As the sun dips behind the Delhi skyline, our team members start assembling from different corners of the country. There’s excitement in the air as backpacks tighten and friendships begin to form. By evening, we board a train or Volvo bus heading toward Rishikesh, the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.
Distance: Delhi to Rishikesh – approx. 240 km
Duration: 6–8 hours
We reach Rishikesh early in the morning. After a quick freshen-up and breakfast near the holy Ganga, we set out on a long yet scenic drive through the winding mountain roads toward Joshimath, crossing Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag. The rivers roar beside us as the altitude begins to rise.
Altitude: Rishikesh – 340 m; Joshimath – 1,875 m
Distance: ~255 km
Duration: 10–11 hours
Overnight Stay: Joshimath
After breakfast, a short ride takes us to Pulna (the last motorable point). The real adventure begins here. We trek through lush greenery, waterfalls, and picturesque villages to reach the quaint settlement of Ghangaria. The trail welcomes us with birdsong and pine-scented air.
Trek Distance: 10 km
Ghangaria Altitude: 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Duration: 5–6 hours
Overnight Stay: Ghangaria
An early morning start as we ascend toward the sacred Hemkunt Sahib. The climb is steep but spiritually uplifting, with glacial streams and blooming flowers lining the way. The gurdwara sits beside a glacial lake at 4,329 m (14,200 ft), surrounded by snowy peaks—an emotional high. We descend back to Ghangaria.
Trek Distance: 12 km (6 up, 6 down)
Duration: 7–8 hours
Overnight Stay: Ghangaria
Today, we step into a fairytale. A short trek takes us into the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail bursts into colors—blue poppies, cobra lilies, and thousands more bloom at our feet.
Valley Altitude: ~3,600 m (11,800 ft)
Trek Distance: ~8 km round trip
Duration: 4–5 hours
Overnight Stay: Ghangaria
We descend back to Govindghat. After lunch, we take a scenic road trip via Badrinath to Mana—the last Indian village before the Tibetan border. If time allows, we explore Mana’s legendary spots like Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul.
Trek Distance: 10 km
Govindghat to Badrinath: 25 km
Badrinath Altitude: 3,100 m
Overnight Stay: Badrinath
We leave early morning from Badrinath and head back down the mountains. The return journey is long but filled with reflection and shared memories.
Distance: ~310 km
Duration: 10–12 hours
From Rishikesh, we board an overnight bus/taxi to Delhi.
As the sun rises over Delhi, we arrive—tired but transformed. What began as a trek becomes a journey of faith, friendship, and beauty etched forever in our minds.
