16 Days 15 Nights
India
20
1
Char Dham – Silver Tour
Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. A sect of Hindus (followers of Lord Vishnu) believe that visiting these sites helps achieve Moksha i.e. freedom from the cycle of birth after death.
- Overview
- Attractions
- Itinerary
- Tour Price
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Refund & Cancellation
- Disclaimers & Notes
- Downloads
Overview
Overview
Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. Followers of Lord Vishnu believe that visiting these sites helps achieve "Moksha" (salvation). Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameshwaram are considered as Char Dham to be visited by each Hindu during one's lifetime. These Hindu pilgrimage sites are defined as Char Dham by Adi Shankaracharya. A small circuit in Uttarakhand of four pilgrimage sites-Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is also referred as Char Dham. Some pilgrims call it Prati Char Dham or Prati Moksha Dham. Traditionally, the pilgrimage begins from the West and ends in the East. Thus, the Char Dham Yatra commences from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Each Dham or temple or site is devoted to a specific deity. Yamunotri is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna who goes along the pilgrims to the high altitudes of the picturesque Rawai Valley. It is believed that a bath in the waters of the Yamuna protects the devotee from untimely death. Gangotri is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva, part of the Panch Kedar. It is the northernmost Jyotirlinga and close to the source of the holy River Mandakini. Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated on the bank of the River Alaknanda.
But before embarking on this journey, one has to be prepared to experience physical as well as mental hardships on
the Himalayan roads. The Char Dham Yatra is one of the quite accessible yet most arduous journeys. The Yatra route in the state is usually bustling with activity, especially during the late summer or just before early rain season. The scenic beauty of the mountains solemnly provides strength to the pilgrims as they move towards their destination.
Attractions
Attractions
Hardwar – A Hindu pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand state (North India) where river Ganges exits Himalayan foothills. Ganges Aarathi (prayer) is fantabulous site and one of the main attractions of our Tour
Rishikesh – Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a centre for studying yoga and meditation.
Mussourie – A Hill station near Dehradun city of Uttarakhand. It is in the foothills of Garhwal Himalayan range
Yamunotri – Source of Yamuna river hence also known as Yamunotri and the seat of Goddess Yamuna
Gangotri – A Hindu pilgrimage on the banks of river Bhagirathi – the origin of river Ganges with beautiful Ganges temple
Bhagirath Sheela – A slab stone near the temple of Gangotri; spot where King Bhagirath used to worship Lord Shiva
Kedarnath – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas. A temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near Mandakini river
Badrinath – A Hindu holy place and one of the char Dham in prati char Dham temples
Uttarkashi – Also known as Kashi of the North situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi
Guptkashi – Fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319meters known for its Vishwanath Temple
Joshimath – Also known as Jyotirmath is a town located at a height of 6,150ft gateway to Himalayan expeditions
Rudrprayag – A point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. One of the Panch Prayag of Alaknanda river
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 - DELHI DEHRADUN ARRIVAL – HARIDWAR (D)
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Viva Dakshin representative will welcome you. Delhi overnight
Day 2 - DEHRADUN ARRIVAL – HARIDWAR (B.L.D.)
Today we will have breakfast in the hotel and then leave for Domestic flight to arrive in Dehradun. Enjoy Tea/coffee and depart for Haridwar also spelled Haridwar, is an ancient city of Uttarakhand, India. According to legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.
Haridwar or Hardwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places (Sapta Puri) to Hindus. According to the Samudra manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj (Allahabad) is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbh Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. The name of the town has two spellings: Haridwar and Haridwar. Each of these names has its own connotation. Hari means "Lord Vishnu". So, Haridwar stands for " The Gateway to Lord Vishnu". In order to reach Badrinath, one of the four Char Dhams, with a temple of Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey. Therefore, the name Haridwar. On the other hand, in Sanskrit, Hara means "Lord Shiva" and Dwara means "gate" or "gateway". Hence, Haridwar stands for "Gateway to Lord Shiva". Haridwar has been a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey in order to reach Mount Kailash, the eternal abode of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath, the northernmost Jyotirlinga and one of the sites of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and Gaumukh, the source of River Ganga. Har ki Pauri or footsteps of Lord Shiva is considered the most sacred site in Haridwar. Evening at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay in Haridwar!
Day 3 - DAY TRIP TO RISHIKESH. (B. L. D.)
Day trip to Rishikesh, also known as Hrishikesh, is in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas" and "Yoga Capital of the World". The Lakshman Temple & Lakshman Jhula is a famous hanging bridge across the river Ganga that connects two villages, Tapovan in the Tehri Garhwal district and Jonk in the Pauri Garhwal district. The Lakshman Jhula is extremely well known amongst tourists because of the rich mythological associations that relate to the bridge. It is widely believed that Lord Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, had crossed the river Ganga at this same site, where the bridge now majestically stands for all to see. Saccha Akhileshwar Mahadeo, Geeta Bhawan, Baba Kalikamaliwale Ashram, Ram Zoola. Evening - The Ganga Aarti in Haridwar is performed at the Har-ki-Pauri Ghat, which was built in the 1st century by King Vikram. Aarti can be done to a deity in the temple, or on the banks of the Ganga, or it can be performed to a saint. The aarti is organised twice a day, every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset. Enjoy your dinner & overnight stay in Haridwar!
Day 4 - HARIDWAR – MUSSOORIE. (B. L. D.)
Mussoorie is popularly known as The Queen of the Hills. After lunch time at leisure. Dinner & Mussoorie overnight stay
Day 5 - MUSSOORIE – BARKOT / SYANACHATTI. (B. L. D.)
Depart for Barkot / Syanachatti. Dinner & overnight stay in Barkot / Syanachatti!
Day 6 - DAY TRIP TO MA YAMUNOTRI DHAM. (B. L. D.)
Situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres (10,804 ft) Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna. The actual source Yamuna River, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind Mountain at a height of 4,421m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not accessible; hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer puja at the temple itself.
The temple of Yamuna, on the left bank of the Yamuna, was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The Yamuna, has been elevated to the status of a divine mother for the Hindus and has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization. Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Surya Kund is the most important kund. Near the Surya Kund there is a Sheela called Divya Sheela, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. Devotees prepare rice and potatoes, tied in muslin cloth, to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam. Dinner & overnight stay in Barkot / Syanachatti!
Day 7 - BARKOT – UTTARKASHI. (B. L. D.)
Depart for Uttarkashi, meaning Kashi of the north. situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1,158m above sea level. Uttarkashi is generally known as a holy town close to Rishikesh. Uttarkashi is home to several ashrams and temples and to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Like Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varunavat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva like Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, in the centre of the town. Dinner & overnight stay in Uttarkashi!
Day 8 - DAY TRIP GANGOTRI DHAM. (B. L. D.)
Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is at a height of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft). According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. After darshan and pooja return to Uttarkashi. En-route pass by Harsil Scenic Village. Visit Gangotri temple, Bhagirath rock and see Bhagirathi River. Dinner & overnight stay in Uttarkashi!
Day 9 - UTTARKASHI – GUPTAKASHI. (B. L. D.)
Guptkashi, Gupta Kashi or Guptkashi is a large town located at an elevation of 1,319 m (4,327 ft). It is known for its ancient Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the god Shiva, which is like the one in Varanasi (Kashi). The name Guptkashi has legendary significance linked to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places. Dinner & overnight stay in Guptakashi!
Day 10 - GUPTAKASHI – KEDARNATH. (B. L. D.)
Early morning departs for Kedarnath (Trek of 21 kms), a Hindu temple (shrine) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the Mandakini River. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigraha (deity) from Kedarnath temple is carried down to Ukhimath and where the deity is worshiped for the next six months. Kedarnath is seen as a homogenous form of Lord Shiva, the 'Lord of Kedar Khand', the historical name of the region.
The temple is not directly accessible by road and must be reached by a 22 kilometres (14 mi) uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony and Dandi service is available to reach the structure. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by Pandavas, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, expounded in Tevaram. Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. On arrival in the evening visit the famous Kedarnath temple and Shankaracharya Samadhi. Dinner & overnight stay in Kedarnath!
Day 11 - KEDARNATH – GUPTAKASHI. (B. L. D.)
After darshan and poojan depart for Guptakashi. Dinner & overnight stay in Guptakashi!
Day 12 - GUPTAKASHI – JOSHIMATH. (B. L. D.)
Depart for Joshimath. En-route view the Sangams of holy rivers - Rudreprayag: Alaknanda and Mandakini, Nandprayag: Alaknanda and Mandakini, Karnaprayag: Alaknanda and Pinderganga. Dinner & overnight stay in Joshimath!
Day 13 - BADRINATH. (B. L. D.)
After breakfast depart for Badrinath, Badri refers to a berry that was apparently said to grow abundantly in the area, and nath means "Lord" as per context in which it is referred. En-route view the Sangam of holy rivers Vishnuprayag: Alaknanda and Dhauliganga.
According to legend Shankar discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple. The temple is approximately 50 ft (
15 m) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows.
A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carving. After darshan and poojan return to hotel. After lunch visit Mana Village to see Saraswati River, Vyas Gumpha, Ganesh Gumpha, Bhim Bridge. Dinner & overnight stay in Badrinath!
Day 14 - BADRINATH – RUDRAPRAYAG / SRINAGAR. (B. L. D.)
Depart for Rudraprayag / Srinagar. Dinner & overnight stay in Rudraprayag / Srinagar!
Day 15 - RUDRAPRAYAG – HARIDWAR. (B. L. D.)
Depart for Haridwar. En-route view the sangam of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers and take the name Ganga at Devprayag. Dinner & overnight stay in Haridwar!
Day 16 - HARIDWAR – DEHRADUN DROP. (B.L.D.)
Depart for Dehradun Airport to connect flight to Delhi for onward journey to your destination country. Tour Ends.
Tour Price
Tour Price
| Silver Tour per person | Triple Sharing | Twin | Single Child (Age 2-11) | Single Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Price (ex Air Travel + Visa) | Rs.84,400/- | Rs.86,300/- | Rs.79,300/- | Rs.102,700/- |
| Tour Price (ex Air Travel + Visa) | AU$1,600/- | AU$1,650/- | AU$1,500/- | AU$1,950/- |
| Payment Terms | On Booking Date | Within 7 days of Booking | Within 15 days of Booking Date | Within 30 days of Booking Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Price (ex International Air Travel + Visa) | 20% of Tour Price | 30% of Tour Price | 40% of Tour Price | Balance Amount |
| 1. International air tickets will be issued on the date of booking (at actual cost price). Viva Dakshin will charge only AU$10/- per person admin cost. Visa processing will be done only after International Air Tickets are booked. Tour will be confirmed once air ticket is booked and visa is confirmed 2. Payment for international air ticketing and Visa processing will be made by customers separately. Viva Dakshin can facilitate international air ticket booking and visa processing if amount is paid in advance. We book through our travel partners in India & Australia. Applicable TCS is limited on Tour price only. Customers may choose to book air tickets and visa independently 3. No refunds will be issued by Viva Dakshin for International travel ticket & Visa fees 4. All claims or disputes for Refund shall be taken by customer directly with relevant air line 5. If the Tour date is within 45 days of Booking Date then above payment terms are not applicable and 100% tour price needs to be paid on booking date |
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| "FX Rates applied for Indian Tours are as below : 1AUD = Rs.52.26/- 1NZD = Rs.50.88/- |
| All Prices are valid till 31 July 2024 |
Inclusions
Inclusions
| o Tour Host, appreciator, and Influencer services throughout the tour o Travel by comfortable coach and flights (ex-international) as per the tour itinerary o Entrance fees of all sightseeing places to be visited from inside o Accommodation in comfortable and convenient hotels on twin sharing basis o All Meals – Water, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (set menu), High tea on all days o All Tips – Guide, Driver & Restaurants |
Exclusions
Exclusions
| o Applicable Govt Taxes roughly in addition to tour price (ex-Air-fare) o Any increase or new levy in Airfare, Visa fees, Airport taxes, Govt Taxes, Fuel, or other surcharges from Govt levied after tour booking but before tour departure o Cost of upgrades in Airline class or hotel room or any facility o Air ticket deviation charges including air travel on 1st and last day of tour from and to India o Any increase in FX rate leading to increased cost of any travel component such as but not limited to, accommodation, food, attractions tickets or any other costs, increase in foreign land prior to departure o Cost of any permit or other fees in addition to general admission fees at any attractions o Cost of pre or post tour hotel accommodation o Any extra expense incurred due to the unforeseen, unavoidable / forced circumstances o Cost of any type of insurance o Porterage, telephone charges, any items of personal nature, food/drink which is not part of a set menu o Cost incurred for an individual due to illness, accident, hospitalisation, or any emergency o Any services or activity charges other than those included in the group tour itinerary o Two-way International air fare, internal airport transfers, luggage insurance, visa fees, local conveyance to join/leave the Tour or for joining and leaving guests o Anything specifically not mentioned in `the “Tour Inclusion” |
Refund & Cancellation
Refund & Cancellation
| Tour Cancellation Charges | Booking date 1 | Up to 90 days prior to Tour date1 | Between 61 and 90 days prior to Tour date1 | Between 46 and 60 days prior to Tour date1 | within 45 days prior to Tour date 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refund - Limited to amount paid only (ex International Air Fare + Visa Fees) | 100% | 80% | 40% | 10% | 0% |
| 1. Refund will be made only for amount paid and for which invoice has been issued by Viva Dakshin 2. Customers are responsible for international air tickets and Visa, we only facilitate the process. In case of cancellation of domestic flight or train ticket (as part of itinerary) refund is limited to amount received from airline or railway authorities 3. Customers will have to deal with Airline and Visa department to seek refunds 4. Generally, Visa fees are non refundable. If you have booked non refundable air ticket then no refunds will be given by Airline on ticket cancellation or in case of “no show” 4. No refund will be processed prior to 45 days ex Tour Date and Refund in such case will be ZERO 5. Refund calculated based on difference between Refund request date and Tour Date minus 1 day 6. Bookings less than 90 days of tour date, Refund may further be reduced by 20% towards break fee |
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Disclaimers & Notes
Disclaimers & Notes
| Disclaimers o For all practical purposes Viva Dakshin is considered as Tour Operator and we do not sell tour packages o All tour prices mentioned above exclude air travel originating from and to India as well as Visa fees o Viva Dakshin is responsible for Tour only from 1st entry point to-last exit point from foreign land o Tourists who are not citizens of India may be restricted by Indian authorities to travel certain parts included in tour itinerary for national safety & security reasons. Any such restriction will be informed ahead of visit and such information may not be available at the time of tour booking o Travel Tickets / Sight Seeing tickets are subject to availability in same class o No Baggage handling service is provided barring exceptional circumstances o Any change in travel plan will be communicated at least 1 hour before journey o Guests may book air tickets on their own as long as they meet tour guidelines (date, time and route) o Under no circumstances Refunds will be issued except as per below Refund policy o City wise duration is tentative and is subject to change due to weather or factors beyond control o Hotel check-outs are confirmed within 1 hour once keys are handed over to Hotel staff o Any loss/damage to hotel property will be charged to relevant guest Documents required o Original passport with minimum 6 months validity from the date of tour arrival along with sufficient blank pages for the stamping of visa o A valid Tourist Visa or unexpired and valid OCI/PIO card for the duration of the tour o Photocopy (self-attested) Driving License/ Photo ID and any Utility bill of present address |
Important Points:
1. On this tour the Food served is a variety of Maharashtrian Menu made by our experienced kitchen staff or from Vegetarian Restaurants. Evenings are sometimes served with varieties like Pav Bhaji, Panjabi / local varieties etc. On tour we serve Bed Tea /Coffee, Breakfast with tea / coffee, Lunch with one sweet every day, Evening tea coffee with snacks / Biscuits & dinner with the soup. Non – vegetarian food is not available on this tour. It will start with a dinner on day 01 from Day 02 till Day 14 all meals will be served & on day 15 only breakfast will be served.
2. Before embarking on this journey, one has to be prepared to experience physical as well as mental hardships on
the Himalayan roads. The Char Dham Yatra is one of the quite accessible yet most arduous journeys. The Yatra
route in the state is usually bustling with activity, especially during the summer. The scenic beauty of the
mountains solemnly provides strength to the pilgrims as they move towards their destination.
3. For Transfers and sightseeing we will have Toyota Innova or similar type of vehicle on 04 pax per car basis (Depend on the group size)
4. Poney / Dandi / Kandi charges at Yamunotri will cost extra
5. Return Helicopter ticket for Kedarnath will cost extra
Downloads
Downloads
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