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Gangotri Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

(1 Review)
Top Rated
From₹21,750₹19,250
Top Rated
From₹21,750₹19,250
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  • 8 days
  • 12-15 persons
  • Camping based trek
  • Moderate-Tough
  • Gangotri / Rishikesh
  • Min Age: 15+
  • ₹19,250 per personRishikesh to Rishikesh
  • Upcoming BatchesSummer 2024

18 May – 25 May | 19 May – 26 May | 25 May – 01 Jun | 26 May – 02 Jun (OPEN)
08 Jun – 15 Jun | 09 Jun – 16 Jun | 15 Jun – 22 Jun | 16 Jun – 23 Jun (OPEN)

Custom dates available for minimum group of 10 persons or above

Interested ? Lets plan your trip !

Gaumukh Tapovan trek is an enchanting, adventurous & divine trek to the source of the Ganga the holiest of the rivers. Starting from Gangotri, the trek takes you to Gaumukh where you will see Ganga coming out of the rocky mountains. Gaumukh trek further ventures to Tapovan and scenic paradise Nandanvan.

The Ganga, the holiest of the rivers, revered by the Hindus over millennia, springs from an expanse of ice measuring 8 km by 24 km, the Gangotri Glacier. This is the source of the Bhagirathi, which joins with Alaknanda to form Ganga at Devprayag. From Devprayag, the river flows 2,480 km to the Bay of Bengal. At the very top of the Gangotri Glacier, like a crust of crunchy chocolate on a vanilla bar, is a 30 to 50 ft layer of mud and rock, the debris dragged down by the mountains by the inexorable flow of glacial ice. To the left, in the north, are the towering vertical faces of the Bhagirathi massifs.

Across the Bhagirathi, in the south, the scree slopes sweeps up into the distinctive pyramid of a Shivling, topped by its signature overhang. And, at eye-level, is the little entrance to an icy cavern, the mouth of the glacier – Gaumukh. Crafted in opaque ice of white and green, the glacier issues from its dark recesses the little trickle that has for millennia drawn to it the waters of a thousand streams and the faith of countless millions.

Starting Point

Gangotri (105 km / 3 hrs from Uttarkashi)

Nearest Roadhead

Gangotri

Nearest Railhead

Dehradun Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Jolly Grant near Dehradun

Price Inclusions

  • all veg snacks & meals during trek (Day 1 Dinner to Day 7 Dinner)
  • camp tent accommodation for 5 nights (2-3 per tent)
  • camping equipment (tents, mats, sleeping bags etc.)
  • lodge / guest house accommodation for 2 nights at Gangotri (triple/quad sharing)
  • forest camping & trek permits (INDIANS ONLY)
  • services of trek leaders, trek guides, cook, helpers
  • transport from Rishikesh to Gangotri & vice versa (Ex Rishikesh package only)

Price Exclusions

  • any kind of personal expense on food or medicines
  • any kind of personal trekking gear (hiking shoes, poles, rucksack etc.)
  • any kind of travel, lodging or medical cost incurred in case a trekker decides to drop out of the trek
  • any kind of hotel or lodge stay
  • porter charges apply in case a trekker is unable to carry his / her backpack & wants to offload it on mule / porter (₹ 500-600 per backpack per day)
  • any thing which is not mentioned in the inclusions
Itinerary

Day 1 PICK UP FROM RISHIKESH & DRIVE TO GANGOTRI / DHARALIDISTANCE: 258 KM TIME: 10-11 HRS

Mode of journey – By taxi

Altitude – Gangotri –3415 Meter

Night stay – Overnight at Hotel/Similar

TrailHikers organizes transport for trekkers from Dehradun Railway Station in the morning which will leave for Gangotri around 6:00 am to 7:00 am.

Get in the vehicle from Dehradun and enjoy the picturesque journey along Bhagirathi River’s bank and forest stretches to reach Gangotri base camp. It is the base camp of Kedartal trek.

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and one of the most beautiful places in India.

The main attraction of this place is Rajpur road go through it and get a glimpse of Dehradun’s beauty.

Reach Mussoorie after an hour which is also known as “Queen of Hills”. People visit it heavily during vacations with their family and friends.

After half an hour, stop at Suwa kholi Have breakfast there and witness people from different parts of the world.

The break will be of a maximum of 1 hour. Ahead the peaks are visible and further you will come close. Further, you will cross the small Chinyali saur of Dharasu Reach Uttarkashi around 1:30 pm and take a break there for lunch.

After having to go through the picturesque zig-zag road to Gangotri via Harsil.

Freshen up and enjoy evening snacks in the open Garden with great views. You will be provided some details after which you can go for an evening walk but be at the hotel at Gangotri for dinner.

Day 2 GANGOTRI - CHIRBASADISTANCE: 8 KM TIME: 3-4 HRS LEVEL: EASY

Before you set out on the Gaumukh Tapovan trek trail from Gangotri (3,046m), you might like to take in the sight of the kund or trough, where the Bhagirathi River crashes into a limestone basin polished into fluid sculpture. Popular custom decrees that you visit the Ganga shrine half a kilometre upstream before taking to the pilgrim trail that runs above the temple, and begins in the last stands of forest at the edge of the road into town. It is a well maintained path, hugging the river on its path from east to west. The forest thins rapidly, and one is soon in a landscape of brown and grey, relieved by the stream below, and the symmetrically framed views of the mountains in the front.

The traditional first stage of this walk is to Bhojbasa, 13 km away. But since the starting altitude is considerable, progress is slow, and if one in unsure of acclimatisation, it may be prudent to do the half-stage, to Chirbasa (3,350m) on Day 1, where a small group of chirs (pine) is a relief in an otherwise desolate landscape. On both sides of the trail, dhabas offer simple fare, as well as a carpeted platform to sleep on and an ample supply of quilts. If you want you to tent for the night, go down to the river, where there is charming camping place among groves of freshly planted silver birch. Ther is also a forest bungalow, too decrepit to offer any shelter, but with a water-point and flat grounds well suited to a cluster of three to four tents.

Day 3 CHIRBASA - BHOJBASADISTANCE: 5 KM TIME: 2-3 HRS

Above Chirbasa, the valley widens, and offers views of snow-clad peaks in the south. It is a gentle walk to Bhojbasa (3,800m), running virtually due south-east along the river, the Bhagrathi peaks ever a beacon to the source of the river. Bhojbasa is the widest point in the upper valley, and camping here at night offers magnificent moonlit views of the Bhagirathi peaks. For those who don’t want to light up their stoves, there’s an excellent langar at Lal Baba’s Ashram, or more commercial fare at the GMVN establishment, which also offers solar lighting and hot baths.

Typically, pilgrims wil do Gangotri-Bhojbasa in one stage, tick off Gaumukh on the second and return to Bhojbasa for the night, completing the return walk to Gangotri on the third. But, a bit more mindful of acclimatisation when with mixed groups, trailhikers prefer to do it in easy stages ; get in some sun and sand on the riverside, and make sure everybody is in good shape for the haul up to Tapovan.

Did You Know

– Its essential to acclimatize one day at Gangotri for Gaumukh Tapovan trek

Did You Know

– Himalayan blue goat “Bharal” is found at altitude of 3,000 m & above

Bharal primarily eats leaves of small shrubs & trees growing on the steep edges of the mountains

A similar mountain goat named “Ghural” which is brown in colour is found in Benog Hill region of Mussoorie

Day 4 BHOJBASA - GAUMUKH - TAPOVANDISTANCE: 9 KM TIME: 4-5HRS LEVEL: EASY-TOUGH

The first four kilometres upstream from Bhojbasa are surprisingly flat, and though the valley narrows, the path runs smoothly above the river, and is fringed by a grassy meadow. With about a kilometre to go, the terrain turns rocky, and one has to pick one’s way through the rocks and boulders, down to a sandy beach sheltered by enormous piles of granite. Incidently, the beach is a great place to camp. Scour the water’s edge for shards of ice, or follow the broken path along the river’s edge to the very foot of Gaumukh (3,969m), and look up at the Shivling Peak (6543m) almost vertically above. In autumn, the water is a shallow stream of grey-blue, and you could wade out to the middle. In summer, it is a more substantial stream of muddy brown, and one is well advised to keep to the banks.

As one approaches the glacier, the path becomes a bit tentative, and if one wants to make the trip to Tapovan (4,463m), it is best to leave Gaumukh before noon. Despite the shifting nature if the route, the orientation is quite clear, and little piles of stone on the higher rocks regularly marks the trail. Climb up to the northern side of the glacier (the right bank), till you gain its surface. Turning south, cross the glacier towards the slopes on the opposite side of the valley. Snaking through rocks and debris that are its surface, it is hard to remember that one is actually on a major glacier. Once you have reached the southern (left) bank of the river valley, the path is more clearly marked – a steep climb of almost a thousand feet to the meadows at the base of Shivling Peak. This is Tapovan, an exquisitely watered spot from which the fabled peak of Shivling appears to sweep up in a wave of scree, granite and snow.

It is an idyllic camping spot; alternatively, a couple of babas have establishments where you can spread your sleeping bag for the night. trailhikers also uses this camping site for its treks !

Day 5 REST DAY EXPLORATION AT THE BASE OF SHIVLING PEAK

Today’s aim is acclimatization and relaxation.

Post breakfast, move upwards to the Himalayan Tapovan at an altitude of 4500 m.

Tapovan lies below Mt. Shivling peaks and has beautiful lakes, explore the area and head to Neel Taal to get clear views of Mt. Meru.

Reach there in two hours and return before lunch. Relax and retire for the night.

Day 6 TAPOVAN - BHOJBASADISTANCE: 9 KM TIME: 5-6 HRS LEVEL: MODERATE - EASY

It’s time to trace the trail back. It’s downhill all the way till Gaumukh and the next 4 km almost flat. If you’re feeling fit, walk another 5 km till Chirbasa, to spend a night exloring the banks of the Ganga. If you manage to reach Chirbasa, the next day will be easy as from here, it is a short hop of under 2 hrs to Gangotri, allowing plenty of time for a drive to Uttarkashi, and the dubious charms of civilisation.

Day 7 BHOJBASA - GANGOTRIDISTANCE: 13 KM TIME: 5-6 HRS LEVEL: EASY

From Bhojbasa, start early so that you are in Gangotri by noon and then reach Uttarkashi by late evening !

Did You Know

– The best time to do Gaumukh Tapovan trek is May to mid July

Trek Options

Crossing the glacier again, one can press on to Nandanvan (4,400m) – though only 4 km, it is a path strewn boulders and not so heavily trafficked. You would be well advised to retain a guide for the journey, or for the expedition to Vasuki Tal (6km) at the base of the Vasuki Peak (6792m).

Getting Ready : Trekkers can also undertake a short weekend trek like Nag Tibba (15-20 days before) to prepare for a high altitude trek like Gaumukh-Tapovan. Read about Nag Tibba

Getting There

FROM UTTARKASHI to Gangotri, it’s 105 km/3 hrs by car or 4 hrs by bus. Buses available daily during season, between 5 am and 1 pm

Haridwar to Uttarkashi via Bhaldiana is 173 km/6 hrs by taxi or 8 hrs by direct buses, which run between 4 and 7 am. Haridwar is well connected to Delhi (203km/5-7hrs) by buses and trains.

RETURN: Take the same route back from Gangotri to Haridwar (276 km) via Uttarkashi. Taxi 11hrs/Buses 12 hrs operate between 5am and 1pm from Gangotri. If you miss the direct Gangotri-Haridwar bus (between 5 and 6am), get your connection from Uttarkashi.

TIP: Opt for direct/ chartered buses as local buses are overcrowded and halt frequently en route.

Day 8 DRIVE FROM GANGOTRI / DHARALI TO RISHIKESHDISTANCE: 258 KM TIME: 11-12 HRS

Today – It is your last breakfast on this trek with the TrailHikers team.

Bid adieu to your trekking team after some beautiful photos, we will bid you all a goodbye from Gangotri and Tapovan trek.

Enjoy the scenic drive from Gangotri onwards to reach Dehradun 6 to 7 pm.

FAQs

Is it necessary to hire a guide on this trek ?

Yes, it is absolutely essential to take a guide for this trek whether you are trekking solo or in a group.

What is the best season for this trek ?

The best season for Gaumukh Tapovan trek is from July to mid October.

Is this trek suitable for kids ?

It is ideally recommended for 15+ age. Gaumukh Tapovan is a high altitude trek which is not suitable for children below 15 years.

Is this trail safe for women & solo travelers ?

Yes, in fact all the Himalayan trails are quite safe for women & solo travelers. People of the region are very warm, caring & hospitable in nature.

What type of accommodation is available during this trek ?

Camping tent accommodation (2-3 per tent).

Do we have to give tip money to guides / porters ?

Guides & porters in the region will never demand any tip money from you. They just need their daily wages paid by the trek operator. However, it is always encouraging if one can give a little tip to them if they provide good services.

Which currency is accepted during transit or in nearby villages on this trek ?

Indian currency is accepted

1 Review
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Parshuram

Group Traveller

A heavenly trail to Gaumukh Tapovan trek gave us a mesmerizing experience of a lifetime. Superb services of food, camping & trekking organised by TrailHikers team. Thank you guys !

July 10, 2023