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Day - 01:
Delhi |
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Arrive Delhi meet and greet upon arrival at airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel. |
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Day - 02:
Old & New Delhi |
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After breakfast full-day combined city tour of Old & New Delhi, in the evening we transfer to railway station and board the overnight air-conditioned train to Hardwar. |
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Day - 03:
Hardwar-Rishikesh
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Arriving early in the morning, we go by bus to Rishikesh. This is the traditional starting point for the great yatra (pilgrimage) to the mountain temples of Garhwal, and the town has many religious institutions. Hotel at Rishikesh. |
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Day - 04:
Rishikesh-Joshimath |
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We drive into the Garhwal hills, following the Alaknanda river to the important hill town of Joshimath. There is a large bazaar and number of interesting temples to visit. Hotel in Joshimath. |
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Day - 05:
Joshimath-Hem Gangarivers |
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In the morning we take a remarkable 12 miles drive along the Alaknanda river to Govind Ghat, the road head for the Valley of Flowers trek. We begin by walking up to the Hem Ganga river passing through forest and open slopes on the river bank. e spend the night at Ghangaria, a small hamlet situated at the at the junction of the Pushpawati and Hem Ganga rivers. Overnight in tents/rest house. |
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Day - 06/7:
Trek |
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We
spend these two days walking in and
around the Valleys of Flowers, an
easy walk from Ghangaria. The valley
is 6 miles long and about a mile
wide and is divided by the
Pushpawati river, with mountains and
glaciers surrounding it. Amongst the
many flowers we are likely to see
are the heavily perfumed Brahma
Kamal, Primulas in pink and blue,
dwarf rhododendron and iris, and the
rare Himalayan blue poppy. We also
walk to the Hemkund Lake, an
important place of pilgrimage for
the Sikhs, which is at an altitude
of nearly 14,000 ft. its blueish
green waters reflecting the seven
snow peaks which surround it.
Overnight in tents.
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Day - 08:
Govindghat |
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We walk back to Govindghat and then travel by bus on the hair-raising road to Badrinath. We then have some time to explore the village, whose temple is one of the greatest pilgrimage centres in all India. Its brightly coloured gilt-edged facade stands out in the village, broad steps leading up to a grand entrance hung with a huge bell. Overnight in tents/reshouse. |
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Day - 09/10:
Govindghat-Alaknanda |
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We drive back down the Alaknanda, turning off east along the Pinder valley to reach the second part of our trek. Depending on the state of the road, we may start walking at Tharali, or be able to continue to Deval or even beyond. |
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Day - 11/12/13:
Trek |
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We set off walking along terraced hillsides alternating with conifer forests, passing the occasional small village. The climb gets steeper in places, but we rewarded with spectacular views of the Nanda Devi Grou, Trisul (23,360 ft.) and Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft.) being especially proinent. Eventually we emerge via Lohjung into the lush green meadows at Alibugyal and Bednibugyal, at a little over 11,000 ft. Overnight in tents. |
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Day - 14/15/16:
Trek |
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We camp three days at Bednibugyal to enjoy the splendid surroundings. There are fine walks along the ridges and one of the days can be used for an excursion to the Roopkund Lake (15,672 ft.) - a long and quite demanding day over a steep trail, but with increasingly good views of the nearby peaks. With a little luck we should see both the Monal and snow pheasant. Overnight in tents. |
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Day - 17/18:
Trek |
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We return to Lohjung through Wan, a different route from the way up, through pleasant fields and forests, and then make a quick descent to Deval. Overnight in tents. |
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Day - 19:
Drive to Dehra Dun |
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Here we pick up our transport for Dehra Dun, stopping briefly at some of the interesting sights on the way. Overnight in Hotel. |
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Day - 20:
Dehra Dun-Mussoorie |
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A free day in Dehra Dun (necessary in case we are delayed en-route). It is possible to make a day excursion to the pleasant hill station of Mussoorie. In the evening we board the night sleeper train to Delhi. |
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Day - 21:
Delhi Onward |
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Upon arrival at Delhi railway station transfer to your hotel. Day free for individual activities in the evening transfer to international airport to connect flight for onward destination. |