The Paanch Kedar Trek
Time : Sept/October -May/ June
Trek Duration : 15 days
Region : Gharwal Hills
Max. Altitude : 3584 m.
1. Kedarnath (3584 m)
2. Madhmaheshwar (3289 m)
3. Tungnath (3810 m)
4. Rudranath (2286 m)
5. Kalpanath (2134 m),
The Panch Kedar trek includes all the five shrines associated with the Hindu legends. All of them are situated in the Kedar Valley. At Kedarnath, which is situated at the head of the Mandakini River, the Linga is a natural rock that resembles the hump of a bull. Madhmaheshwar, situated at the base of Chaukhamba Peak is at an altitude of 3500 m. Here the Linga is worshipped in the form of a navel. Tungnath, where tha arm of Shiva appeared is the highest temple in Garhwal is situated at an altitude of 3810 m. 500 m above the temple at Tungnath is Chandrashila.The panoramic view of the Himalayas is breathtaking. Rudranath is where the face of Shiva is said to have appeared. Here there is a natural rock temple in which the Shiva Mukha is worshipped.To reach Rudranath, one has to trek throough alpine meadows and dense forests. Kalpeshwar is situated in the beautiful valley of Urgam. There is a cave temple here and Shiva is worshipped in his matted hair form.
Day 01: Delhi - Rishikesh (230 kms/6 ½ hrs)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Rishikesh. Lunch enroute. On arrival at Rishikesh check into the hotel. In the evening visit Temples, Laxman Jhoola and Triveni Ghat for Arti darshan. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Rishikesh - Pipalkoti (1219 mts/3998 ft) 218 kms/7-8 hrs
Morning after breakfast drive to Pipalkoti via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Nandprayag. On arrival check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Pipalkoti - Helang - Urgam (2134 mts/7000 ft) 9 kms trek/3-4 hrs
In the morning after breakfast drive 15 kms to reach Helang. From here we will start our trek up to Urgam Village. We will cross Alaknanda River via Road Bridge. The trek passes through a dense forest amidst gurgling water falls along the KalpGanga. Urgam Valley is famous for its apple orchards, terraced rice fields and potato farms. Evening one isfree to explore the fascinating Urgam Valley. Dinner and night stay in tents.
Day 04: Urgam - Kalpeshwar - Urgam (2 kms one way)
After breakfast,an early morning trek with packed lunch to the first of the Paanch Kedar. The locks (hair) of Lord Shiva is worshiped in this temple. From here you will have the striking views of valley with terraced fields and verdant green forests. Later return trek to Urgam. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 05: Urgam - Kalgot (2215 mts/7265 ft)
After and early breakfast ,trek up to Kalgot Village through dense forest and lush green meadows. This is the tough day. Arrive in the evening at Kalgot village. Meet the locals, know their culture etc. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 06: Kalgot - Rudranath (2286 mts/7498 ft)
Morning trek up to the temple of Sri Rudranath. Here the face of Lord Shiva is worshiped. Stunning views ofHathi Parvat, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Trishuli and other peaks are visible from here. You can also visit the Suryakund, Chandrakund,& Tarakund which are located nearby the temple. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 07: Rudranath - Sagar - Mandal (18 kms trek/8 kms drive)
Morning after breakfast trek down to Sagar Village through the dense forest and meadows. On arrival at Sagar drive to Mandal. Mandal is also known as theCherapunji of Garhwal. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 08: Mandal - Chopta (2900 m/9512 ft) - Tungnath (19 kms/2 hrs/trek 3.5 kms
Morning after breakfast drive to Chopta. Chopta is situated at an altitude of 2900 m . The place provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the surrounding areas.On arrival at Chopta trek to Tungnath (the third Kedar) with packed lunch. Tungnath is situated at the height of 3680 mts from the sea level the highest in India. the trek is three kms upward. Himalayan laplands and the superb range of snow capped Himalayan range is visible enroute. Upon arrival visit the temple. after lunch one can trek to Chandrashila peak 1 kms ahead. Dinner and overnight stay in Tungnath.
Day 9: Tungnath - Chopta - Jagasu - Gaundhar
In the morning after breakfast trek back to Chopta and from here drive to Jagasu (45 kms/2 hrs). From here trek up to Gaundhar. The confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Makandya Ganga is the last place that is worth a visit before one reaches Madmaheshwar. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 10: Gaundhar - Madhmaheshwar (3289 mts/10788 ft)
Morning after an early breakfast trek (18 kms/5-6 hrs) to Madhya Maheshwar (the fourth Lord Shiva temple of Panch Kedar). It is believed that the navel mid part of the body reappeared at this shrine after disappearing from Kedarnath. On arrival set camp here. Here you can see the magnificent Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peak. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 11: Madhmaheshwar - Gaundhar
In the morning trek back to Gaundhar. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 12: Gaundhar - Jagasu - Guptkashi
After an early breakfast 12 km trek to Jagasu and from drive to Guptkashi (30 kms). Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 13: Guptkashi - Gaurikund - Kedarnath (3584 mts/11756 ft)
Morning after breakfast drive to Gaurikund and from here 14 km trek up to Sri Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. On arrival check in at the guest house. Evening explore the surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay in guest house.
Day 14: Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Rudraparyag
Morning after breakfast visit Kedarnath temple, trek down to Gaurikund and drive to Rudraprayag through river Mandakini. Check into hotel. Evening visit the confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini Rivers. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15: Rudraparyag - Haridwar (160 kms/4-5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Haridwar via Devprayag (Confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. From here the Holy River Ganges begins. From Haridwar catch a train/or bus to Delhi. Arrival at Delhi by night. Group Disperses.