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GAUMUKH - TAPOVAN TREK
- Region - Uttarakhand
- Base Camp - Gangotri
- Duration 8 Days
- Altitute 4450M
- Stay Rooms/Tents
- Difficulty Moderate+
Detail itinenary
You will start your drive from Dehradun to Gangotri. This is a long but very beautiful drive specially after Uttarkashi as you enter the upper Bhagirathi valley. We check into a guesthouse/lodge at Gangotri and savour the spectacular surroundings. In the evening visit the mother Ganga (Gangotri) temple and take a stroll in the Gangotri market, if time permits. You can do your last-minute shopping here if you have missed out on carrying any items. Overnight at Gangotri
After breakfast, set out on the trek towards Chirbassa. This trek is mostly on even terrain with mild gradient. The views of Sudarshan peak early in the trek is quite nice. Today’s hike is a very pleasing one with interesting sights throughout. The forest campsite at Chirbasa next to the Ganga river is a fabulous spot and one is going to completey enjoy the camping experience here. The area is surrounded by Pine (Chir) trees from where it gets its name. Overnight at Chirbassa
After breakfast, we continue ahead to Bhojwassa. The area gets its name from the bhojpatra or bhoj leaves that were used for writing purposes as paper during the ancient times. The walk from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa is a short and delightful one. Today you get very good views of the Bhagirati peaks and the Gaumukh glacier ahead. Bhojbasa is a very small settlement with a couple of ashrams and govt. guesthouses. After a brief rest at the campsite and lunch we suggest that one hike up towards Gaumukh and return to the campsite towards evening. This will assist in acclimatization and give one great opportunity to take pictures. Dinner and overnight at Bhojwasa
After having our breakfast we start on our hike to Gaumukh. Today’s trek is a little demanding one and gets difficult as the gradient increases. Getting to Gaumukh will take around an hour or so we will spend spiritual time here and take blessings of the Ganga ma(mother). Sight of the source of Ganges or rather the source of life for many, is a truly spiritual experience. After spending some time, we will trek back to Bhojwasa. It’s downhill and a gradual walk all the way to Bhojwasa. Overnight stay at Bhijwasa
After having From here we will have to traverse the gigantic Gangotri glacier to cross over to the other side and climb up to tapovan. The route has changed from what it used to be couple of years back and that’s why the distance is more now. All the sweat and hardwork of reaching Tapovan is rewarded manifolds as one this is a spectacular bugyal (high altitude meadow) situated at the base of the Shivling peak and is surely one of the top places to visit across Himalayas. The circle of giant mountains around this meadow with very close views of Bhagirathi peaks, Mt. Meru & Mt.Shivling is a sight to behold. Overnight at Khada Pathar
After breakfast, we will trek down to Chirbassa for overnight stay
After breakfast we will trek down to Gangotri.
After breakfast board the vehicles and start driving back towards Dehradun. Arrive in Dehradun by around late afternoon. Our trip ends here.
ABOUT THE TREK
This trek tracing the source of the holiest river in the country, Ganges, takes one into a Himalayan landscape par excellence. This trek steeped in spirituality and Himalayan grandeur takes one into a very remote and true Himalayan landscape. On this inviting trail, there are big mountains, high altitude meadows, a sacred & mighty river, holy temples, great campsites, sadhus, occasional wildlife, and more. You begin the trek at Gangotri, which is bustling with pilgrims, sages, and sadhus (holy men) who have journeyed here to pay homage at the source of the Ganges. The spiritual intensity of Gangotri, one of India's most sacred pilgrimage sites, is palpable as you witness the daily puja at the temple, and the Hindu devotees bathing at the water's edge.
The trail starting from Gangotri gradually and beautifully moves up to an inviting patch of pine (chir) forest at Chirbasa. There are fantastic views of the open valleys and Sudarshan peak to begin with. The campsite at Chirbasa is extremely scenic with all elements present. There is the Ganga river flowing by, big snow-capped giants & rocky cliffs all around and a beautiful pine forest over it. In the next stage, we move up to Bhojbasa which gets its name from Bhojpatra trees (silver birch) that grow here. the hike from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa is a short one but has beautiful sights all along. In the next stage, we trek towards Tapovan, en route we halt at Gaumukh (Cow’s mouth), said to be the Source of the Ganges. One sees water gushing out of a snout-like opening and towering rocks and the thick chunks of hardened ice of the glacier. The awe-inspiring view is no doubt revered by one and all!! One can catch a glimpse of sadhus taking a dip here as part of their penance as it is believed that a dip in these holy waters washes away one’s sins. As you weave your way from Gangotri to Tapovan, every twist in the trail reveals another stunning snow-clad Himalayan giant. The meadows at Tapovan must rate as one of the most awe-inspiring spots in the world, as you gaze at the Shivling peak rising like a great deity before you and not to mention the twin Bhagirathi peaks and the Meru peak. For the greedy, who are still not content with the beauty, the Tapovan region offers numerous exploration options. In the last stage of the trip, we hike down to Gangotri and drive down to Uttarkashi from where we drive down to Dehradun on the last day.
SKETCH ITINERARY
Day 01: Dehradun - Gangotri (2620m) (Drive/8-9 Hrs)
Day 02: Gangotri (3100m) - Chirbassa (3600m) (Trek/3-4 Hrs)
Day 03: Chirbassa (3600m) - Bhojwasa (3800m) (Trek/3-4 Hrs)
Day 04: Bhojwasa (3800m) - Gaumukh (4100m) - Bhojwasa (3800m) (Trek/5-6 Hrs)
Day 05: Bhojwasa (3800m) - Tapovan (4450n) - Khada Pathar Camping Site (4300m) (Trek/ 6-7hrs)
Day 06: Khada Pathar Camping Site (4300m) - Chirbassa (3600m) (Trek/6-7 Hrs)
Day 07: Chirbassa - Gangotri (2620m) (Trek/2-3 Hrs)
Day 08: Gangotri(2620m) - Dehradun (Drive/8-9 Hrs)
Detail itinenary
You will start your drive from Dehradun to Gangotri. This is a long but very beautiful drive specially after Uttarkashi as you enter the upper Bhagirathi valley. We check into a guesthouse/lodge at Gangotri and savour the spectacular surroundings. In the evening visit the mother Ganga (Gangotri) temple and take a stroll in the Gangotri market, if time permits. You can do your last-minute shopping here if you have missed out on carrying any items. Overnight at Gangotri
After breakfast, set out on the trek towards Chirbassa. This trek is mostly on even terrain with mild gradient. The views of Sudarshan peak early in the trek is quite nice. Today’s hike is a very pleasing one with interesting sights throughout. The forest campsite at Chirbasa next to the Ganga river is a fabulous spot and one is going to completey enjoy the camping experience here. The area is surrounded by Pine (Chir) trees from where it gets its name. Overnight at Chirbassa
After breakfast, we continue ahead to Bhojwassa. The area gets its name from the bhojpatra or bhoj leaves that were used for writing purposes as paper during the ancient times. The walk from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa is a short and delightful one. Today you get very good views of the Bhagirati peaks and the Gaumukh glacier ahead. Bhojbasa is a very small settlement with a couple of ashrams and govt. guesthouses. After a brief rest at the campsite and lunch we suggest that one hike up towards Gaumukh and return to the campsite towards evening. This will assist in acclimatization and give one great opportunity to take pictures. Dinner and overnight at Bhojwasa
After having our breakfast we start on our hike to Gaumukh. Today’s trek is a little demanding one and gets difficult as the gradient increases. Getting to Gaumukh will take around an hour or so we will spend spiritual time here and take blessings of the Ganga ma(mother). Sight of the source of Ganges or rather the source of life for many, is a truly spiritual experience. After spending some time, we will trek back to Bhojwasa. It’s downhill and a gradual walk all the way to Bhojwasa. Overnight stay at Bhijwasa
After having From here we will have to traverse the gigantic Gangotri glacier to cross over to the other side and climb up to tapovan. The route has changed from what it used to be couple of years back and that’s why the distance is more now. All the sweat and hardwork of reaching Tapovan is rewarded manifolds as one this is a spectacular bugyal (high altitude meadow) situated at the base of the Shivling peak and is surely one of the top places to visit across Himalayas. The circle of giant mountains around this meadow with very close views of Bhagirathi peaks, Mt. Meru & Mt.Shivling is a sight to behold. Overnight at Khada Pathar
After breakfast, we will trek down to Chirbassa for overnight stay
After breakfast we will trek down to Gangotri.
After breakfast board the vehicles and start driving back towards Dehradun. Arrive in Dehradun by around late afternoon. Our trip ends here.
PRICE INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation: On single or double sharing basis
- Day 01: In Good Quality hotel at Gangotri
- Day 02: Alpine tents in Chirbassa
- Day 03: Alpine tents in Bhojwassa
- Day 04: Alpine tents in Bhojwassa
- Day 05: Alpine tents in Khada Pathar (near Tapovan)
- Day 06: Alpine tents in Chirbassa
- Day 07: In Good Quality hotel at Gangotri
- Enhanced Menu: We offer enhanced menu where the food is nourishing, fresh & tasty
- Day 01: Dinner
- Day 02: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 03: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 04: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 05: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 06: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 07: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Day 08: Breakfast
- Good Quality camping Arrangements. The following equipment is provided on the trek
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Good quality and big size A shaped tents or alpine tents
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Absolutely clean sleeping bags with fresh inner liners
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Thick foam mattresses
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Dining tent with camping stool
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1 toilet tent for 5 trekkers. Separate toilet tent for ladies. Toilet tents have good quality portable seats
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Lamp inside the tent
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- Professional guide(s) to ensure high safety and more information and personal attention which are necessary to appreciate a trek. All our guides are professionally trained and have many years of relevant experience in guiding treks.
- Porter charges for carrying camping equipment & rations
- Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee for Indian guest only
- Basic first aid for the group
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- Transport of any nature (will be divided amongst the final number of trekkers)
- Any meals/services not mentioned above
- Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
- Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, roadblocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
- GST 5%
Departure Dates
Departure Dates
Reviews
PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS
- All payments for the trips, transfers, porterage, etc. should be made in full before the trip starts.
- Cancellation Policy: In the event that you need to cancel your booking due to any avoidable or unavoidable circumstances:
- We must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive the request in writing. Any cancellation sent on a Sunday or any National Holiday(s), will be considered on the next official working day.
- Payment for this trip will not be adjusted towards any future trip(s)
- In the event of any cancellation(s) after trip commencement, there will be no refunds and any costs incurred due to this cancellation will be borne by you.
- Irrespective of when a trip is booked, the above condition will hold true
- Cancellation charges will be as follows
- >45 Days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 30-45 Days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 15-30 Days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- <15 Days: No refund
VITAL INFORMATION
WEATHER DETAILS
This snow trek is organized between Dec & mid-March when the region has had good snowfall. Contrary to the popular belief winters is a good time to be in the mountains if one is equipped properly. Most locals inhabiting higher reaches of the mountains don’t mind the problems associated with snowfall and seem to have a good time during these months. Also there are lots of local festivals in these months. In these months weather is generally clear most of the days. Day time is normally pleasantly warm with one getting to enjoy sitting out in the sun. Temperature would be around 12-17 °C. Evenings are quite cold and one would need to be inside a tent/room or sitting outside next to fire with proper winter clothes. The evening temperatures will be around – 3 to 5 °C. Nights can be very cold with temperatures in the range of – 8 to 0 °C.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications.
LIST OF ESSENTIALS
It is very important for this adventure trip that you need to be equipped properly and with a bit of back up. Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags.
- T-shirts (Full) – 2/3
- Warm shirt/light micro fleece pullover/full sleeve T shirt
- Trekking Pants (water resistant/repellent & having inside lining for extra warmth) - 2
- Windproof/water resistant outer shell (jacket) of good quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) with a proper hood
- Down jacket with min 600 fill power rating
- Thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woollen cap (Balaclava)
- Inner fleece gloves
- Outer water proof gloves
- Thick woollen socks & regular socks (4 – 5 pairs)
- Scarf/muffler (optional)
- Comfortable waterproof (Goretex) Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole and high ankles are recommended)
- Camp shoes (these can be easy to slip in sneakers/sport shoes)
- Gaiters
- Raincoat / Poncho
- Small light weight towel
- Insulated water bottle & hydration pack (optional)
- Cap / floppy hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
- Sun glasses with UV protection and ability to cut the glare (imp when traversing through snow)
- Sturdy walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
- Personal toiletries
- Book, if you like reading
- Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
- Carry rain cover for your bags
- Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
- Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
- …LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE
Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.
NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS (DELHI – DEHRADUN – DELHI)
For travel to Dehradun/Haridwar/Haridwar, one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, GoAir & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in.
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 300 - 800 per person. These buses depart from Delhi ISBT every 30 mins to 1 hr or so and take about 4/5 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
OUR TREKKING CODE
We are mountain lovers and have pledged to bring no harm to them in our pursuit of running organised wilderness travel in the Himalayas and seek your assistance too in this regard. We are more than convinced that one can have more fun on a trip if we go about it in a way that no harm is caused to the ecology. In this regard we have a set of guidelines that we adhere to based on the tenets of 'Leave No Trace' & 'Tread Light' policies. These guidelines are very simple and emphasise on travelling in small groups, better planning, understanding impact of camping, proper waste disposal, respecting local cultures, sensitivity towards wildlife and so on. We have a complete section on our trekking code in the 'GIO trekking Manual'. This manual will be couriered to you once you confirm a trip with us.
ACCLIMATISATION & HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
This is one of the most important aspects of traveling in the high Himalayas and cannot be ignored or set aside. Acclimatization basically means our body adjusting to lower levels of oxygen (rarefied air) & reduced air pressure as me move up. In case one does not acclimatize properly there are chances of the person facing extreme discomfort and this can be fatal in extreme cases. While there is no set route to getting properly acclimatized there are general precautions and steps that one can take to initiate good acclimatization. Our trekking guides will assist you with these steps and also once you book a trip with us the 'GIO Trekking Manual' which will cover this aspect extensively will be couriered to you. This is sure to help you enjoy the trek in very good shape.
SELECTING THE RIGHT TREK & TRAINING FOR IT
Most important thing is to select the right trek keeping in mind your experience or inexperience, health, objectives & ability. Our senior team people can assist you with this, so when contacting us do mention if you need guidance on this front also refer to our trek grading system mentioned below. Once the right trek is selected comes your preparation. Once you have booked a trip with us we will courier the 'GIO Trekking Manual' to you which will have a complete practice drill explained in detail.
TREK GRADING SYSTEM
We have broadly classified our treks as below:
Easy: These treks are 3 to 5 days long and involve walking for about 3/4 hrs daily. The trail on such treks is well defined but not always flat. These are great for families and first-timers
Moderate: On these treks, one is not required to trek for more than 5/6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks, prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first-timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less demanding
Moderate+: These are moderate treks with mostly one difficult day. These trails are fine for fit beginners also.
Vigorous: On these treks one can be required to trek continuously for more than a week through remote areas and at times trekking for more than 7 hrs a day. On most of these treks one has to cross passes or areas which are snow-covered and involve camping at an altitude of more than 4000m. Fit people with some kind of hiking experience & a spirit of adventure can contemplate going on these trails.
Strenuous: These treks apart from having continuous trekking stretches are at places technical and might require assistance from trip leader/guide and other staff people. All these treks have rest days in between. Also, all of them involve crossing passes or areas having an altitude of more than 4500m. First-timers are discouraged from walking such routes.
Expedition Style: These involve long walks at high altitudes at times around 6000m. Camping can also be well over the snow line and on glaciers at times. Safety ropes, ice axes, and crampons might be required on these treks. These treks are not technically very difficult but are considerably challenging. Previous vigorous/strenuous trekking experience is required.
DISCLAIMER
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure the safety of its clients. However, in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants would be required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.
Recognised by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as an Approved Adventure Tour Operator
Contact Us
GIO Adventures Pvt. LtdDehradun - Uttarakhand
- +91-7895979211
- info@gio.in