11N/12D Gangotri Trek

The trek to the source of one of the most sacred river – The Ganges starts from the Gangotri temple, the temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The trek follows the Ganga through dense forests and grassy meadowss, close to the Source of the Ganges. On the way, you find scantily clad saddhus in the lotus position, meditating on the bank of the icy cold water coming out the glacier. Further up, Tapovan is a high altitude meadow surrounded by numerous peaks.

Gangotri Trek – Uttarakhand Himalayas
Best  Season for trekking : May, June and September
Total Duration: 12 Days
Trekking days: 6
Trek grade: Easy to moderate
Max altitude: 4460 m

Detailed Itinerary: –

Day 01: Arrive Delhi – You will be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel for the night.

Day 02: Delhi – Haridwar – Transfer to New Delhi railway station early in the morning. Met on arrival at Haridwar railway station and transfer to your hotel (The hotel is located close to Ganges ghats. The approach to the hotel is through narrow lane where the vehicle cannot go. So you will reach the hotel on cycle rickshaw. The hotel offers vegetarian food only and there is no bar)(Haridwar is the city of temples, ashrams, ghats and sage. According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is believed to be one of the seven holiest places) Witness the ceremonial Worship with oil lamp (Aarti) on the ghats of the Ganges.

Day 03: Haridwar – Uttarkashi – Drive to Uttarkashi in the morning. Stay in the resort for a night. Uttarkashi is the last major town in the Gangotri valley. En route, you can visit Nehru Institute of Mountaineering – a premier training institute for mountaineering and other adventure sports at Uttarkashi.

Day 04: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Drive to Gangotri in the morning (Gangotri is the starting points for Gaumukh trek. Here you will meet your trekking crew and proters). Stay overnight in a guest house. In the evening, witness the puja and aarti at Gangotri temple – one of the four sacred dhams for Hindu in the Himalayas.

Day 05: Gangotri – Bhojbasa – Start your first day of trek to Bhojbasa. The trek to Bhojbasa follows the right bank of Bhagirathi (Ganges) over beaten trail.  From Bhojbasa, you get the first view of majestic Shivling and Bhairathi group of mountains. Beyond Bhojbasa, the terrain becomes really desolate and barren. Overnight stay in simple Alpine style tents.

Day 06: Bhojbasa – Enjoy excursion to Gaumukh today. ‘The Source of Ganges’ – literally meaning ‘Cow’s Mouth’, Gaumukh is snout of Gangotri glacier from where Ganga emerges. From Gaumukh, the scene is fascinating, with praying pilgrims and half-naked sadhus meditating along the banks of the tumultuous stream that pours out of the Gangotri glacier.

Day 07: Bhojbasa – Tapovan – Today is probably the toughest day of this trek. From Gaumukh the trail leaves its way through the terminal moraine before cutting across the Gangotri glacier and climbing steeply up to the grassy slopes to Tapovan (4400 m / 14432 ft). Tapovan is a large high altitude meadow, furrowed with streams and scattered with flowers. It offers the panoramic view of Shivling (6543 m / 21460 ft), Meru (6450 m / 21156 ft) and the Bhaghirati-1 (6856 m / 22488 ft).

Day 08: Tapovan – Day at leisure to explore the area. You may choose to an optional full day trek to Kirti Bamak – Base of Kedar Dome (6830 m / 22402 ft).

Day 09: Tapovan – Chirbasa – Trek back to Bhojbasa and continue further to Chirbasa – a grassy meadow beside the Bhagirathi (Ganges) for overnight stay.

Day 10: Chirbasa – Gangotri – Uttarkashi – Trek back to Gangotri and drive to Uttarkashi. Stay overnight in a resort / guest house.

Day 11: Uttarkashi – Rishikesh – Drive to Rishikesh in the morning. Stay in a hotel for the night. Visit ashrams and also witness the Ganga Aarti in the evening.

Day 12: Rishikesh – Delhi – Drive to Delhi in the morning. Check into a hotel for wash/change. Later in the night you will be transferred to international airport for your flight to next destination.