Reach Haridwar by train/vehicle; check into budget hotel close to Har Ki Pauri. Book 2 rooms (1 for boys, 1 for girls) — sharing 3 persons per room keeps costs low.
Short transfer (~30–45 mins, 25 km) by tempo traveller; check into guesthouse/2 rooms if you prefer to switch base or leave luggage in Haridwar hotel and use one-night Rishikesh stay.
Rafting runs roughly 9:00am–4:00pm (pick morning slots). Good for thrill-seekers; choose 10–12 km stretch for beginners. Skip if you want to save time/money.
Very long drive (~8–9 hours, 280–320 km depending on route). Start pre-dawn to maximize daylight; this is a demanding day but shortens overall trip length.
Auli Ropeway operated seasonally (typically ~9:00am–3:30pm). Book gondola early; if closed use shared jeeps. Gondola gives panoramic Himalayan views—must-book in high season.
Descend to Joshimath and begin the long drive to Nainital the same afternoon/evening to compress the trip; expect ~8–9 hours drive next leg—plan stops.
Long mountain-to-plains drive (~8–9 hours, ~300–350 km depending on route). Start late afternoon to arrive Nainital next morning (or arrive late night depending on road conditions). For comfort, consider a driver swap/short rest stops.
Reach Delhi; drop the group at a common meeting point or station. Conclude the trip, settle the driver/vehicle bills and split accommodation/food costs.