11 Days Gangotri Glacier and Beyond

The Gangotri glacier is one of the longest and, for Hindus, most sacred glaciers in the Himalayas. Thus, it has been made highly accessible to the pilgrims but those who want to go beyond the Gangotri temple must make sure to acclimatise properly before going any further. The roadhead for this trek is at Gangotri. The Gangotri temple lies on the true Right Bank of the river. The head of the Gangotri Glacier was once located here and the slopes nearby mark the glacier bed. This has now receded 18 kilometres further to the Gaumukh glacier – showing an example of glacier movement. In the background rises the Majestic Sudarshan Parvat. As you trek closer to Gaumukh, you can see the Bhagirathi group of Peaks and Mt. Shivling. Tapovan is a beautiful grass meadow and serves as the base camp for Mt. Shivling and the peaks nearby.

Level of trek: Introductory up to Gaumukh. Further up, the trek involves walking in the moraine and can prove to be a little difficult for the beginners.Highest Point:Tapovan (4463 m) Season: Early May to Early October Duration of Tour: 11 days (trek: 06 days)

Day 01: Delhi – Rishikesh (Driving time: 05 - 07 hours)

Early morning at 6:50 board the train to Haridwar . Pick-up at Haridwar railway station approx @ 11:25 visit Har-Ki-Pauri, the confluence where thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to wash away their sins! and drive to Rishikesh visit Lakshuman Jhula, a swing bridge, where you can cross over and take a walk through the lovely forest to arrive at Ram Jhula – the cross over point to the Right Bank. The area is lined with beautiful temples, ashram, and small shops selling trinket items. Later time permitting, watch the religious ceremony at the Triveni ‘ghat’ (riverbank). Over night at guest house.

Day 02: Rishikesh – Uttarkashi (driving time: 04 hours)

After breakfast, take the share cab to Uttarkashi. Check in to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), one of the premier Institutes of India that imparts training in mountain climbing etc. The ‘Kailash’ museum within the campus brings to life the culture of highlanders shaped by nature of their inhospitable terrain, the exploits of explorers, the story of their achievements and endurance of the climbers on heroic scale and growth of NIM, from a budding Institute to its present form. From T shirts, Books, Journals, Badges, Greeting Cards to Ties, Scarves, Caps, etc – the souvenir shop has it all. Souvenirs of WWF and Himalayan Club publications also form part of the display, which are indeed very popular with those visiting the shop and the Institute.Evening free to walk around the local market.

Day 03: Uttarkashi - Gangotri (Drive: 04 hours approx.)

After breakfast, drive to Gangotri through scenic valleys. From the pass at Sukki top, you can see the two different valleys on each side. You can also see snow capped peaks as you drive higher and higher in to the Himalayas. Visit the Gangotri temple in the evening.

Day 04: Gangotri - Bhojbasa 3600m (Average trekking time: 04 - 05 hours)

After the breakfast, start the trek to Bhoj-basa. The trail is well marked as you follow the Bhagirathi to its source. Take a short break at the settlement at Chir-basa, where you gain the first views of the Bhagirathi Peak, including Bhagirathi I (6856m) at the head of the valley. Chirbasa is abundant in Chir trees (pine trees). After trekking through a more or less flat terrain, the trail leaves the last of the silver birches. As you ascend gradually, the Bhagirathi range and the upper section of Mt. Shivling and Brigu Parbat comes in to view. A few kilometers before Bhojbasa, you pass a ‘falling rock’ area. Bhojbasa was once abundant in Bhoj (birch) trees, therefore the name Bhojbasa (literally, ‘a place where the Birch lives!’)

Day 05:

Today, walk up to the Gaumukh Glacier, (literally Gaumukh means the holy cow’s mouth) the source of the river Ganges and return to sleep in Bhojbasa. It is said that earlier the glacier terminated at Gangotri and has now receded to its present location and is still receding.

Day 06: Bhojbasa – Tapovan (4463 m) (Average trekking time: 04 – 05 hours)

We follow the pilgrim’s trail towards the Gaumukh glacier. About 500 metres short of the glacier take the trail that ascends the terminal moraine of the Bhagirathi glacier. At the tip of the glacier, the trail splits and we head towards the true left leading towards Tapovan. The trail traverses the terminal moraine above Gaumukh before rising abruptly up a steep track up the side ridge to Tapovan. After the climb, Tapovan is a pleasant surprise! It is a large meadow complete with bubbling streams and wild flowers and campsites set beneath the imposing peak of Mt. Shivling 6543m. On the far side of the glacier, the Bhagirathi group of peaks – Bhagirathi I (6856m), Bhagirathi II (6512m) and Bhagirathi III (6454m), provide an equally impressive backdrop.

Day 07:

Today is at leisure to enjoy the pristine beauty and to explore the valley’s on your own.

Day 08: Tapovan – Chirbasa (Average trekking time: 05 – 06 hours)

Trek down the moraine to the top of the Gaumukh glacier. From here, it is an easy descent to Bhojbasa where we join the main pilgrim trail back to Chirbasa.

Day 09: Chirbasa – Gangotri (Average trekking time: 03 hours)

Gangnani (Driving time: 02 hours approx.)Start early for the return trek to Gangotri. Drive to Gangani, where there is a hot water spring.

Day 10: Gangnani - Uttarkashi – Rishikesh (Driving time: 02 + 04 hours approx.)

After breakfast, drive to Uttarkashi. A short rest and then take a share cab to Rishikesh. You can jump off the trip in Uttarkashi to join our ongoing trips or carry on to Rishikesh.

Day 11: Rishikesh – Delhi (Drive: 05 - 07 hours)

After breakfast, take the bus/Train back to Delhi.