Highlights
- View colorful wildflowers in the well-named Valley of Flowers
- Soak in the spiritual atmosphere in Rishikesh
- Trek to sacred Lake Hemkund, surrounded by snow peaks
- Push yourself on a trek in the Indian Himalaya
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 2 | Drive Delhi to Rishikesh | Rishikesh |
| Day 3 | Rishikesh to Joshimath | Joshimath |
| Day 4 | Drive Joshimath to Govindghat - Trek to Ghangaria | Ghangaria |
| Day 5 | Trek Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return to Ghangaria | Ghangaria |
| Day 6 | Trek Ghangaria to Lake Hemkund and Return to Ghangaria | Ghangaria |
| Day 7 | Trek Ghangaria to Govindghat - Excursion to Mana - Drive to Joshimath | Joshimath |
| Day 8 | Drive Joshimath to Rishikesh | Rishikesh |
| Day 9 | Drive Rishikesh to Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 10 | Depart from Delhi |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you may want to rest up at your hotel, or go for a wander around your neighborhood and find a hearty meal to prepare you for the days of trekking ahead.
Day 2: Drive Delhi to Rishikesh
In the morning, drive to Rishikesh, a journey of about six hours. Situated on the banks of the River Ganga, Rishikesh is said to be the birthplace of yoga.
In the evening, visit the ghats on the Ganga to see the evening aarti (worship) ceremony, where you'll find a spectacle of sights, sounds, and chanting. Flanked by the Shivalik Range of the Himalaya, Rishikesh is well-known for its scenic beauty and spiritual experience.
Day 3: Rishikesh to Joshimath
Today you leave for Joshimath, deeper into the mountains. En-route, stop at Devprayag to see the confluence of the Rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, which together form the holy River Ganga. Reach Joshimath after 7-8 hours' driving, in the evening.
Day 4: Drive Joshimath to Govindghat - Trek to Ghangaria
In the morning, leave for Govindghat by road. From Govindghat, trek about 8 miles (13 km) down to Ghangaria, base camp for the Valley of Flowers trek. Reach Ghangaria late in the afternoon.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Trek Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return to Ghangaria
Set out for your ultimate destination, the Valley of Flowers, this morning. It's about 1.8 miles (3 km) from Ghangaria. This beautiful meadow is covered with a carpet of colorful flowers and surrounded by the dazzling snow-clad Himalaya. Almost 300 species of wildflowers bloom here. After taking time to appreciate the stunning beauty of the place, return the same way you came to Ghangaria.
Day 6: Trek Ghangaria to Lake Hemkund and Return to Ghangaria
Today, hike to Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh shrine on the banks of Lake Hemkund. The bluish-green lake is flanked by snow-covered peaks as tall as 15,196 feet (4632 m.). The 3.7-mile (6 km) trek to Hemkund Sahib is a steep climb along the Laxman Ganga River, which flows from Lake Hemkund. After visiting Hemkund Lake, return to Ghangaria by the evening.
Day 7: Trek Ghangaria to Govindghat - Excursion to Mana - Drive to Joshimath
Begin your descent today, trekking from Ghangaria back down to Govindghat. Make a short excursion to Mana village, in the district of Chamoli. Mana is the last village before the Mana Pass, and just a few miles from the India-China border. The village is very scenically beautiful.
After checking out Mana, drive to Joshimath.
Day 8: Drive Joshimath to Rishikesh
Today involves a long day of driving (about 6-7 hours), from Joshimath back to Rishikesh. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountains on the way. After arriving in Rishikesh, perhaps check out some of the sights that you missed during your first visit, and join the evening aarti worship ceremony for a second time.
Day 9: Drive Rishikesh to Delhi
After breakfast today, return to Delhi by car, a journey of about 5-6 hours. After arriving in Delhi there may be time for some final sightseeing or shopping.
Day 10: Depart from Delhi
Today you'll be transferred to the international airport in good time to check in for your flight home. Farewell Delhi!
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