Adi Kailash is a holy place on an ancient pilgrim route in the Himalayan Range close to the Indo-Tibetan border. It is similar to Mount Kailash in Tibet in its spiritual significance. Though in a very remote area, the Darshan (view) of Lord Shiva's abode is well worth the effort it takes to get there.
Day 1:
Arrive in New Delhi late evening (you will be met by someone from our staff) and drive (7-8 hours) overnight to Mussoorie, a lovely hill station, which gives you your first views of the snowy peaks. Upon arrival, check in at guesthouse, rest and have a late breakfast or early lunch. The day is yours to unwind and acclimate to your new surroundings.
Yoga class will be held in the afternoon before dinner.
Day 2: Mussoorie (1,921m/6,320ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Spend the day relaxing and/or exploring around town.
Overnight in guesthouse
Day 3: Mussoorie
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
After breakfast we will go for a short day hike to Cloud's End or Everest House to help with acclimatization; return to town for lunch and prepare trekking gear and bags for the next day's departure.
Overnight in guesthouse
Day 4: Kausani (1,890m/6,218 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will get an early start for a 9 to 10 hour long driving day (310km), winding through the foothills of Garhwal to the Kumaon Himalayas. Kausani is a picturesque hill station, offering excellent views of Mt. Trishul (7,120m/23,425 ft) and Nanda Devi (7,820m/25,728 ft). Watching the sunrise over the Himalayas from here is both enchanting and memorable!
Overnight in guesthouse
Day 5: Dharchula (700m/2,303 ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will have another early start and drive 200km (9 hrs) to Dharchula. This is the last major settlement on the road before reaching Tawagaht, situated on the confluence of Kali and Dhauli E. Rivers, where our trek will begin and end.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 6: Narayan Swami Ashram (2,670m/8,785 ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will drive 18km to the village of Tawaghat and head off on our trek to Village Sosa and the Narayan Swami Ashram (17km). The ashram's surroundings are beautiful, quiet and full of wildflowers!
Overnight stay in tents
Day 7: Gala (2,440m/8,028 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Because this is one of the most strenuous of all the trekking days, an early start is essential. We will trek 14km through beautiful mountain jungle and up a steep and exhausting ascent to Rangling Top. Finally, we will have a nice, relaxing descent before reaching Gala in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 8: Malpa (2,225m/7,320 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
There is a steep descent from Jipti (4,444 steps) on the climb down to Lakhanpur, where we join the Kali River. The trek is a total of 11km, the last 6km of which is really slippery over boulders beside beautiful waterfalls.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 9: Bundi (2,740m/9,015 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
This short day of trekking (8km) is made even more enjoyable by the easy forest path and scenic valley.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 10: Gunji (3,220m/10,594 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
The Village of Gunji is situated at the confluence of the Kali and Kuti Rivers. It is a 20km trek with breathtakingly beautiful views of flowering meadows, glaciers and peaks. Seeing the Garbyang Village is a rare treat as it was unknowingly built atop a glacier and all of the structures appear ready to topple!
Overnight stay in tents
Day 11: Kutti (3,600m/11,844 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Kutti is the last village on the trek and inhabited by Bhotias. The Bhotias have done much to preserve their culture and heritage, and happily share it with you! The 19km trek is quickly wiped away once one views the Pandavas fort and beautiful engraving on local houses.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 12: Jaulingkang (4,572m/15,042 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Today is the last push to make it to the base of Mt. Adi Kailash (6,191m/20,368 ft.). We will trek 14km moving past the tree line, eventually rewarded with 360-degree-views of snow-capped ranges. Gauri Kund sits at the base of Mt. Adi Kailash reflecting its image in her waters.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 13: Around Adi Kailsh (4,770m/15,693 ft.)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 8km roundtrip to Parvati Sarovar (lake) and back to camp. There is a temple located on the bank of the lake dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Though the waters are cold, a holy dip is a must for the yatri (pilgrim) completing the pilgrimage to this holy site.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 14: Kutti
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Walk 14km back to Kutti and enjoy the sites. Kutti is said to be named after Mata Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. Mata Kunti apparently inhabited this village for quite some time.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 15: Gunji
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 19km back to Gunji along the banks of the river Kuti, enjoying views of the Api and Nampha Peaks.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 16: Bundi
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Our trek of 20km back to Bundi makes for a relatively easy day. We will enjoy glimpses of Mt. Annapurna and the surrounding peaks as we walk across the beautiful meadows.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 17: Malpa
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
A short 8km trek back to Malpa is made even more enjoyable by the scenery in the valley. It is a nice, relaxing day before the next day's trek to Gala.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 18: Gala
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 11km back to Gala enjoying the waterfalls once again, and of course the slippery terrain. Don't forget about the 4,444 steps you went down, because now we have to go up them!
Overnight stay in tents
Day 19: Narayan Swami Ashram
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
The trek back to the Ashram (14km) will not be as difficult as when you went up, but it can still be challenging. The portion going up to Rangling Top will take a bit of effort, so breathe deeply and enjoy the scenery!
Overnight stay in tents
Day 20: Chaukori
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
This is our last day of trekking (17km) and will surely prove bittersweet. Though the challenges of trekking will have come to an end, so will the intoxicating vibrations of being in the remote and spiritually charged Himalayas. As we leave this trek, we will no doubt be sounding the mantra Om Namas Shivaya! From Tawaghat we will drive 129km to Chaukori to wash-up and rest before our long drive back to Mussoorie.
Check into guesthouse
Day 21: Nainital
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Drive 212km to Nainital enjoying the picturesque drive to one of India's most enchanting hill stations. From Nainital on a clear day, one can still see the beautiful Himalayan range.
Overnight in guesthouse
Day 22: Delhi
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Drive 300km to Delhi, then rest and wash up at the Radisson before heading to the airport to catch your flight or stay overnight as per your travel plans.
This trek requires an inner line permit, and applications must be submitted far in advance.
Cost per person: US $4,750 based on a 4-person group, US $4,250 based on a 6-person group.
Prices are subject to change. Contact us to confirm quotes or to inquire about a private trek quote.
Price Includes: daily yoga instruction, roundtrip ground transportation from Delhi, accommodations and meals while not in Delhi; and equipment such as: two-person tents, dining tent, foam mats, stools and all cooking and kitchen gear; all trekking expenses, support crew and sightseeing within the tour program; professional guides and escorts throughout the trip; all admissions and special service charges, as per itinerary.
Price Excludes: international flight and airport taxes; visa and passport fees; medical and trip cancellation insurance; accommodation while in Delhi; any personal expenses such as: laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, gratuity for our crew and any personal medical expenses; personal camping gear such as: sleeping bags, sleeping pads, etc., are not included.
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