakfast, drive to Guptkashi via Moolgarh & Lambgoan. Enroute you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara. The Mandakini river comes from Kedarnath, drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi, visit Ardh Narishwar Temple in Guptakashi. Check into the hotel arrival in Guptakashi.
Day 08 Guptakashi – Kedarnath
Morning after breakfast go 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. 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 remaining 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.
By Helicopter: Morning our driver will transfer you your prebook Helipad. After Back our car will drop you at Hotel for rest.
By Trek: Morning our driver will drop you at Sonprayag then you have to take local jeep for Gourikund & then your trek start for kedarnath ji. After darshan you follow same & back to Sonprayag. There is big parking issue so driver will back other palace if his contact no. in not working then you have to arrange other taxi or wait for your driver & send the massage any other driver.
Day 09; Kedarnath - Guptakashi
Morning after Pooja & breakfast & back your hotel.
By Helicopter: Morning our driver will transfer you your prebook Helipad. After Back our car will drop you at Hotel for rest.
By Trek: You have to come by trek til gaurikund then take local jeep for Sonprayag where you Driver will wait. There is big parking issue so driver will back other palace if his contact no. in not working then you have to arrange other taxi or wait for your driver & send the massage any other driver.
Day 10; Guptakashi -Badrinath
Morning after breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Check in to the hotel arrival in Badrinath. Pilgrims after having a bath in the Taptkund have the Darshan of Badrivishal & Aarti in evening. 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.
Day 11; Badrinath – Joshimath - Rudraprayag
Morning enjoy the after breakfast, driver for Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Visit on the way Narsingh Temple in Joshimath later drive back to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. Check into the hotel arrival in Rudraprayag.
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.
Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River. It is confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag.
Day 12; Rudraprayag – Haridwar
Morning after breakfast, drive for Haridwar via Rishikesh. Rishikesh '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. Later visit Rishikesh Temples Sight Seeing – Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla. aarti at Triveni Ghat . Later drive back to Haridwar
Day 13; Haridwar –Delhi
breakfast, drive for Delhi visit to Local sight seeing visit to magnificent Red Fort, the Jama Masjid - Asia's largest mosque, Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi - the "Father of the Nation". Afternoon tour of New Delhi to include Humanyun's Tomb, Akhsardham Temple, Birla Mandir, Bahai's Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, President's House Ove Night stay at Delhi
Day 14; Delhi
After breakfast based on your fight time you will be transfer to the Delhi Airport.
Important Information
- The Hotels used are normally First Class Hotel ranging in the 3 Star Category. Even we also provide optional hotels which you can choose to enhances based on your budget.
- Hotel accommodation is on Double Sharing Basis.
- Daily Buffet / Fixed Menu Breakfast as per Plan mentioned in the Package.
- The Hotels are subject to availability. In case of unavailability in the mentioned Hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category Hotel.
- Standard Check-in at 12.00 Noon & Check-out at 09.00AM. But for some Hotels, Check-in & Check-out at10.00, 11.00 AM or 12.00 or 01.00 Noon it depends upon the Hotel rule. Kindly coordinate.
- Non AC Rooms are provided in Hill Stations due to low temperature.
Transportation Details:
- All Transfers and Sightseeing by Air-condition Private Transport as per the itinerary.
- Transportation for entire round: (02 -03pax) Etios or Indigo/ (04 – 05pax) Innova/ (06 – 12pax) Tempo Traveller or similar for all categories as per the itinerary. Vehicle is as per the itinerary and not on disposal basis.
- Guests have to coordinate with the Driver and Guide, to leave the Hotel on time so as to ensure that the sightseeing locations have reached on time.
- All Toll, Parking, Permit, Driver Allowance, Fuel Cost and Transportation Tax.
Notes:
- Our Company Terms and Conditions apply.
- All sightseeing is subject to Weather and Political Conditions in the Destination.
- Do carry comfortable walking shoes.
- It is mandatory to carry a valid photo identity card (Passport / Driving License / Voter ID card).
- Shopping would be on your own arrangements.
Packages Exclude
- Any Meals/ en-route Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Cost due to upgrading or changing hotels, Room type, category etc. and late check out, if any.
- Any entry fees for Monuments, Tourist Places, Temple, Monasteries, Gardens, Plantation, Park, Sanctuary, Forest, Rides, Safaris, Boating, Rafting, Skiing, Skating, Cable Car / Ropeway Rides, Helicopter Rides, additional sightseeing tours/ excursions not included in the itinerary.
- Porter age at Hotels and Airports, Insurance, Tips, Room Service, Laundry, Mineral Water, Alcoholic or Non Alcoholic Beverages, Phone Calls, Room Heaters, Video Camera, Still, Personal Nature viz etc.
- Package does not include fees for any Pooja/ Dharsan/ Aarthi, Gurusamy, Pooja Material etc.
- Expense caused by factors beyond our control like Rail and Flight Delays, Roadblocks, and Vehicle Mal-Functions, Political Disturbances, Strike etc.
- Air, Rail or Surface fare from / to your originating city of stay, unless specified.
- Supplement charges applicable for Long weekends and Festivals. Compulsory Gala Dinner will be charged extra for Christmas and New Year Eve.
- Any item or service not specifically mentioned in "Inclusions" column.
- Govt. Service Tax of 3.09 % .
