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around gangotri tour
Delhi - Dehradun - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Bhujwasa - Tapovan - Nandanwan - Vasuki - Satopanth Glacier - Kalindi Glacier - Vasuki - Nandanwan - Rakatban - Bhujwasa - Gangotri - Rishikesh - Dehradun - Delhi
Season : Mid May to June and September to November
Duration : 21 days
Grade : Moderate
Day 01: Fly Delhi to Dehradun, drive Uttarkashi - 6 to 7 hours
Depart Delhi on the flight for Dehra Dun. You are met at Jolly Grant airport for the drive to Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi town is more on the pilgrimage circuit and with trekking and mountaineering gaining popularity as adventure sports, the importance of this region is increasing. The region has some high-altitude lakes and the Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers lead on to several major peaks—the hunting grounds for serious mountaineering buffs. Overnight at the Tourist Bungalow.
Day 02: Drive Uttarkashi to Gangotri (10,000 ft/3,000m) -7 hours
Continue the drive to Gangotri. You get a good view of the Bhagirathi river as you drive up several hairpin bends. Gangotri temple, constructed by Gorkha GeneralAmar Singh Thapa in the 18th century, is situated in the bank of Bhagirathi and a number of Ashrams are located on the other sites. It is visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year., Gangotri is an inhabited valley during the summer months. It is surrounded by wonderful slopes covered in deodar and fir trees. Above these slopes are dramatic rock walls. Overnight at the Tourist Bungalow or in camp.
Day 03: Trek Gangotri to Bhujwasa (11,500 ft/3,455 m) - 6 to 7 hours
Start with and easy trek and follow a well defined trail to the famous pilgrimroute to the source of the Ganges. It moves all the way up till Gaumukh on the true right of the Bhagirathi valley. Stop for lunch at Chirwasa (3500 meters, 11600 feet), “abode of chir or pine trees”. As you proceed towards Bhujwasa, the majestic Bhagirathi peaks (6856 meters, 22624 feet) appears on the horizon. Continue on the trail to Bhujwasa, “abode of Bhoj (birch) trees”, where camp is set for the night.
Day 04: Gomukh Trek Bhujwasa to Tapovan (13,000 ft/3,900 m) - 6 to 7 hours
Leaving the trees behind, trek towards Gomukh or "cow's mouth", where the holy Ganga river originates. The glacier has receded by a lot of distance due to global warming. Just before Gomukh is a group of birch trees, past whichBhujwasa you can see the green fields of Tapovan. Carry on past the boulder strewn glacier, walking over scree, to Tapovan, where camp is set. Tapovan known for its beautiful meadows that encircle the base camp of the Shivling peak, Tapovan is a very pleasant large meadow with bubbling streams, wildflowers and campsites, herds of Bharal (blue mountain goats. On the far side of the glacier the Bhagirathi I, II, III (6454mt), provide an impressive backdrop
Day 05 & 6: At Tapovan
Tapovan is an ideal location for the tourists looking for peace and adventure. Tapovan is located on an altitude of 4463m / 14640ft above sea level. Tapovan is base camp for Shivlinga peak in Uttrakhand hills. One can also have a nice view of Bhagirathi peaks from Tapovan Meadow. Every year this place has been visited by thousands of tourist including foreigners for adventure activity like mountaineering & trekking. Explore the surrounding areas, taking day walks to the base camps of Shivaling, Kadardome, Kedarnath and Meru peaks.
Day 07: Trek Tapovan to Nandanwan (14,600 ft/4,385 m) - 6 hours
Retrace your steps along the glacier till you are almost across it. The route from Tapovan leads from the upper section of the meadow till down and onto the glacier. From Gomukh turn towards Nandanvan (4340m) and steering on right one will be on top of the Gangotri glacier. The glacier runs between two ranges and the landslides make a layer of rocky moraine on the ice which makes the walking easier. Then proceed upstream along its true right moraine and cross the Raktwarn and Chaturangi glaciers. Climb the true left moraine of the latter and reach Nandanwan. From here you get magnificent views of several 6,000-meter peaks.
Day 08: Shivling At Nandanwan
From Nandanvan the views of prominent peaks namely - Shivling, Bhagirathi, Sudarshana, Thel, Kedar dome are fabulous. Explore the high moraine of the Chaturangi glacier, with breathtaking views of the Shivaling peak. Chaturangi means "a combination of four glaciers".
Day 09: Trek Nandanwan to Vasuki (15,000 ft/4,505 m) - 4 hours
Start walking upstream on the Chaturangi glacier, with the Bhagirathi Parbat massif to your right and you see the west face of Bhagirathi III, sandwiched between I and II and hanging over the Gangotri glacier . Cross the glacier between the massif and the Vasuki Parbat and arrive at a beautiful lake Vasuki Taal, at its foot a the base for Mt Satopanth and Mt Vasuki Parbat with a small lake , where camp is set for the night. On the other side of the glacier lay a beautiful green meadow surrounding Vasuki Tal (4900m).
Day 10: Trek Vasuki to Satopanth Glacier (16,000 ft/4,805 m) - 5 to 6 hours
Walking upstream on the Chaturangi glacier, arrive at the base of Mt. Satopanth, the highest peak in the region. The route is an endless ice field with gaping glaciers breaking the monotony of the landscape. The walk involves some technical negotiations on the glacier. The campsite on the glacier provides an excellent view of Mount Satopanth, a breathtaking sight especially at sunrise. Night in the camps.
Day 11: Satopanth Trek Satopanth to Kalindi Glacier (17,000 ft/5,105 m) - 5 to 6 hours
Depending on snow and weather conditions, camp will be moved to the highest point permissible to foreigners near Kalindi Khal, the old religious pilgrimage route between Gangotri and Badrinath, important Hindu pilgrimage spots. The first views of Satopanth peak is awesome. The peak is a perfect trapezium, the final ascent covered in tonnes and tonnes of snow. The glacier keeps changing every year. The route changes accordingly. The camp is protected from the cold winds from Sita glacier by a ridge. The Kalindi glacier split near its head. Overnight in the tents.
Day 12: Trek Kalindi to Vasuki - 6 to 7 hours
Retrace your steps back to Vasuki. The route is crevasses and all care has to be taken. On the way back take pictures of the spectacular views of Avalanche peak, Satopanth peak and Vasuki parwat. Camp is set near the taal. Overnight in the tents.
Day 13: Trek Vasuki to Nandanwan - 3 hours
Make your way back to Nandanwan. You have to walk downstream on the Chaturangi glacier, cross the Glacier and reach Nandanwan where the camps are set for the night. Relax yourself in the tents.
Day 14: Trek Nandanwan to Rakatban (14,800 ft/4,445 m) - 6 hours
Going downstream of the Gangotri glacier, on its true right and crossing almost half the glacier, take a right turn into a narrow valley. A grueling one to two-hour walk on broken scree gets you to beautiful grass fields, covered with wildflowers, an ideal place to set the camp for an overnight stay
Day 15: Sudarshan Peak At Rakatban
You can explore the area or take a day walk to the base of Mount Sudarshan, the legendary weapon of the Hindu gods. Night in the camps.
Day 16: Trek Rakatban to Bhujwasa - 5 to 6 hours
Trek down to Gaumukh (snout of the Gangotri Glacier and origin of Ganga) and proceed to Gangotri glacier. A two hour walk on the true right moraine of the glacier gets you to Gomukh. According to mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimise the immense impact of her fall. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source. Follow the well defined trail to Bhujwasa, where camp is set for the night.
Day 17: Trek Bhujwasa to Gangotri 5 to 6 hours
Morning, after breakfast start trekking with packed lunch to reach Gangotri by covering approx. 14 kms in 4 hrs. where camp is set for the night. Visit Gangotri temple to offer your prayers to goddess Ganga. The temple, close to the source of Ganga (Ganges river)and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in theChar Dham pilgrimage circuit. The ritual duties at Gangotri temple are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris. The Aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is especially impressive.
Day 18: Drive Gangotri to Uttarkashi - 6 hours
Vehicles await you here for the drive back to Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is also known as 'Devbhumi' (The land of gods and goddesses). From the religious point of view it is considered important because the temple of Lord Viswanath is located here. A massive iron trident has also been erected here. A description of this temple has been given in the ancient text, the "Kedar Khand" (Skand-Puran).Uttarkashi also has a number of ashrams for the sanyasis and mendicants who occupy the banks of the holy river for penance and prayers. Overnight in a basic Tourist Bungalow.
Day 19: Drive Uttarkashi to Rishikesh - 7 hours
Continue to Rishikesh. There is time to visit the ghats and the many temples and yoga ashrams. There are scores of ancient temples and ashrams affording spiritual solace to pilgrims, the important among them being temple of Bharata Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Lahkhsmana temple, Geeta Bhawan and the Punjab Kshetra. It is believed that God by the name of “Hrishikesh” had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name. International Yoga week is held here, every year, in February on the banks of the Ganga which attracts participation from across the world. Overnight at a simple hotel.
Day 20: Drive Rishikesh to Dehradun - 1 hour
Drive to Dehra Dun airport, from where you can catch the flight back to Delhi. You can also return to Delhi by road (a 6-hour drive) or overnight train.
Day 21: At Delhi
Reach Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Relax yourself for the whole day. Board your Flight in the night.
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