» Garhwal Himalaya

Garhwal valley possesses stunning perfection in terms of natural beauty. Surrounded by snowy, cloud bedecked mountains, the valley stands sharply against the blue sky, the waterfalls flashing white against the mountainsides. As far as the eye can see, down the length of the valley, up the lower mountain slopes, there are flowers and flowers, and still more flowers. More than a thousand Himalayan varieties of flowers, ferns, and herbs are massed in the valley in all their frail beauty and scented sweetness.

The history of Garhwal is older than that of the Ramayan and Maha- bharata. It is a land of popular myths, like that of Lord Shiva appearing as Kirat, of Urvashi, Shakuntala and the Kauravas and Pandavas. Worship of Lord Shiva is pre-dominant in this region. The Khasas were the dominant race in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas till the coming of the Rajputs and Brahmins from the plains.

Chamoli:
A blessed spot, the place seems to have been particularly dear to Lord Shiva. There are hundreds of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the most important of all being the shrine of Badrinath. During monsoons, a thousand brilliant blooms burst forth in the fascinating "Valley of flowers".

Rudraprayag:
Named after Lord Shiva, Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km. from Srinagar (Garhwal). The presence of two separate routes for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham from Rudraprayag render great importance to the place. The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty, places of religious importance, lakes, & glaciers.

Dehradun
Dehra Dun lies in a wooded valley with the Himalayan ranges to the north, the Shivalike hills to the south and the rivers Ganga and Yamuna to its eastern and Western Flanks. From Dehradun places of religious importance in the Garhwal Hills can be accessed - Kedarnath, Badrinath Gangotri, Yamunotir, Hemkund Sahib etc.
Haridwar:
It is said that when the Gods left their footprints on the land of Haridwar. Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Garhwal. Mentioned as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures and epics, Haridwar has always remained as a major Shaktipeeth for the devotees.

Garhwal is known as the most beautiful land amidst the mountains of the Asian sub - continent. Apart from the four holy shrines of the Hindus- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri, Garwal has much more to offer in form of world class adventure such as trekking, hiking etc.

Trekking in Garhwal has its own delights and dangers. Whilst mountaineering is a preplanned affair, trekking does not require as much preparation. Mountaineering is more technical in nature and can be hazardous but this is not so in the case of trekking. Trekking is always being organized in groups. For those fascinated by the unexplored, the hills of Uttar Pradesh offer breathtaking adventurous trekking routes. Trekking is the best way of getting to know any land, its people, its culture, and traditions.

A Garwal 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.

Panch Kedar Trek
Panch Kedars are the five different forms of the Hindu God Shiva, and are known as kedarnath (3584m); Madmaheshwar (3289 m); Tungnath (3810 m); Rudranath (2286 m); Kalpnath (2134 m). The mountains cape from each temple is fascinating, the valley full of rich fauna & flora, and the people hospitable.
Kedarnath, Vasuli Trek:
The trek starts from Gaurikund, where one can have a refreshing bath in the hot water sulphur springs. The trek from Gaurikund to Rambara winds along the river Mandakini through forests and across beautiful water falls.

The trek from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is a continuous 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. The best season is May to Sept.


Dodital Trek:
Dodi Tal is situated at an elevation of 3024 meter, north of Uttarkashi and is surrounded by dense woods of oak, pine, deodar, and rhododendrons. The crystal clear lake is full of rare fishes and the Himalayan Golden Trout’s. The trek to Dodi Tal Commences from Uttarkashi to Kalyani and is approachable by motor. Kalyani to Agoda is a gradual climb through woods, fields, and villages on a mule track. The trek from Agoda to Dodi Tal is steep and through thick forests.

Bring out a great sense of challenge and excitement by visiting Garhwal. Apart from natural beauty, it provides a great opportunity to experience and relish some of the most exciting adventure games and sports.

The wild rivers of Garhwal provide an ultimate chance to experience the adventure of various water sports such as canoeing, Kayaking, or rafting. So, make be ready to relish a life time adventure sports in Garhwal.

White Water River Rafting :

The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of some of India's mighty rivers. Fed by innumerable streams they race along tortuous boulder strewn beds, cutting deep gorges and breaking into silvery white rapids. With the intricate network of mountain rivers flowing thought a myriad of different colors of rocky gorges, forests, flowers and high mountain villages, the Garhwal and Kunaon hills provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.
The Sport of white water river rafting calls for a triumph over the swift swirling river as it gushes past spectacular mountains. It is practiced mainly in the upper reaches where the water is wild and white as it froths & foams, crashing against narrow gorges, rock6y outcrops and falls at deep gradients

Mountaineering, Trekking, and Rock Climbing:
Garhwal is a land blessed with snow-bound peaks, crystal glaciers, Rolling Meadows, jagged rock faces, scenic valleys, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, dense forests, and hospitable people with a rich culture. A state Particular suited to Mountaineering, Trekking, and Rock Climbing.

The hills of Garhwal offer immense opportunities for adventure sports. The exhilarating sport of skiing is a big draw. A serious protagonist or an on time prospector of thrills, all fines Garhwal a perfect spot for the sport. Thrilling water sports beckon enthusiasts to try out their skills on the gushing white waters. The panoramic hills of Garhwal are a combination of mountain peaks and valleys. The large slopes when covered with seasonal snow become ideal for skiing in the winter months.
Skies consist of long, narrow, and flexible runners with curved front ends turned up and pointed. To aid the process of acceleration and balancing, a pair of poles with leather strips on the top and sharp metal tips at the bottom is used to prevent the skier from sinking.