Rishikesh To Guptakashi

The journey to the Panch Kedar begins at the holy city of Rishikesh from where we will travel to Guptakashi via Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The route to Guptakashi is extremely beautiful as you will drive along scenic roads with River Ganga and then River Alaknanda accompanying you.

From the name Guptkashi, you might have guessed that it means hidden Varanasi.  It is one of the most prominent pilgrimage places in the country. Located on the way to the Kedarnath trek, Guptkashi lies in Mandakini Valley and the presence of the Champak flower is pretty prominent here. Guptkashi is nothing less than a natural wonder with lush green valleys and the backdrop of the Chaukhamba Peak, standing tall in its snow-ensconced beauty. As per the Puranas when the Kurukshetra War was over, Lord Krishna advised the Pandavas to atone for their sins from the crimes they committed during the war, and as such the Pandavas went out in search of Lord Shiva. Pandavas were trying to reconcile with Lord Shiva for their journey to heaven. Shiva concealed in Gupt Kashi in the disguise of Nandi. Later Shiva escaped to Kedarnath where Pandavas found him. Hereditary priests stay in GuptKashi in winter when the Kedarnath temple is closed. When you reach in the evening try to catch up at ArdhNarishwar temple, a unique temple that presents the idol representing half Lord Shiva and half Goddess Shakti. Sleep well at your Guest house at night as tomorrow, you will trek to Kedarnath tomorrow.

Guptakashi to Gaurikund and trek to Kedarnath

From Guptkashi you will head to Gaurikund from where the Kedarnath Trek starts. Upon arrival at Kedarnath ji proceed for the trek for holy darshan at Kedarnath temple. Kedarnath Dham needs no introduction. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, a perfect Himalayan getaway with terrific historical and mythological prominence. More importantly, it is just a magnificent spot of beauty and serenity with the Kedarnath Range as the backdrop.

From Gaurikund start your trek and continue through Rambada Bridge to reach Jungle Chatti, your first stop point. Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti is at a distance of 4 km. If you are tired, take a break here, have some water and refreshments and continue on your journey. From Jungle Chatti, the next stop is at Bheembali, which is at a distance of 3 km from Jungle Chatti. There are accommodations along Bheembali as well. The third stop is at Linchauli, which is 4 km  Linchauli, accommodations are available at Linchauli as well. The mountain views from Linchauli are extraordinary and will take all your tiredness away. From Linchauli, it is another 4 km to the Kedarnath base camp. From the base camp, you will get a panoramic view of the mountain environs and the temple not very far away. You can feel the divine mysticism and the spiritual aura of the place as soon as you set foot on the Kedarnath shrine. The Kedarnath peak stands tall behind the temple adding to the divine aura of the temple. Overnight stay is arranged in camps/guest house in Kedarnath.

Descend from Kedarnath and drive back to Guptakashi

Get up early in the morning before dawn and after taking a bath visit the temple by 4:45 am for the Abhishek’ to Kedarnath Shiva. After Temple Darshan and Post breakfast begins your downward journey from Kedarnath. Trek down to Gauri Kund, which is known for its hot spring. There is a famous Parvati temple as well. According to legends, Gaurikund is where Parvati did penance involving yogic and ascetic practices to win Lord Shiva’s heart and it is believed that Lord Shiva accepted to marry Parvati here and they got married in the Triyuginarayan temple. From Gaurikund you will drive to Guptkashi. Overnight stay is in Guptakashi.

Drive from Guptakashi to Ransi and trek to Gaundhar

Another exciting day and its time to move to the second Kedar – Madhamaheswar. The journey begins from Guptakashi by road to Ransi, a 35 km drive. After which there is a 6 km trek to Gaundhar. The route is made of mud and scree. The motorable road ends at Ransi village and the trek starts from here. It is a well-paved path with the Madhyamaheswar Ganga River flowing on the right. It is an easy route as it is mostly downhill and it is since the route is a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, the views, and the biodiversity is amazing. You can witness the rich biodiversity of the region with its beautiful flora and fauna. You will encounter numerous butterfly species, lizards, mountain goats, guard dogs, sheep, monkeys, and various bird species as well. The mountain and the forests will give you an amazing opportunity to be close to nature and absorb its peaceful vibrations.

Gaundhar is located at an elevation of 3073 meters and is the base camp for hikers who want to reach Madhyamaheshwar. You will witness the holy merging points of rivers Madhyamaheswar Ganga and Markanga Ganga. It is a stunning viewpoint, never to miss. The temple itself is set against a beautiful backdrop of green hills and meadows.

Enjoy your another tent stay at the Gaundhar camp. Sleep well for the upcoming Kedar next morning.

Trek from Guandhar to Madhamaheswar

Today we will trek to the Madhyamaheswar Templer, which is often considered the second Kedar and also the fourth Kedar by many. Today is the hardest day of the trek as you will climb uphill all throughout the trek and gain quite a bit of altitude. It is an overwhelming hike of 5-6 hours covering a distance of 10 km to Madhyamaheshwar temple. The temple is 3490 meters in height and is a striking element hidden between the alpine trees of the Garwhal Mountains. The shrine is placed perfectly between green meadows and lush forests. After breakfast at Gaundhar, head out on your trekking adventure towards Madhyamaheswar. Start the day early so that you can reach the temple by lunchtime. The trail is quite similar to the previous day but it gets a lot steeper half an hour before the climb. As you climb towards the temple you will witness beautiful grasslands covered by pine trees. The trekking trail is well-marked there is no chance of losing the track. All throughout the day, you will notice breathtaking scenery at every juncture and it gets better and better as you keep climbing up. There are also fixed benches along the route to sit down if you get tired. Along the route, you will also spot some shops that sell snacks and drinks. You can reenergize yourself at these points. The final few hundred meters to the temple is a  flat walk and the view that opens up in front of you will leave you with a dearth of words. Once you reach the leveled path, you will reach the temple in a few minutes and you will feel quite satisfied and accomplished after arriving at the mighty temple. Madhyamaheswar temple is thousands of years old and you can get a close look at the ancient architecture. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of navel-shaped Lingam here. Along with the main temple, there are also two small shrines, one dedicated to Shiva’s consort Parvati and another to Ardhanarishvara - a composite male and female idol of Lord Shiva.  You will halt the night next to the temple. The camping place is stupendous with clear sights of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, and Neelkanth. Have your hot dinner and rest for the night.

Trek from Madhamaheswar to Ransi and drive to Chopta

Today you will head to Chopta which is 50 km from Ransi. After visiting the temple in the morning we will descend to Ransi and drive towards Chopta.

Chopta is at a distance of about 50 km from Ransi and will take approximately 1-2 hrs. You will drive to Chopta via Kalimath. The road to Chopta is a serene ride rising slowly. Chopta is a popular tourist destination hence it is crowded. It is a very picturesque destination that is also a camping site for the Chopta Chandrashila trek. The beauty of Chopta Valley is such that it is often known as the ‘Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’. It is also a great spot for birdwatching, often considered a paradise for birdwatchers with as many as 240 species of birds. The most prominent varieties are the Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Hill Partridge, and Scarlet Finch. It is an extremely peaceful location to relax after a long tiring day. Enjoy your night stay in Camps/Cottages.

Trek from Chopta to Tungnath temple and back to Chopta

Today will be an exciting day as you will climb to the highest Shiva temple in the world. Located at 3680 meters elevation Tungnath temple is over 1000 years old.

The route throughout the temple is cement paved with stairs and grills for safety. There are various stalls at the base of the temple that gives the vibe of a pilgrim spot. One thing to note about the trail to the top is that it is entirely decored with rhododendrons that change their colors from red to pink to white as you slowly rise above. We will start in the early hours of the morning so that we can reach Tungnath while it is still daytime and you can enjoy the golden hour from the top. The path is 3.5km long and normally it takes 4-5 hours to reach. Today’s hike is going to be a little gruelling as you will have to make sharp turns around the mountains. Chandrashila trek has many hairpin bends and at the 10th bend, you will come to a flagpole section from where you can get a good view of the Chandrashila summit. Ravanshila connects Chandrashila to Tungnath. The temple is seen from a distance that stands right in front of a rocky cliff with infinite beauty around it. The entrance to Tungnath temple is at the 11th bend. Tungnath is where the hands of Lord Shiva are said to have appeared. Tungnath Temple also has a mention in the Mahabharata, according to which Arjun was the first person to lay the foundation of the temple.

Once you get back to the base, you will stay in Camps.

Drive from Chopta to Sagar village and trek to Panar Bugyal

Having visited the Tungnath Temple, we will head to Sagar village and trek to Panar Bugyal from there. Sagar village is located at a distance of 35 km approximately. Panar Bugyal is about 10 km away from Sagar and you have to complete the journey by trekking.

Panar Bugyal as the name suggests is a highland meadow that offers beautiful views of Mt. Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Nanda Devi, and Bandarpoonch.  Sunset is especially beautiful here as the golden rays of the sun hit the snow-covered peaks and paint the sky and the mountains in hues of red, orange, purple, and pink. Needless to say, it is an awe-inspiring experience.The best thing about the trek is that along with spiritual importance, each moment is taking you closer to nature. It is the experience of being in the wild. This trail is also a great route to encounter birds like Himalayan Monals, Green Bee Eaters, and Black Drongos.

Trek from Panar Bugyal to Rudranath and back to Panar Bugyal

Wake up in your cozy tent rooms and take a few breaths of freshness. Today you will hike up to Rudranath. At 2286 meters in height, it is considered as the hardest and the most durable temple compared to the other four ones. The journey to Rudranath will be life-altering. The natural rock temple has rock-paved pathways surrounded by dense rhododendrons. The climb is 8 km long and a moderate hike. Rudranath Temple lies in the laps of Himalayan meadows, where the face of Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared. Inside the temple, you can see a beautiful stone-carved face that looks almost lifelike. The rock-carved sculpture of Shiva wears a smile on his face, which seems to melt away all your worries. Rudra Ganga flows near the temple, adding to its mystical allure. If you want to visit the temple independently, and not as a part of the Panch Kedar Trek then you should do so in the Hindu month of Shravan, when there is an annual fair held in the region and the entire area lights up and the shrine becomes even more beautiful.From Panar Bugyal take the road that moves towards the ridge on the left. En route, you will find some boulders and views of the snow-capped peaks.  The trail slowly and gradually climbs up the ridge and after half an hour of walking, you will see the Panar meadows below you. The verdant expanse of the Panar meadows and the snow-capped peaks in the foreground is just the perfect scene to enjoy nature’s splendour and capture Instagram-worthy pictures. Continue on the ridge until you reach a section where there are huge boulders on the left and a green valley on the right. As you continue on the path, you will come to a patch where there are huge boulders on each side of the trail with the ridge in between. The greenery all around and the snow-covered beauty will strike you spellbound with their beauty. Continue on the gradually ascending mud trail and soon you will see prayer flags and bells in the distance. It will take about 20 minutes to reach the bells. Following this, the trail descends into the valley with bright flowers and shrubs all around you. After about an hour of hiking, the Rudranath temple becomes visible. 20-30 minutes into the hike and you will come across painted tourist huts, walk past the huts, and in a few minutes, you will arrive at the shrine. Once you reach the Shiva shrine, one of the Panch Kedars you will see the first real views of the biggest Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and more. Rudranath temple is surrounded on each side by Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Manas Kund, and Tara Kund. After some soothing moments at the sacred place, it will be time to go back to Panar. Enjoy your nights stay in tents.

Trek from Panar Bugyal to Sagar village and drive to Pipalkoti

Having done the Rudranath trek, we will be descending to Sagar village once again followed by a drive to Pipalkoti.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast and begin your journey downwards. The path is a little meandering and soon you will reach the grasslands of Lunti Bugyal, from here take the trail on the left and you will reach a stream in about 45 minutes. The mud trail is well-defined. The trail descends further to a wooden bridge in the forest and another beautiful meadow comes into view, which is surrounded by alpine forests. A few tea stalls line the meadow that serves tea and refreshments to the pilgrims, there’s also a shade to protect the pilgrims from rain and sun. The area is marked by a boundary of colourful flags. Continuing along the meadow, you will enter another forest cover and can witness the forest cultivation done by the villagers. Sagar village soon becomes visible as well. Continue down along the left and you will come across a stream just before entering Sagar village. After the stream, the trail becomes pretty narrow and rocky until you reach Sagar.  At the end of the trail, there is a bus stop, and crossing the road, you can see Sakleshwar Mahadev Mandir.

 From here, we will drive to Pipalkoti, which is at a distance of 30 km and will take about an hour or two. Pipalkoti is a small hamlet in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Known for its unique beauty and serenity, this place often serves as a rest stop for people visiting Badrinath, Auli, Valley of Flowers, or Hemkund. The hamlet is located by the banks of the Alakananda River and also offers a glorious view of the mountain peak of Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, Neelkanth, and Hati Parbat. Your night stay is arranged at Pipalkoti.

Drive from Pipalkoti to Kalpeshwar and back to Pipalkoti

We will start the day with a hearty breakfast and we will take a ride from Pipalkoti towards Kalpeshwar Temple. From Pipalkoti, we will first drive to Helang Village from where we will visit Vridha Badri, one of the Sapt Badris. The temple dates back to the time when India was under the rule of the Gupta Empire. This temple holds a big religious significance. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here in the form of an old man.

 The legend says that Lord Narad once decided to perform penance on this site to please Lord Vishnu. Appeased by his prayers, Vishnu appeared in the form of an old man and answered all prayers of Narad. An idol of Vishnu was thus constructed in the form of an old man here. From Vridha Badri Temple we will proceed towards Urgam village.

Urgam village is a peaceful habitat at 2134 meters elevation from where you start walking to Kalpeshwar. The altitude so far will be the same as Urgam village. Urgam village is known for its serenity and peacefulness, a place where saints meditate. The entire scenery is revitalizing Kalpeshwar. You will slowly climb up in the diverse forests and animals grazing around. The trail is moderate with a lot of rest. You will be greeted by villagers at every step. It is a short hike to Kalpeshwar.

Folklore also has it that Kalpeshwar was the favourite meditative spot for sages like Durvasa and Arghya. While at the temple, also pay respect to the Kalpeshwar tree, it is believed the tree grants all your wishes. From Kalpeshwar, you will also get stunning views of Nanda Devi, Mt. Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti.  150 m behind the temple premises lies the ‘Dhyan Badri’ temple, although not one of the five Badris, this is yet another mystical experience for you. Many people visit Kalpeshwar temple because of the gorgeous views of the untouched mountain valley, the terraced fields of the villages, and the dense woods. After paying your respect at the temple and spending some time in the serene environs and we will return to Pipalkoti.

Drive from Pipalkoti to Rishikesh

The ride will commence at 6 am and you will reach Rishikesh around 5 - 6 pm. Your Breakfast and Lunch will be on the way at a roadside inn, exclusive of charges, after having your morning tea/coffee you can leave for your next destination. We advise you to book further travel after 7 pm.