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Home , Char Dham, Haridwar District, Yamunotri, Yamunotri Temple

II Aum Namah Shivaya II

CHAR DHAM 2016

Karnali Excursions www.karnaliexcursions.com experience the journey of a lifetime Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Yatra overview: is a big subject, with a diversity of culture of unfathomable depth, and a long continuum of history. India offers endless opportunities to accumulate experiences and memories for a lifetime. Since very ancient times, participating in the Char-Dham Yatra has been held in the highest regard throughout the length and breadth of India. The Indian Garhwal are known as Dev-Bhumi, the ‘Abode of the Gods’. Here is the source of India’s Holy River . The Ganges, starting as a small glacial stream in and eventually traveling the length and breadth of India, nourishing her people and sustaining a continuum of the world’s most ancient Hindu Culture. In the Indian Garhwal Himalayas lies the Char-Dham, 4 of ’s most holy places of , nestled in the high valleys of the Himalayan Mountains. Wearing the Himalayas like a crown, India is a land of amazing diversity. Home to more than a billion people, you will find in India an endless storehouse of culture and tradition amidst all the development of the 21st century!

Yatra highlights: — A complete darshan of , , and Gangotri — Darshan of and Uttar Kashi — Visit Surya Kund, Divya Shila, Mata Murti Temple, Tap Kund, Narad Kund & Vyash Gupha

Yatra facts : Total duration : 15 days Max. Elevation : 3,585m/11,760ft Trip grading : Moderate Best months : May to October Journey starts/ends : New Accommodation : Hotels Yatra destinations : Delhi - Rishikesh - Barkot - Yamunotri - Uttar Kanshi - Gangotri - Rudra Prayag - Gupta Kanshi - Phata Pipalkoti - - Dev Prayag - Haridwar Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Arrive at the Delhi Airport and transfer to hotel One of representatives of Karnali Excursions will receive at the airport and arrange DAY 01 immediate transfer to hotel. 28 Sep, 2016 Karnali team leader will deliver a detailed briefing on Char Dham Yatra. Overnight in a tourist standard hotel on full board basis.

New Delhi - - Haridwar Fly to Dehradun for afternoon arrival and drive to Haridwar. On arrival, check into the DAY hotel, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. We will attend the evening Ganga Arati in 02 Haridwar. 29 Sep, 2016

Rishikesh 24 kilometers from Haridwar. Located in the lap of the lower Himalayas, Rishikesh is surrounded by scenic beauty with the Holy Ganges flowing through it. The whole place is considered to be a sacred , as it is believed that at this place leads to the attainment of salvation. There are many temples, some ancient, some new, along the river Ganges. Rishikesh is important not only as a pilgrimage center closely associated with the Ramayana, but also as a home for many important centers of Hindu religious thought and spirituality, and as a very great center for learning . There are a great many and yoga institutes in Rishikesh. Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Haridwar Haridwar, lying at the feet of ’s hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the of Uttarkhand is the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. Prince of the Surya Dynasty performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors, who had perished due to the curse of sage . The penance was successful and the river Ganges trickled forth from Lord Shiva’s matted hair, and its bountiful water revived the 60,000 sons of . In the tradition of Bhagiratha, devout stand in the sacred waters, praying for salvation of their departed ancestors. It is the doorway to the sources of the Ganges and the , Kedarnath and Badrinath, 3,000 to 4,500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The ‘Arati’ worship of the Ganges after sunset and the floating ‘diya’ (lamp) is a moving ritual. Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Rishikesh - Barkot (170 kms drive / 06 hrs) Morning, after breakfast, enjoy local sightseeing in Rishikesh, visit Laxman-Jhula, later DAY drive to Barkot via Dehradun, , and en-route visit Kempty Falls, then drive to 03 Barkot. On arrival at Barkot check into the hotel for an overnight stay. 30 Sep, 2016

Yamunotri - Barkot (42 kms drive / 7 kms trekking) Leave for Janaki Chatti via Chatti & Phool Chatti. On arrival at Janaki Chatti, start DAY trekking of 07 kms to Yamunotri. On arrival at Yamunotri, take a holy dip in Garam Kund, 04 then and Darshan of Shree Yamuna Jee. After Darshan and Puja, afternoon trek back 1 Oct, 2016 to Janaki Chatti. On arrival at Janaki Chatti meet with driver and drive back to Barkot for an overnight stay. Hanuman Chatti The confluence of Hanuman Ganga & Yamuna River. Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Divya Shila A rock pillar, worshipped before entering the . Surya Kund There are a number of thermal springs in the vicinity of the temple, which flow into numerous pools. The most important of these is the Surya Kund. Yamunotri Temple Maharani Gularia of built the Yamunotri Temple in the 19th Century. It was destroyed twice in the present century and rebuilt again.

Barkot- (Harshil) (82 kms drive / 04 hrs) Morning, leave for Uttar Kashi, a drive of 82 kms. Enroute, we visit Prakateshwar Cave, DAY on arrival in Uttar Kashi check in at the hotel & in the evening visit Vishwanath Temple. 05 Overnight stay at the hotel. Uttar Kashi is situated on the bank of the Bhagirathi Ganga. 2 Oct, 2016 The temple of Lord Vishwanath is located here where a massive iron trident is erected. Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Harshil - (back to Bhoj-Basa for night stay) DAY 06 3 Oct, 2016

DAY 07 Bhoj-Basa - Gangotri Darshan, Harshil/Uttar Kashi Night Stay 4 Oct, 2016

Uttar Kashi-Rudra-Prayag/Gupta-Kashi (165 kms drive) Morning drive to Rudra-Prayag, en route visit Tehri Dam and continue journey towards DAY 08 Rudra-Prayag. Check into the hotel, dinner and overnight stay. 5 Oct, 2016 Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Rudra-Prayag–Gupta-Kashi (Helicopter ride to Kedarnath) Morning, drive to the heli-pad and take a helicopter journey to Kedarnath and then back DAY 09 to Gupta Kashi. 6 Oct, 2016

Kedarnath The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 Jyotir Lingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot, situated against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath Mountain Range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the after having won over the Kauravas in the war, felt guilty for having killed their own brothers and for redemption, sought the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while hiding from the Pandavas took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dove into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at , the face at , the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kapaleshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are known as the Panch-Kedars.

Gupta-Kashi–Rudra-Pryag/Pipalkoti (157 km drive/6 hr) After morning Puja and Darshan at the temple, we leave for trekking to Gorikund and DAY drive back to Rudra-Prayag/Pipalkoti. On arrival, check in to the hotel, dinner and 10 overnight stay. 7 Oct, 2016 Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions Day-to-day detailed itinerary

Rudra-Prayag/Pipalkoti – Badrinath (72 kms) Morning departure for Badrinath, enroute visit Narasimha Temple and then drive DAY to Badrinath. On arrival, we take the Holy Darshan and spend time visiting Mana. Mana 11 Village is the last village before the Tibetan border. Have darshan of the Vyas Gupha, Bhim 8 Oct, 2016 Pul, and Saraswati River. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Tapt Kund Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alakananda, where it is customary to bathe before entering the . Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Narad Kund A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath Murti was recovered. Mata Murti Temple Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinath-ji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple. Mana Village Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. Bhīma Phul On the other side of Mana Village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by , the second eldest amongst the five brothers. Vyasa Gupha (cave) Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Veda Vyasa is believed to have composed the and the Puranic commentaries.

Badrinath-Srinagar/Dev-Prayag (270 kms drive/9 hrs) Morning drive to Srinagar/Dev-Prayag. On arrival, check in at the hotel, and overnight DAY stay. Dev-Prayag is a town and a ‘Nagar Panchayat’ in , in the state of 12 Uttar khand. Dev- Prayag is one of the Panch-Prayags (five confluences) of the Alakananda 9 Oct, 2016 River where the Alakananda and Bhagirathi Ganga rivers meet and from here takes the name Ganga or the Holy River Ganges. Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Srinagar/Dev-Prayag/Rishikesh (73 kms drive/3 hrs) Morning after breakfast, drive back to Rishikesh. Check into the hotel and enjoy the DAY 13 evening Arati in Rishikesh. 10 Oct, 2016 Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Flight To Delhi (Over night stay in ) Fly to New Delhi. After breakfast we transfer to the hotel, and visit the Akshardham DAY 14 Temple. 11 Oct, 2016

Departure for home DAY 15 12 Oct, 2016 Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

Yatra Cost USD 1,799 or

GBP 1,199 per person

The cost does not include O India visa fee O International flights to/from Delhi O Travel and medical insurance, which includes The cost includes emergency air/land evacuation cost and expenses P All ground transfers including airport pickup and of medical treatment drops O Medical checkup charges if required P Twin sharing accommodations on bed and breakfast O basis as per the itinerary Pure personal gears and equipment, clothes etc O P Delhi-Dehradun-Delhi flight fare Personal porter, pony or Doli charges O P Helicopter ride to Kedarnath Pure personal nature expenses, e. g. drinks, telephone calls, laundry, tips to guide, driver and P All guided sightseeing with applicable entry fees support crew. P All meals O Expenses caused by factors that are beyond our P Highly experienced and knowledgeable team leader control such as: train and flight delays and and support crew from Nepal cancellations, road blockades, vehicle mal-function P All applicable taxes and royalties and political disturbances etc Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Important Notes: — The infrastructure of these areas is not well developed. You should not expect or compare it to other more developed destinations. There are occasional shortages of water and power in this region. You may come across situations where water is supplied on a timed basis – Morning to Evening. — In this region the hotels may not have generator facilities. In case of any power failure, hotels will provide candles for light.

General Information 1. Flight Details Please send us your flight details as soon as you book your flights. If there are any last minute changes, please notify us immediately by e-mail. This is very important, as we need to arrange for your airport pickup in Delhi. Please look for the Karnali Excursions sign board as you come out from the Airport. 2. Passport, India Visa Related: • USA and UK passport holders require a Visa for India. Get this at home by contacting the nearest Indian embassy or consulate. Indian Passport holders or OCI cardholder do not require a Visa in India. • You must be in possession of a current passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your arrival date in India. 3. Remaining Balance The remaining balance is to be paid in USD (US Dollars) or GBP (Sterling Pounds) cash in New Delhi upon arrival. Unfortunately, Karnali Excursions cannot accept any personal cheque. • Additional Funds: Please plan to bring approximately USD 600 OR GBP 400 per person for your personal use during the Yatra (to hire a horse, Doli and porter during the Yatra, phone calls, mineral water, souvenirs, etc.) Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

4. Suggested items to bring for Char Dham Yatra: The below given list is intended to provide guidelines only, please adjust and bring as per your personal needs.

Footwear

1. One pair proper hiking boots 2. One pair trainer type (Sports shoes) 3. Sandals/Flip-flops 4. 3-4 pair warm shocks

Clothes

1. Cap/Sunhat-1 15. Wind/waterproof gloves-1 pair 2. Woolen/fleece Monkey cap/ 16. Small face towel-2 Balaclava-1 17. Bath towel-1 3. Down/fiber-filled jacket-1 18. Shawl-1 4. Wind/waterproof jacket-1 19. Muffler-1 5. Wind/waterproof trousers-1 pair 20. Nose mask for dust free 6. Loose pants/hiking trousers-3 pairs breathing 7. Thermal wear-2 sets (legging and 21. Buff to protect your throat and neck vests) 22. Lungi or dhoti for Havan 8. Long-sleeved hiking shirts-2 9. Light sweater-1 10. Warm sweater-1 11. Fleece wear-1 12. Woolen/fleece high-neck-2 13. Undergarments-6 14. Thin gloves-1 pair Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

Not-to-miss miscellaneous items

1. Bottles to collect holy water 2. Large plastic garbage bags to protect your clothes from rain/dust-6 3. Hand and foot warmer 4. Favourite snacks, nuts and dried fruits 5. Energy bars/chocolates 6. Sweet candies 7. Money belt

Very important items

1. Rucksack/daypack (35-40 litre)-1 2. Water bottle-1 3. Thermo flask-1 4. Sunglasses with 100% UV protection 5. Personal medicines if you are under any medication 6. Sunscreens 7. Antibacterial hand gel 8. Wet wipes 9. Moisturizer creams 10. Lip guard 11. Headlamp with spare batteries

Optional items 3. Reading books 1. Whistle 4. Daily diary 2. Pocket knife 5. Music Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

First Aid Medical Kit

1. Personal medicines if you are taking any 2. Handy plast 3. Bandages 4. Small & big cotton balls 5. Antiseptic ointment 6. Common cold, fever and cough remedies 7. Anti diarrhea medicines 8. Allergy care 9. Anti vomiting medicines 10. Regular personal medicines if you are under any medications

5. Travel Insurance –Mandatory: Everyone must carry a travel insurance which covers emergency rescue (both by Air and ground), repatriation and medical expenses. Please bring two hard copies of insurance. When you come to New Delhi, please handover one copy to our representative and keep the 2nd copy with you.

6. Preparation, Health and Medical Related: Although most of the trip will be done by vehicles, it is important that everyone has relatively good health. If you have any chronic health conditions please consult your doctor prior to leaving for India. Medical facilities are available throughout the journey. Karnali Excursions (P) Ltd. will provide a first aid medical kit and equipment for treating high altitude sickness. Remember to exercise and or hike/walk regularly. Form a habit of drinking at least three liters of water every day. This habit will be extremely helpful to keep you in good shape during the Yatra. Karnali Excursions Char Dham Yatra 2016

7. Karnali Staffs: Karnali Excursions (P) Ltd. employs only well-trained, responsible, and capable staffs who have successfully led several trips over many years throughout all over India, Tibet and Nepal. Each trip is staffed with an experienced guide who speaks English and , ensuring a pleasant and smooth journey for the group. Karnali Excursions (P) Ltd. is committed to providing the best and most reliable service for each group for the Journey of a Lifetime.

8. Risk and Liabilities: Karnali Excursions (P) Ltd will make every effort to ensure that your journey is smooth and as pleasant as possible. However, please be reminded that all programs in India are strictly conducted under the rules and regulations of the Indian government. Therefore, neither Karnali Excursions (P) Ltd. nor its Indian Agent shall be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstances, including: government restrictions, landslides, road blockades, flooding, snowfall, political disturbances, flight cancellations, illnesses or accidents. Any additional costs that may incur as a result of such circumstances shall be taken care of by the yatris.

7. Yatra logistics: • You will be picked up and dropped off at the airport, so please provide your flight details in advance • Every yatri will be provided a reasonable sized duffle bag for the entire duration of Yatra. This bag will be provided in the evening of the arrival day. Hence, each yatri should have a personal backpack/rucksack to carry personal valuable belongings and handy items • Transfer your Yatra baggage into this duffle bag and remember the duffle bag number by noting it down Char Dham Yatra 2016 Karnali Excursions

• Your normal baggage will be stored at the hotel in New Delhi until you return from the Yatra • Ensure that you have some snacks and minimal supplies along with you in your backpack for personal use as your duffle bag will travel separately with the support truck • Please bear in mind to bring the adaptor for 220-240 volts for charging any electronic devices • WIFI and Internet connection is available in New Delhi. Local Sim card can be bought in the New Delhi airport. You are welcome to use a home-based cell phone. Please make sure that India is in your roaming coverage area.

8. Important preparation tips for successful and memorable yatra: • Get some hiking and breathing practices • Develop habit of drinking plenty of water (at least 3 litre a day) • Stay mentally focused and physically healthy for a memorable Journey of a lifetime Look forward seeing you soon in the Himalayas! With warm regards and best wishes, Karnali Excursion Team

CHAR DHAM YATRA 2016

For further information and assistance

Savita Meghani (UK) Vanita Hirani (UK) Sarla Dave (USA) Hira Dhamala +4420 8866 7984 +4420 8991 0692 1940 E 170th PLACE, 5778, Durbar Marg, Ktm, Nepal (Mon-Fri, Call after 4 PM) (Mon-Fri, Call after 4:30 PM) SOUTH HOLLAND, IL, 60473, USA +977 1 4233192/4233087 +4420 7435 217216 +4420 7941 992907 +170 8895 6439 +977 9851035496 [email protected] [email protected] +170 8689 7848 [email protected] [email protected] www.karnaliexcursions.com, www.kailashtrekking.com