Valley of Flowers & Ganges Experience – a 8 days tour covering destinations Badrinath, Ghangaria, Rishikesh, Joshimath, Govindghat

Trek to Valley of Flowers, a national park & a paradise of wild flowers, mix with Yogis & view the spectacular Diya-Aarti in the holy city of Rishikesh, Trek to Hemkund Sahib (height - 4320 meters) a revered site for Sikhs. While on an expedition to Mt. Kamet, Frank S. Smith an English mountaineer, explorer and botanist, discovered the valley of flowers. Busting with beautiful, lively and vibrant colors, this park spread over an area of 87.5 kms has the largest collection of wild flowers species. Hidden from the probing eyes of civilization, this valley had been known to the natives as the Bhyundar valley. Legend associates this valley with area from the place where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected `Sanjeevani` herb to revive Lakshman (brother of Lord Rama).

Day 1: Delhi - Rishikesh
Leave Delhi for Rishikesh. Evening visit Lakshmanjhula, Ramjhula and attend prayer rituals on the banks of Ganges at Swarg Ashram.

Day 2: Rishikesh - Joshimath
Leave for Joshimath en-route stop at Devprayag to witness confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. Reach Joshimath by evening. On arrival check in camp / hotel & o/n stay.

Day 3: Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria
Leave for Govindghat and then proceed on the trek to Ghangaria. Reach Ghangaria late in the afternoon.

Day 4: Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria
Leave for valley of flowers. Enjoy the beauty of rare high Himalayan flora at its best. Return back to Ghangaria

Day 5: Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria
Leave for Hemkund Sahib. Return to Ghangaria by evening for overnight stay.

Day 6: Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath
Trek down to Govindghat. Proceed for Badrinath. After lunch visit the main temple of Lord Vishnu, Mana Village.

Day 7: Badrinath – Rishikesh
Early morning leave for Rishikesh. Lunch en route at Srinagar. Reach Rishikesh by evening.

Day 8: Rishikesh - Delhi
Leave for Haridwar. Visit Chandi Devi temple, Mercury Shivlinga, Daksh temple. In evening depart via train "Shatabdi Express to reach Delhi. On arrival transfer to the hotel or for your onward journey to the airport.

Exquisite flora, religious sites and holy cities.
Experience grand ritual of worshiping holy River Ganges in the evening with floating lamps and flowers.
Stop at Devprayag to see the confluence of River Alakanda and Bhagirithi.
Witness rare Himalayan flora at its most exquisite form at Valley of Flowers.
Take a dip into the holy waters of Hemkund Sahib, a renowned Sikh pilgrimage site.
Another Hindu pilgrimage site Badrinath.
Visit age old temples at the holy city of Rishikesh.

Day 1: Delhi – Rishikesh

First on this day leave Delhi early morning for Rishikesh. A hub of masses of ashrams, yoga and meditation centres Rishikesh has emerged as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. The picturesque background of verdant hills, rippling sounds of holy River Ganges and soothing hill station breeze form for perfect settings for yoga, meditation and other forms of rejuvenation. Evening visit Lakshmanjhula, an iron suspension bridge over holy River Ganges which has mention in the Hindu mythology and it is believed that Lord Lakshman crossed the river where now the bridge is built. Also visit Ram Jhula a similar construction known for religious reasons as well as for enchanting views of the verdant panorama around.

Day 2: Rishikesh – Joshimath

After early breakfast leave for Joshimath. En route you will stop at a pilgrimage site- Devprayag to witness the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi to form holy river Ganges. One of the five sacred confluences in the hills, Devprayag is extremely beautiful and with numerous temples it is essentially a religious town. After a rejuvenating sightseeing at Devprayag you will resume your journey to Joshimath where you will reach in time for dinner and will be accommodated in a camp or hotel as per your preference.

Day 3: Joshimath - Govindghat – Ghangaria

After early breakfast leave for Govindghat, the roadhead and the starting point for trekking to Valley of Flowers. Located at the confluence of Rivers Alaknanda and Lashman Ganga, Joshimath is surrounded by breathtaking beauty of lush mountains and thickets. Prepare for trek on arrival and later leave on the trek to Ghangaria, which will be our base camp for further trek to Valley of Flowers. Reach Ghangaria, a small hamlet located in the Himalayan ranges. At an altitude of 3049 meters the surrounding panorama enchants and the tranquillity rejuvenates.

Day 4: Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria

On today’s trek you will come across a stunning Indian national park, Valley of Flowers. Nestled in West Himalayas this UNESCO World Heritage Site is universally applauded for its meadows of widespread alpine flowers and enchanting natural splendour. Explore the beauty of rare high Himalayan flora at its best which is a national park under protection for its rare fauna. The area is also home to endangered animals such as snow leopard, brown bear, Asiatic black bear and blue sheep. The Valley of Flowers blooms with hundreds of species of exotic flowers waving with the cool Himalayan breeze flaunting their vibrant colours. Thus a whimsical aura looms over the valley for which the natives presumed that it was inhabited by fairies. A visit to the valley will be an encounter with serenity along with serendipity. Enjoy the scenic views before you return back to Ghangaria in the evening.

Day 5: Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria

After breakfast leave for Hemkund Sahib on the banks of Hemkund Lake. Nestled at an altitude of 4200 meters, Hemkund Sahib is one of the holiest of pilgrimage sites for Sikhs. On the banks of the lake, the sacred shrine associated to Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh is also popular for its heavenly beauty and gorgeous vistas. This trek is gradual ascent on the cobbled path from the altitude of 3049 mts to 4320 mts in just 5 kms. Return to Ghangaria by evening for overnight stay.

Day 6: Ghangaria - Govindghat – Badrinath

After breakfast you will commence your trek down to Govindghat. On arrival at Govindghat you will be driven to Badrinath by car. A sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Badrinath is also a part of the holy Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The holy shrine located on the banks of River Alaknanda is in the Garhwal hills. As per the legend Lord Shiva once found a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayana in River Alaknanda and enshrined it in a cave near hot springs of Tapt Kund. In 16th century, the King of Garwhal moved the idol to the present temple which has since then undergone expansion and today stands with a stunning architecture resembling Buddhist temples. After darshan at main Vishnu temple also visit Mana Village, last village on Indian side to Tibet border.

Day 7: Badrinath - Rishikesh

Early morning leave for Rishikesh on the full day drive. Lunch en route at Srinagar. Reach Rishikesh by evening. On arrival check in for your overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8: Rishikesh – Haridwar- Delhi

Morning after breakfast leave for Haridwar. From one holy city to another the scenery changes from snow clad mountains to somewhat plain terrain on your itinerary. Haridwar is another significant holy city marked by gorgeous views of River Ganges and numerous holy shrines. Haridwar literally means Gateway to God and indeed here one can feel the divine presence. According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one of the holy sites where drops of elixir of immorality had spilled and thus a bath in the holy Ganges is believed to free the soul off all malice.

At Haridwar first pay a visit to Daksheswara Mahadev Temple; this ancient temple is situated in the south of Kankhal town. Chandi Devi temple is one of the Shaktipeetha and is of great religious significance; a single visit to the temple of Goddess Chandi is believed to fulfil all the desires of the visitors. Also pay homage to Lord Shiva by bowing to the splendid Mercury Shivlinga in the town. In evening depart via train "Shatabdi Express" at 18:10 hrs to reach Delhi at 22:45 hrs. On arrival transfer to the hotel or for your onward journey to the airport.