Category: Moderate Adventure.
The Ganga in India has a legend, a story and a belief attached to it at every other step of its course and its source at Gangotri glacier is no different. Cow’s mouth is the literal translation into English of Gaumukh (or Gomukh), from where the Ganga originates. It too has a pilgrimage value and a legend attached to it says that King Bhagirath got the Ganga down here from the heavens so that salvation could be bought for his sons. True or not Gaumukh with its icicle Gangotri glacier is a challenge for every trekker and adventurer, most of who like to go beyond the Gaumukh point to camp right at the base of Shivling peak from where one also gets to see a magnificent view of Bhagirathi peaks.
Note:
- 50% advance payment confirms your booking.
- We serve three meals a day while on the trip.
What is included in the tour
- Road transportation from Rishikesh to Rishikesh by car.
- Hotel accomodation in Uttarakashi and Gangotri
- Tented Accommodation at Bhojbasa during trekking- (Dormitory)
- All meals (Day 1 Lunch to Day 6 Lunch)
- Permits and Entrance fees.
- Good English speaking guide
What is NOT included in the tour
- Accommodation in Rishikesh.
- Personal Insurance.
- All alcoholic beverages and personal expenses.
- Good down sleeping bags can be provided at an additional cost of Rs.100 per day.
- Bottled water
- Porter for personal luggage.
- View of Bhagirathi and Shivling Mountain- 6500m
- Gangotri Shrine- One of the famous four major Pilgrimages
- Interaction with Sadhus/ Sants and their lifestyle
- A great views of Source of Ganga - Gaumukh (Gomukh)
- Highest point 4000m
DAY 01 :
Drive to Gangotri:
Day starts with a drive to Gangtri via Uttarakashi which takes you through mountain road of garhwal. It is spectacular drive with views Bhagirathi valley. Bhagirathi river is dammed at Tehri and it forms a reservoir of 22km behind the dam. It takes us 6-7 hours to reach Uttarakashi and 4 hrs further to Gangotri. Uttarakashi is a big town of this valley which supplies essential stuff to the villagers of near areas. This place can be very busy during May and June as it is main halt place on the way to Gangotri, one of the major pilgrimage.
Gangotri is one of the major 4 Hindu pilgrimages of Uttarakhand where it is believed that Ganga Holiest river of India touched earth for the first time. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received Ganga into his matted locks to minimize the impact of her fall. This small town is centered around a temple of the goddess Ganga, which was built by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century. The temple is closed on Diwali day every year and is reopened in May. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil. The Source of Ganga, Gomukh is 18km further upstream from Gangotri. The trek to Gomukh is gradual, and several pilgrims undertake the journey to pay homage to the river at its known source. Overnight at Guest House in Gangotri
DAY 02:
Gangotri – Cheerbasa (11650 ft.) 9km, 4- 5 Hours
After breakfast, start trek to Cheerbasa. We start with an easy climb the route is filled with breathtaking sights as the magnificent scenery unfolds itself at every step. We have lunch on the way and reach at a small isolated forest of pine at Chirbasa and camp there for overnight .
DAY 03:
Cheerbasa to Gomukh (12950 ft) and back to Bhojbasa (12450 ft): 13 km, 5-6 Hours
Day starts with small uphill to the main trail and then trail gets gradual up to Gomukh. It is about 9km and takes about 4-5 hours to reaches Bhojbabsa. Bhojbasa has a small temple there and this used be full of Birch tree but unfortunately not anymore there.
We camp at Bhojbasa for overnight stay but we go up to Gomukh for acclimatization reason as it is 4000m and then return our camp.
DAY 04 :
Gomukh to Tapovan (14150 ft): 4 km, 3-4 Hours
Till Gaumukh, it is a well-defined trail. But after Gomukh, it is full of boulders on Glacier and one has to walk over boulder to boulder some places.
After crossing the moraine and glacier, we finally reach the place from where we leave the Gangotri glacier below and climb very steep uphill to reach Tapovan from where rises the Shivling Peak (6543m) flanked by Meru (6630m) and Kedar Dome (6808m). Tapovan is surrounded by many named and unnamed peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas. You can see the peaks of Bhagirathi & Sudershan from Tapovan, a base camp of Shivling mountain. The view from Tapovan definitely worth the effort. We set up camp and spend our rest of the day exploring and taking pictures of peaks with lights. Dinner & overnight stay in tents.
DAY 05:
Tapovan to Cheerbasa:
We find our route back to Cheerbasa and overnight at Cheerbabsa. 4-5 hours and 13km.
DAY 06:
Cheerbasa to Gangotri (3 hours) and drive to Uttrakashi (4 hours):
We walk back to Gangotri and board our vehicles to drive to Uttarakashi. Over night stay at Uttrakashi.
DAY 07:
DRIVE TO RISHIKESH (4-5HRS):
Morning after breakfast 7 hours to drive to Rishikesh from Uttarakashi with scenic drive. Lunch on the way and trip finish on arrival in Rishikesh.
Driving Direction
From Delhi to Red Chilli Adventure Office in Rishikesh >
Follow Karnal Rd and GT Road to NH9 in Block B, Ghaziabad
Drive from NH34, NH 58, NH334 and NH34 to Tapovan, Rishikesh
Turn right at Travel Partner > Red Chilli Adventure will be on the left
