The Chardham Camps - Overview

Set up in the year 2003 for the first time, "The Chardham Camps" pioneered the concept of integrated luxury pilgrimage travel in a market yet untouched by any quality service outfitter. The camps provide luxury accommodation in Swiss cottage tents with attached baths and showers for the first time in the history of the Chardham Circuit.

Not Just an accommodation
At The Chardham Camps hospitality is not restricted just to sumptuous cuisine, hygienic and comfortable accommodation. It goes beyond this established norm. The guests decide how they want to define their holiday. Guests are offered a glimpse of the local culture & heritage and a variety of activities to choose from. Some of the options available are:-

Evening Arti by Local Priest
Bhajan & Kirtan
Bonfire everyday in the evening
Cultural evening at Joshimath every alternate day
Guided trek at Harsil
Visit to Chopta & a trek to Tungnath near Guptakashi
A traditional welcome with a wet towel awaits you on your arrival at the camps

"The Chardham Camps" can thus be adjudged as the best alternative to luxury hotels in Chardham. Set amidst the serenity of the plush flora, The Chardham Camps promises you the finest accommodation in Chardham . So get set to enjoy your Chardham yatra amidst the folds of snow-covered peaks of the lofty Garhwal Himalayas.

Barkot

(Altitude: 2118 mtrs) is located on slightly raised land along the banks of the Yamuna in the area that is known as the Rawain – essentially the valley of the River Yamuna. The most striking aspect of Barkot is its natural setting – a backdrop of the magnificent Banderpunch range and verdant hills and terraced fields in the foreground. Nature was preserved here in its pristine glory as it was only in the 1940s that outsiders in the form of trekkers and adventurers finally managed to make their way to this remote region. The people of Rawain trace their genealogy down from the Pandavs and the Kauravs of the Mahabharat fame. As a result, this is one of the few areas in India where fraternal polyandry, the marriage of multiple brothers to a single woman, is practiced. For most people in Barkot, polyandry is a natural way of life. In the generation before the present one, polyandry was practiced as a matter of fact; and many of the present generation find it natural that they have several fathers and one mother. The practice is now dying out in the more urbanised area such as Barkot but continues to be prevalent in the surrounding villages.

Harsil

At an altitude of 2745 meters ,20 Kms before Gangotri there is only one word to describe Harsil: stunning! It is situated in a valley on the bank of river Bhagirathi, at the confluence of the Jalandhari Gadh and the Bhagirathi, nestled in the shadow of the huge mountain that lies at the head of the Baspa Valley (Himachal Pradesh). Harsil is connected to the Baspa valley by several passes such as the Lamkhaga Pass. Apart from Matri and Kailash mountains, on the right side there is the Shrikanth peak behind which lies Kedarnath and in the rear there is Banderpunch. This sylvan hamlet is well-known for its natural beauty and delicious apples. The winding shady roads, tall conifers, lofty mountains, the turbulent Bhagirathi, apple orchards, streams, waterfalls and green meadows -- all add to Harsil’s allure.

A narrow lane runs through Harsil and is bordered on both sides by wooden houses in typical Garhwali architectural style. There are little streams, swept by willow tress, with dainty bridges across them and forest trails you can follow to your heart’s content. Harsil lay on the old caravan trail between Tibet and India, when trade and marriages flourished between the two countries. Harsil has a sizeable Bhotia population – many of whom use Harsil as their winter base.

The army has a strong presence in this town – and an army camp is based here perhaps because Harsil lies quite close to the China border.

Dharali

3 Kms from Harsil at an altitude of 2800 meters Dharali, a small, picturesque village, could be called a suburb of Harsil. Its rajma (red kidney beans) and apples are famous in the region, including a variety called Wilson – obviously named after. Frederick E. Wilson , who settled here in the early 19th century and introduced the residents to potato- and apple-growing.The Bhagirathi flows close by and the village is surrounded by pine trees –with a breathtaking view of snow-clad peaks.

Dharali is the last village on this side of the Indo-Tibetan border and has a strong Tibetan influence; there is a permanent settlement of semi-nomadic Jadhs of the Nilang valley here.

Maneri

Roughly 13 km upstream of Uttarkashi is the village of Maneri. Here, a lake – of an unbelievably beautiful and clear colour reflecting the surrounding conifers-- has been formed by damming the Bhagirathi, which is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction. The Maneri-Bhali project, which supplies 93 MW of power to Uttarakhand, is located on the left bank of Bhagirathi, close to Uttarkashi.

Guptakashi

Located at an altitude of 1319 meter Gupkashi offers a panoramic view of the Mandakini valley below, Chaukhamba, Mandakini Darshan, Badrinath, Neelkanth, Ukhimath and the snow ranges of the Kedarnath atop ahead. It is a major town before Gaurikund – with services and facilities of a post and telegraph office, banks, a hospital, a police station and eateries.

The temples in Guptkashi are believed to be as old as time itself.Barely a kilometre or two down from Guptkashi, on the track to Ukhimath, is the Vidyapeeth, the most historic Sanskrit and Ayurved school in the entire state. It is no wonder that Guptkashi has a rich tradition of Ayurved practice and a host of Ayurvedacharya or practitioners of Ayurved.

Joshimath

Located at an altitude of 1875 meters Joshimath is the place where Adi Shankracharya, the 8th century religious reformer, attained enlightenment, and it is here that he set up the first ever Math or centre of learning before establishing the Badrinath shrine and three more Maths in different corners of the country. The town is also the seat of the Badrinath shrine in the winter months, and it is worshipped at the beautiful and ancient Narsingh Temple here. Its proximity to Badrinath, Auli and Niti Valley makes Joshimath an important tourist destination – and the combination of spiritualism and adventure that it offers visitors makes it an exciting place at any time of the year.