"Finding Inner Peace: A Journey of Soul Repair in Kedarnath & Rishikesh"

Day 1: Arrival in Dehradun at Jolly Grant Airport and proceeded directly to Rishikesh to catch the enchanting 7pm Ganga aarti. Witnessing the divine ritual at the Triveni Ghat marked the beginning of our journey, though the experience heightened at Parmarth Niketan compared to the Ghat. Opting for a convenient mode of transport, we rented bikes at an affordable rate of 500/- per day and made our way to Zostel for accommodation near Laxman Jhoola. Rishikesh boasts of two Zostel locations in close proximity, ensuring a comfortable stay at a cost of 300/- per person for a bunk bed. The vibe at Zostel was eclectic, resembling a corner of Russia, with a diverse community of nomadic international travelers, vegan cafes, and underground music scenes. Exploring the local street food scene, we savored jalebi near the Ghat and indulged in some tantalizing red sauce pasta.

Day 2: Our day commenced early at 4am as we embarked on a journey to Kedarnath. Securing a cab for 8000/-, we reached Sonprayag after an approximate 8-hour drive, enjoying meals en route. At Sonprayag, we stowed away extra luggage in lockers near the parking area before proceeding to the taxi stand. Opting for a shared taxi at a nominal fare of 50/- per person, we were dropped near the starting point of the trek at Gaurikund. Along the 1km trek, we encountered a rejuvenating hot water spring, where devotees traditionally bath before commencing the journey to Kedarnath. Due to a vendor strike, our trek was paused for a night at Gaurikund.

Day 3: Rising at 4am, we refreshed ourselves with a dip in the hot water spring at Gaurikund and set off on our trek with renewed enthusiasm. By sunrise, we had covered nearly 5km, ensuring to refuel ourselves with food and water to sustain energy levels. The journey to Kedarnath spanned approximately 10 hours, with the last 5km proving arduous due to altitude-related symptoms. Despite challenges like headaches and breathlessness, we persevered and arrived at Kedarnath by 2pm. Resting for a couple of hours, we braved the chilling temperatures and attended the evening aarti outside the temple. With the cold intensifying, hotels provided hot water even for drinking purposes. A visit to Bhairavnath temple, located 1km from the main temple, offered a scenic view of Kedarnath. However, amenities like food, water, and snacks were pricey due to the logistical challenges of transportation to the top, although UPI payments were accepted everywhere.

Day 4: The day commenced at 3am as we prepared to descend back to Gauri kund. Despite a shorter duration of 5 hours for the descent, fatigue set in, alleviated only by a revitalizing dip in the hot spring at Gauri kund. Taking a taxi for 6000/-, we returned to Rishikesh, reaching by 8pm. In the evening, we relished local delicacies near Laxman Jhoola, unwinding after the challenging trek.

Day 5: Beginning our day with serenity at Parmarth Niketan, we explored the expansive ashram grounds. With a flight scheduled from Dehradun airport at 11:45am, we hurried back to the airport via Auto, spending 500/- for the ride, concluding our memorable journey to Pune.

Total Expenses:

·         Flights Pune >> Dehradun >> Pune 10000/- per person

·         Local taxi travel 4000

·         Zostel & hotel stay at Kedarnath 1100 for 3 nights

·         Local food 2000