Highlights of the Hemkund Sahib with Valley of Flowers & Badrinath Tour

The tour has been curated in a way to cover some of the most beautiful Northern destinations that are known for their magnificence and holy bliss. The tour guarantees nine days of ecstasy and peace between the serenity and scenic beauty.

• The tour begins with the drive to the ‘Gateway to the magnificent Himalayas’ –Rishikesh. Also known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, the city offers some of the great views of landscapes and is known for some of the very famous temples like Neelkanth. You can also enjoy your time at the yoga centre. From here you can proceed to the next destination, Joshimath, which is almost 260km from Rishikesh. Following the road through the high mountains, you can reach Joshimath is known as the ‘winter abode of Lord Badrinath’.
• Your next spot, Govindghat is 22km away which will take you to another 13 kms to reach Ghangaria, which is the base camp for the holy shrine of Hemkund Sahib Ji.

• From Ghangaria base camp to walk on foot for 12kms to reach the Hemkund Sahib Ji. Hemkund Sahib Ji is situated on the banks of Hemkund Lake and is surrounded by Himalayan ranges offering a majestic and mystic sight that can cast a spell on almost anyone. The unique star-shaped architecture of the shrine is designed considering the altitude and weather of the place. It sits 4000m above the sea level and hence is the highest Gurudwara and one of the fifth dhams for Sikhs and Hindus respectively. The place is known to be a place where the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji mediated as mentioned in the Holy Guru Granth Sahib, which is hence a place of great importance for the Sikh community.

• After seeking blessings from Hemkund Sahib Ji, you can trek back to the ‘valley of flowers’ that bears countless species of flowers including lilies, daisies, saxifrages, poppy, geranium, calendula, zinnia, sedums, petunia and so forth.

• Spending some time in nature’s lap will energise you for the road journey to Badrinath via Govindghat. Badrinath holds a very high religious significance in Hindu Mythology which can be called as once in a lifetime experience.

• From Badrinath you can proceed to your last lap – Rudraprayag, enjoying the splendid Joshimath and Rishikesh once again on the way.

• While you are on the way back, you pass through Haridwar which is a city in Uttarakhand situated on the bank of the river Ganga. Spend some moments on the ‘Hari ki Pauri’ which will be the last sight in your tour.

Your tour will end after nine days, but the memories that you would have gathered will remain there with you for a time immortal!

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Here is a list of 8 such adventure sports destinations in India:

Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir

Famous for its snow-covered mountains and picturesque valleys. Gulmarg is one of the best places in India for skiing, snow sledging and even trekking and hiking. The beautiful mountain ranges when covered in snow, provide the most jaw-dropping skiing experience.

For the ones who prefer the heat, the trek in the summer, once the snow melts is mind blowing as well. The green mountains and vivid wild flowers make this a charming city to visit.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

The first thing that comes to our minds when we say Rishikesh is river rafting, but there are plenty of other activities that one can indulge in at this adventure sports destination. From White Water Rafting, Rappelling to Bungee Jumping, Rishikesh is a treat for those seeking a buzz. With every activity having a different difficulty level, you can in a way, pick your poison.

Goa

Famous for the hundreds and thousands of shacks and crazy parties on the beaches, Goa is a travellers paradise. But, apart from its epic parties, Goa is also famous for its various adventure sports! The chance to dive deep into the sea and get a glimpse of the natural coral bed, or simply parasailing and enjoying the beautiful landscapes and the gorgeous sea.

For the people who prefer to do it alone, Kayaking is an option that you can explore. But, whatever your decision may be, you will never get enough of this awesome place.

Kerala

Apart from the mainstream water sports, Kerala offers various other things that can get your adrenaline pumping. You can try your hands at paragliding, mountaineering, valley crossing and a new-age adventure sport called the FlyingFox.

FlyingFox is a sport, that lets you embark on a journey from above the mountains, rivers or valleys with ultra strong steel zip lines. This lets you enjoy the beautiful view of the surroundings mountains.

Sangla Valley, Kinnaur

The beautiful and picturesque Sangla valley is situated 30 Kms away from the Tibetian border. Once you are done trying to take in the beautiful and wonderful sights, your attention will shift to the various sports that you can indulge in. You can go on a trek and explore the mountains or simply camp wherever you like. If walking is not your cup of tea, then the option to go mountain biking will definitely get you moving.

Solang, Manali

A side valley at the top of Kullu, Solang is a traveller’s dream. While visiting the beautiful valley, there are plenty of adventure sports that one can indulge in.

For the ones who need the thrill, you can go tumbling down in a Zorbing ball or just paraglide all the way down the valley, while admiring the beauty of the hills around you.

Deesa, Gujarat

Situated on the east bank of the river Banas, Deesa is famous for being home to temples, palaces, dargahs and the Banas Dam. But now thrill seekers, are flogging to Deesa for something else altogether – Skydiving.

From Accelerated Free Falls to Static Line Jumps to Tandem Jumps, you have various options that you can choose from. But whatever your choice may be, we are sure that your need for adventure will be truly satisfied.

Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Located in the foothills of the Mullayanagari range, Chikmagalur is famous for its lush green forests and tall mountains. The adrenaline junkies can go for an off-roading adventure and try to tame the tricky terrains by getting behind the wheel. Whether it’s a fully revved 4X4 or a powerful quad bike, off roading here is an exhilarating experience!

Along with this, you can also treat yourself to an awe-inspiring Kudremukh trek – The second highest mountain peak in Karnataka. Just for added incentive, it isn’t uncommon to spot deer, wild boars, sambars and if you are really, really lucky, then you might even spot a pack of bison.

Source: thehansindia.com

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Enjoys the comfort of the Himalayan Mountains which lend it as much colour, excitement and thrill that it gives to every other state. Adventure in the state of Himachal is almost as spirited as the mountains itself, with plenty of variety and several forms in which adventure can be enjoyed. The scenic beauty of Uttarakhand makes every element stand out better. The beauty of the state comes from the wonderful locales and the unpretentious beauty that surrounds it. There is so much that can be spoken of the state, and yet there is a quiet dignity it chooses to maintain. Adventure is a great experience in Uttaranchal.

I differing kinds and forms, there are ranges of adventure activity that can be experienced and explored here. The support lent by nature and the state come together perfectly to allow you an experience that will always be cherished. The various forms of adventure take root in the landscape, which is mostly surrounded by hills. This is why trekking, skiing, white water rafting and paragliding are best experienced here. Apart from these, there is also camping and wildlife that must be experienced. The unique beauty of Uttaranchal is that, by way of its terrain and landscape, everything you do, from a tour of the wild to even a pilgrimage tour, all assumes the form of adventure here.

Trekking is among the most popular forms of adventure here. Whether to the Milam Glacier, the Pindari Glacier, or even to the Vasuki Tal, there are several sites where the thrill can be experienced fully. The best stretch to experience white water rafting is from Shivpuri to Rishikesh. This is the most gratifying location for rafting is perhaps all of India. Auli makes a scenic location for skiing, and a great place to allow the snow to befriend you. Pitoragarh is among the most preferred destinations for the avid paragliders. The dizzying heights with the sheets of white below, the conifers that dot the lands as you cruise over them and the chilly winds that blow through you make the attempt worth the effort.

Ensure that you are in Uttarakhand any time of the year except for the bitter winters. The summers have their own charm, while spring is when you will enjoy the cold and not be hampered by it. The climate is largely favourable through the year except for the rains which could slow you down. There are no strict regulations and government restrictions, other than places which are restricted or sites which are closed to the public. To be able to access these, it is important that you seek prior permission.

Source: www.atoai.org

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