Delhi - Badrinath - Auli -19/10/12 to 24/10/12

Dear All,

This is my first post here, though before any trip I always refer India Mike.

Me along with 3 of my colleagues are planning to visit Badrinath and Auli during 19/10/12 to 24/10/12. This would be the first time i would be going beyond Rishikesh in Uthrakand.

I have itinerary as per information from the posts, which is as below


19/10/2012 - Take New Delhi-Dehradun Jan Shatabdi Express/12055 Leaving Ghaziabad at 04:02, Reaching Haridwar 19:32
20/10/2012 - Take 3.30 AM Bus to Joshimath, Reach Joshimath by 05:00 PM, Overnight at Joshimath
21/10/2012 - Early morning bus to Badrinath, Have darshan and visit mana village and Vasundhra Waterfall, stay at badrinath.
22/10/2012 - Take to and fro Cable car ticket to "Auli" from Joshimath. Enjoy Auli whole day, Overnight at Joshimath
23/10/2012 - Free Day
24/10/2012 - Early morning BusTaxi to Rishikesh, Take Mussorie Express back to Delhi

I have following queries

1. Is this plan ok or needs to add or delete anything? Please suggest
2. As per post the bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath are operated by GMOU & GMVN. Which one is better? and how to book the tickets in advance? Any timing details? From where we will get the bus?
3. Is the ropeway operational from Joshimath to Auli, if yes what are timings and prices?
4. As we have a free day on 23/10/2012, can we cover any other nearby place? I believe we wont be able to cover Valley of Flowers in a day, as it requires mimimum three days.

Hope to hear your comments

Your itinary seems okay. However the time i.e. end of October so nearby palces like hemkund sahib will be closed and their will be no flower in Valley of flower so stick to your itinary.
As you had spare day I sugeest to visit Pandukeshwar temple , it is near Govindghat and on 23rd and leave to Karna prayag. stay at Karna Prayag
Next day leave for Rishikesh.

If you plan to take 3.30am bus, then stay at Badrinath. This will provide you ample time for next day trek beyond Mana.

Thanks for the reply!!

Please let us know about the

1. bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath which are operated by GMOU & GMVN. Which one is better? and how to book the tickets in advance? Any timing details? From where we will get the bus?
3. Is the ropeway operational from Joshimath to Auli, if yes what are timings and prices?

1. Try to catch shared jeep from Natraaj Chowk in Rishikesh. However, buses will also drop you Joshimath by evening. No need to book tickets in advance in off season. I am not aware if GMVN operates buses as well since I have traveled by shared jeep or personal vehicle only.. There is single bus stand now in Rishikesh from where one can get buses for hills (Uttarkashi or Badrinath) and plains (Delhi etc).

2. Ropeway is operational from 9.30 to 3.30pm daily. I am not sure about charges but as listed at wikipedia, it is 400/- per head for return journey.

Vishal, Thanks for reply!!

1. I prefer Bus over jeep (As per my understanding this is mahindra jeep, which has very uncomfortable back seats), as bus would be more comfortable and safe Does GMOU accepts advance reservations. I read somewhere in the post that it is possible..
2. As far as ropeway is concerned I read it in the recent post that it was not in operation and tender is floated for repair work. if anyone has visited the place recently and can update the latest development,that would surely help.

Refer to your point 2, it has been nearly two years now for discontinuation of ropeway service. And there is no chance of getting that ready by winter this year.

Well, People I have changed my itinerary. Now the revised itinerary stands as below..

19/10/2012-- Jan shatabdi from Delhi, Overnight in Hardiwar

20/10/2012-- Start from Haridwar at 05:00 AM, Halt at Rudraprayag reach Gaurikund around 4-5 P.M. Overnight at Gaurikund

21/10/2012-- Get up early morning and proceed towards Kedarnath, ByTrekking or Pony, Perform Puja in evening. Overnight at Kedarnath.

22/10/2012 - Leave Kedarnath by 06:00 AM and proceed for Gaurikund. On reaching Gaurikund take tea , break fast and proceed for Joshimath either via Rudraprayag or Chopta- depends on Road condition. Overnight at Joshimath

23/10/2012 -- Reach Badrinath, being off season there will be no queue, perform Pooja in morning and proceed for Mana Village, Try Vasudhara if possible. Overnight at Badrinath

24/10/2012 -- Next morning start as early as possible for Haridwar, enjoy aarti in evening and proceed for Delhi by Mussorie Express

Planning to hire Innova from Haridwar.
1. Need you feedback,on the plan. Is it doable?
2. Details of Guest House/Ashrams (I have list from www.badarikedar.org) Dont have any idea about price and booking procedures.

Oh thats bad @ Vishal

With No Cable Car, No Snow.. I dont think it will be worth to visit Auli around late october. Guess I need to change my itinerary. Here is the revised one..

19/10/2012-- Leave delhi around 3.00 PM through Jan Shatabdi, Reach Haridwar by 07.30 PM Dip at Har ki Paudi (if possible).Overnight at Haridwar

20/10/2012-- Start from Haridwar at 05:00 AM, Halt at Rudraprayag reach Gaurikund around 4-5 P.M. Overnight at Gaurikund.

21/10/2012-- Leave Gaurikund by 06:00 AM for Kedarnath either by trekking or Pony. Try to reach Kedarnath by 01:00 PM to get darshan before 3. (Kedarnath Temple is closed between 03:00 to 05:00 PM). Enjoy the beauty and mountains around. Overnight at Kedarnath.

22/10/2012 - Leave Kedarnath by 05:00 AM, as to reach Gaurikund by 10:00 AM. Take tea and breakfast at Gaurikund, and proceed for Badrinath either via Rudraprayag or Chopta- depends on Road condition. Overnight at Badrinath.

23/10/2012 -- Darshan at Badrinath Temple and leave for Mana Village. Try Vasudhara Waterfall Trek(if possible) or else take rest. Overnight at Badrinath.

24/10/2012 -- Leave Badrinath by 06:00 AM to reach Haridwar by 05:00 PM. Enjoy Ganaga aarti in evening and proceed for Delhi by Mussorie Express.

I plan to book an Innova in order to cover above itinerary.

Please suggest,

1. Is the plan doable?
2. Details aboutt Travel agents (Aware about Shubh Yatra and Shivalik)
3. Details about the Ashrams/Budget Accommodation at Gaurikund, Kedarnath and Badrinath. (I have list of guest house from http://www.badarikedar.org/content-badari.aspx?id=58. But dont have idea about prices and booking process)

[QUOTE=ashupa;1463363]With No Cable Car, No Snow.. I dont think it will be worth to visit Auli around late october. Guess I need to change my itinerary. Here is the revised one..
Yes it is doable, once you reach at Har ki pauri, you can not resist yourself, we took dip in month of January at 8.00 P.M.
20/10/2012-- Start from Haridwar at 05:00 AM, Halt at Rudraprayag reach Gaurikund around 4-5 P.M. Overnight at Gaurikund.

For your information special darshan can be done in night from 11.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m.
Leaving Kedarnath at 5.00 a.m.???. Little difficult.
.

Yes it is possible
24/10/2012 -- Leave Badrinath by 06:00 AM to reach Haridwar by 05:00 PM. Enjoy Ganaga aarti in evening and proceed for Delhi by Mussorie Express.

There is time defined movement from Joshimath to Badrinath and from Badrinath to Joshimath , please move accordingly.

I think gate system from Joshimath-Badrinath & back is not there now. Earlier it was in practice due to narrow roads after Joshimath. I did not see any such thing in August 2012.

Gupta Sir, What would be the ideal time to leave Kedarnath on foot, so that we can reach Badrinath on the same day?

Vishalji, Thats a news!!! How to confirm?

hmmm....I experienced it personally during my visit to Badrinath, Valley of flowers & Hemkund during 15-19 August 2012. But this can be checked via contacting any hotel in Joshimath (e.g Hotel Dronagiri @ 9410126609). There can be one reason for no gate while I crossed Joshimath on 15th August. There had been a massive landslide at Patalganga area. Road opened by 4.30pm only. Mine was the first vehicle to cross Joshimath and reached Badrinath. But in return journey, I had asked policeman about specific gate timing. That fellow said "No gate timing". It might be because of off season rather than broader roads.

Can I try to answer your first question?? oh..I can...thank you.

I am not sure about your speed, but it requires minimum 4 hours from Kedar to Gaurikund. And another 8-10 hour drive in personal/ hired vehicle to reach Badrinath. Do not opt for crossing Joshimath after 6pm. Joshimath to Badrinath is 2 hrs drive. So plan accordingly.

I hope to see you somewhere during this journey.

Thanks for reply.. Guess it would be difficult for us to reach badrinath on same day.

Yes, I read your post.. You are starting your trip on 21 If everything is as planned, Probably I would be in Kedarnath on 21.

Can you suggest me Ashrams/Guest house in Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Joshimath and Badrinath. I dont want to book GMVN, looking for some economical stuff.. Have lot of phone numbers.. (Bharat Seva Ashram, Baba kali kamli, Punjab and Sindh Awas) but none of them working