Panch Kedar Trekking
Duration |
17 Days / 18 Night |
Max Altitude |
5968 Mts |
Best Time |
May to November |
Difficulty |
Moderate Trek |
Place Covered |
Delhi, Rishikesh, Pipalkoti, Helang-Urgam, Kalpeshwar-urgam, Urgam-Kalgot, Rudranath, Asgar-mandal, Mandal-chopta, Tungnath, Jagasu, Gaundhar, Madhmaheshwar, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Kedarnath |
Kalindikhal Trek, is a trek that takes you half way round Garhwal from the Bhagirathi Valley to the Alaknanda Valley. A trip only for those who have done high altitude treks before; its very mention gives a thrill to even the most seasoned of climbers.
The trek starts from Gangotri and takes you through Nandavan, the base of the Bhagirathi peaks, a place that offers an unparalled view of the Shivling peak. The trail moves on to Vasukital (4900 m). With towering peaks all around the lake, its surface shimmers like a pearl and is the source of the Vasuki Ganga that drains into the Mandakini. We proceed to cross the Kalindikhal pass (5968 m), a tough climb from where you feel that there is little else left to be see. It is as if you are a part of this majestic setting of snow peaks. The trail then descends to Arwatal and to Mana the last village on the Chinese frontier. The trek fittingly ends at Badrinath with a visit to the holy temple.
Sample Tour Plan
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI :
Upon Arrival at international airport in Delhi you are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI – RISHIKESH (230 KMS/6 ½ HRS)
After finishing with an early breakfast drive up tob Rishikesh. Upon arrival in Rishikesh, check into your pre-booked hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 : RISHIKESH – PIPALKOTI (1219 MTS/3998 FT) 218 KMS/7-8 HRS
After an early breakfast drive towards Pipalkoti via Devprayag, Rudraprayg, Karanprayag and Nandprayag. Upon arrival, check into your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04 : PIPALKOTI – HELANG – URGAM (2134 MTS/7000 FT) 9 KMS TREK/3-4 HRS
After breakfast 15 kms drive to Helang.Trek start from here to reach Urgam Village. We follow the Road bridge to cross Alaknanda River. It passes through the dense forest, murmuring water falls alonwith KalpGanga. Urgam Valley is known for its Apple orchard, terraced fields and Potatoes. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at camps.
DAY 05 : URGAM – KALPESHWAR – URGAM (2 KMS ONE SIDE)
Today morning trek upto first Kedar(one of the Panch Kedar) carry your packed lunch alonwith. The Locks(hair)of the Lord Shiva is worshiped in this temple. You will have a panoramic view of valley with terraced fields and lush green forests. Later come back to camp. overnight at Camps.
DAY 06 : URGAM – KALGOT (2215 MTS/7265 FT)
An early breakfast today we trek to Kalgot Village crossing dense forest, lush green meadows. Upon arrival at Kalgot village interect with local people and experience their culture. Overnight at Camps.
DAY 07 : KALGOT – RUDRANATH (2286 MTS/7498 FT)
Today morning go for trek up to Sri Rudranath, one form of Lord Shiva. Here face of lord Shiva is worshiped. You can see a splendid view of Hathi Parvat, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Trishuli and other group of mountains from here. Here we also visit some temple like Suryakund, Chandrakund, Tarakund which is located nearby the temple. Overnight at Tented accommodation.
DAY 08 : RUDRANATH – SAGAR – MANDAL (18 KMS TREK/8 KMS DRIVE)
After finishing with an early breakfast trek down to Sagar Village passing through dense forest and meadows. Later drive towards mandal from here. This place has huge amount of rain round the year, thats why we also call it “Cherapunji” of Garhwal. Overnight at Camps.
DAY 09 : MANDAL – CHOPTA (2900 MTS/9512 FT) – TUNGNATH (19 KMS/2 HRS/TREK 3.5 KMS
An early breakfast and drive to Chopta,located at an altitude of 290 mt above sea level. This place has an outstanding view of Himalays ranges and the beautiful surrounding areas. Carry your packed lunch alongwith and trek towards Tungnath(the Third Kedar). It is placed at an altitude of 3680 mt above sea level. While trekking you will find lush green meadows and get to see the snow clad Himalayan range. Upon arrival at Tungnath visit the Temple. After relaxing a bit, you can trek upto Chandrashila peak one kilometers ahead. Overnight at Tungnath.
DAY 10 : TUNGNATH – CHOPTA – JAGASU – GAUNDHAR
Today morning come back to Chopta by trek and later drive towards the Place called Jagasu (45 kms/2 hrs). Here is very significant and worth seeing confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Makandya Ganga, the last place before reaches Madmaheshwar. Overnight at Camps.
DAY 11 : GAUNDHAR – MADHMAHESHWAR (3289 MTS/10788 FT)
After finishing with an early breakfast start trekking up to Madhya Maheshwar(The forth Lord Shiva Temple of Panch Kedar) taking 5-6 hrs by covering about 18 kms). It is believed that the navel mid part of the body reappeared at this shrine after disappearing at Kedarnath. Upon arrival you get to see the panoramic view of Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth Peaks. Overnight at Tents.
DAY 12 : MADHMAHESHWAR – GAUNDHAR
Morning trek down to Gaundhar.Overnight at Tents.
DAY 13 : GAUNDHAR – JAGASU – GUPTKASHI
After finishing with an early breakfast, trek to Jagasu upto 12 kms trek. Later drive Guptkashi (30 Kms). Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 14 : GUPTKASHI – GAURIKUND – KEDARNATH (3584 MTS/11756 FT)
After breakfast drive to Gaurikund and proceed for trekking upto Sri Kedarnath, (one of the 12 th Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva). Upon arrival check in and evening free at leisure and can also explore the beauties of the region around. Overnight stay.
DAY 15 : KEDARNATH – GAURIKUND – RUDRAPARYAG
After finishing an early breakfast, trek down to Gaurikund and drive to Rudraprayag alongside river Mandakini. Later check into your pre-booked hotel. You can also have glimpses of significant confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini Rivers. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 16 : RUDRAPARYAG – RISHIKESH (130 KMS/4 HRS)
After breakfast in the morning,drive down to Rishikesh via Devprayag(confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi), River Ganges begin from here. Upon arrival in Rishikesh check into your pre-booked hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 17 : DELHI DEPARTURE
After an early breakfast,drive back to Delhi . Evening departure transfer to International Airport to board flight for onwards journey.