Badri Kedar trip by car in 4 days ex Bhiwadi/Delhi

Dear Imer's , Can some one help us in planning a trip to Badri and Kedar with a visit to Tungnath and Chopta (I have been told not to miss them).

We intend to start the journey from delhi on 12th May in a self driven car with me , my wife and sons 12 and 9.

Your suggestions and help would really be appreciated.

Regards / Vidu

Do remember that May end is peak pilgrim season, so book accomodation well in advance. You can take this route:
Delhi-Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Joshimoth-Badrinath-Joshimoth-Chamoli-Chopta-Ukhimoth-Kedarnath-Delhi.

According to convention, himalayan shrines are visited from west to east. If it suits, you may follow : Delhi-Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Guptakashi-Sonprayag-Gaurikund-Kedarnath-Gaurikund-Guptakashi-Kund-Ukhimath-Chopta-Tungnath-Chopta-Gopeshwar-Chamoli-Joshimath-Badrinath. From Badrinath you take Joshimath-Chamoli-Nandprayag-Karnaprayag-Rudraprayag-Devprayag-Rishikesh route for onward journey to Delhi. I travelled twice on Ukhimath-Chopta-Gopesswar-Chamoli route in 1992 and in 1998 and I found the road conditions between Ukhimath-Chopta-Mandoli pretty bad. In case of car breakdown, one had to come back to Guptakashi or go ahead to Gopeshwar for repairs. I hope, things must have improved now.

Happy journey,

Sadanand

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the Input from jyotirmoy and sadanand kamath. Well just wanna share some on my experience with you folks to know your views to improve upon my travel skills next time.

13.05.2007 : left Bhiwadi (Rajasthan)(80 KM south-west of Delhi at 2.00 AM Morning by Esteem accompanied by my wife 32 and sons 12 and 9 heading for Gaurikund, but we had in our mind that we would stop wherever the sun sets or when we feel exhausted.

13.05.2007 : Reached Haridwar at 7.00 AM and after a light refreshment and taking a dip in Ganga at Pawan Dham Ghat, headed for Rishikesh (no stopping at Rishikesh)and then to the Gharwal region.

13.05.2007 : Reached Rishikesh , got a full tank and then headed for Gaurikund via Byasi - Devprayag - Maletha - Kirtinagar - Srinagar - Rudraprayag- Tilwara - Augustmuni (Helicopter Service of Pawan Hans @ 8500 per passenger per way) - Kund (the Last Place where you can get Petrol) - Nala - Phata (Helicopter Service of Pawan Hans @ 3600 per passenger per way)- Rampur- Sitapur - Sonprayag- Triyugi Narayan - Gaurikund. Reached Gaurikund at 16.15 Hours with Stops at August Muni and Rampur for Cokes and Pepsi.

13.05.2007 : Got a porter to carry our luggage to the Lodge Room, since the time was of peak season and many VIP flocking in the parking of the vehicle had to be done 1.5 KM away from Gaurikund. We lodged in a small lodge called Sunil Lodge (Mr. Gosain is the Owner) with a 3 Bedded Room priced at Rs. 700 Per Night. Very Clean but noisy Hotel a group of trekkers were also there. They serve Dinner on Thali Basis, but since we were tired we decided to sleep to get the pony's for the early Morning.

There is a good thing in Gaurikund that people would come to you for offering their services and due to that we were lucky that a Pony owner named Dilip and his nephew met us and we made a deal for 4 Pony's upto Kedar Nath and Back the same day for Rs. 2400 + Rs. 50 Per Pony as the Road Tax.

14.05.2007 : Woke up early in the Morning and asked for Hot water in the room for bathing, Though there is a Hot water Pond in Gauri Kund but that Place is a mess so we decided to take our Bath in the Romm. Locked all our belongings in the cloak room. Dilip came to escort us to the Pony Stand and we were off to the Mighty Kedarnath at 05.30 AM. for a 14 KM pony ride through Cemneted Roads, and Rocky terrainsm with potholes etc.

The streets were buzzling with Pony owners shouting for guests, the Kandi Towers preparing their stuff and the Palki people sipping tea and waiting for their passengers to come. Though the pony stand is a bit mess with the Shit and all that stuff but is a different experienec altogether.

14.05.2007 After 7 KM Reached Rambara, which is the first stop for the Pony to rest ( the refreshment a Pony gets heres is 350-500 Grams of Jaggery) there were numerous Dhabhas at Rambar to cater to pilgrims, all of the pilgrims take a short break here. we stopped at a dhaba and had our morning tea and hot Samosa just taken out of the Oil in front of us. there a speacil Chick pea receipe and mostly all Uttaranchali people love to eat that chick pea subzi.

WOuld Continue if people would like to know about the trip

With Love to all IMER's

REgards / Vidu

Hi IMER's if you wish to contact me contact on 09812039120

Of course, pl continue your travelogue.

Sadanand

Please continue... I want to hear...for I also want to go there this year