Garhwal
has been described as "the most beautiful land in the
mountains of the Asian sub - continent" by Dr. T. Longstaff,
world renowned mountaineer, naturalist and trekker. Apart
from the four holy shrines of the Hindus- Kedarnath, Badrinath,
Yamunotri and Gangotri, Garhwal has much more to offer.
The fresh virginity of the unspoiled natural beauty is Garhwal. 
The
Garhwal is one of the frequently visited areas in the Himalayas.
It lies between the Punjab to the West and the Nepal Himalayas
to the East. This is one area in the Himalayas, which has
something to offer to all the mountaineers, the trekkers,
the naturalist and the photographer. As Garhwal houses some
of the holiest of Hindu shrines, it attracts millions of
pilgrims every year from all over the Indian sub-continent.
The Garhwal Himalayas have attracted mountaineers from all
over the world, to attempt and scale the mighty peaks in
this region. A Garhwal trekking tour in this area, combined
with visits to the holy temples of Gangotri, Kedarnath,
Badrinath and Yamunotri, will add spiritual experience of
the Himalayas as you watch the stream of people bathing
and lining up in front of the temples to have a view of
holy shrine, and to wash away, the sins of a lifetime
It
has divided its treks in two parts viz. Summers (April to
Oct. - trekking upto 4.628 M) and Winters (Nov. to March
- trekking upto 2.500). From time immemorial, the hill folk
and pilgrims trekked across the hills, due to lack of roads
and transport, on this difficult terrain.
Garhwal
Himalayas (30029 Sq. Km.), comprising six districts, it
is mostly famous for Adventures sports / holidays and pilgrimage
center , the past of Garhwal Himalayas is exciting with
its on glorious history. The Alaknanda river marks the great
central line of lowest elevation, receiving rivers on either
side. Trekking options in Garhwal Himalayas are unlimited,
they are not bound by any season.
Panch Kedar Trek :
Panch Kedars are the five different forms of the Hindu God
Shivas, and are known as Kedarnath (3584m); Madmaheshwar
(3289 m); Tungnath (3810 m); Rudranath (2134 m). The mountainscape
from each temple is fascinating, the valley full of rich
fauna & fiora and the people hospitale.
Kedarnath
- Vasuki Tal Trek:
The terk stsrts from Gaurikumd,Where one can have a refreshing
bath in the hot water sulphur springs. The trek from Gaurikund
to Rambara winds along the river Mandakini forest and across
beautiful waterfalls. The trek from Kedarnath to Vasuki
Tal is a continous Ascent along a goat track and it offers
a panoramic view Of Chaukhamba peaks. The final trek to
Vasuki Tal is Downhill for 1 km. At the bottom of this,
one can see Rectangular slabs of rocks. 
Best Season- May - Sept.
Dodi
Tal :
Situated at an elevation of 3024 mts., north of Uttarkashi
and surrounded by dense woods of oak, pine, Deodar and rhododendrons.
The crystal clear lake is full of Rare fishes and the Himalayan
Golden Trouts. The trek to Dodi Tal connemnce from Utarkashi
to Kalyani and is Approachable by motor. Kalyani to Agoda
is gradual climb through woods, fields and villages on a
mule track the trek from Agoda to Dodi Tal is steep and
thgrough thick forests.
Best Season: The route is open thuorghout the year, though
in winters it is quite cold.
Gangotri
Kedarnath Trek:
This trek is along the old pilgrim route from gangotri to
kedarnath. From Gangotri one has to come down to Mala by
motor . The actual ltrek starts from Mala, after crossing
the river Bhagirathi. The trek is on level upto Sauri-ki-gad
and from this point the climb to Belak is gradual. From
Belak to Budha Kedar, to is downhill through dense forests
full of birks and willlife. From Budha Kedar to Panwali,
it is an uphill climb through trreaced fields and picturesque
villages. The enchanting view of the Garhwal Himalaya is
very refreshing and compensates the efforts of rgular ascend
and descend. The 'Bugyals' (alpine meadows ) on this trek
are most beautiful, specially the Kush-Kalyani and the.
Panwali bugyals.
Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandavan-Tapovan
Trek :
This trek combines the experience of mountain climbing,
rock climbing, boulder-hopping and glacier traversing. The
trek is not a very rigoroous one and is easily negotiable
by non mountaineers too. It passes through orchards of coniferous
pine trees at chir-basa and birch at Bhojasa. From Gaumukh
to Nandanvan, one traverses along the Gangotri and Chatturangini
glaciers. Pitch a camp at the junction of chatturangini
and Bhagirathi gangotri glaciers. From Nandanvan, view the
Shivling, Bhagirathi, Sudarshana, thelu peaks and Kedar
Dome. Cross the Gangotri glacier and rocky face before arriving
at the lush green meadows of tapovan, surrounded by many
named and unnamed peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Kalindikhal
Trek :
for the most adventurous trekkers, with fundamental knowledge
of the mountains, this trek provides a rare experience .
The trek takes on from Nandanvan to Vasuki tal after due
acclimatization. There is a gradual ascent of kms, thereafter,
the trek negotiates Kharapathar at a height of m before
camping at Kalindi base (5590m.). Crossing the Kalindi Pass,
one treks down to Arwa glacier and Arwatal (3980m) to Badrinath
via ghastoli with two main rivers crossing on the way.
Valley
of Flowers and Hemkund Trek : 
Surrounded by the river Pushpavati and small streams, at
an elevation ranging between 3000 to 4000 metres, the Valley
is nearly l0 kms in length and 2 kms in width . the trek
starts from govindghat(19 kms.), on the way to Badrinath,
having two major gradients, one initially from alaknanda
suspension bridge of Govindghat to Pulana villages for 3
kms and the other from Bhundar to Ghangharia. After trekking
3 kms from Ghangharia, a bifurcation point is reached. The
routes are well marked here.
Khatling
Sahasratal Masartal Trek :
The Khatlintg glacier is a lateral glacier , at the source
of river Bhilangana. Sahasratal and Masartal are on the
west and east of it. The valley of Bhilangana affords a
panoramic view of snow capped peaks and hanging glaciers,
viz. Jogin group, Kirti stambh and Meru are sublime and
magnificent. The whole trek passes through thick forests
and beautiful lush green meadows. In the rainy season, the
meadows burst with splendid flowers. Trekkers will have
to cross scores of small streams on improvised log bridges
on this route.
Har-
Ki- Doon Trek :
At an elevation of 3566m. it is surrounded by glittering
peaks and dense forests. The forests are rich in wildlife
and is veritable paradise ofr birdwatchers and nature lovers.
The trek from :Betwar to Olsa is thgrough dense forests
of chestnuts, walnuts, willows and chinarts. The trek from
Osla to Har- Ki- Doon is through terraced miuntain fields
, lush green grassy land and conifer forests.
Best Season : the rainy season is ideal for this ideal for
this trek. more...
Roopkund
Trek :
Situated at a height of 5029 mts. in the lap of Trisul Massif.
This area is usually called the 'Mystery Lake' since human
skeletons and remains of horses from the paleolithic age
were found here. The lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers
and snow clad peaks. The starting point of the trek is Tharali,
easily approched by motor from Rishikesh. Roopkund can also
can also be reached from Ghat, connected by a motorable;
road with Nandpryag situated on the main highway to Dadrinath.
The route passes through lush green grassy land and conifer
forests clinging onto the slopes of hills. The trel thereafter
;winds its way along the Pindar river. Then to round off
this trek, one can approach Homekund vea Shail Samudra glacier
and then m ove on to ghat or Nandprayag. For the round trek,
services of a guide are advisable.
Rishikesh-Pauri-
Binsar Trek :
The trek starts froms Thalisain via Pauri , an enchanting
hill station presenting a panormic view of the Garhwal Himalaya
snowy peaks, and on a clear day the sunset view is worth
seeing from Kandolia, 5 kms from Riishikesh, and Kotdwar
(way to Pauri), from Thalisain the trek trails t;hrough
a very rich forest of deodar, silver, fir, pice and oak
& wildlife. Best Season : Winter when it is not difficult
with its ascents and descents., the trel is full of life
and the trekkers will enjoy the scenic beauty ;throughout. 
Mussoorie-
Nagtibba Trek :
At the foot hill of the Garhwal Himalaya rages, north east
of Mussoorie, Nagtibba is at an altitude of 3048 mts. The
trek starts from Dhanaulti on a forest track upto Morina
Dhar. This place is situated on a saddle and at sunrise
it is a beautiful sight to watch the sun peeping from behind
the mountains. From Morina Dhar the trek is o n a ridge,
most of the time parallel to the Garhwal Himalaya ranges
from Swaragaronini to Nandandevi. This part of the trek
is very rich is flora and fauna. Only a few villges come
enroute and even those are abandoned during winter months.
From Nagtibba to Nainbagh is a downhill trek to the picturesque
villge of Panthwari, (motorable too ) gay with life and
presenting the culture of Jaunpur.
Kalsi-
Lakhamandal Trek :
A cultural and historical trekl in the Jaunsar -Babar region
at the foothills of the Garhwal Himalaya, between the rivers
Yamuna and the Tons. This trek has great historical importance
, for at Kalsi there is a rock edict of the Ashokan period
in Pali script. At Birat Khoi is a fort, which according
to the legendary epic, Mahabharat, belonged to Maharaja
Birat . at Lakhamandal also there is an ancient palace of
the Kauravas. It is now in ruins but is believed to have
been made of lac for the Pandavas.
Kuari
Pass Trek :
The pass (khall) is apprached through a narrow goat track
at an elevation of 4265 mts. in the heart of Chamoli District
on the north eastern part of Garhwal. The glorious view
of the imposing eastern peaks of the Garhwal Himamayas is
unforgettably enchanting. They appear so close with their
grand glittering snow caps that on feels like almost touching
them. Of the wether is clear then the peaks visible from
Kuari Pass are Nandan Devi, Duunagiri Bethartoli, Devathan,
etc. the trek- trails are scenic specially aroudn Ramni.
Since Lord Curzon Road.
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