Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Cost: $1,000        5 Days                                                                                                   

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Full Package. All inclusive. Food, lodging on the trail, transportation from Uttarkashi to Gangotri (3 hours), guiding fees, permits and trekking gear included.

 

Trek Difficulty: Moderate

Highest Altitude: 16,000 ft.

Distance: 30 Miles 

Accommodation: Hotel & Tents

 

Day 1

Uttarkashi (3,800 ft.)

Begin your journey with a scenic morning drive from Uttarkashi to Harsil, a peaceful hamlet nestled along the Bhagirathi River, known for its pine forests, apple orchards, and Himalayan charm. Take a break here to stretch, enjoy lunch, and then explore an old mountain village decorated with traditional wooden homes. Purchase your sheep wool scarfs, sweaters or ponchos here. Walk by the riverside before continuing onward to Gangotri, the spiritual gateway to the higher Himalayas. The winding mountain road offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, and quaint mountain villages, making the journey as memorable as the destination. Arrive in Gangotri (3,100 m) by afternoon, where you can check into a local guesthouse, visit the revered Gangotri Temple, and begin acclimatizing for the high-altitude trek ahead.

 

Day 2 

Gangotri (10,200 ft.)

Begin your trek from Gangotri (3,100 m) in the morning, following a well-marked trail that gradually ascends along the roaring Bhagirathi River, offering panoramic views of surrounding snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. The path winds through deodar and pine forests, eventually opening up to alpine meadows and rocky terrain as you pass the rest point at Chirbasa (3,600 m), where you can pause for lunch or acclimatization. From Chirbasa, continue on a slightly steeper trail with stunning views of the Bhagirathi peaks towering ahead, eventually reaching the windswept plain of Bhojbasa (3,800 m), named after the birch trees that once grew here. Set up camp near the river, surrounded by stark Himalayan beauty, and rest in preparation for your approach to Gaumukh the following day.

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Day 3 

Bhojbasa (12,415 ft.)

Start your day early from Bhojbasa (3,800 m), trekking along the glacier-fed Bhagirathi River toward Gaumukh (3,900 m), the sacred and dramatic snout of the Gangotri Glacier, revered as the physical source of the River Ganges. After taking time to absorb the spiritual and natural significance of this powerful glacial landscape, continue your ascent on a steep and demanding trail toward Tapovan (4,400 m), a high-altitude meadow famed for its surreal beauty and close-up views of Mount Shivling. The path involves crossing glacial moraines and boulder fields, requiring sure footing and stamina, but rewards you with sweeping vistas of the Bhagirathi peaks, Meru, and Shivling rising like a cathedral of stone above the valley. Arrive in Tapovan by afternoon, where you’ll set up camp in a serene alpine meadow framed by towering Himalayan giants.

 

Day 4 

Tapovan (14,213 ft.)

Begin your trek early from Tapovan (4,400 m), venturing deeper into the high Himalayas toward the remote and rugged Meru Advanced Base Camp, a challenging route that weaves through glacial moraine, loose rock, and icy terrain beneath the towering granite faces of Mount Meru and Shivling. The journey to ABC is strenuous and requires careful navigation, but offers extraordinary, up-close views of some of the most dramatic peaks in the Garhwal range. After spending time at the base camp taking in the raw alpine landscape and photographing the legendary Shark’s Fin of Meru, begin your descent back through Tapovan and Gaumukh, retracing the glacial path down to the windswept plains of Chirbasa (3,600 m). Arrive by late afternoon and camp among sparse pine forests beside the Bhagirathi River, resting after a long and rewarding day in the high mountains.

 

Day 5 

Chirbasa (11,630 ft.)

Begin your final day on the trail with a relaxed morning trek from Chirbasa (3,600 m) to Gangotri, descending gradually along the scenic Bhagirathi River with time to savor the last views of the majestic Himalayas. The familiar path leads you through fragrant pine forests and past the dramatic mountain cliffs, arriving in Gangotri by late morning. After freshening up, enjoy a well-earned lunch in town and take a final visit to the Gangotri Temple or nearby viewpoints before beginning the drive back to Uttarkashi. Upon arrival, gather with your team for a celebratory dinner at Ganga Beach Resort, where you’ll unwind and reflect on the unforgettable trek you’ve just completed through some of India’s most sacred and stunning landscapes.