KUMAON AND GARHWAL REGION

Silhouetted against the silver morning stands the infant state of Uttranchal. Profiled by high conical mountains and deep valleys, gorges and tracks. It stretches from Garhwal in the west as far as river Tons to Kumaon in the east extending to river Kali (Nepal border). In the past the land contours encouraged the birth of small kingdoms fortified by fortresses called 'Garhs'.

Uttranchal is a delightful portrait of Godly abodes. Shrines like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar and Rishikesh are visited by pilgrims in flocks. The highest peaks of Banderpunch, Nandadevi, Trishul, Changbang, Chowkhamba, Kamet and Nilkanth are also here. Gifted with creativity, people are blessed with woodlands a plenty by which they satiate their urge of creativity in the form of wooden houses, temples adorned with motifs of Himalayan treasures, They employ a unique architectural technique called 'Kham' which is earthquake proof. Excellent trek routes of the region are----------

|| KUARI PASS TREK ||

|| JOSHIMATH TO GHAT AND GHAT TO MANDOLI VIA RUPKUND ||

|| GANGOTRI & YAMUNOTRI TREK || HAR KI DUN VALLEY & RUINSARA LAKE ||

|| MILAM GLACIER TREK || VALLEY OF FLOWERS ||

When Lord Curzon was Viceroy of India, he undertook several treks in the Garhwal, including one over the Kuari Pass to Joshimath and since then it has come to be known as Curzon's trail. It is very popular among European and American travellers. In 1905, Lord Curzon reached Kuari Pass from Ghat via Ramni. Today many trekkers prefer to undertake the trek in the reverse direction. The main attraction of Curzon's trail is the majestic view of the Twin Peaks of Nanda Devi--the main summit (7816 m), which is the highest peak situated completely within India and the east summit (7434 m) of Nanda Devi, Kamet (7756 m), Dronagiri (7066 m) and Hathi Parbat (6727 m) and Ghori Parvat (6708 m). Along the trek we'll pass through pristine Rhododendron, Oak and Deodar forests. Rare Himalayan flora and fauna found in abundance on the Curzon's trail.

ITINERARY:

DELHI--RISHIKESH - GHAT - RAMNI - JHINJIPANI - SINYARTOLI - DHAKWANI - KUARI PASS (3640M)- --TALI - AULI - RISHIKESH--DELHI.

JOSHIMATH TO GHAT AND GHAT TO MANDOLI VIA RUPKUND

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REGION	:	GARHWAL HIMALAYA
SEASON	:	APRIL TO OCTOBER
DURATION	:	12 DAYS
GRADE	:	MIDIUM TO STRENUOUS
HIGHEST ELEVATION	:	3640 METRES

Slight extension of Curzon's trails the adding more fun in to your trek. The passes and terrain north of Joshimath have been followed by pilgrims and traders since the Shankracharya travelled up the Alaknanda Valley and established a seat of learning or matha at Badrinath. The trek to Rupkund Lake (4450 m), at the base of Trishul peak, would have been familiar to pilgrims and villagers from the Garhwal for many centuries. The lake is steeped in tradition, with pilgrims undertaking the Raj Jat, the important pilgrimage to pay homage to Nanda Devi, every 12 years. Rupkund usually called 'Mystery Lake' has no outflow, and the remains of human and horses bones beneath the surface are still a mystery. Also the magnificent view of Himalaya from alpine base camp at Badni Bugyal (3350 m) meadow rivals the best in the Himalaya.The wildflowers in the meadows remain in bloom until mid-September and superbly magnificent during monsoon in July and August.

ITINERARY:

GANGOTRI & YAMUNOTRI TREK

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REGION	:	GARHWAL HIMALAYA
SEASON	:	APRIL TO OCTOBER
DURATION	:	15 DAYS
GRADE	:	MODERATE
HIGHEST ELEVATION	:	4463 METRES

The pilgrimage to Gaumukh (the source of the Ganges has been undertaken for many centuries) Nowadays Pilgrims respect Gangotri as the source of Ganges because with passage of time snout of huge Gangotri glacier extended as far as Gangotri from Gaumukh. From Gangotri we move along the beaten trail towards Bhojbasa, trail passes the last of the silver birches. From here we can get clear view of the Bhagirathi Range and Shivling(6543 m). Beyond Bhojbasa the terrain become really desolate and barren, known asArctic Tundra Region among trekkers. At Gaumukh the gush of the river emerging from the abrupt glacier wall is sure to impress even the less devout. Another attraction of trail is Nandanvan is a large meadow complete with bubbling streams and wild flowers and base camp situated at the base of imposing peak of Shivling (6543 m) and far side of glacier the Bhagirathi group of peaks provide an equally impressive backdrop. Yamunotri temple is in the centre of valley, enclosed by high, snow-capped ridges. Dodital Lake is full of golden trouts and is surrounded by forests of Oak and Pine.

ITINERARY:

DELHI -UTTARKASHI -GANGOTRI --- -CHIRBASA---GAUMUKH -TAPOBAN (4463 M) -NANDANVAN (4340 M)--- RAKTWARN GLACIER ----BASE OF MANA PARBAT -BACK TO GANGOTRI---KALYANI --MALLA ---DODI TAL LAKE (3310 M) --- HANUMAN CHATTI - YAMUNOTRI SHRINE - SAPTRISHI KUND -SIMLI ---MUSSOOORIE

This trek follows a tributary of the Tons River to the beautiful valley of God--Har Ki Dun.Enroute to Har Ki Dun follows the established village trail to the highest settlement at Osla.Here, you have a beautifully carved temple dedicated to Duryodhana, the Kaurava Prince Thereafter We follow same trail which Gujar Shepherds follow with their buffalo for grazing around both Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Lake. The attractions of Har Ki Dun Trek is beautiful scenery with a series of flowered meadows of gentians, anemones and buttercups with the glistening snow clad Swargarohini Peak, which is famous in Hindu legend, being 'the gateway to heaven'.

ITINERARY:

SANKRI --- TALUKA --- SEEMA --- HAR KI DUN (3510 M)---- DEVTHACH ---- RUINSARA LAKE (3350 M)-----BACK

The Trail leads to famous Milam Village in the Kumaon Himalaya. Milam village (3450m) was the home of a number of the renowned Pundit explorers. It is also the last major settlement before Tibet. From Milam (Mi-Lam means 'main road') it is only one stage up the Goenka valley to the base of the Unta Dhura and the following day, after a series of three passes crossing the unta Dhura, the Jainta Dhura & the kangri bingrila a trader or shepherd could be in Tibet. Milam village has close trading association with Tibet that prospered for many generations. This trail passes through high meadows dotted with sage, juniper, miniature gorse and briar roses high above the terminal moraine.

ITINERARY:

DELHI--MANSYARI -LILAM (2850 M)- BODGWAR - MARTOLI (3430 M) - MILAM (3450 M) - RETURN TREK TO MANSYARI----DELHI

T.G.Longstaff and Franksmythe discovered this lovely place by sheer chance in 1931 for the out side world, though the local villagers of Bhunder valley knew it as Nandankanan since time immemorial, they feared venturing in to the valley by fear of devil spirits. The Bhunder valley is a glacial valley about 10 k.m. Long and two k.m wide, at an altitude of between 3650m and 3950m.It is characterised by alpine glades, silver birch trees and rhododendrons, and is enclosed by Nilgiri Parbat (6474m), Nar parbat (5855m), Rataban (6166 m) and Ghori parbat (67-8 m). The trail lead to flowered meadows which support a profusion of the blue Promila, anemones, saxifrages, asters, gentians, marigolds and delphiniums. The best time to appreciate the varieties of wildflowers, ferns and Himalayan herbs is when the monsoon rains are at their heaviest in August.

ITINERARY:

DELHI--JOSHIMATH--GOVINDGHAT---GHANGARIA-----HEMKUND LOKPAL SAHIB (4330 M)----VALLEY OF FLOWERS----JOSHIMATH----DELHI