Experience our Himalayan village to village walking holiday tours through the ancient Hindu cities, historical places, and visit Himalayan villages. Explore cultural and Heritage Sites, and walking through the countryside, and Hills stations. Each of our Himalayan village to Village walking tours in India is tailor-made to suit your own interests, the pace of travel, preferred style of accommodation, budget, and experience Himalayan villages life, rich culture, ancient footpaths, sweeping views of the majestic Himalayan peaks. Picturesque hillside villages nestled amid pine trees and terraced fields, wonderful wildlife, and fine natural hospitality.
Destination: Garhwal Himalaya and Kumaon Villages
RAITHAL – A SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE WALKING TOUR IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYA
Raithal is a scenic village in the adobe land of Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi. It is situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and is about 185 km away from the capital city Dehradun. The village is at a height of 1,800m above sea level, and it looks like scenery withdrawn right from a painting. It is in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, between the peaks of Himalayan ranges and surrounded by meadows all around it.
Raithal is thriving with local life, blessed with crisp and clear views of the Himalayas and most importantly, an upcoming sustainable hotspot.
The population of the village is about 1200-1500 and a majority encourage and get involved in community programmes like farming (potato, green peas, wheat and a host of other seasonal crops), promoting traditional homestays, harnessing local bees for honey-making, using natural resources like solar energy, and initiatives for women empowerment
Raithal is brimming with activities for the curious traveller. From inspiring yoga mornings to leisurely walks, this village depicts ideal Himalayan mountain life. A village walk unravels traditional Garhwali architecture (wooden houses with carved windows), local way of life (women husking rice, children playing outdoors), flourishing local vegetation and relics of history.
Heritage walks in Raithal:
Panchpura, the 500-year old house of a feudal landowner Rana Gambhir Singh, stands deep-seated in the village. This five-storied wooden wonder is earthquake-resistant and has prominent auspicious carvings on the window. The main house was connected by an iron chain to the opposite granary (kuthar). Currently the house is unoccupied, since the family has grown beyond to accommodate all its members
Experience Village life in Raithal:
Talk with farmers, cooking with local, walk with cows for grazing, and many other local activities, which will be viable for you to do, you can indulge in all of them. The local people will be a little contagious towards your participation because they fear you might get harm by this, but insist once or twice and they are happy bunny along with you.
Chai, Chat with local in Raithal:
This is probably the best thing to do in the village. Meting local family, understand their daily life, drink Himalayan Spice Flavored Tea will make your day, since it will go on for many hours and you will learn so many things about them, their families, and their views regarding the life in mountains and cities. This was my best way to experience Himalayan life and carried tons of Himalayan stories .
Excursion Day Hike to Dayara Bugyal “Nature’s own garden”
Dayara Bugyal has been popularly called the most beautiful meadow in India giving stiff competition to Bedni Bugyal. For thousands of years Gujjars have come to these meadows to graze their cattle and bask in the magnificence of such Beauty. Nestled between great Himalayan peaks like Bandarpunch (6316m) & White Peak (6102m) this is perhaps one of the most beautiful meadows to hike in Indian Himalayas.
We advice to get extra 2-3 day camping in Dayara is an experience of a lifetime
Excursion trip to Gangotri Temple (The source of Ganga)
It is only 60 km away from the Raithal village and if you are a believer in Mystics and Mountain then do visit the place. The river Ganga can be seen from the top of Raithal, flowing deep in the Garhwal ranges, cutting its way towards all over India.
The Gangotri Temple is dedicated to the goddess Ganga. It is erected near a sacred stone, called Bhagiratha Shila, which is about 50 feet to the left of the temple. King Bhagiratha is said to have sat here to worship Siva, so Lord Siva would take the Ganges on his head.
Gaumukh The most famous of all excursions from Gangotri is Gaumukh, meaning cow's mouth. At an altitude of 4200 metres above the sea level is Gangotri Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in Himalayas and source of River Ganga. 18 kilometers of uphill trek will bring you to Gaumukh
OTHER VILLAGES NEAR RAITHAL:
GORSALI VILLAGE DAY WALKING TOUR IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYA
Gorsali village is located in Bhatwari Tehsil of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, India. It is situated 15km away from sub-district headquarter Bhatwari and 28km away from district headquarter Uttarkashi. As per 2009 stats, Gorsali village is also a gram Panchayat.
The total geographical area of village is 657.69 hectares. Gorsali has a total population of 838 peoples. There are about 187 houses in Gorsali village. Uttarkashi is nearest town to Gorsali which is approximately 28km away.
Gorsali sitting at a height of 1850m above sea level, this village is surrounded by oak, pine and rhododendron trees with the views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Spend you days reading a book, walking through and interacting with the local villagers over some chai and, of course, eat great food prepared in local style
GDWARI VILLAGE DAY WALKING TOUR IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYA
Dwari village is located in Bhatwari Tehsil of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, India. Dwari Village is surrounded by Deep in the oak, rhododendron and pine forests with uninterrupted awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas, lies Dwari Village. If you have dreamt of staying few days in perfect mountain solitude, miles away from civilization in a village setting, then this village house is just for you. Dwari Village offers a splendid retreat like no other to adventurous travellers.
What to eat in the Himalaya:
Serve local home-cooked and farm-fresh food. From a preparation of fiddlehead fern (locally called lingda), delicious thick gravy of nettle (kandali saag), soup made of local pulses (gehet ki dal) and slow-cooked mutton, accompanied with local wheat bread (mandua ki roti) and locally grown red rice are specials from the area. Barnyard millet pudding (jhangore ki kheer) is a perfect Garhwali dessert to finish.
If you want to escape the bustle of city, if you want to finish reading (or writing!) that long pending book, or go on short walks or some amazing day long hikes, if you'd like to spend some quality time with your loved ones or sip a malt sitting around a bonfire, or just spend your time watching the magnificent panorama of the snow-clad Himalayas, we are happy to host you at Himalayan Villages. For more details please go through our website or call me at +91 9719016952 or email me at bhagirathitour@hotmail.com.
All our independent itineraries are completely flexible and can be customised to your requirements.
If you would like more information please feel free to contact us: bhagirathitour@hotmail.com OR call: 0091 – 9719016952