Holy Chardham Yatra-Helicopter

Day 01: At the gateway to lords Vishnu and Shiva - HaridwarRoute: Delhi – Haridwar       

• The “Holy Chardham Yatra – Helicopter Tour” pilgrimage begins with your arrival to Delhi. Once you arrive at Delhi airport / Delhi railway station, you will be assisted for your further journey to Haridwar.
• Depending on your arrival to Haridwar, you can visit Chandi Devi temple, Mansa Devi temple, Daksha Mahadev temple and other pilgrim sites. A visit to ‘Har-ki-Pauri’ in the evening for aarti and floating the 'diya' (lamp) in the river is a must do when you visit Haridwar. Haridwar will be your halt for the night.
• Haridwar- the Chardham pilgrimage yatra begins from this holy place, which is located at the foothills of the Shivalik Mountains, The name Haridwar stands for “The gateway to Lord Vishnu”.  The place is also called “Hardwar” which means “Gateway to Lord Shiva”. Hence, Haridwar is a place of importance for devotees of both Vishnu and Shiva. Haridwar is also one of the four places where Kumbh mela takes place.
• Har ki Pauri: One of the famous landmarks in Haridwar, Har ki Pauri is a ghat on the banks of river Ganga. The place offers an enchanting view at night when golden diyas are seen floating in the river after the evening aarti is performed.
• Chandi Devi Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi, the temple is situated on top of the Neel Parvat. The temple can be accessed either by foot or by cable car / ropeway services.
• Mansa Devi Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, the temple is situated on top of the Bilwa Parvat. The temple can be accessed either by foot or by ropeway.
• Daksha Mahadev Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is situated in Kankhal, a town 4 Km from Haridwar.

Day 02: To the beautiful hill station - Barkot

• Winters- days are pleasantly cool and nights are cold with temperatures dropping from 10 degree to 05 degree Celsius.
• From Haridwar, your drive begins to Barkot via Mussoorie. On the way there will be a pit stop at the beautiful Kempty falls. This is also your destination for lunch. Once you get to Barkot, you will get to relax the rest of the day. Barkot will be your halt for the night.
• Barkot – Barkot is known for its scenic views. It is a hill station, located on the banks of river Yamuna. Barkot offers magnificent view of the snow-clad mountains of Bandar poonch and other mountain peaks of the Himalayan region. The apple orchards, beautiful landscapes and the flowing waters of river Yamuna and Ganga are its major attractions. It is a prime stopover on the way to Yamunotri and Gangotri.

Day 03: To the origin of river Yamuna - Yamunotri

• Early morning, your drive starts from Barkot to Janki Chatti. From this point you have to trek around 6Km to Yamunotri. You can cover this distance either walking or by assistance of a horse or a Doli / Palanquin. You can enjoy the lush valley of the Himalayas as you pass through numerous trees, shrubs and plants of Himalayan origin. After preparing of “Prasad” at Surya kund -a hot water spring, offering prayers at the Divya Shila, having a holy bath in the warm waters of Jamuna Bai kund and “pooja” in the temple of Goddess Yamuna, you can start your return journey to Janki Chatti, further on to Barkot. Barkot will be your halt for the night.
• Surya Kund: Yamunotri is said to be the origin of river Yamuna. It is also known for its thermal springs and glaciers. This is the place where devotees prepare rice and potatoes in the boiling waters of the kund and take it home as “Prasad” of Goddess Yamuna
• Divya Shila: A place nearby Surya kund that is worshipped before offerings are made to Goddess Yamuna
• Yamunotri Temple: The abode of Goddess Yamuna, the Yamunotri temple is located near the foots of Kalind peak and the side of Bunder poonch (monkey tail) peak

Day 04: To the land of temple and ashrams - Uttarkashi

• Your journey to Uttarkashi starts from Barkot. In Uttarkashi, you get to visit temples like Vishwanath Temple and Shakti temples. You get to spend the rest of the day in leisure. Your halt for the night will be at Uttarkashi.
• Uttarkashi: As the name suggests Uttarkashi is situated to the north of the city of Kashi / Varanasi. It is an abode of various temples and ashrams. It lies on the banks of river Ganga and has one of the holiest ghats called Manikarnika Ghat with a temple dedicated to Shiva (Vishwanath).
• Vishwanath temple: Vishwanath temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples and is located in the centre of the town. The temple was constructed in 1857 A.D by the then queen of Tehri- Khaneti Devi.
• Shakti temple: Inside the Vishwanath temple complex lies several other temples, the significant one being Shakti temple. Here, is a trident that stands 19.5 feet tall having Tibetan inscriptions and markings of the Naga dynasty

Day 05: To the seat of Goddess Ganga - Gangotri

• Your journey to Gangotri begins early in the morning. On the way, you will get to take a holy dip in Garam kund at Gangnani. You will be passing through the beautiful Harsil Valley. It is famous for its scenic beauty, deodar trees, and majestic mountains. On arrival at Gangotri, you can take a holy dip in the sacred river Ganges, also known as Bhagirathi at its origin. You can visit the temple and conduct offerings. After relaxing in the picturesque surrounding you can begin your return journey to Uttarkashi. Your halt for the night will be at Uttarkashi.
• Gangotri Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Ganga, it is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi. It is surrounded by beautiful deodars and pine trees.
• Submerged Shivling: A natural rock shivling which remains submerged under water during summers, and can only be seen during winters when the water level decreases.
• Kedar Ganga Sangam: the river Kedar Ganga flows around 100 yards from the Gangotri temple. This river meets the Bhagirathi that flows on its left bank.

Day 06: To the famous Ardhnarishwar temple - Guptkashi

• Your ‘Holy Chardham yatra’ proceeds from Uttarkashi straight to Guptkashi via Lambgaon. On the way you can see the beautiful river Mandakini at Tilwara, which continues en route. Once you arrive at Guptkashi, you can relax and visit the Vishwanath temple and Ardhnarishwar temple in the evening. Your halt for the night will be at Guptkashi.
• Guptkashi:  A scenic place, Guptkashi is a place of historical and religious importance. It is a recommended pit stop in this Chardham yatra before your ascend to Kedarnath.
• Vishwanath temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it was one of the famous temples in Guptkashi.
• Ardhnarishwar temple: a temple dedicated to half-man and half-woman form of Shiva and Parvati.

Day 07: Helicopter ride to Kedarnath

• For your visit to Kedarnath-one of the four main sites of the Chardham yatra, you will be driven by road to Phata. From there you will be assisted by helicopter service to Kedarnath. Once on the top, you can visit the temple and even enter the Garbha Griha or Sanctum sanctorum. After veneration, you can return back to the helipad via helicopter and further on by road to Guptkashi. Your halt for the night will be at Guptkashi.
• Kedarnath: The Kedarnath temple is situated on the vast Kedarnath range. It is a very important destination of Hindu spiritual tours. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the most prime temple of the Panch Kedars (5 Shiva temples of the Garhwal Himalayas). One of the major attractions of this tour is the helicopter ride which gives you a lifetime experience and a splendid view of the mountain range.

Day 08: To the last holy dham - Badrinath

• Your holy Chardham yatra continues to the next spiritual destination-Badrinath via Joshimath. In Badrinath, you can visit the Badrinath temple and other significant sites like Tapt kund, Brahma kapal, Sheshnetra, Mata Murti temple, Charan Paduka, Mana village. These sites can be visited either the same day or the next as per time available. Your halt for the night is at Badrinath.
• Badrinath: A picturesque town and one of the abode of Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is the holiest and last dham of the ‘Char dham’ sites. It is situated between the Nar and Narayan Mountain peaks and gives a majestic view. The snowy mountain peaks, the river Alaknanda and the mind blowing landscapes provides you to be one with nature and God.
• Tapt kund: a natural hot water spring below the Badrinath temple. It is a tradition to bathe here before entering the temple.
• Brahma Kapal: A site where devotees pray for their deceased loved ones.
• Sheshnetra: 1.5Km from the temple there a rock which gives an impression of the Sheshnag's eye (the legendary snake of lord Vishnu).
• Mata Murti Temple: 3Km from Badrinath temple, the Mata Murti temple is situated on the banks of Alaknanda. This is the site where Mata Murti mela or fair takes place every year.
• Charan Paduka : 3Km from Badrinath temple, there is a cave which has a rock believed to be the footprint of lord Vishnu.
• Mana Village: an Indian village bordering the land of Tibet.
• Vasundhara: A beautiful waterfall located in the serene surroundings of the Himalayas, gives every pilgrim and nature lover to be one with nature and to find divine peace

Day 09: To one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) - Rudraprayag

• On this day, you can visit places around Badrinath. The town of Badrinath provides its devotees the peace and tranquility that they seek for. After your tour through Badrinath, you will commence your journey to the next destination of Rudraprayag via Joshimath. This place also has many shrines and temples where you can visit and meditate. Your halt for the night will be at Rudraprayag.
• Rudraprayag: Rudraprayag is the point of confluence for the rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. It is a busy city and is a connecting centre for devotees who travel on to both Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Day 10: To the land of sages - Rishikesh

• Your Chardham yatra proceeds to its last holy city of Rishikesh. Rishikesh known as the “Land of sages” is also now known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. It is a spiritual town situated on the banks of Ganga and is surrounded on three sides by the Shivalik mountain ranges.
• Once you have checked in, you can go on to visit the Rishikesh temple and enjoy exploring the beautiful town of Rishikesh which is blessed with nature’s bounty. Sites like – Bharat mandir, Triveni ghat, Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula are a must-see for every pilgrim who is on this Chardham yatra. Your halt for the night will be at Rishikesh.
• Bharat Mandir: Bharat Mandir is the most ancient temple in Rishikesh. Going for pilgrimage to this temple on Akshaya tritiya is considered to be equivalent to a pilgrimage to Badrinath.
• Triveni ghat: Triveni ghat next to Bharat mandir is a sacred ghat where aarti in the evening is a view to behold.
• Laxman Jhula: An iron suspension bridge, built in 1929, is a site you must visit on your trip to Rishikesh. This bridge is said to be constructed on the very site where Laxman, the brother of Ram, crossed the river Ganga using a jute rope. The view atop this bridge is breathtaking and the cool breeze flowing is said to carry away your worries, giving you inner peace and tranquility.
• Ram Jhula: Further away from the Laxman Jhula is the Ram Jhula. Built in 1980, Ram Jhula, is a suspension bridge similar to Laxman Bridge, but is larger in size. It connects the two banks of the river Ganga from Swarg Ashram on the western side to Sivananda Ashram on the eastern side. Pilgrims get to experience the flow of the river Ganga below and the splendid surroundings atop the bridge.

Day 11: Conclusion of the Holy Chardham Yatra

• On this day, your Chardham Yatra ends, promising you a renewed feeling and a divine experience. For your return journey, you will be driven back to Delhi via Haridwar. You will be dropped at your respective departure points.

Special Notes

• Helicopter ride for Kedarnath - Rs. 7000 / person (approx)
• Rs. 2000 /- for Darshan Slip (Optional)