Gangotri-Tapovan Trekking in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand

Uniqueness

Trek starting point: Gangotri

Trek ending point: Gangotri

Peak height: 4460 Mts

Trek distance: 56 Km (round trip)

Time to trek: 8-9 Days

Camping: You need to set your own tent at the base camps which are well established.

How to Reach

By Road: Gangotri around 4 hours by private cabs from Uttarkashi which is the nearest major city. You get buses to Uttarkashi from all nearest major cities including Rishikesh and Hardwar. 

By Rail: Gangotri around 4 hours by private cabs from Uttarkashi which is the nearest major city. The nearest Railway station is Hardwar. Uttarkashi is around 7 hour from Hardwar and you get regular buses and cabs. 

By Air: Gangotri around 4 hours by private cabs from Uttarkashi which is the nearest major city. The nearest Airport is Dehradun from Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is around 8 hour from Dehradun and you get regular buses and cabs.

Things/Equipment to carry

1. Day Pack (Ruck sack) 

2. Cap (Sun hat)

3. Trekking (Hiking) boots with anklets

4. Raincoat or Poncho

5. Small Towel

6. Water Bottle

7. Sun cream / Cold Cream / Lip cream

8. Torch (Flash) light

9. Change of thermal wear / clothes / underwear / Socks

10. Woolen clothes and woolen Socks

11. Batteries

12. Toiletries

13. Light weight wind sheeter / Jacket / Pullover (Sweater)

14. Slippers or Sandals

Itineraries

Day 01 : Arrive - Delhi

Day 02 : Delhi - Mussoorie 1921 mts

Day 03 : Mussoorie

Day 04 : Mussoorie - Uttarkashi 1150 mts.

Day 05 : Uttarkashi - Gangotri 3048 mts.

Day 06 : Gangotri

Day 07 : Gangotri- Chirbasa or Bhojbasa 3350 mts.

Day 08 : Bhojbasa - Gaumukh 3850 mts.

Day 09 : Gaumukh-Tapovan 4350 mts.

Day 10 : Tapovan-Kirti Bamak - Tapovan

Day 11 : Tapovan- Meru Glacier- Tapovan 4800 mts

Day 12 : Tapovan - Nandavan 4570 mts

Day 13 : Nandavan-Vasuki Tal 4800 mts.

Day 14 : Nandavan - Gaumukh

Day 15 : Gaumukh - Gangotri - Uttarkshi

Day 16 : Uttarkshi - Rishikesh

Day 17 : Rishikesh - Delhi

Day 18 : Delhi – Departure

Details

Trekking Routes for The Source of the Ganges Trek : 

Delhi - Mussoorie - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Chirbasa or Bhojbasa - Gaumukh - Tapovan - Nandavan - Vasuki Tal - Gaumukh - Gangotri - Uttarkshi - Rishikesh - Delhi

Celebrated in Hindu mythology and religion, the Garhwal Himalayas are said to be the "Abode of the Gods". The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massif, at the sacred shrine of Gangotri, and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury. Many trekkers follow this itinerary which will lead to one of the most important spots of Hindu spirituality, where you will experience a strange atmosphere of religious fervour. 

Gangotri, where the trek starts, takes one on the slightly uphill route to Gaumukh, close to the Source of the Ganges, One might get to see half-naked Sadhus meditating in the lotus position near the raging torrents emanating out the Gaumukh glacier. Further up, Tapovan is a grassy area with numerous brooks, surrounded by snowy peaks. 

Day 01: Arrive - Delhi

On arrival meet with our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Mussoorie 1921 mts

Early in the morning transfer to railway station and drive 300 km to Mussoorie. The road winds up to Mussoorie, a beautiful summer resort, also dubbed the “Queen of the hills” and a popular hill station since the days of the British Raj. Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: Mussoorie 

Day free at Mussoorie to explore the bustling Mall road to buy an antique, or enjoy a horse riding / sightseeing tour near the Camel’s Back road. Night Stay at Mussoorie.

Day 04: Mussoorie - Uttarkashi 1150 mts.

Drive 5 hours. The drive goes along the ridge to Chamba, located on a high point the location affords panoramic views of the high mountain peaks of Garhwal. The descent down to Tehri along the Bhagirathi river valley, takes one all the way to Gangotri. The town is a famous religious centre and is home to many Ashrams and Temples. Overnight in Tourist Bungalow at Uttarkashi.

Day 05: Uttarkashi - Gangotri 3048 mts.

Drive 5 hours (100 kms). Following the torrential Bhagirathi River upstream, the road follows its winding course up the valley past the hot Sulphur springs at Gangnani, to climb steeply up a series of hairpin bends to the village of Sukkhi located on a high ridge. The bird’s eye view of the valley beyond, and the wide Bhagirathi riverbed, surrounded by Cider trees is a sight to behold. Arrive at the holy town of Gangotri, located in a narrow glacial valley, and surrounded by Pine and Deodar trees. Overnight in Rest House.

Day 06: Gangotri

The Day is spent exploring this pious town. Thousands of Pilgrims throng here in summer with a wish to wash away their sins in the water of the holy Ganga, it is said that Lord Shiva absorbed the Ganga into his locks, otherwise the Ganga’s descent from the heavens would have split the earth. Overnight in hotel/tourist bungalow.

Day 07: Gangotri- Chirbasa or Bhojbasa 3350 mts.

An easy walk (13 KMS TREK) along a wide trail initially passes through dense deodar forests before emerging into the wide barren and denuded valley. It then carries on to a small oasis like pine forest at Chirvasa, literally meaning -the abode of pines. The trail gradually flattens out and suddenly dips near Bhojvasa. Camp on a grassy meadow beside the Bhagirathi.

Day 08: Bhojbasa - Gaumukh 3850 mts.

Continuing along the pilgrim route. And following the well-marked route, the trail then curves, to unfold a breathtaking view of wild flowers studded meadows crowned by the Bhagirathi group of peaks Camp on a wide sandy beach at Gaumukh, where the holy Ganga gushes out of the snout of the Gangotri glacier. The camping area is set in a wide moraine. Shivling Mountain (6540 m), stands tall like a sentinel while the Bhagirathi I, II and III tower above the glacier giving the photographer ample opportunity for many a good pictures on a clear day!

Day 10: Tapovan-Kirti Bamak - Tapovan

A full Days walk to the Kirti Bamak glacier takes one to the base of peaks Kedarnath Dome 6850 m. Kirti Bamak 6500 m affords a rare view of Shivling from the east. Return to Tapovan for overnight camp.

Day 11 : Tapovan- Meru Glacier- Tapovan 4800 mts

Another full day’s walk, and after crossing the meadows of Tapovan, the trail climbs into another ablation valley, which is followed to the base of Mt. Meru 6400 m – a yet another of the spectacular Garhwal peaks! The mythical name loosely translated- is "The mountain of Gold". Return to camp. Trek time: 5 hours, 6 KMS.

Day 12: Tapovan - Nandavan 4570 mts

The day is largely an exercise in boulder hopping, crossing the moraine covering Gangotri glacier to Nandawan -located at the confluence of the Chaturangi and the Gangotri glaciers. Literally meaning the four colored glacier. The Chaturangi is truly multi-hued. The massive meadows of Nandavan are situated at the base of the Bhagirathi massif. The area provides excellent sightings of Bharal (blue sheep). Overnight in camp.

Day 13: Nandavan-Vasuki Tal 4800 mts.

A full Days walk to the picturesque Vasuki Tal Lake. The trail follows a grassy ridge and a stream running parallel to the Chaturangi glaciers, across a small glacier eroded valley to Vasuki Tal. It then continues along the lateral moraine of the Chaturangi glacier to views of Mt. Satopanth. Return to camp. 

Day 14: Nandavan - Gaumukh

Another boulder hop along the Gangotri glacier to its snout at Gangotri. Trek time: 5 hours, 13 KMS TREK.

Day 15: Gaumukh - Gangotri - Uttarkshi

Retrace steps to Gangotri. Drive to Uttarkashi. Overnight in camp or Tourist huts. 

Day 16: Uttarkshi - Rishikesh 

Drive to Rishikeh 5 hours. 

Day 17 : Rishikesh - Delhi 

Drive to Hardwar railway station and from Hardwar catch train for Delhi. On arrival meet at the station and transfer to the hotel. O/n stay at Hotel.

Day 18: Delhi - Departure

Morning free in the afternoon transfer to the international airport time to catch flight for onward destinations.a