Trekking through the Land of the Gods
Below are some of the best treks in Uttaranchal. You should definitely engage the services of a guide for any of the routes, and don't skimp on equipment. Bring clothes and footwear to withstand extreme weather conditions. Note that certain treks in Garhwal require a permit; your trekking company can arrange this for you.
From Uttarkashi, a short drive takes you to Kalyani, which is the starting point for one of Garhwal's most popular treks -- to fabulous Dodital, a striking lake surrounded by fantastic alpine forests. A relatively easy trek lasting 3 days, the 23km (14-mile) route takes you through the Asi Ganga River valley. Several treks of varying levels of difficulty start out from Gangotri (at an altitude of 3,000m/10,000 ft.), a small pilgrim town at the confluence of the rivers Bhagirathi and Kedar Ganga, in the shadow of Mount Sudarshan (6,500m/2,980 ft.), some 98km (60 miles) from Uttarkashi. From Gangotri, a beautiful 26km (16-mile) hike takes you along a gradual ascent along the Bhagirathi to Gaumukh, which is where the river has its source in the Gangotri Glacier -- here the water gushes out from a small amphitheater carved out of the 15-to-20m (50-65-ft.) ice walls. En route, you pass through scenic alpine forests near Chirbasa, following an ancient pilgrimage route; a panorama of snowcapped peaks accompanies you throughout. At night, you camp on the banks of the embryonic Ganges, known here as the Bhagirathi. Beyond Gaumukh, you can cross the glacier to reach the high-altitude meadows of Tapovan and Nandanvan, although the route to Tapovan varies with the constant downward movement of the glacier. You can schedule the trek to last anywhere between 6 and 9 days, longer if you wish to explore the meadows and glaciers at the foot of Hinduism's center of the universe, Mount Meru. Another popular trek goes along Kedar Ganga Valley, from Gangotri to Kedartal, a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountain peaks.
One of the best-known routes in the Kumaon is the Pindari Glacier Trek, a fairly moderate trek that lasts up to 8 or 9 days and can be combined with a tour of Corbett National Park. A shorter trek takes you on a 20km (12-mile) climb through Valley of Flowers National Park, high up in the Himalayas. Between June and September, hundreds of species of flowers -- many of them rare alpine varieties -- fill the valley floor, through which the Pushpawati River flows. Nainital's Parbat Tours (tel. 05942/23-5656) organizes treks in the Kumaon. Operators that organize treks in Garhwal are Garhwal Tours and Trekking (tel. 0135/267-3607 or -7769; based in Dehra Dun) and Garhwal Himalayan Explorations (tel. 0135/243-3378 or -8728; www.thegarhwalhimalayas.com; based in Rishikesh). For equipment rentals and other assistance, contact the local tourism office.
