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Uttarkashi Trek |
The splendor of the Garhwal
hills is a symbol of magnificence and beauty in
a perfect harmony, a fusion of high mountain
dales and lakes, of many brooks, and some of the
greatest and the longest rivers in India .
Carmine rhododendron blossom forth and scarlet
flame-of-the-forest blooms gleam in forests of
thick green. Comprising the districts of
Uttarkashi, Tehri-Garhwal, Pauri-Garhwal, Dehra
Dun and Chamoli, the Garhwal hills are a
veritable paradise for trekkers. Nature is in
her element here and trekking trails are
renowned for the great beauty of their views,
stunningly different at almost every turn.
There is plenty of interest here for the amateur
trekker too. For those interested in the fusion
of art and culture with religion, the popular
temple pilgrimages and hilltop temples will
provide enough for a rewarding journey.
Botanists can spend months studying the vast
treasure-house of plants here. The birds of the
Garhwal Himalayas, and their sheer profusion,
will captivate bird-watchers. And for
photographers, professional or amateur, the
canvas of the mountain scenery will provide a
perfect landscape. Nor is trekking in the
Garhwal hills expensive, for one can stay at any
of a number of rest houses, travelers lodges or
dharamshalas at nominal rates.
Uttarkashi is among the most beautiful of the
Garhwal districts. In the upper reaches of the
district, the snow line ensures a tryst with
snow-capped peaks. In the lower reaches, a
carpet of forests, superb Himalayan views and
all the joys of trekking through God's country.
This is a district headquarter town, and
trekkers can stay in a tourist bungalow. |
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Route One :
Uttarkashi (1,158 m) - Gangotri (3,048 m,
100 km) - Bhojbasa (3,500 m, 14 km) - Gaumukh
(3,969m, 4 km)-Tapovan (4,200 m, 6 km). This
trek in the Bhagirathi valley is through
picturesque countryside, and the area beyond
Gangotri is truly grand, a trail that leads to
the high Himalayas . The trek begins at Gangotri,
a holy shrine popular with pilgrims; trekkers
can stay here in a tourist bungalow, forest rest
house, PWD inspection house or any of several
dharamshalas. Bhojbasa has a tourist bungalow
and an ashram, and commands superb views.
Gaumukh is the source of the river Ganga , here
known as Bhagirathi, while Tapovan has a
convenient camping ground. |
Route Two :
Uttarkashi (1,158 m ) - Bhatwari (2,000 m, 30
km) - Raithal (7,000 ft, 4 m) - Dayara (3,400 m,
12 m) - Dodital (3,307 m, 35 km)- Agoda (2,000
m, 16 km) - Kalyani (1,800 m, 6 km). The Dayara
trek is yet another picturesque hike through
high mountains and beautiful valleys. The trek
begins at Bhatwari, a small market-place which
has a PWD inspection house. The panoramically
located Raithal village has a school building to
stay in. Trekkers will have to camp at Dayara,
and can enjoy stunning Himalayan views from
here. Dodital has a beautiful lake, and is
excellent for trout fishing Both Dodital and
Agoda have forest rest houses to stay in.
Kalyani has a fish hatchery, and from here one
can catch a bus back to Uttarkashi. Camping is
suggested on several points of the trek: the
forest rest houses are under the charge of the
Divisional Forest Officer, Uttarkashi. |
Optional
Toute :
Dodital - Hanuman Chatti- Yamunotri. From
Dodital, there is an exciting trek route to
Hanuman Chatti in the Yamuna valley. As there is
no accommodation between Dodital and Hanuman
Chatti, trekkers are advised to carry their own
alpine tents, or spend the night in a shepherd's
shelter. Hanuman Chatti, however is an important
halting point enroute to the pilgrimage at
Yamunotri and has a tourist bungalow and a
forest rest house. From Hanuman Chatti,
Yamunotri is at a distance of 14 km. |
Route Three :
Uttarkashi (1,158 m) - Malla (2,000 m, 25 km) -
Belak (2,439m, 15 km) - Jhala(2,439 m, 9 km) -
Budhakedar (1,524 m, 5 km)- Guttu (1,524 m, 30
km)- Panwali Kantha (3,000 m, 15 km) -
Manguchatti (3, 049 m, 6 km)- Triyugi Narayan
(1,982 m, 5 km) - Sonprayag (1,821 m, 3 km)-
Gaurikund (1,981 m, 5 km)- Kedarnath (3,584 m,
15 km). The trek starts from Malla. The temple
town of Budhakedar has a PWD inspection house ,
as does the market town to Guttu. At Panwali
Kantha one can stay in a hut, or camp, while
camping is the only option at Manguchatti. At
Triyugi Narayan, which has a Shiva temple, there
is a PWD inspection house, and dharamshalas,
while Sonprayag has small basic hotels and the
Birla dharamshalas: buses are available from
here to Gaurikund, which has hot springs and a
Parvati temple. For accommodation there is a
tourist bungalow and a PWD inspection house.
Kedarnath is one of the important ''dhams' with
a temple devoted to Lord Shiva: stay here in
guest houses, dharamshalas, and a tourist
bungalow. |
Optional
Route :
From Kedarnath, one can extend the trek to
Basukital, a steep climb of 8 km , with no
facilities enroute. It is best to take a guide
from Kedarnath, and to return the same day. |
Route Four :
Uttarkashi (1,158 m) - Malla (6,000 ft) - Silla
village ( 6,000 ft, 4 km) - Ghuttu (10,000 ft,
10 km)- Kailanpur (10,000 ft, 4km)- Bawani
Bugyal (10,500 ft, 5 km)- Kyarki Bugyal (13,500
ft, 6 km)- Lamatal (13,500 ft, 5 km) Sahasratal
(15,000ft, 5 km). On this interesting trek, one
can stay in the school building at Silla
village. There are shepherd's huts at Ghuttu,
Kailanpur and Bawani Bugyal, and caves at Kyarki
Bugyal, Lamatal and Sahasratal. Carrying your
own alpine tents is recommended. |
Optional
Route:
From Kyarki Bugyal one can either branch off, or
return and proceed on a new leg : Kyarki Bugyal
- Palang (7,500 ft, 10 km) - Jaurab village
(6,500 ft, 5 km)- Silla village (6,000 ft, 4
km)- Malla (6,000 ft, 4 km). |
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