Location:
Garhwal Himalayas
Base: Gaurikund
Altitude: 3584 m above Sea Level
Best Time: May -September
Kedarnath-Vasuki Tal Trek- Kedarnath is at an altitude
of 3584 m. A magnificent temple was built by the Pandavas at the
base of Kedarnath Peak's south-eastern face, and millions
of pilgrims now come to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva here.
The Himalayas have been
revered as the abode of divinity, since the dawn of Indian religious
thought. Several venerated pilgrimage sites dot the foothills
and the peaks of the Himalayas. The Ganges, revered as a holy
river originates in the glaciers in the unsurmountable heights
of the mighty Himalayan ranges. Most noteworthy of the Himalayan
pilgrimage sites are Badrinath and Kedarnath.
ITINERARY:-( Kedarnath-Vasuki
Tal Trek )
Day01:Delhi-Haridwar - Early
morning arrival at Delhi. 0700 hrs departure by train to Haridwar.
Day at leisure to explore this holy town. Visit the 'Aarti' (holy
ceremony) performance at the river 'Ghat' at sunset. Overnight
in Hotel.
Day02: Haridwar-Ghuttu - Drive to the road-head at Ghuttu
( 1524m ) - a small hamlet on the banks of river Bhilangana. Overnight
in Guest House / Tents.
Day03: Ghuttu-Dhupanda - Begin the trek to the grasslands
of Panwali. Halt for the night at village Dhupanda ( 2896m ).
Overnight in Tents. ( 13 Kms; 7-9 hrs walking )
Day04: Dhupanda-Panwali - Continue to Panwali ( 3963m ).
The scenery all along the route is really fantastic. Overnight
in Tents / Forest Rest House. ( 6 Kms; 3-5 hrs walking )
Day05: Panwali - Day to explore the grasslands, which offer
a panoramic view of the Greater Himalayan range.
Day06: Panwali-Talli - A gentle climb brings you to Talli
top ridge. Descend to lower Talli- a very scenic campsite. Overnight
in Tents. ( Aprox.8 Kms; 4-6 hrs walking )
Day07: Talli-Gangi - Continue the descend into the Bhilangana
valley, passing through dense forest. After crossing the river,
climb to reach the village Gangi. Campfire dinner. Overnight in
Guest House. ( Aprox.8 Kms; 6-8 hrs walking )
Day08: Gangi - Day for rest and leisure.
Day09: Gangi-Biroda - Take the trail along the river valley.
Halt at Biroda for the night. Overnight in Tents. ( 7 Kms; 4-6
hrs walking )
Day10: Biroda-Kharsali - Proceed to Kharsali climbing gradually.
Overnight in Tents. ( 8 Kms; 5-7 hrs walking )
Day11: Kharsali-Tambakund - Reach the base camp for Khatling
Glacier. Camp amidst the meadows dominated by gargantuan mountains.
Overnight in Tents. ( 8 Kms; 7-9 hrs walking )
Day12: Tambakund-Khatling-Bhelbagi - Take an excursion
to the tip of the Khatling Glacier (3415m) - the source of the
river Bhilangana. Return to Tambakund and proceed back to Bhelbagi
( 3110m ). Overnight in Tents. ( 10 Kms; 6-8 hrs walking )
Day13: Bhelbagi - Day for rest and leisure.
Day14: Bhelbagi-Masar Tal - From here take the diversion
that takes you to the high altitude lake- Masar Tal ( 3675m ).
Overnight in Tents. ( 7 Kms; 8-10 hrs walking )
Day15: Masar Tal - Painya Tal - A day of challenging trek
involving crossing a high pass en-route. Camp by the lake Painyatal.
Overnight in Tents. ( 8 Kms; 8-12 hrs walking )
Day16: Painya Tal - Vasuki Tal - The trail from here is
generally downhill. Halt at the mountain lake Vasuki Tal. Overnight
in Tents. ( Aprox.6 Kms; 5-6 hrs walking )
Day17: Vasuki Tal - Day for rest and leisure. Overnight
in Tents.
Day18: Vasuki Tal - Kedarnath - Proceed to the holy pilgrim
centre of Kedarnath ( 3584m ). The ancient temple here is of special
attraction. Overnight in Guest House. ( Aprox.6 Kms; 4-6 hrs walking
)
Day 19) Kedarnath- Gaurikund-
14 Kms Trek- Drive to Rudraprayag. Overnight at Hotel or Tourist
Rest House.
Day 20) Rudraprayag- Rishikesh-
Delhi- After breakfast drive to Delhi via Rishikesh. In the
everning arrive Delhi.
