Adventure Packages

Uttarakhand covers an area of 18,350 sq miles in the central Himalayas and encompasses the areas of Kumaon and Garhwal in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Characterised by thickly wooded terrain forests, arid zones and high altitude tracts, Uttarakhand offers a diversity of natural features and animal and plant life. Adding to the geographic variations are picturesque townships and hill resorts and some of the holiest spots in India. The most important destinations of Hindu pilgrimage, the temples at Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are visited by scores of devotees. Infact, the earliest travellers to these mountains were sages and ascetics in search of peace and tranquility. Uttarakhand comprises of four hill districts and three border districts.

This 180 km long trek through some of the most beautiful locales of Uttarakhand follows an old pilgrim route. The trail originates at Gangotri, the source of the Ganga, and backtracks till Bhatwari from where the 'actual trek be gins. Gangotri was the actual source of the Ganga in the Vedic ages but the river has receded 19 km to Goumukh which is said to have been created by Lord Shiva to represent the flowing body of Lord Shiva, swaying to the music of Lord Shiva. The 250 year old temple at this spot which was crafted out of stone carried from a quarry almost 20 km away is a place of pilgrimage. Mountain peaks visible from Gangotri and Goumukh include Shivling (6,543 meters), Sudershan Parvat (6,507 meters), Bhagirathi Peak, Sri Kailash and Vasuki.

The trek is long and exhausting but offers glimpses of life in the villages and some of the most beautiful ridges and meadows in Uttarakhand. Some of the meadows which the trekker passes through and which are known for their beauty are Kush Kalyani, Panwali, Kuini and Tali. These lush meadows are covered with a variety of wild flowers and fringed by dense forests of oak, rhododendron and pine.

Kedarnath is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva. He is said to have taken refuge here in the form of a buffalow while escaping from the Pandavas who were seeking him to beg absolution after having killed the Kauravas. Besides the main shrine, there are many interesting temples in the Kedarnath area. An hour's steep trek from the main shrine also leads to the Chandrashila Peak at 3,930 meters with excellent views of the Himalayan panorama.

Dodital Trek, at 3,024 meters, is one of the loveliest lakes in Garhwal. Surrounded by lush meadows abundant in wild flowers, and deodar and pine forests, the lake also offers excellent opportunities for trout fishing. The water of the lake is crystal clear and the neighbouring forests abound in wildlife. From a ridge just above Dodital, the trekker has an excellent view. The last stages are quite steep and arduous.

For nature lovers, Har-ki-Doon Valley at 3,566 metres offers rich jungles abundant in bird and animal life, a variety of alpine flowers and plants, and spectacular views. Part of the Fateh Parvat in western Uttarkashi, Har-ki-Doon is a cradle .shaped valley south-east of the Janundhar glacier. It is surrounded by snow covered peaks and in the southeast by heavily wooded forests.

The trek to Har-ki-Doon initially runs along the Supin river with an excellent view of the Supin valley and Fateh Parvat. It then passes through jungles of chestnut, willow and walnut, and the trekker may come across jungle fowl and partridges in the area. The last stage of the trek is through terraced fields, lush grasslands and coniferous forests. It is particularly rewarding to trek to Har-ki-Doon soon after the monsoons when the valley is in bloom with a variety of colourful alpine flowers.

One of the most interesting treks in the Garhwal area, this route was chosen by Lord Curzon, a viceroy of imperial India and therefore, is often referred to as Curzon Trail. The trek passes through forests of oak and conifer, bamboo and birch, teeming with a variety of animal and bird life: A trekker might even be lucky enough to come across leopard pug marks or a Himalayan black bear on this trail. Kuari at 4,268 meters, offers a spectacular view. On the northeast it is fringed by the towering Himalayas and in the south-east by lush valleys and meadows.