Uttarakhand Botanical & Waterfall Exploration (Oct 12‑16, 2025)

Day 1: Arrival & Orientation

Morning: Fly into Dehradun Airport and enjoy a short scenic drive to Rishikesh, where you’ll check into a riverside lodge. The gentle Ganges backdrop sets a calming tone for the field work ahead.

Afternoon: Take a guided walk along the **Ganga Ghats** to acclimatize and gather basic supplies. A brief visit to the local market helps you source fresh produce and any missing botany tools.

Evening: Attend a short briefing with the local naturalist about regional flora and safety protocols. Relax with a traditional yoga session beside the river.

Day 2: Dhanaulti Forest Plant Collection

Morning: Travel to the hill station of Dhanaulti and start a trek through the pine‑oak forest, targeting endemic medicinal plants such as Rhododendron arboreum and Himalayan yew. The cool mist enhances the sampling experience.

Afternoon: After lunch, explore the Eco Park where you can document alpine herb diversity and capture macro‑photos of rare orchids. A short rest at the park’s viewpoint offers panoramic valley views.

Evening: Return to your lodge for a debrief; share preliminary findings over a warm cup of locally brewed tea and plan tomorrow’s itinerary.

Day 3: Kempty Falls & Mussoorie Meadows

Morning: Drive to Kempty Falls for close observation of waterfall micro‑habitats. Collect water‑dependent plant specimens like Azolla and note seasonal flow patterns.

Afternoon: Continue to the meadow areas surrounding Mussoorie, where you’ll locate high‑altitude grasses and alpine lilies. A brief hike to Company Garden provides a chance to record cultivated species for comparison.

Evening: Enjoy a sunset stroll along the Mall Road, sampling local street food while discussing conservation challenges with fellow travelers.

Day 4: Nag Tibba Trail & Waterfall Study

Morning: Embark on a full‑day trek to Nag Tibba, the “Serpent’s Peak,” focusing on alpine shrub collections such as Rhododendron campanulatum. The trail offers stunning vistas and fresh air for clear observations.

Afternoon: Reach the hidden Nag Tibba Waterfall, where you’ll study cascade‑side vegetation and perform water quality sampling. The tranquil setting allows detailed note‑taking and photography.

Evening: Descend back to the base camp, enjoy a hearty dinner of Garhwali cuisine, and review the day’s data with the guide.

Day 5: Wrap‑up & Departure

Morning: Return to Dehradun and visit the local herb market to purchase dried samples of the plants you collected. This also supports local vendors.

Afternoon: Conduct a final briefing at the lodge, organize all specimens, and back up field notes and photos. Take a leisurely walk in the nearby Forest Research Institute campus for any last‑minute observations.

Evening: Transfer to Dehradun Airport for your departure, carrying a curated collection of Uttarakhand’s unique flora and unforgettable waterfall memories.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Dehradun Airport Transfer – 1 hour – $30
• Rishikesh Lodging (1 night) – 12 hrs – $80
• Dhanaulti Forest Trek – 5 hrs – $50 (guide & permits)
• Eco Park Visit – 3 hrs – $15 (entry)
• Kempty Falls Exploration – 4 hrs – $20 (entry & guide)
• Mussoorie Meadows & Company Garden – 5 hrs – $35 (transport)
• Nag Tibba Trail – 8 hrs – $70 (guide, transport, permits)
• Nag Tibba Waterfall Study – 3 hrs – $25 (equipment rental)
• Dehradun Herb Market & FRI Campus – 3 hrs – $10 (miscellaneous)
• Meals (5 days) – 5 days – $150
• Miscellaneous Expenses – – $40
• Total Estimated Cost: $525

Tips

If you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in the Valley of Flowers National Park for high‑altitude plant diversity, or a night trek to the sacred Gangotri glacier region. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 2 and Day 3 by focusing only on Dhanaulti’s forest and Kempty Falls, reducing travel time while still capturing key botanical and waterfall observations.