Trekking Name Uttarakhand Trekking District Location Garhwal Himalayas Duration 13 Days / 12 Nights Altitude 2000 fts to 7000 ft Grade Moderate Best Time to Visit May to October Places to Visit Delhi - Uttarkashi - Mala - Belak - Jhala - Budakedar - Ghuttu - Panwali - Kantha - Kankhaliakhal - Trijunginarayan - Son Prayag - Gaurikund - Kedarnath

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Uttarakhand is a state with a major chunk of area under forest cover and comprising mainly of hilly terrain, all the three Himalayan ranges, the greater, middle and lesser. Even after much of development, there are acres and acres of hilly terrains that are untouched and far away from the daily hustle bustle of crowds. That's where the trekkers step in. With so much of raw, natural wilderness, Uttarakhand is a trekker's paradise. There are places which are in their most primitive forms, in state of pure wilderness.

The kind of treks you will come across in Uttarakhand range from the easier ones to moderate and difficult ones, from heights varying from 2000 fts to 7000 fts approximately. The snow capped peaks, steep climbs, streams and lakes, all these in the trek route only make it more interesting. The fun of trekking lies in covering the land on foot, being as close as possible to what the land offers, to move at your pace observing closely. It is a physical challenge you take to reach a particular destination, over coming all that comes in between. The stakes are high, you are in an unknown territory. You are a nomad, carrying least possible things required. All this is what adds to the thrill and adventure of trekking. The fun part of trekking will suffer considerably if any of these are missing. Every trek is unique in its own way, that's what makes it worth taking. You walk steeply uphill and then down hill, every day there is a set distance to cover, not to forget carrying 10 kgs on your back. Uttarakhand is just the kind of place where you will have this kind of thrill if you decide to under take a trek here.

Himalayas are stunningly beautiful, while you trek you just want to savour every sight that you see. Each view is better than the one gone before and at every step there is the curiosity to find what lays ahead. A close look at the flora and fauna, the alpine meadows, lines and lines of oak trees. It is not just a physical journey but also a cultural and spiritual one while you trek in Uttarakhand. It gives you that unique opportunity of meeting the Himalayan tribes, the mountain folk and knowing their lives from close by. A study of their customs and costumes is quite interesting. Treks to many glaciers and kunds that are considered spiritual are also enlightening experiences.

Popular Trek Routes In Uttarakhand

Most of the region in Uttarakhand is hills. There is so much to explore that you move in any direction, you are sure to run into a hilly terrain. But not every route might be as interesting, and as full of variety on its way. There are some popular treks which many trekkers undertake every year. In spite of so many trekkers actually trekking along the routes, they have not lost on any of their natural beauties. The reason is that there are many trek routes, each of the main trek routes is accompanied by several smaller ones. These are the easier ones, undertaken for more of fun of camping with friends, then there are routes which are moderate ones, they also judge your stamina, whether you are capable of taking more difficult ones or not. Then there are the strenuous ones strictly for the physically fit and with some previous experience.

Mussorie(2000 m) treks are the most popular treks with people who undertake trekking for fun. The queen of hill stations is the base camp for trekkers. You can undertake a trek from here to Dehradun (60 kms, 1800 ft), Dhantauli (26 kms, 2,600 ft) and Har Ki Dun (3506m). Uttarkashi (1158m) is one of the most beautiful places in Uttarakhand filled with panoramic views of Himalayas. It is the gateway to gods and is the base camp to the holy treks to Gangotri (3,048 m, 100 km), Bhojbasa (3,500 m, 14 km), Gaumukh (3,969 m, ) and Tapovan (4,200 m). There are other treks also from here to Yamunotri and Kedarnath and other places in the hills. Nainital is one of the most famous hill resorts in Kumaon. Main treks from Nainital (1938 m) is to Snow View (2270 m) and Naukuchiya Tal(1800 m), Apart from these, there are treks from Joshimath, Almora, Munsyari, Chowkari, Pauri and other places. Tips, Organised Treks And Equipment

For details of trek routes one can contact Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. Trekking trips are organised by these bodies in their respective districts, in which you can enroll. All the equipment (tents, rucksacks etc) are available with GMVN on hire Some tips for trekkers are to wear well fitted comfortable shoes, know some basic first aid, carry energy boosters like chocolates, candies, dry fruits, glucose etc. One should not walk too fast, or exhaust himself unnecessarily as this will not let you enjoy the trek.<

Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi- Rishkesh (240 Kms, Drive 5 - 6 hrs)
Morning drive for Rishkesh. On arrival in Camp Hammock. Overnight at deluxe tents.

Day 2 - Rishikesh - Uttarkashi (144 kms drive, 4 - 5 hrs) Morning drive for Uttarkashi. On arrival check in Hotel Shivlinga. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 - Uttarkashi - Mala - Belak (22 km drive, 15 km of trek 6-7 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Mala by road. Arrive in 01 hr and prepare to go for the trek. Start the ordeal with mountains and climb to Belak at 2420 mts. Camp overnight after a long first day on the trek.

Day 4 - Belak - Jhala (09 km trek, 5 - 6 hrs)
After breakfast start the day on a ridge and reach Jhala in the afternoon. Enjoy the beautiful views through the day and camp overnight.

Day 5 - Jhala - Budakedar (08 km, 4 -5 hrs)
After breakfast start your descent from 2440 mts to 1525 mts. To Budakedar (one of the five Shiva temples). Camp overnight.

Day 6 - Budakedar - Ghuttu (16 km trek, 7 - 8 hrs)
After breakfast start an even trek through the valley to reach Ghuttu at 1525 mts. in the afternoon. Relax in the evening. Overnight at tourist rest house.

Day 7 - Ghuttu - Panwalikantha (15 km trek, 8 - 9 hrs)
After breakfast start a steep climb to reach the highest point during this trek at Panwalikantha (3965 mts) which is a very beautiful expanse of Meadows along with breathtaking views of high snow clad peaks in the north. Camp overnight.

Day 8 - Panwalikantha - Kankhaliakhal (11 km trek, 6 - 7 hrs)
This day is again an almost even trek on the ridge for around 06 hrs. Nice views and cool weather is the order of the day. Camp overnight.

Day 9 - Kankhaliakhal - Trijuginarayan - Guptakashi (10 km trek, 4 -5 hrs)
Today come down to less than 2000 mts to Trijuginarayan for more moderate climate and relax a bit in nice surroundings and then transfer to Camp resort in Guptakashi. Camp overnight.

Day 10 - Guptakashi - Kedarnath (5km trek, 41 km drive)
After breakfast leave for Kedarnath (14 km trek) to reach by afternoon on a nice cobbled path. It's a famous pilgrims trail. On arrival visit the Temple in the evening and then relax overnight at tourist rest house / Punjab & Sindh awas.

Day 11 - Kedarnath - Guptakashi (74 kms drive, 06 kms trek)
Morning start for Guptakashi and on arrival check in Luxury camp once again. Relax after a long trek and overnight at camp.

Trekking ToursDay 12 : Guptakashi - Rishikesh (171 kms)
After breakfast leave for Rishkesh to reach by lunch. On arrival check in Camp Hammock / Hotel Natraj. Evening free at riverside beach. Overnight at camp / Hotel.

Day 13 - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi (250 km, 6 - 7 hrs)
Early morning leave for Haridwar and visit Chandi Devi through ropeway for the last grand view of high Himalayas and then leave for Delhi in the afternoon. Enroute lunch in Cheetal Grand. On arrival check in Hotel The Park.

Day 14 - Delhi - Agra ( 210 kms, 4 hrs drive)
After breakfast leave for Agra by Road and on arrival check in hotel Jaypee Palace / Hotel Taj view. Visit the Red Fort and Itmad-ud-daulah's tomb in the afternoon. Evening free for Shopping and picking souvenirs. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 - Agra - Delhi ( 210 kms, 4 hrs drive)
Early morning leave for Taj Mahal and have a great view this beautiful monument of love in the sunrise. Come back to hotel for breakfast and then check out from hotel to leave for Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted capital of Empror Akbar the great. After that leave for Delhi and on arrival transfer to Airport to catch the flight.