This trip is for the traveler who cannot get enough of one activity and would like to try their hand at different activities which allows them to experience the Himalayas in a very different sort of way. During the trip, you get to Trek, Raft and Cycle through the spectacular Mandakini & Alaknanda valleys.
The trek takes you to the Chopta, popularly referred to as the Mini-Switzerland of India because of its undulating green meadows (carpets of snow in winter!!) and a breathtaking view of the majestic Himalayan peaks against the backdrop of clear blue skies. This is a protected area and hence there are minimal signs of civilization around which only adds to the beauty of the place. From here one can trek up to the Tungnath temple which is at a distance of 2.5 kms from Chopta. As per mythology, it is believed that when Shiva went into the earth while escaping from the Pandavas, his arms reappeared at Tungnath. He is worshipped here as one of the Panch Kedars. At an altitude of 3680 m, this is the highest Shiva shrine in the world. All along the route, in addition to the abundant flora and fauna, one gets wonderful views of the Himalayan giants including Bandarpoonch, Kedar and Chaukhamba peaks. From Tungnath you can trek up a further 1 kms to the Chandrashilla peak. The 180 degrees view of the peaks and the valleys all around make this trek well worth it.
Another interesting and beautiful trek is the one to the high altitude lake, Deoriatal. This is a beautiful lake at an altitude of 2438 m. and has captivating surroundings with forests all around. The Chaukhamba peak feels like it is an arm’s length away and the reflection of the mighty peak in the crystal clear waters of the lake creates a beautiful effect. The story associated with this scenic place is that when the Pandavas were in exile and were hiding from the Kaurava king Duryodhan, they stopped nearby for a rest. When their mother Kunti felt thirsty, one by one four of her sons went to fetch water from this lake but died, as they could not answer the question put forth to them by the Yaksha Devta who resided here. When the eldest son's Yudishtra's turn came, he answered all questions correctly and with the result the dead brothers also came back to life.
Later you get to ride a cycle through the trails that are all around in the forests that surround the lodge. This is relatively relaxing cycling trip with sections of flat, uphill and downhill trails. Wrap up your trip with an exciting rafting trip on the lower Alaknanda where you would raft through some exciting Class I & II rapids. This trip would take you through some exciting rapids on this spectacular river where you would also get to do some other activities like body surfing and cliff jumping.
In addition to visiting these spectacular locations, you would also be staying at our comfortable Himalayan Eco Lodge in Kund for the duration of the trip. Located in the lush green Mandakini valley, a stone’s throw away from Chopta, this Lodge is one of the most spectacular locations for a fun-filled holiday. The lodge is approximately 6 hrs from Haridwar which is the nearest railways station and the same distance from Dehradun which is the closest airport. The life giving waters of the mystical River Mandakini flow past the lodges and one can spend hours with a book by the riverside with nothing but the sound of water in their ears. From the lodge one gets a wonderful view of the snow clad Kedar peak that forms the backdrop of the Kedarnath temple. The lodge has comfortable accommodation in deluxe rooms that have all the necessary amenities including, running hot & cold water. There is a cozy restaurant with great views of the peaks and the valley that serve tasty buffet meals. For more details of the lodge, kindly log on to www.himalayanecolodges.com/kund.php. For the last night you would travel to our riverside camp in Jayalgarh, Camp High 5, which is located on the banks of the River Alaknanda. This camp has deluxe tents with attached washrooms and all amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. There are a number of activities that are available and you could also relax by the riverside with a book or just enjoy the spectacular setting around you. For more details of the camp, kindly log on www.himlayanecolodges.com/jayalgarh.php.
Day 1: KUND
Arrive in the lodge for lunch. Towards late afternoon, head out for a session of ROCK CLIMBING & RAPPELLING, under the supervision of our instructors. In the night, enjoy a bonfire and dinner under the stars in this spectacular setting. Overnight in the lodge.
Day 2: KUND – DEORIATAL – KUND
Early morning, drive up to Sari (45 mins) and begin the trek for the high altitude lake, Deoriatal. The trek would take anything between 2-3 hrs depending on your pace. Once you reach the lake spend sometime in the peaceful environs and later head back to Sari. From here drive back to the lodge and enroute visit the Ukhimath temple. This temple is the winter seat of the Kedarnath deity and the daily worship is conducted here when the Kedarnath temple is closed during the winter months.
Day 3: KUND – CHOPTA – TUNGNATH – CHANDRASHILLA PEAK – KUND (Trek/6 kms/5-6 hrs)
After an early breakfast, drive to Chopta (40 kms) and from here trek to Tungnath (3½ kms). At an altitude of 3600 m, Tungnath temple is the highest Shiva shrine in the world. To reach Tungnath it will take about 2-3 hrs. On reaching this ancient temple enjoy the breathtaking views of some of the snow clad Himalayan giants. Packed lunch would be provided on the trek. Continue the trek to the summit of Chandrashilla Peak (1 km). Late afternoon, head back to Chopta and from there drive back to the lodge for bonfire and dinner in the night.
Day 4: KUND – JAYALGARH
Post breakfast, a familiarization session with the cycles followed by a scenic ride in the Mandakini valley. You would ride through some beautiful trails around the lodge with the forests all around and the views of the Himalayan peaks. We return to the lodge for lunch and post lunch we drive down to our riverside camp, Camp High 5, in Jayalgarh. This drive would be for 2.5 hrs and once at the camp you could relax by the riverside or indulge in a game of beach volleyball, cricket, etc. In the night, bonfire and dinner by the riverside.
Day 5: JAYALGARH DEPARTURE
Post breakfast, attend a briefing on rafting techniques followed by an exciting RAFTING run from Jayalgarh to Deoprayag. This is an exciting rafting run through a number of Class II and III rapids and you would also get to indulge in other activities like BODY SURFING and CLIFF JUMPING. End the rafting at Deoprayag and you would be served lunch here. Post lunch, proceed to your onward destination.
COST INCLUDES
- Accommodation in deluxe rooms at the Himalayan Eco Lodge (Kund) for 3 nights and in deluxe tents in Camp High 5 (Jayalgarh) for 1 night.
- All meals beginning with lunch on Day 01 to breakfast on Day 05.
- Activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Professional guide (trained from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi) would accompany you on the treks
- For all other activities, professional and experienced guides would be leading the trip. On the rafting trip, a safety kayaker would accompany you on the river for additional safety
- State-of-the-art equipment for all activities. For the cycling trip, you would be riding world class Merida mountain cycles with other related safety equipment like helmets, knee and elbow guards.
- Bonfire in the nights
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Service Tax (@2.575%)
- Transport (including activity transfers)
- Any meals/services not mentioned above
- Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
- Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
TRANSPORT OPTIONS
For travel to the lodge/camp, a combination of train/air and road travel is recommended. The closest railway station to the camp is Haridwar and there are a number of trains that connect to Haridwar from all over the country. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (at Dehradun) and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, etc.
From Haridwar, we could arrange a vehicle for you that would pick you up, remain with you throughout the trip and drop you back to Haridwar on the last day, which would cost the following:
In case you are using your own vehicle for arriving and departing from the lodge/camp, and travelling between the camp and lodge, for a transport supplement of Rs. 600 per person we could arrange for the activity transfers on Day 2 & 3.
Note
- All transport rates inclusive of driver charges, state taxes and all other applicable taxes
- All transport rates are for the specific itinerary that is listed above including the transfers for activities but do not include any other sightseeing, etc.
- Transport rates are subject to change
PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS
- Full payment to be made in advance at the time of booking the trip
- Payment to be made by Bank Transfer/Cheque/DD in favour of GREAT INDIAN OUTDOORS (P) LTD. payable at New Delhi/Gurgaon
- Payment for this trip will not be adjusted against any future trips
- Cancellation policy
- >30 days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 21-30 days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 14-21 days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- <14 days: No refund
LIST OF ESSENTIALS
- Shirts / T-shirts
- Trousers / Track Pants
- Windproof jacket
- Walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Cap / Hat
- Walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
- Camera (with extra film rolls)
- Sunglasses
- Personal toiletries
- Books, if you like reading
Extra clothes during the winter months (Nov-Mar)
- Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woollen cap
- Mittens (Woollen gloves)
- Scarf
- Woollen socks
