Gangotri Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

An extraordinary trekking experience to the source of the holy Ganges!

The Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan trek is a blend of spirituality and adventure. The source of the holy Ganges – Gaumukh and the high-altitude meadow – Tapovan is situated in the Gangotri National Park in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.

Gangotri is home to the sacred Gangotri temple – the seat of the goddess Ganga. It is one of the four sacred pilgrimages in the Char Dham Yatra. It is believed that Goddess Ganga descended here on earth when Lord Shiva released the river in his matted locks. The Gangotri Glacier is the second-largest glacier in India. Adventure lovers and pilgrims frequent the trek. It starts from Gangotri and goes through Chirbasa, Bhojbasa and further to Gaumukh. A trek across the snout of the glacier leads to Tapovan from Gaumukh. Tapovan is rich with Himalayan flora and the celestial Akash Ganga. To reach Tapovan, trekkers cross the Akash Ganga (this is the place where Ganga touched the earth as per Hindu mythology).

Tapovan is also the base camp for many mountaineering expeditions including the Shivling peak.

Snapshot

Region: Gangotri National Park, District Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Nights and 7 Days
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Max altitude: 4300 meters
Approx. trekking: 57 kilometers

Important note: Permits are mandatory to trek to Gaumukh and beyond as it lies in the Gangotri National Park.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Gangotri (270 kilometers)
Day 2: Trek from Gangotri to Chirbasa (10 kilometers)
Day 3: Trek from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa (5.0 kilometers)
Day 4: Trek from Bhojbasa to Tapovan via Gaumukh (6.0 kilometers)
Day 5: Rest day in Tapovan
Day 6: Trek from Tapovan to Chirbasa (11 kilometers)
Day 7: Trek from Chirbasa to Gangotri (10 kilometers) and drive back to Rishikesh (270 kilometers)

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Gangotri

Destination	Maximum Altitude	Drive distance	Accommodation
Gangotri	3100 m	270 km	Overnight stay in a guesthouse

We start our day early in the morning driving from Rishikesh - The Yoga Capital of India to the holy town Gangotri. After having our lunch en-route the day ends in Gangotri where we will stay in a guesthouse overnight.

Day 2: Trek from Gangotri to Chirbasa

Destination	Maximum Altitude	Trek distance	Accommodation
Chirbasa	3545 m	10 km	Overnight stay in camping tents

We start our trek after offering our prayers at the Gangotri temple. The trek begins with a steep ascent followed by a gradual ascent through a pine forest. The river Bhagirathi flows on the right side of the trail and the left side is towering with cliffs. After trekking for 10 kilometres we will reach our campsite, Chirbasa – The Forest of Pines. The Bhagirathi peaks are clearly visible from Chirbasa. We will have our dinner here and stay overnight in tents.

Day 3: Trek from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa

Destination	Maximum Altitude	Trek distance	Accommodation
Bhojbasa	3789 m	5 km	Overnight stay in camping tents

We will start our trek towards Bhojbasa – The Birch Forest after having breakfast. The valley offers a wider view and the terrain becomes desolate. As we pass through landslide-prone we ensure that trekkers are cautious on the trail by keeping an eye out for falling rocks. After crossing this area a wooden bridge with the river flowing underneath comes into view. Our campsite for the day, Bhojbasa is a gradual ascent from here and as we move closer we will get our first glimpse of the majestic Shivling peak. The day ends with dinner at the campsite and an overnight stay in tents.

Day 4: Trek from Bhojbasa to Tapovan via Gaumukh

Destination	Maximum Altitude	Trek distance	Accommodation
Tapovan	4450 m	6 km	Overnight stay in camping tents

We will start early in the morning and after a gradual ascent, we will reach Gaumukh – The Source of the Ganges. The path is one of a kind with glacial streams and boulders. As we trek towards Tapovan from Gaumukh through the glacial path, it gets arduous due to the change in altitude and the rocky terrain. The area is covered with moraines and after a steep rocky ascent, the beautiful meadow Tapovan opens itself to us. The Akash Ganga flows through the meadow and the majestic peaks of Shivling, Meru, Sumeru, Bhagirathi and many more surround us. The day ends with dinner at the campsite and an overnight stay in tents.

Day 5: Rest day in Tapovan

Maximum Altitude	Accommodation
4450 m	Overnight stay in camping tents

Today we will rest in the beautiful meadow as we also acclimatize to the altitude. The Tapovan meadow is spread over an area of 2.0 kilometres and you can find sages living here and meditating for years. The day ends with endless views and finally dinner at the campsite with an overnight stay in tents.

Day 6: Trek from Tapovan to Chirbasa

Destination	Maximum Altitude	Trek distance	Accommodation
Chirbasa	4450 m	11 km	Overnight stay in camping tents

The day starts early with a splendid sunrise surrounding the peaks. We descend through the glacier followed by a gradual ascent to Chirbasa.

Day 7: Trek from Chirbasa to Gangotri and drive back to Rishikesh

Maximum Altitude	Trek distance
3545 m	10 km

We will start early in the morning through the pine trees towards Gangotri. After ascending the valley closes and your big adventure comes to a sweet end, as we will Gangotri. The itinerary successfully concludes as you drive from the holy town of Gangotri towards Rishikesh with memories and great pictures to share your experience with your family and friends.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE TREK?

INCLUSION

Accommodation (guesthouse and tents)
Meals
Government permits, forest camping and environmental fees
Trekking equipment (tent, sleeping bag with mattress, dining and toilet tent)
Cook and porters for carrying food material and equipment
Mountaineering Certified Guide and trek leader

Team Himalayan View specializes in leading treks and challenging mountain expeditions with humbleness and respect for the environment ensuring client safety as the prime motive of the team.