Exploring Rishikesh and Panch Kedar in October 2023

1. Day 1: Rishikesh
   22.2 miles (1 hour) from Jolly Grant Airport

   In the morning, head to the banks of River Ganga for a peaceful stroll and witness the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony. Afternoon involves an exciting session of river rafting in Rishikesh. In the evening, visit the Beatles Ashram to explore the graffiti art and learn about the history of the ashram.

2. Day 2: Guptkashi
   85.5 miles (4 hours) from Rishikesh

   Begin the day with a scenic drive to Guptkashi. After arrival, visit the ancient Vishwanath Temple and Ardhnareshwar Temple. In the afternoon, trek to the scenic Vasuki Tal Lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. In the evening, enjoy the beautiful sunset views of the Kedarnath Peak from the hotel.

3. Day 3: Kedarnath
   28.5 miles (2 hours) from Guptkashi

   Begin early in the morning to reach Kedarnath by helicopter. Visit the Kedarnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. In the afternoon, visit the Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal. In the evening, enjoy delicious local cuisine at the hotel.

4. Day 4: RudraNath
   77.1 miles (4 hours) from Kedarnath

   Start the day with a drive to Sagar Village, from where the trek to Rudranath starts. Visit the Rudranath Temple, which is surrounded by natural beauty and is one of the Panch Kedar temples. In the afternoon, trek back to Sagar Village. In the evening, relax at the hotel and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley.

5. Day 5: Tungnath
   101 miles (4.5 hours) from RudraNath

   Begin the day with a scenic drive to Chopta. After arrival, trek 3.5 miles to reach Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world. In the afternoon, visit the Chandrashila Peak, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas. In the evening, explore the quaint village of Chopta and indulge in local delicacies.

6. Day 6: Rishikesh
   122 miles (5 hours) from Tungnath

   Start early and enjoy the scenic drive back to Rishikesh. In the afternoon, visit the Parmarth Niketan Ashram for a yoga and meditation session. In the evening, explore the local markets of Rishikesh and pick up souvenirs to take home.

Recommendations

October is a great time to visit Rishikesh and Panch Kedar. If you have extra time, you can explore Auli, Badrinath, or Hemkund Sahib. A visit to Rajaji National Park is also recommended if you're a wildlife enthusiast. To make the most of your trip, it is suggested to have a local guide who can help you navigate and learn about the local culture and history.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Vishwanath Temple (1 hour, free)
• Ardhnareshwar Temple (1 hour, free)
• Vasuki Tal trek (6 hours, 1500 INR)
• Kedarnath helicopter ride (2 hours, 7000 INR)
• Gandhi Sarovar (2 hours, free)
• Rudranath trek (6 hours, 1500 INR)
• Tungnath trek (5 hours, 1200 INR)
• Chandrashila Peak (2 hours, free)
• Parmarth Niketan Ashram (2 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: 11200 INR