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Panch Kedar Trek,
Uttarakhand
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.
The Panch Kedar trek is one of the best ways of getting a quick preview of the Garhwal Himalaya. The Garhwal Himalaya contain some of the highest peaks in India, viz. Nanda Devi (7817m), Trishul (7120m) and Chaukhamba (7138m). It is the source of the great Ganga and Yamuna rivers. They house the sacred Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, as well as forests of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Valley of Flowers National Park, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and the Benog Reserve (Mussourie), among others.
Cradled in these very Garhwal Himalaya's ranges are five of Hinduism's most important temples, popularly known as the Panch Kedar, viz.
1. Kedarnath (3584 m)
2. Madhmaheshwar (3289 m)
3. Tungnath (3810 m)
4. Rudranath (2286 m)
5. Kalpanath (2134 m), sprawled over a vast area with altitudes ranging from 1500m to 3680m.
THE TREK:
The Panch Kedar circuit is a 170km and 16-day trek, starting with a drive from Rishikesh to Gaurikund. The actual trek begins at Guarikund, one of the most picturesque spots in the entire Garhwal region wouldn't demean the Alps with a comparison, but is as good, if not better!
Situated on the Rudraprayag - Kedarnath road, Guarikund provides a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges surrounding it.
Day 1 - Delhi - Rishikesh: Drive Delhi-Rishikesh (230 km). Arrive Rishikesh and transfer to JG Camp, Brahmapuri (12 km). Overnight stay.
Day 2 - Brahmapuri - Gaurikund: After Breakfast drive to Gaurikund (209 km) with packed lunch. Overnight at Gaurikund – 1981 m.
Day 3 - Gaurikund - Kedarnath: 14 Kms Trek to Kedarnath. Lunch at Rambara enroute. Overnight at Kedarnath - 3581 m.
Day 4 - Kedarnath - Gaurikund: 14 Kms Trek to Gaurikund with packed lunch. Drive to Guptkashi (40 km). Overnight at Guptkashi.
Day 5 - Gaurikund - Gaundhar: 17 Kms Trek to Gaundhar with packed lunch. Overnight stay.
Day 6 - Gaundhar - Madhmaheshwar: 10 Kms Trek to Madhmaheshwar. Overnight stay.
Day 7 - Madhmaheshwar - Gaundhar: Return trek to Gaundhar (10 km) with packed lunch. Overnight stay.
Day 8 - Gaundhar - Ukhimath: Trek to Jagasu (12 km). Drive to Ukhimath (16 km) with packed lunch. Overnight at Ukhimath.
Day 9 - Ukhimath - Chopta: Drive to Chopta (35 km) - 2900 m. Further trek (4 km) to Tungnath - 3886 m with packed lunch. In the afternoon, return trek to Chopta (4 km). Overnight stay.
Day 10 - Chopta - Panargupha: Drive to Sagar (30 km). Further trek to Panargupha (10 km). Overnight stay.
Day 11 - Panargupha - Rudranath: 12 Kms Trek to Rudranath (12 km) and We will take lunch enroute. Overnight stay
Day 12 - Rudranath - Dumak: 18 Kms Trek to Dumak with packed lunch. Nighthalt stay.
Day 13 - Dumak - Kalpeshwar Mahadev: 14 Kms Trek to Urgam/Kalpeshwar Mahadev. Overnight stay.
Day 14 - Kalpeshwar Mahadev - Karnprayag: 9 Kms Trek to Helang. Drive to Karnprayag (70 Kms). Lunch enroute. Overnight at Karnprayag.
Day 15 - Karnprayag - Brahmapuri: Drive to Brahmapuri. Lunch enroute. Overnight at camp.
Day 16 - Rishikesh - Delhi: After breakfast drive Brahmapuri-Delhi (242 km). In the evening arrive Delhi.
Trekking Equipment’s
General Instructions
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