Rishikesh & the Chamba Valley
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand & Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
Apply by 17 September 2026
Overview
Trail Overview
This journey connects the spiritual energy of Rishikesh on the Ganges with the quiet, forgotten grandeur of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, bridging two worlds that sit just a few hundred kilometres apart but feel like different centuries. You will start with white-water rafting through rapids flanked by forested gorges, practise yoga on the banks of the Ganges at sunrise, and then drive into the hills to discover Chamba's 1,400-year-old Lakshmi Narayan temple complex, its living bazaar where metalworkers and weavers still ply their trades, and the vast Chaugan meadow where locals play cricket against a backdrop of snow peaks. Along the way, the Chamba Valley unfolds with its terraced rice fields, ancient wooden architecture, and a pace of life that feels untouched by the frenzy of modern India. This is a journey of contrasts - sacred rivers and forgotten kingdoms, adrenaline and stillness, all woven into a single week.
Why this journey exists
Day by Day
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Rishikesh
Arrive in Rishikesh. Walk across Lakshman Jhula. Visit Parmarth Niketan ashram. Evening Ganga aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat.
Day 2: Rafting & Beatles Ashram
Morning white-water rafting on the Ganges (16km stretch). Visit the abandoned Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's compound). Afternoon yoga session.
Day 3: Rishikesh to Chamba
Drive from Rishikesh through Mussoorie and Dhanaulti to Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Stop at Surkanda Devi temple en route. Arrive at heritage hotel.
Day 4: Chamba Heritage Walk
Walk through Chamba's 1,400-year-old Chaugan - the main promenade. Visit Lakshmi Narayan temple complex. Explore the Bhuri Singh Museum (Pahari miniature paintings).
Day 5: Chamba to Bharmour
Drive to Bharmour - the ancient capital of the Gaddi shepherds. Visit the Chaurasi (84) temples complex. Walk through the old bazaar.
Day 6: Bharmour & Manimahesh
Day hike towards Manimahesh Lake trail. Walk through Gaddi camps and highland meadows. Visit the Manimahesh temple. Return to Bharmour.
Day 7: Departure via Pathankot
Drive from Bharmour back through Chamba to Pathankot. Farewell lunch in Chamba. Depart from Pathankot.
Included
- All meals
- Ashram stay
- Heritage hotel
- Rafting
- Yoga session
- All transport
Not Included
- Travel to Rishikesh / from Pathankot
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Provenance & Pricing
About This Journey
Scouting Provenance
Every Before Maps journey is personally scouted by Uddip before it opens for applications. This journey's scouting history:
Pricing Tier
A well-established route that has been scouted multiple times and refined through feedback from past travelers.
Classic journeys offer:
- Proven, well-tested itineraries
- Reliable local partnerships built over multiple seasons
- Optimized logistics from repeated trips
- Most accessible pricing in our range
Ready to apply?
This is not a booking form. It's an application. We review every submission to ensure the right fit for the group.
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