In the morning, visit the Kedarnath Temple, one of the four shrines in the Chota Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the midst of majestic Himalayan peaks and is accessible only by a 14 km trek or by hiring a pony or palanquin. Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby Gandhi Sarovar or take a dip in the natural hot water springs. In the evening, attend the evening aarti at the temple and witness the beautiful ceremony.
Start the day early and head to the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful alpine flower valleys in the world. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the valley and take in the stunning views of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, visit Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh shrine situated at an altitude of 4,632m. Return to Govindghat in the evening for an overnight stay.
Drive to Badrinath, one of the four shrines in the Chota Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Take a dip in the Tapt Kund, a natural thermal spring, and then visit the temple. In the afternoon, explore the nearby Mana village, the last village before the Indo-China border. Visit the Vyas Gufa, the cave where the Hindu sage, Veda Vyasa, is said to have composed the Mahabharata. Spend the evening attending the aarti at the temple.
Drive to Auli, a scenic hill station known for its skiing slopes and stunning views of the Himalayas. Take a cable car ride to the top of the hill and enjoy a panoramic view of Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Dronagiri peaks. In the afternoon, visit the artificial lake at Auli and enjoy a peaceful boat ride. Return to Joshimath in the evening for an overnight stay.
Other local attractions to consider include the Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandprayag confluences of the Alaknanda River, the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Kalpeshwar Temple. Side trips to the nearby hill stations of Mussoorie and Nainital are also recommended. To maximize your fun, consider hiring a guide who can take you on a trek or arrange for adventure activities like river rafting, camping, and rock climbing. Lastly, be sure to try the local cuisine, which includes dishes like aloo ke gutke, kachmauli, and bal mithai.