Domain of Nanda devi

DAY 01: Arrival in Delhi

Reception at the international airport, generally in the evening, transfer and at night in the hotel.

DAY 02: Delhi – Rishikesh (340m), 225 Km – 5H by train

Early in the morning, transfer at the railway station of Delhi to take the train to Haridwar. Welcome in station of Haridwar and short transfer until Rishikesh. The afternoon, bare of the city with these numerous temples and Ashram. At night in the hotel.

RISHIKESH :It is said that, when Raibhya Rishi made punishment, God appeared under the name of “Hrishikesh” in this place since then called Rishikesh. Situated on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded by the Himalayan summits, Rishikesh is known since the medieval time as the celestial house of the gods. It is an important center of pilgrimage that attracts pilgrims’ large number come from all India. The temples of Rishikund and Raghunath, as well as the legendary bathtub where Rowed had its bath, are so many popular places appreciated by the believers.

TRIVANI GHAT : Trivani Ghat, there where the rivers of Ganga,Yamuna and Sarswati do not make more than one, is a very sacred place. People bathe in the evening during the ceremony of “Ganga Arti”, accompanied with religious songs. The pilgrims light candles made by butter and put on basket stocked with fresh flowers which they offer to the river.

LAXMAN JHOOLA : A bridge of monkey crossed the Ganges in this place, on 140 m until 1939, then was replaced by a metallic bridge. The temple of Raghunathji and thirteen other temples are the main attractions around Jhoola.

DAY 03: Rishikesh – Joshimath (1 800 m), 250 Km – 6H by road

Departure early in the morning. After 70 km of road, we stop to Dev Pryag, confluence of Bhagirthi and Alaknanda and place of birth of saint Mother, Ganga. For the Sikhs, Joshimath (Jyotrimath) is the wintry siege of Rawal Sahib of the sanctuary of Badrinath. At night in the hotel.

DAY 04: Joshimath – Auli, 15 Km – 30min by road – Gorson (3020 m), 4H by walk. TREK 1

The trek begins on Bugyal (the meadows) of Auli. This place is a famous winter sports resort: we can take a cable railway up to the summits of the meadows of Auli, but it is better to walk to acclimatize to the height. The road offers a view on several summits and several valleys. As the path wins in height, summits appear such as Choukhamba, Neel Kanth, Mana, and Nanda Devi (7 816 m). After the lunch break on the slopes of ski runs and in front of the summits of Himalaya, a walk of one hour leads to the place of the camp, which we can establish either in the forest, or in the meadow. At night under tent.

DAY 05: Gorson – Tali (3 165 m), 4H30 by walk. TREK 2

A gradual ascent by the alpine meadows allows to perceive, in clear weather, the summits of Duna Giri and Nanda Devi as well as many of the others were seen during the first day of trek. We discover so many villages at feet of the domain of Nanda Devi, of which in particular the village of Lato, crossed by the path and leading to the base camp of Nanda Devi or to the pass of Niti towards the Tibet. Crossed the narrow and steep track, we arrive on a small lake situated in the meadows. Nanda Devi begins then to disappear and leaves its place with Trishuli. This last one will accompany us till the end with the journey. The camp is surrounded by an oak forest, pines, maples, etc…. At night under tent.

DAY 06: Tali – Dhakwani or Dhoma Beti (3 245 m) via Kuwari pass (3 850 m), 5H by walk .TREK 3

2 hours of easy ascent lead us until Gailgarh (3 245 m), where from we can enjoy a magnificent view on Trishuli in the East and glorious valley of Tapovan. A wide road leads to the pass of Kuwari then we come down again, according to a path zigzag decorated with bushes, bamboo and rhododendrons. Installation of the camp either to Dhakwani, or in Dhoma Beti. At night under tent.

DAY 07: Dhakwani or Dhoma Beti – Panna Ranni (2 200 m) via Chartoli (3 100 m), 5H30 by walk. TREK 4

After a small descent which leads to a brook, the walk goes raises gradually by the forest then comes down again in a abrupt way up to the brook Dunna Nalla. New ascent in zigzag through the meadows of Chartoli where the shepherds spend the summer with their herds. Easy walk and descent in the valley of Virahi. The camp is situated above the village of Panna Ranni. The village is isolated, in 18 km of the main road. Its inhabitants are essentially farmers. The main culture is the potato, except which they also cultivate dried vegetables, millet, corn, wheat and barley. Installation and at night under tent.

DAY 08: Panna Ranni – Samkharka (2 400 m), 6H30 by walk TREK 5

The path crosses farms and comes down in gorges dug by the river Virahi Ganga. Having crossed the suspension bridge, it is necessary to count 30 minutes of ascent to join the village of Jhingi. From there, we pursue our road by two hours of progressive ascent to reach the place of the camp, a small field was surrounded by the forest. We can hear the melodies of young birds in the evening and at dawn. At night under tent.

DAY 09: Samkharaka – Ghunny (1 900 m) via Chacknivinaik pass (2 855 m), 6H by walk.TREK 6

To begin the day, 2H30 of easy ascent until top of Chaknivinaik, where from we can admire, as far as the eye can see, the valley and the distant mountains. A regular path leads us then, through the meadows, up to the bottom of the valley of flowers. Long descent up to the valley of Nandakini. The camp is situated above the village of Ghunny, in the yard of the school. At night under tent.

DAY 10: Ghunny – Satol (1 955 m), 8H by walk TREK 7

We begin this stage with an easy walk up to the village of Devkhani. We move on then to a short descent followed by a stiff ascent of one hour towards Ukta. We can sometimes buy of the fresh cucumber in the village, to quench thirst after a tiring steep little climb! A progressive ascent up to the temple will allow us can be to perceive Trishuli as well as villages which are perched in side of mountain. Descent in the brook then gradual ascent of half an hour. A hilly path leads us to Satol. The camp is except the village, in the confluence of rivers Nandakini and Roopani. Installation of the camp and the visit of the village. At night under tent.

DAY 11: Satol – Wan, 5H by walk .TREK 8

Of the forest, a relatively easy walk leads us to the tribal village of Kunol. Visit of the village then we leave for a short ascent. After a descent of 1H30 on Wan, we arrive at the attractive camp, outside of the village. At night under tent.

DAY 12: Wan – Bedni Bugyal (3 354 m), 5/6H by walk TREK 9

The path crosses near the village then crosses a dense forest of oaks and rhododendrons before coming down towards the river. Stiff ascent of 2 hours up to the camp, surrounded with a magnificent view on the chains of Himalaya. Bedni Bugyal is a place crowned for the Indians. Every year in September (Indian calendar), a procession drives the goddess Nanda Devi until Bedni, in whom only the persons attached to the goddess participate. But every 12 years, and during 22 days, the procession leaves the village of Nautty, joined along the way by the other deities and thousands of believers, passing by Badni, Roopkund and ends in Ghat near the village of Dashouli. Possibility of visiting the temple of Nanda Devi and Saint Beas in the balcony of the lake. At night under tent.

DAY 13: Bedni – Roop Kund Lake – Bhogbasa (4 267 m), 4H by walk .TREK 10

Stiff walk to arrive at the top of Kelukavinaik (4 100 m) where is situated the temple of Ganesh. During August in October, the valley is perfumed by flowers Saussurea Obvallaa, known locally under the name of Brahmkamal. This flower is offered to the gods, in particular to Shiva, because it is rare and grows in high height. It stays in us one hour of walk on an easy path to reach the camp, situated at the top of the valley of flowers. Small easy ascent up to the mysterious lake of Roop Kund, where old human skeletons of 500 – 600 years were found (pilgrims taken in the storm or refugees avoiding the regime of Zorawar Singh). Descent up to the camp installed to Bhogbasa. At night under tent.

DAY 14: Bhogbasa – Didina, 6H by walk. TREK 11

We take the same road return until Bedni Bugyal and we enter again the region of Kumaon. The path crosses a crest which offers a magnificent sight on the valley. We arrive then at the attractive camp of Didina. At night under tent.

DAY 15: Didina – Lohajang, 4H by walk. TREK 12

Stiff descent up to the bed of the river followed by an ascent of 2H30 to find the main path connecting Lohajang. Walk of difficulty averages through the forest and the hamlets where we can perceive the farmers in the work and the herds grazing. At the END OF THE TREK.

We greet the carriers or the muleteers and find in the evening the driver for the continuation of the circuit. At night in camp.

DAY 16: Lohajang – Nainital (1 218 m), 200 Km – 6H by road

We roll through numerous villages and discover the beauty of terrace fields on a bottom of snow draping mountains. It leads us until one of the most beautiful tourist towns of mountain of India, Nainital, what means ” the Eye as the Lake “. It is situated around a lake. Arrival and installation to the hotel. In the afternoon, we visit this town of mountain; you will be amazed by the view on the Himalayan chaine among which Nanda Devi, the highest mountain of Garhwal, dominates. At night in the hotel.

DAY 17: Nainital – Delhi, 305 Km – 7/8H by road

After a breakfast taken very early, we leave for Delhi. Reached Delhi by afternoon. Rest of the time at leisure . Night in hotel.

DAY 18: Delhi – International airport

This day is dedicated to the explore the capital of India . Visit of old Delhi and its very livened up general store. You measure the famous street des argentines (Chandni Chowk) which leads to strong Red and to mosque Juma Masjid. Pursuit towards the Minaret Qutab Minar, the Lotus temple, in the South of the city, opened to all the believers of any religions. In the evening, after the dinner, transfer at the international airport Indira Gandhi. At the end of our services.