Garhwal: Changa Bang Base Camp & Rishikund Trek
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Introduction
Trek Grade: Medium
MOUNT CHANGA BANG Base Camp (BAGNI GLACIER) runs down northwards from Changa Bang & Trishuli peaks (in North-West rim of Nanda-Devi Sanctuary) and then the Bagini melt river turns westwards where it is joined by Dunagiri Glacier waters running down from Purbi-Dronagiri ridge. Further west, it is joined by the Lampak stream and finally flows into the Dhauli-Ganga, just north of Jumma Village.
It is situated at an altitude of 14,816 feet above sea level and the view from up here is breathtaking, with the magnificent snow-capped mountains, age-old villages, gorgeous water bodies and sweet, serene natural beauty. The rare species of plants and the captivating colours of the alpine flowers are a sight to behold.
Rishikund, as the name suggests, it’s believed to be a very sacred and secluded high land for the ancient saints and ascetic souls who used to live here to avail its serenity and tranquility for meditation and attaining enlightenment. Rishikund is situated at an elevation of 4090 M, opposite to the core area of the Nanda Devi National Park on the left flank of the Dhauli Ganga, in the Niti valley.
Rishkund offers a wide stretch of panoramic views of the mighty Himalayan ranges of the Mount Nanda Devi in the east and the towering peaks of Badrinath range that ends with tail of Zaskar range in the west. Amongst the most prominent, are Mounts Kamet, Mana and the twin peaks of Nar and Narayan. Ages gone back, our great sages and holy souls believed to have done their harsh penance and meditation and eventually attained enlightenment for wellbeing of the human race. The fertile and climatically suitable land is home to hundreds of precious high altitude medicinal herbs and plants that have been used to cure even the most incurable diseases and there are various alpine flowers which bloom in July and August.
It is an ideal habitat for a great variety of wild life and mainly home to musk deer in the lower forest thickets. You can witness herds of Blue sheep, Himalayan Thar and the elusive Monal pheasants and various species of Himalayan Vultures seen flying above.
Tour Highlights
- A 20 days adventure with 12 days of trekking combining the trail to the Mount Changa Bang base camp and to the Rishikund lake under the shadows of Mounts Hardeol, Chang, Bang, Rishi Pahar crossing the Kanari Pass (4,151 meters)
- English speaking trekking guide with camping equipment and personal porterage for 20 kgs
- Fly in and out of Delhi to Rishikesh
- Sightseeing of Old & New Delhi & Rishikesh with English speaking guide and monument entrances
- All Arrival & Departure transfers with Representative and road transportation by SUVs or, mini coaches depending on group size
- Prices on request
Destinations Covered
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Rishikesh
Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and with the pristine Ganga flowing through it, the ancient town of Rishikesh is one of the major tourist and pilgrimage hubs in northern India, where people from across the world arrive in search of peace. Rishikesh is commonly referred to as the ‘yoga capital of the world’ and rightly so. The destination is abuzz with visitors, who come here to learn yoga and meditation.
Joshimath
Uttarakhand is abounding with beautiful places and one among them is Joshimath, the sacred town of Uttarakhand. Nuzzled with lots of warmth in the Chamoli district the town has its own heavenly aura. Also known as Jyotirmath, Joshimath is those places where one of the Mutts was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. It is also the winter seat of Lord Badri Whose idol is traversed from Badrinath temple to Vasudev temple here.
Malari
Malari is a small village near the Indo-Tibetan border near Joshimath in Chamoli district. Located in Dhauli Ganga valley at a height of 3048 meters, Malari village is encircled by steep snow-covered mountains. Inhabitants of Malari village moves to the lower part of Himalayas during winters due to heavy snowfall.
Kalakhal
Dronagiri Village
Dronagiri is also called as Dunagiri; a small village in Almora. Interestingly, the hamlet is located at the foot of a Himalayan mountain named Dronagiri. While the snow-covered mountain stands in all its grandeur, the hilly village of Dronagiri rejoices amidst the green vegetation. In fact, the name is derived from the mountain that shines in the backdrop.
Longatulli
Longatulli is a halt where you will be awe-struck with the amazing Satminal, Hardeul and Rishi Pahar views.
Bagini Glacier
Bagini Glacier is proudly seated at an altitude of 14,816 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas. It starts near the base of Trishul and Changabang peaks and flows northwards from here. Being adorned inside the Nanda Devi National Park, the trek offers enchanting views of the placid environs. This trek also gives you the opportunity to feast your eyes on the mighty Dunagiri, Changa Banga and Kalanka peaks too.
Suraithota
Suraithota is located in Chamoli in Uttarakhand.
Sainjgetha
A gradual climb, crossing through the old village of Suki, where people are very friendly and they will love to offer you tea, which is most welcome to relive one’s fatigue.
Kanthela
A lovely forest patch. The forest is considerably a good home to wildlife and various kinds of bird species. Musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan brown bear, and leopard can be seen roaming frequently.
Rishikund
Rishikund is a holy pond located near Raghunath temple in Rishikesh. This ancient pond is believed to be built by Kubz saint and blessed by Goddess Yamuna by filling the pond with her sacred water. One more interesting thing about this sacred pond is that it always reflects the image of Raghunath Temple, dedicated to Lord Ram and Sita. Rishikund has around ten steps from all four sides and its pond recieves a fair shadow from large trees nearby. Since it is a calm place, visitors used to relax at Rishikund.
Suki Village
To experience staying in a local house, has set a trend to give the best experience to its trekkers by using local community as host in the Himalayas. It always ended up with a huge appreciation from both host and guest and the local community is simultaneously getting benefitted with our tiny efforts. It’s a kind of unique mutual interaction that sets a platform to understand two different worlds.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi
Delhi
Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.
On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).
Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.
Thereafter, visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, a 17th century Indian ruler. It is open to people of all faiths, castes or creeds. The premises house a sacred pond in which devotees bathe. They believe that this would wash off their misdeeds and thus allow them to attain peace of mind. The 'Langars' or the community kitchen proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal irrespective of caste, color or class.
Conclude the day by visiting the Delhi's most striking monument, The Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed in 1192 by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) and contains 379 stairs. A Soaring conical tower, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and is the tallest minaret in India.
Overnight at hotel (B)
- Day 3 Indigo Flight #6E-7334 Delhi/Dehradun ETD: 07:20/ETA: 08:20 Hrs. & Drive to Rishikesh – 1½ Hour's Drive
- Day 4 Drive Rishikesh to Joshimath – 8 Hour's drive
- Day 5 Joshimath – Malari & Trek Bhojgar (61 kms by Jeep & 3 hours Trek)
- Day 6 Bhojgar – Kalakhal
- Day 7 Kalakhal – Dronagiri Village
- Day 8 Dronagiri Village To Longatulli
- Day 9 Longatulli To Base Camp
- Day 10 Base Camp To Bagini Glacier And Back To Base Camp
- Day 11 Base Camp To Dronagiri Village
- Day 12 Dronagiri Village to Road Head – 4 to 5 Hour’s Trek & 1 Hour Drive to Suraithota
- Day 13 Trek Sainjgetha
- Day 14 Trek To Kanthela
- Day 15 Trek To Rishikund
- Day 16 Trek To Saidhar / Trek Back To Kanthela
- Day 17 Trek Back - Suki Village
- Day 18 Trek Down To Bhalgaon Road Head – 8 Hour’s Drive To Rishikesh
- Day 19 Rishikesh To Dehradun & Fly To Delhi
- Day 20 Delhi & Departure
