On day zero, reach Haridwar or Rishikesh, bathe in the River Ganga, and attend the Ganga Arti in the evening.

• The next morning, travel (165 km from Haridwar) to Rudraprayag. Devprayag is the first of the Panch-Prayag (Holy Confluence) that you will encounter on this journey. Devprayag is the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers. Rudraprayag, the destination for overnight stay is the confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda Rivers. Experience the evening aarti at the confluence.

Overnight stay in Rudraprayag. Properties of GMVN are a good choice for overnight stay.
Explore Hotel/Homestays in and around Rudraprayag.

Begin the journey by 5.30 am. Travel to Joshimath, which is 115 km from Rudraprayag.

• You can visit below mentioned famous temples in Joshimath:
  • Kalpavriksha - The temple compound has a century-old wish-fulfilling tree. Adi Guru Shankaracharya had meditated under this evergreen tree for several years in this place.
  • Narsingh Temple - Dedicated to Narsimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu, this temple is the winter abode of Lord Badrinath.

Travel another 40 km to reach Shri Badrinath Dham.

• Overnight stay at Badrinath Dham. Guest Houses, Dharamshala & Tent Accommodation are available. We had stayed in a tent accommodation, costing Rs. 2500 per night.

Explore Hotel/Homestays in around Shri Badrinath Dham.

Devotees generally bathe in the Tapta Kund (a hot water spring) and then proceed to the main temple.

• Lord Badri Narayan is worshipped as an idol made of black stone. Offer obeisance to the God and set out for a trip to Mana Village.

Mana is popularly known as the last village of India. It is located 5 km from Shri Badrinath Dham. Vyas Gufa and Bheem Pul are few of the places linking legends of Mahabharata with the place.

• Vyas Gufa: This centuries-old cave is the place where Sage Vyas had dictated the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha.
• Ganesh Gufa: This is the cave where Lord Ganesh had written the epic Mahabharata.
• Bheem Pul: It is believed that Bheem made this bridge so that the Pandavas and Draupadi could cross the Saraswati River, while on their ascent to the Heavens.

Start the journey back within 4 pm. Travel to Gobindghat. Pilgrims generally halt at Hanuman Chatti Temple. Legend links this spot with the interaction of Lord Hanuman (from the Ramayana) with Bheem (from the Mahabharata).

• Reach Gobindghat. Being the starting point of trek to Shri Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers, this Himalayan hamlet attracts pilgrims and adventure seekers alike.
• Visit the Gobindghat Gurudwara.
• Overnight stay at Gobindghat. Pilgrims may stay the night in the hall or in rooms (if available) of the Gurdwara. Food is served at the Langar hall. Medical facilities are also available for the pilgrims. There are around 20 to 25 private guest houses too. Tariff ranges between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2500 per room.

Start early for the journey towards Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. The first 4 km upto Pulna Village can be covered in a shared jeep from Gobindghat. Gobind Dham (in Ghangaria) is another 9 km away, which can be travelled on foot or on ponies. Helicopter service is also available between Gobindghat and Gobind Dham.

Ghangaria is where pilgrims and trekkers halt for the night and acclimatize, before heading towards the final lap of the journey to Shri Hemkund Sahib.

• Gurudwara Gobind Dham is located in this peaceful village at a height of 10000 feet. This magnificent Gurudwara was constructed by the Hemkunt Trust at the confluence of rivulets Lakshman and Pushpa. During its construction Baba Modan Singh lived in a hut made of the bark of Cheel Tree during the chilly winters.
• Besides dispensary for medical assistance, cloak room for tourists and rooms for pilgrims, the Gurudwara also houses a Langar hall. This place serves food to pilgrims throughout the day.
• Options for accommodation at Gurudwara Gobind Dham
  • The Gurudwara has a hall and a few rooms for pilgrims.
  • GMVN Guest House at Ghangaria may also be availed.
  • There are about 20 other private guest houses too.

• Pilgrims need to start on the journey to Shri Hemkund Sahib by 5 in the morning. This is because pilgrims must return to Gobind Dham the same day, as accommodation is not feasible in Shri Hemkund Sahib.
• The distance between Gobind Dham and Shri Hemkund Sahib is around 7 km. This journey may be undertaken on foot, a pony or a palki. A delayed start would lead to long queues along the steep trekking route.

The holy shrine got its name from the glacial lake called Hemkund. Perched at over 15000 feet, this gurudwara is the highest Gurudwara of the Sikh community. As per legends of the holy Granth Sahib, the tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, meditated by the banks of Hemkund lake in one of his earlier births.

• This star-shaped Gurudwara is made up of white marble and concrete. The Gurudwara is surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks, each peak bearing a Nishan Sahib (A triangular Sikh Flag) on its cliff.
• Many pilgrims take a dip in the holy water, before visiting the Gurudwarwa. Since the water is chilly and cold, caution is advised. After paying obeisance at the Gurudwara, pilgrims may have a meal at the langar hall. It is surprising that the Sikh community serves the devotees free food even at this challenging altitude.
• Due to unpredictable weather conditions, people are generally not allowed to stay beyond 2 or 3 pm. It takes around 2 hours to trek back to Gobind Dham.
• Overnight Stay at Gobind Dham.

Prepare for a tour of the Valley of Flowers. It is advisable to hire a guide for this trip.

• The 3 km trek of Valley of flowers goes through dense forests, along with Pushpawati river. Tourists encounter bridges, glaciers and waterfalls along the way. This glaring piece of nature is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The trek is extremely difficult in parts. The sights are very rewarding though. Sprawling over 87 square km, this place is a sought after destination for flower-enthusiasts, botanists, trekkers, photographers, bird-watchers and nature lovers in general.
• It takes around 5 to 8 hours to explore the place. Over 600 species of exotic flowers like orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones make this a spectacular experience. The valley is also home to such rare and amazing wildlife species like the gray langur, the flying squirrel, the Himalayan weasel, and black bear, the red fox and more.
• Since this is a restricted place, there is no food or lodging available in the Valley of Flowers. Hence tourists must return to Ghangaria the same day.
• Overnight Stay at Gobindghat.

Travel 130 km from Gobindghat to reach Rudraprayag.

• Visit the following Prayag along the way:
  • Vishnuprayag, the holy confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga.
  • Nandprayag, the confluence of rivers Mandakini & Alaknanda.
  • Karnprayag, the confluence of rivers Alaknanda & Pindar.
• Overnight stay at Rudraprayag.

Reach Haridwar or Rishikesh, and then proceed to your home location therefrom.