The Best of Garhwal #1: Har Ki Dun - Yamunotri - Dodital

18 days in India, 11 days trekking; level: moderate-strenuous

Highest Point: 5,172m

Dates: May, June, September, October, November

Highlights: Delhi – Musoorie – Purola – Netwar – Sankri - Taluka – Osla – Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Lake Manji-Ka/Yamunotri Pass – Yamunotri – Jangi Chatti - Dodital – Agoda – Kalyani - Uttarkashi – Rishikesh – Delhi

The first stage takes us to Musoorie, one of the most picturesque hill stations. From there it is to Sankri to commence the trek. We will reach Har Ki Dun in three days and spend a day exploring this 'painting like' valley surrounded by beautiful pine and dense deodar forests. Har Ki Dun, located in the remote western hills of Uttarkashi district, is indeed a revelation in all respects against the backdrop of the Swargarohini Range. From Har Ki Dun we will trek to Ruinsara Lake with fine views of Swargarohini I (6525m), and on over the Manjika/Yamunotri Pass (5,172m), descending down to Yamunotri. Dominated by Bandarpunch (6,316 m), Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna, is the first pilgrimage destination on the Char Dham Circuit. Next stage will take us south to Jangi Chatti and here we will leave the Yamuna river valley making a steep ascent to the Darwa Pass (4,150m) with superb views of Bandarpunch. Pushing on we reach Dodi Tal, an idyllic lake set in a forest of oak, pine, deodar and rhododendron. Continuing south, we descend past Agoda to the Gangotri road and to Uttarkashi.

The Best of Garhwal #2: Yamunotri - Dodital

15 days in India, 7 days trekking; level: easy-moderate

Highest Point: 4,150m

Dates: May, June, September, October, November

Highlights: Delhi – Musoorie – Hanuman Chatti – Jangi Chatti - Yamunotri – Jangi Chatti - Hanuman Chatti - Darwa Pass - Dodital – Agoda – Kalyani - Uttarkashi – Rishikesh – Delhi

This is a shorter and easy to moderate version of the tour above, skipping the stages via Har Ki Dun and the high traverse over Yamunotri Pass.