Gangotri Trekking
One of the sacred shrines of India, it is the source of the River
Ganga. Another attraction is the 18th century temple of the Goddess
Ganga, and a
lingam in the water that can be seen in winter.
Gangotri - Gaumukh - Tapovan -
Nandanvan Trek
7 Day Trek
Altitude: 3048m-4500m
District: Uttarkashi
are Tourist Delight
Gangotri (3048m) lies in the northwest Himalayas of Garhwal, and is
one of the four dhams
(pilgrimage centres for Hindus, the other three being Yamunotri,
Badrinath and Kedarnath) of Garhwal.
The Bhairnoghati bridge built across one of the deepest gorges in the
world, connects Gangotri trek to the rest of the world across the
Bhagirathi River.
Gangotri trekking tours to the Gangotri temple is full of adventure.
The temple is an 18th century temple made of granite rock
at Gangotri that was built by Amar Singh Thapa, a gorkha commander,
and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur.
The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga who is believed to have
descended from heaven as a result of King Bhagirath’s
centuries-long penance, since the latter wanted the ashes of his dead
relatives to be washed away by the holy waters of the Goddess Ganga.
The current of the Ganga was so strong that Lord Shiva (the Destroyer
in the Hindi Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) had to hold
her flow in check by coiling his matted locks around her. From then
on, Shiva is also known as Jatashankar (Jata
means hair in Hindi). There is a
lingam (the symbolic
phallus of Shiva) in the water that can be seen in winter. Gaumukh, or
the cow’s mouth, (3892m), the source of Bhagirathi River, is at a
distance of 17km from Gangotri.
A 4km trek through the massive Gaumukh Glacier, takes you to the high
altitude plain, Tapovan, where King Bhagirath did penance. Tapovan is
the foothill of the mighty Shivling Peak (6543m), makes one of the
most desired trekking tours adventure in Gangotri, surrounded by
beautiful peaks in the world.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Drive 252km, with packed lunch, from Rishikesh to Gangotri via
Tehri and Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi River. Dinner and overnight
stay at the GMVN rest house or in tent. There are a few eating joints
at Gangotri.
DAY 2: Breakfast and trek 14km, with packed lunch, to Bhojbasa
(3792m), a place full of birch trees, via Chirbasa (3600m), the land
of pine trees, 9km from Gangotri. The trek takes you through one of
the best landscapes in Garhwal. Dinner and overnight stay at the GMVN
rest house or in tent at Bhojbasa.
DAY 3: Breakfast and trek 10km with packed lunch to Tapovan (4463m)
via Gaumukh (3892m) where the Bhagirathi River emerges from beneath
the Gangotri Glacier. Tapovan is a beautiful grassy meadow below the
mighty Shivling peak (6543m), one of the most beautiful peaks in the
world, and is also known as the ‘Matterhorn of the East’.
Dinner and overnight stay in tent at Tapovan.
DAY 4: Breakfast and trek 8km, with packed lunch, to Nandanvan
(4500m) via the Gangotri Glacier. The enchanting route offers some
beautiful views of snow-capped peaks like the Shivling (6543m), Mana
Parbat (6758m), Satopanth (7084m),Vasuki (6792m), the Bhagirathi trio
(6556m), and many others. Dinner and overnight stay in tent at
Nandanvan.
DAY 5: Breakfast and trek 11km, with packed lunch, to Bhojbasa via
Gaumukh. Dinner and overnight stay at the GMVN rest house or in tent
at Bhojbasa.
DAY 6: Breakfast and trek 14km, with packed lunch, to Gangotri.
Dinner and overnight stay at the GMVN rest house or in tent at
Gangotri.
DAY 7: Breakfast and drive 252km to Rishikesh.
Best Time for Treks: April to June, and September to October.
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