Badrinath - Mana and beyond

jagernot

First I want to say thanks for the opportunity to post in this forum of experienced and knowledgable trekkers!

I plan a religious visit to the Badrinath/Kedarnath temples between June 1 - 20th. I have trekked in the Swiss/French alps and Scottish highlands and this will be my first time in the Himalaya. Ideally, I would like to travel very light, therefore would need night accommodation and food. But if carrying food/tent is worth it I will.

After visiting Badrinath I want to trek to Mana village. Can I find acco/food in Mana? If so, using Mana as a base can I do day treks to the Vyas Gufa, Vasudhara Falls? How about going further to Laxmivan, Alakapuri, Chakratirth & Satopanth Lake? How many days would ideally be required for this?

Around Kedarnath, I would like to trek to Tungnath, Madmaheswar, Vasuki Tal, Gandhi Sarovar.

I am thinking of first getting to Kedarnath, trek in the area, go to Chamoli via Kund-Chopta-Gopeshwar. Is there a bus on this route or should I arrange for my own transport?

And finally how much can I do in 20 days. I know I may not be able to make all of this. Please let me know. Thanks for reading.

AvidTrekker

All your routes are fairly easy trekking routes where pilgrims usually go. Villagers at Mana will guide you / accompany you to the Vyaasa gufaa etc. Go easy on your "list"; take it one at a time and you will enjoy merely BEING in the mountains.... don't make lists of "targets" to "achieve" in 20 days.... they belong to the Corporate world.

You have not stated your previous trekking experience. Some of your suggested places are rather "long" walks for the average pilgrim while some of them are proper one-day to one-and-a-half-day treks. You will have to carry a sleeping bag at least.

Happy Trekking!!!

__________________
The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

jagernot

...I merely prepared a list of places that interested me from reading the guidebooks. I'm looking for a reasonable base..say Mana...from where I could do a few day trips in the first week. Then in the second week, I could move elsewhere...and do a few day trips there..whilst also taking the time to sip tea, drink in the himalayan air...contemplation and the like

I have trekked day long walks (about 5 to 10 miles) in the Swiss/French alps and Scottish highlands but they are obviously lower altitude (500-2000m) compared to the Himalaya. It seems a walk in Himalaya starts at over 3000m! I have also trekked to summit of Snowdown in Wales and some smaller summits in Lake District in UK.

So how does this look?: First reach Badrinath by bus from Rishikesh - Visit the temple and sorroundings - then move on to Mana - will I get food/acco here? - if yes then with Mana as base during the first week try to visit the gufaas, vasudhara falls. If I want to carry on beyond to Laxmivan-Alakapuri-Chakratirth-Satopanth Lake how long will it take? I need to carry tent/food? Will porters be required?

In the second week, after visiting Kedarnath, I would like to spend time in Ukhimath -Chopta-Gopeshwar area trying todo day trips to Tungnath, Madmaheswar (is there a lake nearby this place?), Vasuki Tal, Gandhi Sarovar.

I want to take it easy not just tick of a list but also trying to find out with your help what is possible and what is not.

Thanks again.

jyotipg

Acco and food available in Mana..
If you want to go to Satopnath, go with your own provisions.. No viilages dhaba on the way.. if u r lucky we may find an elusive Sadhu or a group of mountaineers on the route..


There is a bus that leaves from Badrinath around 7 in the morning. Book the ticket a day in advance. It goes to Kedarnath via Gopeswar, Chopta, okhimath. This is a narrow jungle road. And there are points near chopta, where you wont dare look down to the valley. A small slip and bus goes down by 1000m.. Better dont take the back seat. At times on this narrow road, the back portion of the bus would be hanging in the valley during taking turns on the curves..

Alternatively, you can take jeep from Chamoli till Mandal. From there you can go to Tunganath Temple..
Plan to stay for sometime in Chopta.. Its worth it..

For madhyamaheshwar, you can stay in the villages enroute..

For vasuki tal, you need 2 days. and u can even manage in 1 day if u r very fit..
Gandhi sarovar is only 1 km from Kedarnath..

JP

jagernot

Thanks JP for useful info.

Any idea how much this would cost? Should I hire the entire jeep and pay for return of the jeep too? Or does the jeep driver take on passengers as they come along?

Also if we plan to trek from Gangotri to Tapoban do we walk on the glacier all the way? Is it very slippery that it needs glacier walking shoes etc? Should we hire a guide to Tapoban? We plan to stay in Tapoban for a couple nights. Is that possible? Should we carry tents or as we heard is there an ashram there in Tapoban that can provide accommodation?

Thanks.

jyotipg

Any idea how much this would cost? Should I hire the entire jeep and pay for return of the jeep too? Or does the jeep driver take on passengers as they come along?


These are Shared Jeeps.. You just need to pay the fare for yourself.. They will keep on picking pasengers on the way.. So, should cost you max 30-50% more than the bus fare.


if we plan to trek from Gangotri to Tapoban do we walk on the glacier all the way? Is it very slippery that it needs glacier walking shoes etc? Should we hire a guide to Tapoban? We plan to stay in Tapoban for a couple nights. Is that possible? Should we carry tents or as we heard is there an ashram there in Tapoban that can provide accommodation?

Beyond Gaumukh which is 18kms from Gangotri, you find the glacier. Its a glacier of different kind.. The journey for next 2 -3 kms would be more of bouldering.. you dont have to walk directly on snow.. No snow boots.. no slipping.. Be ready for the last stretch of climb to Tapovan. the last one km with definitely leave you panting for breath.. Yoy can stay in Bangali Amma Ashram (its basically a small acco under a rock overhang).. Also watch for Shimla baba's Ashram in Tapovan.. You can get very simple food in the ashram throughout your stay.. Bangali amma would expect a donation of Rs 200/pax.

Do make it a point to visit the Neel Tal which is a beautiful lake further up from Tapovan.. its another one hour trek from teh ashram..
Also you can visit Sunderban.. and go to Kirti glacier which is the base camp for expeditions to Kedardome

Dilliwala

Here's some more info on travel restrictions in the area:

Satopanth Tal Trekking