Trekking in the Ganges Valley

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Delhi

  Arrival at night, welcome and transfer to the hotel.

• day 2

  Delhi - Rishikesh: 250 km, about 6 h.

  Departure by private bus for Rishikesh, located on the banks of the Ganges, in the state of Uttarakhand. An important pilgrimage center and gateway to the Hindu sanctuaries of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The pilgrimage season starts in April-May and lasts until the Deepawali festival (festival of lights, the equivalent of Christmas), in October-November. The course of the Ganges, until then tempestuous, calms down to water the vast plains of North India. Lunch en route, overnight in a local hotel. 7 h drive.

• day 3

  Rishikesh - Lohajung 2234 m - 260 km, 9 h

  You continue along the road by the Alaknanda river. At Karanprayag, you turn into the valley of the Pindar river. The winding road climbs the hills, offering superb views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. Arrival at the village. Night in a tent. 9 h drive.

• day 4

  Lohajung, trek to Didana at 2,632 m

  Start of the trek. Descent to cross the Gyan Ganga river. Beautiful forest of rhododendrons and oaks. On the opposite bank, a steep climb leads to the hamlet of Didana. Night in a tent. Between 4h and 4h30 of walking Elevation gain: 350 m Elevation loss: 150 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 5

  Didana - Bedni Bugyal 3354 m

  Steep climb through the forest. After three hours of walking, you reach the alpine pastures, with a magnificent view of the Chaukhamba and Nilkanth peaks. The Bedni Bughyal meadow is the usual camp for pilgrims heading towards the sacred lake of Roop Kund (once every twelve years!). It is a somewhat magical place, with its many shrines facing the mountains. Night in a tent. Between 5h and 6h of walking Elevation gain: 650 m Elevation loss: 250 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 6

  Bedni Bugyal - Wan 2437 m

  Pleasant day of walking on a well-paved path. Long and steep descent through the forest to reach the river. Picnic, then a long ascent to reach the very pleasant village of Wan, located near another Hindu sanctuary. The inhabitants still wear their traditional clothes. One can find one of the largest deodar cedars (Himalayan cedar) there. Night in a tent. Between 4h and 5h of walking Elevation gain: 650 m Elevation loss: 250 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 7

  Wan - Kunol 2200 m - Sutol

  Bypassing a small temple and ascending the regular slopes that lead to the Kukin pass (3,690 m). The pleasant descent, through a forest inhabited by many monkeys, leads to the confluence of two rivers, near the village of Kunol. A new, short climb leads to the beautiful village of Sutol, with its slate roofs. Night in a tent. Between 6 and 7 hours of walking Elevation gain: 450 m Elevation loss: 150 m Type of accommodation: tent

• day 8

  Sutol - Dekhandhar 2200 m

  The path goes up and down along the valley, plunges abruptly towards the river and climbs back up in steep switchbacks to reach a small temple. After lunch, a new steep ascent leads us to a promontory: stunning view of the Trisul. Camp near the village of Dekhandar. Night in a tent. Between 5h30 and 6h of walking Elevation gain: 1050 m Elevation loss: 550 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 9

  Dekhandar - Ramni 2100 m

  In the village of Ala, beautiful sculptures adorn the gates of some houses. The path winds its way up to the high-altitude pastures. Beneath the high peaks, the ascent is steady up to the camp. Night in a tent. Between 5h and 5h30 of walking Elevation gain: 750 m Elevation loss: 350 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 10

  Ramni - Kaliaghat 2250 m

  Here is the longest day of the route, in a splendid setting. A first steady climb leads, in just over 2 hours, to the highest point of the day: the Ramni Pass (3064 m). The Kauri Pass is clearly visible in the distance. Striking view of the Garwhal peaks. The path descends towards the village of Jhin-Jhi, passing close to many farms. A suspension bridge allows you to cross the Birehi gorges (many monkeys). Another steep climb (2 h 30) up to the comfortable Kaliaghat camp, near Pana. Night in a tent. Between 6h and 7h of walking Elevation gain: 650 m Elevation loss: 180 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 11

  Pana - Sartoli 3012 m - Dhakwani 3341 m

  Another day with magnificent views. After a 600-meter ascent, crossing a pass at 3,100 meters. On the opposite slope, the route goes through a narrow gorge. The path is tricky, regularly damaged by monsoon rains. But the camp, located below the Kauri pass, turns out to be very pleasant. Night in a tent. Between 5h and 6h30 of walking Elevation gain +: 950 m Elevation loss -: 450 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 12

  Dhakwani - crossing of the Kauri pass 3,698 m - Talli 3,310 m

  One last effort to cross the highest point of the circuit. In 1931, the English explorer and mountaineer Franck Smythe, on his way to climb Kamet, the second highest peak in India after Nanda Devi, wrote: "Arriving at the pass, we were left speechless with surprise. No words could express our feelings. The Himalayas stretched out before us in a majestic arc." Nilkhanth, Chaukhamba (7141 m), Dunagiri (7067 m), Changabang (6864 m) and even Nanda Devi are visible by walking a few hundred meters along the ridge. This panorama is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Himalayan range. The path plunges down towards Talli, from where the view of Nanda Devi, in clear weather, is exceptional. Night in a tent. Between 5h and 6h30 of walking Elevation gain: 800 m Elevation loss: 450 m Type of accommodation: tent

• day 13

  Talli - Auli 2,695 m

  Another magnificent day. The path follows a balcony ledge, overlooking the entire valley: grandiose. Some sustained grassy slopes bring the descent to a close. Camp. Night in a tent. Between 4h and 5h of walking Elevation gain: 450 m Elevation loss: 250 m Type of accommodation: in a tent

• day 14

  Auli - Rishikesh 270 km

  Spectacular route with magnificent views of the Garwhal mountains. Stops to capture the landscape… Night in a guest-house. 9 h drive.

• day 15

  Rishikesh - Hardwar - Delhi 250 km

  Rest in the morning to stroll through the lively streets of Rishikesh. Built on the banks of the Ganges, this mystical city reflects the soul of India. After lunch, we head to Delhi with our private bus. Arrival in the evening. Direct transfer to the international airport. 7 hours of travel.

• day 16

  Delhi Departure

  Return flight to France.