Badrinath Trip
A Trip from Rishikesh to Badrinath - on Royal Enfields.
The sound of 300 km mountain roads and 3000 m difference in altitude alone makes this trip worth. The Road from Rishikesh to Badrinath travelled on the back of a Royal Enfield has many holes and small glaciers on the road to conquer, but also stunning views, breathtaking turns and spectacular sights.
Starting point is the holy city Rishikesh with the river Ganges flowing straight through it. There is a good opportunity to combine the tour with a rafting or kayaking trip on the Ganges or even on the Bhagirathi River. It is a fun and exciting change to riding on the back of a Royal Enfield.
On the way to Badrinath we go past the sacred town Devprayag. This is the point where the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi join together and form the holy Ganga. Devprayag means "godly confluence" and the town is one of the five sacred confluences in the hills of India.
The next place worth stopping is just off the NH 58 Highway on the road from Gopeshwar to Ukhimath: the highest Shiva-tempel in the world "Tungnath". On an altitude of 3680m and only about 4 km walking distance from the closest road.
Just a short drive uphill on a wonderful mountainroad from Joshimath is one of the best skiing resorts in India and also Asia's longest cable car (4 km): Auli. The town is surrounded by high peaks like Mana, Kamet and also the tallest of India: Nanda Devi. The about 270° surround view will be enough to make you forget the long ride, also in summer time. If the weather is good it is worth to stay overnight and enjoy a cup of chai during sunrise.
Almost all the way to Badrinath just off the town Govindghat lays the beautiful hillside of the Valley of Flowers National Park. Several endangered animals, flowers and endless medicinal plants can be found here. Between Juli and September you will be greeted by a perfumed and breath-taking flowerfield.
The next day we will follow the narrow road up to Badrinath, the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. It is a stunning place with beautiful views, many opportunities for trekking and also the sacred tempel, which is widely considered to be one of the holiest Hindu tempels.
A short ride along the main road out of Badrinath and you will come to the " Last Indian Village": Mana. It is on 3118 m above sealevel and known as the last town before the border to Tibet. It is a small village stuck in time; you park your vehicle in front of the gate at the end of the highway and enjoy the beauty of the himalayas by foot. This town only comes alive during summer, for the winter all citizens move towards lower areas.
Enjoy some pictures from the last journey in 2012:
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