Day 1 Golden Temple
It was a morning flight of 8.00 am on 2nd January to Amritsar, which was preponed. However, we all woke up on time 5 people of our group Jayesh, Soumesh, Steve, Neeraj, and the sixth person Avtar was already there in Amritsar he had gone there 3 days before by himself.
We booked two cabs to the T2 airport me and Soumesh. We reached the airport on time rest three people had some issues with the cab person as he deliberately canceled their rides after knowing the location ( yes such people do exist everywhere).
Finally, they got another cab and made it to the airport. Then we checked in and boarded the flight in haste I forgot the hoodie at the security check. So there was the final call for our flight and we managed to reach on time, it was my life's first flight.
Had a mixed feeling sitting inside we were provided with the face shield and middle seat person which was, unfortunately, I had to wear a PPE kit.
The flight took off still kind of nervous and anxious but was normal after some time was chilling when the flight was finally stable enjoying the cloudy views, but as soon as there was an announcement that flight will reach Amritsar I had this strange feeling of cold suddenly and started sweating 🤕 it was the first time I experienced this on the flight after some time it got normal. So we finally reached our destination Amritsar.
We got two cabs to the hotels we have booked our rooms the cab charged us 500 bucks and the distance was almost 25 km.
So we checked into the room chilled for some time got fresh and left for the golden temple but before that, we had some lunch.
The streets of Amritsar had a different vibe. it was great to explore new places. We had already scouted this place Kesar da Dhaba on various websites so we planned to have lunch here. So we ordered a couple of dish Sarson da saag, makey di roti, rajma dal and many things ended up with gulab jamun the place and vibe were legendary.
It's more than the 100-year-old restaurant at Amritsar. It was a good day we visited golden temple after our lunch, the vibe of that place was so different and pleasant although it was very much cold almost 4-degree gold, and had to walk barefoot on the cold floor.
We explored the golden temple for almost 4 to 5 hours. One of our friends took a dip in that Holy water Sarovar. Later that day after a couple of photos and exploring the amazing place we went inside the temple took us an hour to reach but it was divine.
The interior of the golden temple view was mesmerizing and to our luck, we got to listen to the holy prayer " Ardaas" that moment was serene and peaceful.
We came back from the golden temple explored the place and tried some kulcha chats it was legend wait for it Legendary... We came back later that night and slept early as we had to leave for Rishikesh early morning via car which we got in a good deal For Rs 9000 we had to book the car as the train got canceled due to fog.
The restaurant we stayed at was urban galaxy it was quite a decent restaurant.
Day 2 Enroute Rishikesh
We woke up got fresh left for Rishikesh on Innova it was a 9-hour ride almost quite hectic but adventurous ride taking tea breaks in between.
Had a burger take away from McDonald's and KFC took some photo session and a small break for our way to the next halt at Haryana the ride was quite chill and the experience was quite good reached Haryana almost at evening had a tea break and soon we left for our destination.
Unfortunately while traveling there was the strange voice that was coming from the car that which we taught was a music beat, but it was not thanks to the cautious driver who saw that there's some issue with the car and guess what our tire got punctured, in the middle of the national highway bridge.
It was a thrill experience and we even enjoyed that moment as well.
The driver told us to pump the air in the tire for a temporary time then we will find a garage on the way and fix the tire.
One by one we coordinated in pumping air .. one guy was coordinating with vehicles to go by sideways... So we were clicking pics as well including me...
After when finally some air was there in the tire the hunt for the garage started to fix the tire and to our luck we found the garage and it was late evening almost 8.00 had a good cutting chai besides the garage chilled for some time and car was finally fixed after an hour and
we finally left for Rishikesh after 2.5 hours of travel, went to our cottage it was a very cold climate at night.
Swiss cottage and spa was a nice place and cozy place but was the very cold temperature was almost 4 degrees. But it's quite a decent stay at Rishikesh.
Day 3 Exploring Rishikesh
Had a one-day halt at Rishikesh to explore this awesome place 3 people went river rafting and we went on a spree of exploring this awesome place.
Visited Laxman jhula which was close to the place we were staying finally after some walk and photo session we had planned to visit the waterfall of Rishikesh it was quite decent and a nice place to explore.
Had some fun besides the Ganges the water was so blue it was a blissful view. Rishikesh is so beautiful and peaceful from the chaos of other urban cities.
We had planned to visit the Ganga aarti in the evening but unfortunately, we became late as all our group people including me were doing photo sessions 🤣. That was a bad moment but traveling gives you both good and bad experiences we had to move on from that and we had our lesson learned.
After missing the aarti we tried the street food and sweets it was quite amazing.
Later for dinner strolled and visited a Lebanese restaurant Tulsi cafe the food was amazing.
After that, we packed our bag after we returned home as it was a hectic trip as well next day of 8 hours from Rishikesh to Joshimath which is the hub place if you want to go Auli .
Day 4 Enroute Joshimath
So we left early for Joshimath at almost 9. The road trip was quite scenic with the view of the Ganges. Various hill spots the driver was quite professional and was constantly telling us the story of the various places and their importance of the Dev Bhoomi.
The driver halted at Rudraprayag showing us the confluence of two rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forming Ganga.
We halted clicked some candids and left enjoying the scenic beauty and some music blending with nature😂🤪. We visited the temple which was in the middle of the Ganga lake it was quite unexplored named dhari Devi the temple looked amazing.
we visited that temple took blessings and again went to continue our trip had our lunch in the next halt.
Finally late evening after adventurous ghat rides we finally reached Joshimath in the evening.
We hadn't book any hotel room over Joshimath as one friend had a contact whose relative was there so we waited for a couple of time it was almost 9 and it was quite drizzling finally the relative told us to stay at the police quarter for one day and anyhow we had to go to Auli early morning we just needed a place to sleep it was a crazy impromptu decision and we booked the room in Auli for next day as well it was 2500 per person.
It was cold but every trip gives an experience one room had a heater one room did not have a heater thrill experience. We had our dinner at Auli d restaurant which was in Joshimath.
It was an awesome spot the food was so tasty and at a very cheap price.
It was the best food we had on a trip at such a cheap price with good quality and quantity. The naan was pure in taste. so we headed back and had a sound sleep next day was the big day and with the sound of hailstones and rain on the roof, we finally slept.
At Auli d, the bill for 6 people was almost 2000 that to we had a lot of food so it's a quite good place for having lunch diner.
DAY 5 AULI !!!!
Finally, the day arrived for which the trip was planned Auli. We woke up saw the mountain it was raining at Joshimath and covered with snow at the tip of the mountain we were quite pissed about why it's raining during the visit to Auli.
As the car doesn't go via road from Joshimath to Auli it's quite risky due to the snow skid accident takes place a lot. So other option is a cable car and cable chair.
3 of us went to book the cable car and it was cold and rain and a lot of line for the ticket of cable car which was approximately 600 per person on both sides..
if you are just going sightseeing and coming back they give u an early slot as we had a stay at blue poppy which is in all they gave us a cable car of 2 pm. So we took the ticket came back had our brunch packed our bags with all the required snow gear and left. The person who was coordinating the cable car told us today is our lucky day it is snowing today after a very long time almost a month.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CJ76qe3DsiZ/?igshid=pthhmqp9f005
We were so lucky to witness the snowfall and ample snow. We went on the cable car and the view was surreal it was a magical moment just like we see on tv series like GOT, chronicles of Narnia.
We had that magical view from the cable car. Such a beautiful place in India also exists the hidden gem .after 30 minutes we got of at point 8 where our hotel was booked for. after getting off cable car we had to sit on cable chair for 2 mins a surreal experience with the magical view.
finally, we reached the destination it was a hell of fun throwing snows at each other.
Snowfall happening it was the moment can't be explained in words the cold.
after chilling a lot we managed to reach our room it was the legendary room with a legendary view the room was quite cozy and comfortable.
We enjoyed the cold climate took a lot of pics had fun.
Unfortunately, we didn't get hot water as the water was frozen in the tank it was -1 degrees at night we had evening snacks and tea later we chilled in our room dancing on music, etc.
Had dinner and had a sound sleep.
Day 6 Rudraprayag
The next day I woke up early usually I wake up early on the trip and wander alone and got to witness the awesome sunrise 🌄 it was legendary ✋.
We checked out from our hotel after some hours and had our cable car scheduled at 11 before that we had to do our skiing which we had booked for skiing was 600 per person for 1 hour.
It was a good experience trying skiing and falling. I almost fell whenever it was 10.50 we left for our cable car we had to sit on cable chair first den climb some steps it was very exhausting sit on the cable car and bid adieu to all the paradise.
so In the car, we were quite confused about where we shud have our next halt driver convinced us to go to Rudraprayag and have a stay than next day we can go sightseeing then Mussoorie.
And we missed out on going to chopta. So we again had this amazing drive through the ghats and a good time and finally at evening while searching for the hotel we found a room that was quite cheap and okay just for the night stay it was a-ok stay.
Day 7 Mussoorie Chalein
In at early morning, we left for dhanaulti and Tehri dam sightseeing.
Tehri Dam was amazing but it was highly secured with the army the lake was quite good.
Clicked few pics across the dam candid had some fun then left for dhanaulti,halted for lunch with an awesome Hillview and had awesome chole bhature with the view then we finally left for
Mussoorie and we had booked a nice restaurant imperial heights at a very affordable price at 600 per person the room was also quite amazing and comfortable.
So we went out on a stroll at Mall road the street market just like we have in Mumbai Colaba causeway.
There were a lot of shops in line of clothing, food, antiques, and a variety of stuff.
The cloth quality was quite good and strong. It's quite a big market so while visiting Mussoorie don't miss out on Mall road.
After strolling the market we left and went back to our room and had a good sleep. As next day early we wanted to go back to Rishikesh again.
Day 8 Back to pavilion
So we bid adieu Mussoorie the next morning and left for our next destination Rishikesh. Quite a sunny and tiring ride and a 4 hours route.
Had our lunch and booked a hostel bunker stay at a very cheap price it was quite an experience as many solo backpackers come to the hostel for a stay.
So we got fresh and rested a while and in the evening we left for Ganga arti this time we didn't want to miss it so we finally reached the spot had golgappa and bhel and it was great.
Took the Ganges water in our bottle half-filled.
Took some candid pictures and went to the pooja spot where it was going to take place at around 6.30 the Ganga arti started and it was a great experience witnessing such a beautiful Ganga aarti.
Then we took the prasadam and left for some shopping as it was our last day at this mystical calm place .so we side beside the lake on a bench enjoying the calm view of the Ganges and the awesome breeze it was so peaceful and serene. Later we came back to our zostel had dinner played foosball then we left for our room as we had our early flight back home 😑.
So that was my amazing 8-days travel story from Amritsar to Uttarakhand and various places there I hope in the coming time I get to visit more and more places. I hope u like this blog, kindly share comment your feedback as it was my first blogging experience.