Season

Trekking in the Garhwal hills is best between the months of May to October.

Getting There

By Air: For any center in Garhwal the nearest airport is Dehradun. However the flights are erratic.

By Rail: Convenient overnight trains from Delhi connect Haridwar the nearest rail head into Garhwal. The Shatabdi Express serves Haridwar along with trains from Mumbai and Calcutta.

By Road: Bus Services connect Haridwar with other towns in North india. It is a 5 hour drive from Delhi. Rishikesh is 22 kms away from Haridwar.

Trekking options

Harkidun, Tons valley and Ruinsaratal (2B): Two days from Delhi to the road-head at Sankri and two trek days to the Harkidun where the Pandav brothers are supposed to have ascended the majestic Swargarohini peak (20,000ft) on their last leg to Indarlok. Known for its profusion of flowers, its meadows are linked with routes (2B) to Ruinsaratal on the edge of the Tons glacier coming off Bandarpuch peak.

Dodi Tal-Darwa-Top-Yamunotri (2B): From Uttarkashi, reach the road-head at the Kalyani Trout Hatchery for a 6 kms hike to Agora village. A five-hour trek day leads to Dodi Tal, source of the Asi Ganga Cross Darwa Top (4,115 m) next day and descend to Hanuman Chatti for the two day trek to Yamunotri (14 kms) and further to Saptrishi Kund (10 kms) true source of the Yamuna. Return via Barkot and Mussoorie.

Khatling Glacier region: From the roadhead at Guttu, reached in two days from Delhi, 2-3 trek days (3B) brings one to the inner recesses of the Bhagirathi near Tehri. The river rise at the snout of the Khatling glacier and the trails join up with Sahasrtal, Masurtal and Vasukital. For those in good physical trim, the 16 kms trek (3C) to Kedarnath is recommended. Good Views of the high Garhwal peaks. From Kedarnath trek down to Gaurikund to reach the road carrying on inthe Panch Kedar region via Chopat and the cutting across the Mandakini valley to the Alaknanda on the oldest pilgrim trail for Joshimath, Badrinath Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers.

Gangotri Glacier and Kedar Ganga Valley to Kedar Tal: Trek from 2B and 4C provides a profusion of exploration in the heart of Garhwal, around spectacular mountains such as Shivling above the alluring Tapovan meadow, Thaleysagar, the Bhagrathi Peaks and the exit over the Dhumdhar Khandi pass (3C) to the Tong Valley.

In the Alaknanda valley, from Joshimath invigorating routes are avilable for 3C treks to Lata Kharak and the outer sanctuary of Nanda Devi or 2B approach over the Curzon trail with close views of the Nanda Devi sanctuary peaks and through the Kuari pass.