Neelkanth Base Camp Trek

Neelkanth Base Camp Trek

5 days / 4 nightsStarts Badrinath
From ₹25,056 · See pricing
5 days
4 nights
Badrinath
start point
N/A
best season
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Overview

Tour overview

Vashudhara Waterfall and Neelkanth Base Camp trek is an adventure-filled exploration starting from the holy town of Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.

Whether you are a pilgrim or trekker, you would be tempted to choose this expedition owing to its reputation of showcasing nature and mythology in a truly enthralling manner.

Attractions on the route include cave temples and ashrams, glaciers and rivers, meadows bedecked with rare wild flowers, footprints of Lord Vishnu and what not. The first instalment of the trek include visiting Vashudhara (or Vasudhara) Waterfalls which appear as a milky white trail from a distance and turn into a roaring vista when approached.

The second part takes you to the foot of the sky-reaching Neelkanth (or Nilkantha) Peak which impersonates Lord Shiva in the meditation pose. What’s even more exciting is that you would be visiting the holy Badrinath Shrine, one of the four foremost Hindu pilgrimage destinations (popular as Char Dhams).

Vashudhara Waterfall and Neelkanth Base Camp trek is an adventure-filled exploration starting from the holy town of Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.

Tour highlights

Badrinath Temple
Vashudhara Waterfall

Destinations covered

Badrinath

Best Time

N/A

Ideal For

N/A

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

Vashudhara Waterfall and Neelkanth Base Camp trek begins at Badrinath (elevation 3,300 m.), the holy town which is home to Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Apart from being one of the Char Dhams and Chota Char Dhams destinations, the temple is also among the 108 Divya Desams.

Located on the bank of River Alaknanda, the temple houses a black idol of Vishnu, made of the sacred shaligram stone. As per the legend, it was here that Vishnu meditated and his consort Goddess Lakshmi protected him from cold weather taking up the form as a Badri (berry) tree.

Badrinath is about 296 km. from Rishikesh and about 319 km. from Haridwar, the closest railway stations and about 311 km. from Dehradun, the closest airport and is well-connected by road with these places.

On arrival, check in at the hotel or guesthouse for night stay. Please Note: Badrinath Temple remains closed from November start to April end due to heavy snowfall which almost disconnects the region’s road connectivity.

Start the day with a visit to the holy shrine of Badrinath which flaunts a spectacular architecture with a gold gilt roof. Pray at the temple and then get ready to visit the other attractions nearby.

Start with Mana (about 3 km.), popular as the ‘last village’ as it is the last inhabited village before the Indo-Tibetan border.

It is believed that the five Pandava brothers and their consort Draupadi began their journey to heaven from here. Get thrilled to discover a number of places linked to them.

One of them is Bhimpul, a rock bridge which according to the popular beliefs was built by Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, to let the family cross River Saraswati.

The river flowing with full force is yet another attraction. Next, visit Ganesha Cave which is associated with Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva.

From there, visit Vyasa Cave which is believed to be the place where the greatest Hindu epic Mahabharata was written by Ganesha as dictated by Sage Vyasa.

Do you know? There’s a huge rock in the cave resembling a pile of sheets which is believed to be the original copy of the epic. Get back to Badrinath for night stay. You must have acclimatized to high altitude by now.

Start early keeping in mind the unpredictable weather. Drive to Mana Village from where the trek begins. You may enjoy tea and snacks at shops with sign boards ‘last tea-shop of India’.

It is worth mentioning that the first 2-3 km. of the trek is rather easy to walk. However, the steepness increases thereafter.

You would come across multi-coloured tiny flowers springing out from lush green grasses and adding sparkling colours to the ambience. Feel thrilled as you walk over frozen mountain stream section.

Breathtaking views of snow-covered Chaukhamba, Balakun, Nilkantha and other peaks and equally incredible views of Alaknanda River Valley would keep you entertained throughout.

About 800 m. from the falls, you may stop at a cave temple where eight sons of River Ganga performed penance. Reach the waterfall (located at an elevation of about 3,657 m., it is about 122 m. high) and admire its exotic beauty.

It is believed that Vasudhara Waterfalls turn away from people with impure hearts. Its waters also possess medicinal properties as proven scientifically.

Enjoy the views of glaciers like Kuber Bamak and Bhagirathi Khark. Descend back and drive to Badrinath for night stay.

Please Note: You may choose to stay in camp at Vashudhara and enjoy activities and sports like volleyball.

Begin trekking early morning. The first destination is Charanpaduka (about 3 km. from Badrinath). It is believed that the foot prints on a rock at this place are those of Lord Vishnu. From Charanpaduka, the trek route turns steeper and relatively difficult.

Admire the meadows and views of hoary peaks on the way. If you happen to visit in the months of July-September, you may come across the beautiful Brahmakamal flowers that are sacred as well as are designated as the state flower. Reach the base camp (elevation 4,270 m.) and get bowled-over by the giganticness of the peak.

It is believed that Neelkantha (Lord Shiva) established himself as a mountain to block the passage between Badrinath and Kedarnath after he was infuriated by the sins of a priest.

The peak (6,596 m. high), also known as Garhwal Queen, is pyramid in shape and its summit glow in red during sunrise and in gold during sunset. Descend back to reach Badrinath for night stay.

Bid adieu to the beautiful region and drive to start your onward journey.

Trekking Tips: Carry adequate water, as there is no water source on both routes. Raincoat and rain protection gear is mandatory. Carry energy drinks, dry fruits, chocolates and biscuits for energy. Always start early in the morning to return on time.

Temples on the way

Sacred temples you can visit

On this journey you come close to 3 holy temples of India, from the Char Dham, Chota Char Dham, Jyotirlinga circuits. Below you can see each temple and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan with a calm mind and enough time.

Where you stay

Badrinath Dham

Char Dham · Chota Char Dham · Vishnu · Uttarakhand

While you stay at Badrinath, you can have darshan at Badrinath Dham.

An easy day trip from your stay

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Jyotirlinga · Chota Char Dham · Shiva · Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is an easy day trip from your stay at Badrinath (about 41 km).

Gangotri Dham

Chota Char Dham · Ganga · Uttarakhand

Gangotri Dham is an easy day trip from your stay at Badrinath (about 60 km).

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites on this journey

This tour takes you close to 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. These are places the world has recognised as our shared treasure. Below you can see each one and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan and sightseeing with time to spare.

A short drive from your stay

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

Natural · Inscribed 1988 · Uttarakhand

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks is a short drive from your stay at Badrinath (about 22 km). You can see it as a half-day trip.

Want to plan your trip around India’s World Heritage Sites? See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.

Travel tips

Travel Tips


What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 46 reviews
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
a month ago · Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
a month ago · Google
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Yash Bhargava★★★★★
“We recently entrusted our honeymoon planning to 'Way to India', and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. From itinerary finalization to on-ground execution, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Every aspect of our trip — flights, hotels, transfers, experiences, and even the small thoughtful touches — was perfectly curated. The itinerary was balanced, well-planned, and tailored exactly to what we wanted. We never had to worry about a single thing; all arrangements were seamless and absolutely hassle-free. What truly stood out was their responsiveness and genuine care. They were always available, always patient, and consistently went the extra mile to ensure our journey was special. Special thanks to Neha Ma'am for planning everything. We are incredibly grateful and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for a stress-free, personalised, and delightful travel experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon truly magical!”
4 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

For the Neelkanth Base Camp Trek, no special permits are required for Indian citizens. However, foreign nationals may need to register with the local authorities upon arrival in Badrinath. It's advisable to carry a valid ID and any necessary travel documents.

The best time for the Neelkanth Base Camp Trek is from May to October. During these months, the weather is generally pleasant, and the trails are accessible. Monsoon season (July-August) can bring heavy rainfall, making trekking challenging.

Pack lightweight trekking gear, including sturdy hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothing, a waterproof jacket, and a warm layer for cooler evenings. Don't forget essentials like a first-aid kit, water bottle, snacks, and sun protection.

Yes, the Neelkanth Base Camp Trek is suitable for beginners with moderate fitness levels. The trek involves some steep sections but is manageable with proper preparation. It's recommended to train a bit before the trek.

The Neelkanth Base Camp Trek is considered moderate in difficulty. While the trek includes some challenging ascents, the overall distance is manageable for those with basic trekking experience.

Badrinath is well-connected by road, with regular bus services from major cities like Rishikesh and Haridwar. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh, and the closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, about 300 km away.

While the Neelkanth Base Camp Trek is generally safe, it's important to stay on marked trails and be cautious of weather changes. Trekking with a guide or in a group is advisable for added safety.

Accommodation in Badrinath includes hotels and guesthouses. During the trek, you may need to camp or stay in basic lodges, depending on the itinerary. It's best to confirm your accommodation details in advance.

The itinerary typically includes arrival in Badrinath, sightseeing, a trek to Vasudhara, and then to Neelkanth Base Camp before returning to Badrinath. Each day involves a mix of travel and trekking.

When visiting Badrinath and surrounding areas, dress modestly, especially when visiting temples. Respect local customs, and always ask for permission before taking photos of people or sacred sites.

Mobile connectivity can be limited during the trek, especially in remote areas. BSNL and Airtel networks generally have better coverage. It's advisable to inform family or friends about your trekking plans beforehand.

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