Chaukhamba is one of the most prominent and formidable mountain massif sitting right in the middle of the Garhwal Himalaya. The name translates to 4 pillars in Hindi, the massif has 4 prominent peaks all towering close to 7000m. The mountain also divides the two prominent watersheds of Bhagirathi & Alaknanda rivers which join to form the river Ganga and is flanked by other high mountains like Kedarnath, Mandani, Kedar dome, Satopanth, Kharchakund, and many others. This 4-day trip is a mountain lover’s delight as we take you on hikes that provide the best vantage points to view and appreciate Chaukhamba and its surrounding mountains specially Kedarnath. On a clear morning, the reflection of Chaukhamba on Devariyatal Lake will leave you mesmerized. It’s a picture-perfect setting that keeps changing its hues as the day progresses. The other hike up to Kartik Swami temple brings us to the edge of a cliff-like high point where we have the Mandakini river running deep below and Kedarnath and Chaukhamba almost at a touching distance. You get a complete 360-degree view from this point as we see infinite layers of lesser mountains rolling one behind the other towards the plains on the south. Far away in the distant east, we also get to see the Nanda Devi & Trishul. To top it all you don’t have to rough it out by camping in the wild as we stay in guest houses and homestays which provide a bed to sleep on and some otherworldly comforts too.

For adventure seekers, as an extension, a rafting trip on the river Ganga is highly recommended.

Itinerary