Accommodation
Transfer
Meals
Sightseeing
Area
Duration
Best Season
Grade On these treks one does not require to trek for more than 5 - 6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less challenging.
Altitude
Total TrekkingOne of the popular spiritual treks in Indian Himalayan region, the Panch Kedar Trek stretches from an altitude of 2134 meters, in Urgam, to a height of 3680 meters, in Tungnath. The entire stretch reflects the mythical colours of the Mahabharata where the Pandavas went to the Himalaya to meet Lord Shiva who avoided the meeting due to the Gau Hatya (Killing Cow) and Brahmahatya committed by the Pandavas. It is believed that in the struggle that followed, parts of Lord Shiva’s body that appeared in the form of a bull surfaced at various places in the Himalaya. The forelegs that showed up at Pashupatinath in Nepal, the hump of the bull at Kedarnath, the torso including the navel at Madhyamaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the matted hair at Kalpeshwar, thus forming the Panch Kedar in India (excluding Pashupatinath being in Nepal).
The Panch Kedar Trek not only covers the five shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva but also allows you to get acquainted with the remote villages that exhibit an ancient charm. The entire trail from Kalgot to Kedarnath en route to Rudranath, Mandal, Chopta, Gaundhar, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar offers immense opportunity to get enamoured by nature of the place which is blessed with the snow capped peaks sequestering the dense forest and lush green meadows rolling down the valleys. Below are the five Kedar and their significance;
The best months for Panch Kedar Yatra are between May and October. All the temples of Panch Kedar open only for 6 months, generally from end April to October each year. During the winters the temples are inaccessible due to rainfall and snowfall. In winter, the sanctified symbolic of Lord Shiva in Kedarnath is worshipped at the Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath, the representative idol of Tungnath is worshipped at Mokumath, the Rudranath symbolic image is brought to Gopeshwar, and the Madhyamaheshwar symbolic idol is venerated at Ukhimath. Only Kalpeshwar is open throughout the year.
The five temples lie Upper Himalaya region, with the background of snow-covered hill ranges of the Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Kedarnath is located in the Mandakini River valley while the other shrines are situated in the highlands between the Mandakini valley and the Alaknanda gorge. All the temples are remotely located and except Rudranath, the other four are still not accessible by motorable roads.
The village of Kedarnath is on the edge of Kedarnath mountain slope in a remote northern part of the Garhwal Himalayas. The Dudhganga, Madhuganga, Swargaduari and Saraswathi are the streams that flow in the valley behind the Kedarnath temple. Tungnath has an impressive backdrop of the peaks of Panchachuli, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Kedarnath and Bandar Poonch and is situated near Chopta, which is at a short distance from Ukhimath. Kalpeshwar is located in the Urgam valley in a dense forest area. Urgam Valley has apple orchards, terraced fields where potato is grown extensively. Kalp Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda, flows through this valley.
Breakfast
Transfers
Stay IncludedIn the morning take an AC train for Haridwar at 06:50 hrs. After arriving in Haridwar, meet our guide who will help transfer you to Rishikesh and check into the hotel. Evening time is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After the breakfast, we will drive to Pipalkoti via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Nandprayag. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, we will drive to Helang and from here begin trekking to Urgam Village. We will cross Alaknanda River via Road Bridge. We shall walk through the dense forests to reach Urgam Valley. Explore the valley, delectable dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Early in the morning, we will trek up to the first Kedar (one of Panch Kedars). Later, return trek to Urgam. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.
After the breakfast, we shall trek towards the Kalgot Village. Arrive at the village in the evening and witness the culture of local people. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
In the morning, trek to Rudranath temple from Kalgot. Dinner and overnight stay in Rudranath.
Post breakfast, trek down to Sagar Village by passing through the dense forest and meadows. Upon arrival at Sagar, drive to Mandal the same day. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
After the breakfast drive to Chopta. Upon arrival at Chopta, trek to Tungnath (the third Kedar). After arriving at Tungnath Temple, visit the temple and then relaxing a bit can further trek to Chandrashila Peak. Dinner and overnight stay in Tungnath.
In the morning trek back to Chopta. Upon your arrival at Chopta, drive to Jagasu (45 kms / 2 hrs). From here trek up to Gaundhar. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Post early breakfast, we will begin trekking to Madhyamaheshwar (the fourth Lord Shiva temple of Panch Kedar). Upon arriving here, we will pitch our camp here. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
In the morning, trek back to Gaundhar. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.
Today, we will trek about 12 km to reach Jagasu and from there drive to Guptkashi (30 kms). Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
After the breakfast, we shall drive to Gaurikund. Upon arrival here, we will begin trekking to Kedarnath, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. On arrival, check in at guest house. Evening time is free for exploring the area. Dinner and overnight stay in guest house.
In the morning, we will visit Kedarnath temple and then trek down to Gaurikund and drive to Rudraprayag along the river Mandakini. On arriving at Rudraprayag, we will check into the hotel. In the evening, we shall visit the confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini River. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Post breakfast, we will drive to Haridwar via Devprayag. From Haridwar, we will board a train for Delhi at 18:05 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.
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Kumaon
3987 mts
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