Chardham 2022: Hotels, Restaurants and Travel Times.

13 08 Rishikesh - Barkot - Jankichatti

Started: 0830hrs / Paras Plaza , Opp Bus Adda, Rishikesh (https://goo.gl/maps/KQk7xJH1NKDXvMAG7)

Route: Narendra Nagar> Chamba> New Tehri> Dharasu> Barkot> hanuman Chatti > Janki Chatti

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast @ Roadside Dabha around 1 hr from Rishikesh, Lunch @ Brahmakal (Krishna Jamuna Palace and Restaurant, 8171981307 / 94567 55405)

Arrival: 2000 hrs

Overnight Stay: https://goo.gl/maps/6CT3Hdvh4gpXis2C7 (Don't know the name of the hotel)

14 08 YamunotriBaseCamp - Brahmakamal

Started: 1300

Route: Base Camp > Hanuman Chatti > Barkot > Brahmakal

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast on top at Yamunotri Dham, Skipped lunch, and reached the same hotel at Brahmakal

Arrival: 1800

Overnight Stay: Brahmakal (Krishna Jamuna Palace and Restaurant, 8171981307 / 94567 55405)

15 08 Brahmakamal - DarasuBend - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi

Started: 0730hrs (Had to fill fuel and hence started to reach nearby fuel station by 0800 hrs)

Route: Brahmakamal > DarasuBend > Uttarkashi > Gangotri > Uttarkashi

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast at Uttarkashi (opp Kashi Vishwanatha Mandir), Lunch at Ishavyasa Ashram on top at Gangotri

Arrival: reached Gangothri by 1200 hrs, spent 3 hrs on top, and returned to Uttarkashi by around 1945. Rushed to a fuel pump to stay filled for the next day

Overnight Stay: Vaibhav Ganga and Restaurant, Gangotri National Highway, Netala (80576 63984, 6399391814, 95480 42369)

16 08 Uttarkashi - Sonprayag

Started: 0830hrs

Route: ( Multiple options available, Since we heard about landslides overnight, we decided to go via Ghansali)

Uttarkashi > Lambgaon > Ghansali > Tilwada> Agastmuni > Narayankoti > Gupt Kashi > Sonprayag

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast (Packed Upma from the hotel where we stayed overnight), Lunch at Bahuguna restaurant, Tilwara (https://goo.gl/maps/YsC1NTuo8tkCtNn17)

Arrival: 1900 hrs

Overnight Stay Hotel JPG Palace, Sitapur.

Dinner: Hotel Devraj and Restaurant (Next to our hotel)

17 08 Trek to Kedarnath Dham, 

Overnight Stay Bhopal Bhavan, Kedarnath Dham.

18 08 Trek to Sonprayag

Overnight Stay JPEG Palace, Sitapur

19 08 Gaurikund - Rudraprayag - Joshimath

Started: 0700 hrs

Route: Gaurikund > Gupt Kashi > RudraPrayag (for temple visit) > Nagrasu > Gauchar > KarN Prayag > Gopeshwar > Pipalkot > Joshimath

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast at Chauhan Hotel (below Guptkashi temple bus stop on Main Road ), Lunch at Hotel Him Anand (https://g.page/hotel-him-anand?share)

One of the cheapest and tastiest hotels on this trip!!

Arrival: 2000

Overnight Stay at Hotel Manik Palace (Opp Hotel Dronagiri), just before entering Joshimath. (https://goo.gl/maps/WKTGFBcZk4uT8C2p8)

Dinner: Walked 200 Mtrs towards city center Marwari hotel. (https://goo.gl/maps/cRiFPDquTGV69JD47)

20 08 Joshimath - Badrinath

Started: 0700hrs

Route: Joshimath > Govind Ghat > Pandukeshwar > Badrinath

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast at Himsarovar Restaurant (https://goo.gl/maps/uFgdXNAMkzmJfc54A), Lunch at Sardeshwari (https://goo.gl/maps/uM7SqZm5dUijBXvw9)

Arrival: 1200 hrs

Overnight Stay: Bharath Sree Guest House (https://goo.gl/maps/jL2bJcGNyfBRrDpL7)

One of the best places that I have stayed on this trip

21 08 @ Badrinath

Brunch: Sardeshwari (https://goo.gl/maps/uM7SqZm5dUijBXvw9)

Dinner: Hotel Saket (https://goo.gl/maps/r14shyR5ahXn9xnw5)

22 08 Badrinath - Rishikesh

Started: 0830hrs

Route: Badrinath > Joshimath > pipalkoti > Gopeshwar > RudraPrayag > Srinagar > DevPrayag > Rishikesh

Breakfast, Lunch Stops: Breakfast @ a roadside Dabha, around 1 hr after driving down from Joshimath, Lunch at Srinagar Hotel Devlok (https://goo.gl/maps/crj7amGTXzYvj3EG8)

Arrival: 1700

Overnight Stay: Paras Plaza, Opp Bus Adda, Rishikesh https://goo.gl/maps/KQk7xJH1NKDXvMAG7

Various other eat out

Rishikesh Chotiwala * 2: https://goo.gl/maps/Rs1nKvzS9xPXTERh7

Haridwar Chotiwala: https://goo.gl/maps/HzM8Zj6b9MQcR8QE6

Chardham 2022: The Itinerary

12 08 BLR - DEL - DED - Rishikesh

13 08 Rishikesh - Barkot - Jankichatti

14 08 Yamunotri Trek - YamunotriBaseCamp - Brahmakal

15 08 Brahmakamal - DarasuBend - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi

16 08 Uttarkashi - Sonprayag

17 08 Sonprayag - Gaurikund - Kedarnath Dham - Ascending Trek

18 08 Kedarnath Dham, Descent Trek Gaurikund

19 08 Gaurikund - Rudraprayag - Joshimath

20 08 Joshimath - Badrinath

21 08 Badrinath - ManaVillage - Badrinath

22 08 Badrinath - Rishikesh

23 08 Rishikesh - Hardwar - Rishikesh

24 08 DED - DED BLR

Chardham 2022: Preparation

 Preparations

When we think about CharDham Yatra, the first thing that strikes our mind is the difficulty and the challenge to physical and mental fitness, the weather, the roads, and the facilities that may be (not commensurate to our expectations, especially the non-availability of hot water in cold weather), and the very thought that such adventure (of sorts) is usually for the elders after they have completed their familial obligations.

The majority of these notions are a result of overthinking by uninformed minds. It is not at all difficult to reach there, the road condition is perfectly fine. As a part of the Chardham highway, the roads have been widened to 2 lanes since 2014. And moreover, anyone can go there and they will be definitely mesmerized by the heavenly charm of the places they will visit during the Char Dham Yatra. It's quite a tradition to visit these dhams during the summer months, as you can worship the deities in their moola-sthana. Temples are open for 6 months of summer based on the Hindu panchanga.

Chardham Yatra Opening Dates Closing Dates

Yamunotri Temple 3rd May 2022 24th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya  Eve of Deepavali

Gangotri Temple 3rd May 2022 25th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya Deepavali

Kedarnath Temple 6th May 2022 24th October 2022 (Tentative)

Akshaya Tritiya Eve of Bhai Dooj

Badrinath Temple 8th May 2022 26th October 2022 (Tentative)

Vasantha Panchami / Maharnavami or Bhai Dooj 

Kedarnath (17 km) and Yamunotri (7 km) command arduous trekking. If you are particular about vising Goumukh (17kms) from Gangotri that adds to your 2 days of the itinerary. There are not many facilities for treckers in this stretch of trekking path. Those, unable to undertake the enthralling trek can fly to Kedarnath by helicopter. A multitude of camps, budget and luxury hotels, homestays, and guest houses offer comfortable accommodations en route to CharDhams in Uttarakhand. 

In the beginning, it was only 6 of us on the team, but SriHari joined at the last minute, and accordingly, we had to revise some of the preparations for the trip.

A medical First Aid kit is pretty much mandatory and here is the list along with other items needed for this trip.

1. 3-4 sets of comfortable wear for the entire travel. 

2. One woolen jacket 

3. Poncho for rains 

4. Woolen Cap + Gloves

5. Small Towel for quick access during your travel/trek.

6. Sweat towels are suggested for easy drying. 

7. Winter resistance kind of jacket to withstand more cold. 

8. Cotton -to use it in ears 

9. Torch or headlight which can be recharged using cells 

10. Dry fruits 

11. Sunscreen with SPF 50 based on your skin type 

12. Nonslippery footwear or normal slippers suitable for travel

13. Shoes for trekking

14. One havai slipper to be carried inside the bag.

Medicines

for headache, mountain sickness tablets (please consult a doctor) loose motion, first aid, vomiting, fever, and cold-related ones with the gastric tablet if required.

Allergy (Citrezine) / Diarrhea (Lomotil, LOMOFEN) / Nausea (Avomine) / Cold (Citrazine) / Cough (Strepsils) / Antacid (gelusil tabs) / PainKiller (Moov + hifenac MR) / PainSpray (VOlini) / Headache (Tilinol) / BugSpray (None) / Antibiotic Ointment (Vicco Turmeric, ODOMAS) / Fever (CALPOL, DOLO650)

ENO,  Electral , Enerzal - for replenishing salts during the trek 

HAMS >> Diamox

crêpe rolled bandages.small, medium, and large sterile gauze dressings,  Cotton,

SPo2 meter, thermometer

Facemask

And most important of all the preparation steps: Yatri Registration is mandatory

registrationandtrouristcare.uk.gov.in

Chardham 2022 - Driving Routes (Plans)

13 08 Rishikesh - Barkot - Jankichatti

 

14 08 Yamunotri Trek - YamunotriBaseCamp - 

14 08  YamunotriBaseCamp - Brahmakal

15 08 Brahmakamal - DarasuBend - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Uttarkashi

16 08 Uttarkashi - Sonprayag

17 08 Sonprayag - Gaurikund - Kedarnath Dham - Ascending Trek

19 08 Gaurikund - Rudraprayag - Joshimath

20 08 Joshimath - Badrinath

22 08 Badrinath - Rishikesh

Chardham (Entire Route)

HVK KL MD 2016 - Travelogue

Being an overnight sold out event, all expectations were sky high as I looked forward to the HVK Monsoon Drive @ KL.

My Cheetah bought last year around this time, did not permit me both by skills and love for new car to attend the MD 15, which I regretted very badly after seeing the pictures. In fact, I regret not being part of any MDs till now.

This time being in the GODS OWN COUNTRY, though I have driven in Kerala rains earlier in small cars, MD KL 2016 pumped up my love for driving in rains once again.

Dead silence on the event page, must have intrigued not only me but also many other participants. I could not hold and prompted for a reply from the organizers. The first formal reply came up only 3 days before the event, indicating a creation of WhatsApp broadcast group of the primary participants from each registration. I had teamed up with Satish Bandi, with whom I share many similarities (except the choice of the music) including passion for driving.

As the updates started pouring in that the base location would be around Kochi, my plans were pretty clear to reach the base by the scheduled time. Though a couple of participants planned for a convoy drive right from Bangalore, I did not actively persuade as my starting time was still tentative.

We started off on 8th July from office at Electronics City, Bangalore after a few unscheduled meetings that delayed our start by almost 75 minutes. Drive on the highway was uneventful almost till Salem, except for a few patchy showers that indicated the weather to follow.

While we were about to start off from Salem, came across HVKian Darshan and Mrs Darshan who had just stopped by for refreshments. A small Hello and an introduction meeting, we bid bye to each other looking forward for a longer meeting during MD.

The weather held on till Coimbatore. It was around 1900 we reached Coimbatore bypass, which had a Anjaneya tail queue (mostly of trucks) to cross over. One gentleman on a sedan guided us to pass by to enter the queue nearer to toll booth. The road widening work combined with rains and potholes did not permit a zip drive all through the stretch till the border. The Walayar - Wadakancherry route, recently converted into 4lane provided ample opportunity to make up for the losses and future losses of time. The heaviest of the rains was between Thrissur - Kochi where we had to negotiate almost on the central lane tailgating the vehicle in front of us. There was hardly any visibility even to drive at 50 KMPH.

By 10 PM, around, the message started pouring in on the base location (HOTEL ELEGANCE) at 0900 hrs. tomorrow.

Usually, the night before such drive is so exciting, we don’t feel sleepy. But this drive had drained good levels of energy which had to be recouped through a well slept night.

9 Jul 2016

We were awake pretty early (courtesy: heavy rains at 0400 hrs. for pretty long time), fresh and rejuvenated, to have time to get the car back in shape for a nice drive and photo sessions through the drive. Reached base station at 0905, to be baffled to see none of the organizers at the venue. Were we the first to arrive? Did we arrive at the right location?  ... many questions started pouring in. In a few minutes, few more cars (Manoj Makadia, Darshan, Ramki, Mansoor Ali, Sujith, Darshana.) came in. So were the messages on WhatsApp. Each of us received messages at different point in time, though leading us to the next location (a point after bridge across Periyar river, after driving through Angamaly). Though a bit baffled (as to where were we led to / no presence of organizers / no convoy drive), we started off to reach the next intermittent destination. Once we shared the next location, we were directed to another location, 30 kms ahead of us.  The plans of the organizers started unfolding as we took our first pit stop at a "chAi kaDa" at Tattekad Bird Sanctuary. Sujith was already there, we stopped by and Ramki came in a few minutes later.

The interesting part of the drive unfolded much more here. We were in for some amazing route directions (HVK database updated just a couple of days back !!). We received 2 of the 5 messages, where as Sujit and Ramki had full info till the next point where the data connectivity would be once again available. We decided to piggy back on them as there could be no other split directions within the forest. The mountainous single lane route took us through some of the unexplored forest sections of that area, sparse traffic and splintered human occupation almost gave a feeling of deep forest drive. The next 12 odd kms took us an hour to drive through. We came across the slowest participant in the MD, but we could not accommodate him in our drive. A tortoise, we left him back in his home habitat. A small water crossing where we had some detailed photoshoot of water splashing as we crossed it, was even more memorable than the drive till now. We came across small civilization here and there, mostly of the farmers as we drove through the circuitous route to reach Oonukal. The end of the directions, led us to the NH49 connecting Kochi - Munnar.

The next treasure hunt instructions were to find a dining place on the highway, zipping through the empty highway in a pleasant weather was fun by itself. By now we had our own convoy of 3 cars, sharing the pilot role in turns. At lunch (at Appisons) we met Joe Danzbiker who was on his KTM enjoying his own version of MD KL 2016. Post lunch, at Adimaly, once again we deviated from the main route, toward Idukki. The route was not as picturesque as the one before, but offered good off-roading all through due to potholes liberally spread through the route. We had a photo session break at "Kallarkutty Dam" where we met Biju Jose and his team crossing our route in exactly opposite direction!!

Though we were once again baffled, we had come to terms with the TREASURE HUNT concept of this drive. The final instructions to reach the Resort came in shortly. We reached "PRAKATT Resorts by around 1630, almost as per the schedule defined by O-Team.

Once we refreshed ourselves in the newly built, 20-day old resort, we had the rituals of Conference at the banquet hall. Elite members of the group Kalim Ma, Biju Jose, Cee Cee Mathew shared their experience of driving and photography, after the O-team spoke about the elaborate planning that ensured a safe and timely arrival of the cars at the Resort. One of the team also shared a video of the Toeing that was needed to pull out of the slush on the route.  Participants were too tired to participate in Camp fire, and I believe poor turnout made the organizers to call off the event.

Good rains overnight ensured a good monsoon convoy drive for tomorrow.

Though till now I have narrated my version of the story, I bet there are 40 more versions available as each one of them saw today's drive in their own perspective as they had an exclusive route to reach the venue.

10 Jul 2016

The ritual of convoy drive was planned for 0900. By then we were done with our breakfast and checkout. Courtesy our tiredness, all of us in the room had a snoring competition, and I bet our roommate won it hands down. We were in not competition with him.

We were part of batch 2 of the convoy led by Biju Jose in his Linea. Driving once again through the circuitous route, drove through GAP roads, crossing into MUNNAR- THENI highway to reach the destination point " ANE IRANGAL". Words fall short to explain the virgin beauty of the place. What a find by the O-Team which has spent almost a week doing reccee (reconnaissance) to find such a location. Words do injustice to explain the beauty of the place. Each one of us spread out to explore the place by walking around and there was plenty of opportunity for photo sessions.  After a formal group photo session, from an elevated view point of the location, Chief declared the MD KL 2016 formally closed exactly at 1300.

On way back to Kochi, we recapitulated the memories of the drive which had made a deep root into our heart. It was a memorable drive indeed. At the end, HVK and O-team extolled the virtues of a true adventurer in each one of us to create these memories. He has not only made a traveler in each one of us, but instilled a belief that we can negotiate any terrain as we explore the world on our wheels.

Kudos to HVK and O-Team. They deserve a standing ovation.

Take a bow for HVK.

2016 07 09-10 HVK Forum KL Mansoon Drive 2016 (Bison Valley)

Roads leading to Tattekad Bird Sanctuary

Seeking divine blessings enroute.

Ramki enjoying parippuvada

Spotted man made bird in bird sanctuary

roads after Kuttampuzha / Urulantanni

He was keen to join our expedition, but we did not have a container for him to enjoy his ride.

First opportunity for water splash. we did not waste it though

Further roads towards Mamalakandam

Crossed Mamalakandam.. and the roads leading to Adimali

Gushing waters at Kallarkutty Dam

Parakatt Nature Resorts, Munnar

Selfie with Cross country GPS

Speakers of the evening

Well deserved - Standing ovations to O- Team

Revving up for the convoy drive.

Chief leads the way.

Spoters helping to cross the landslides.

Enroute Munnar - Theni Road

Express yourself @ Anayirangal

Almighty did not want Bandi to miss his checkpoints for the trip.