The Panch Kedar trek includes all
the five shrines associated with the Hindu legends. All of them
are situated in the Kedar Valley. At Kedarnath,
which is situated at the head of the Mandakini River, the Linga
is a natural rock that resembles the hump of a bull. Madhmaheshwar,
situated at the base of Chaukhamba Peak is at an altitude of 3500
m. Here the Linga is worshipped in the form of a navel. Tungnath,
where tha arm of Shiva appeared is the highest temple in Garhwal
is situated at an altitude of 3810 m. 500 m above the temple at
Tungnath is Chandrashila. The panoramic view of the Himalayas
is breathtaking. Rudranath is where the face of Shiva is
said to have appeared. Here there is a natural rock temple in
which the Shiva Mukha is worshipped. To reach Rudranath, one has
to trek throough alpine meadows and dense forests. Kalpeshwar
is situated in the beautiful valley of Urgam. There is a cave
temple here and Shiva is worshipped in his matted hair form.
The Panch Kedar trek is
one of the best ways of getting a quick preview of the Garhwal
Himalaya. The Garhwal Himalaya contain some of the
highest peaks in India, viz. Nanda Devi (7817m), Trishul
(7120m) and Chaukhamba (7138m). It is the source of the
great Ganga and Yamuna rivers. They house the sacred Badrinath
and Kedarnath shrines, as well as forests of the Nanda
Devi Biosphere Reserve, Valley of Flowers National Park, Askot
Wildlife Sanctuary and the Benog Reserve (Mussourie), among others.
Cradled in these very Garhwal
Himalaya's ranges are five of Hinduism's most important temples,
popularly known as the Panch Kedar, viz.
1. Kedarnath (3584 m)
2. Madhmaheshwar (3289 m)
3. Tungnath (3810 m)
4. Rudranath (2286 m)
5. Kalpanath (2134 m), sprawled
over a vast area with altitudes ranging from 1500m to 3680m.
The Trek:
The Panch Kedar circuit is a 170km and 16-day trek, starting
with a drive from Rishikesh to Gaurikund. The actual trek
begins at Guarikund, one of the most picturesque spots
in the entire Garhwal region wouldn't demean the Alps with
a comparison, but is as good, if not better!
Situated on the Rudraprayag
- Kedarnath road, Guarikund provides a breathtaking
view of the Himalayan ranges surrounding it.
Day 1 Delhi-Rishikesh
Drive Delhi-Rishikesh (230 km). Arrive Rishikes and checkinto
the Hotel.
Day 2 Rishikesh-Gaurikund
After Breakfast drive to Gaurikund (209 km) with packed lunch.
Overnight at Gaurikund – 1981 m.
Day 3 Gaurikund-Kedarnath
14 Kms Trek to Kedarnath. Lunch at Rambara enroute. Overnight
at Kedarnath - 3581 m.
Day 4 Kedarnath-Gaurikund
14 Kms Trek to Gaurikund with packed lunch. Drive to Guptkashi
(40 km). Overnight at Guptkashi.
Day 5 Gaurikund-Gaundhar
17 Kms Trek to Gaundhar with packed lunch. Overnight in tents.
Day 6 Gaundhar-Madhmaheshwar
10 Kms Trek to Madhmaheshwar. Overnight in tents - 3289 m.
Day 7 Madhmaheshwar-Gaundhar
Return trek to Gaundhar (10 km) with packed lunch. Overnight in
tents.
Day 8 Gaundhar-Ukhimath
Trek to Jagasu (12 km). Drive to Ukhimath (16 km) with packed
lunch. Overnight at Ukhimath.
Day 9 Ukhimath-Chopta
Drive to Chopta (35 km) - 2900 m. Further trek (4 km) to Tungnath
- 3886 m with packed lunch. In the afternoon, return trek to Chopta
(4 km). Overnight in tents.
Day 10 Chopta-Panargupha
Drive to Sagar (30 km). Further trek to Panargupha (10 km).
Overnight in tents.
Day 11 Panargupha-Rudranath
12 Kms Trek to Rudranath (12 km) and We will take lunch enroute.
Overnight in tents.
Day 12 Rudranath-Dumak
18 Kms Trek to Dumak with packed lunch. Nighthalt in tents.
Day 13 Dumak-Kalpeshwar Mahadev
14 Kms Trek to Urgam/Kalpeshwar Mahadev. Overnight in tents.
Day 14 Kalpeshwar Mahadev-Karnprayag
9 Kms Trek to Helang. Drive to Karnprayag (70 Kms). Lunch
enroute. Overnight at Karnprayag.
Day 15: Karnprayag-Rishikesh
Drive to Rishikesh. Lunch enroute. Overnight at Rishikesh.
Day 16: Rishikesh-Delhi
After breakfast drive Rishikesh-Delhi (230 km). In the evening
arrive Delhi.
