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Title : Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
Category : Trek
Duration : 8 Days
Location : Uttaranchal
Season : Summer (mar - june)
Autumn (sep - nov)
Grade : Moderate
An area which has been attracting people for centuries.
The trek starts from the 18th century temple of Gangotri and
goes beyond the source of Ganga to the meadow of Tapovan,
favourite spot for sadhus meditating in the Himalayas.
Gaumukh, the snout of the glacier, Tapovan and the mighty peaks
of the Garhwal Himalayas definitely make it a special trek.
Day 1 Delhi to Camp Kuflon(1520m)
Board Dehradun Shatabdi train leaving Delhi at 6:55am. Arrive
Hardwar at 11:20am. Transfer to Kuflon, near the road head for
Dodital, 11 kms from Uttarkashi in the valley of the Assi Ganga
(5 hr drive). Overnight Kuflon.
Day 2 Camp Kuflon Basics to Chirbasa (3600m) 4 hr drive
and 4 hr walk
Drive 4 hrs to reach the holy shrine of Gangotri (3000m). Visit
the temple and the start the 4 hr walk up towards Gaumukh, the
source of the river Ganges. The trail keeps following the river
and and just short of Chirbasa one gets the first views of the
Bhagirathi Peaks. Chirbasa (3600m), literally meaning the home
of pine is now a cluster of shops and some pine trees. Walk down
from the main trail and setup camp close to the river.
Day 3 Chirbasa to Bhojbasa (3800m) 3hrs
Have a relaxed day with only about 3 hrs of walk. Reach the
campsite of Bhojbasa(3800m), home of birch (now only a few left
in the much denuded area) and setup camp. Evening walk to one of
the high points closeby is recommended for better
acclimatisation. Don’t forget to carry your cameras along, you
just might chance upon a group of ibexes or a beautiful sunset
Day 4 Bhojbasa to Tapovan (4450 m) 5-6 hrs
Walk about 2hrs to reach Gaumukh (4000m), the source of the
Ganges. Spend time admiring the beauty and the power of the
nature. It’s a visual treat and an experience in itself to watch
the Ganga gush out of the snout of the Gangotri glacier. Cross
the glacier and start the steep ascent to reach the beautiful
meadow of Tapovan (3hrs from Gaumukh).
Day 5 Rest day at Tapovan (4450m)
a lush green meadow dotted with wildflowers right at the foot of
the giant Shivling. Spend your day doing walks around the
campsite, or visiting the sadhus, reading a book or just
admiring the mighty peaks of Bhagirathi, Shivling, Meru and
others.
Day 6 Tapovan to Chirbasa (3600m) 5hrs
Start the trek back to reach Chirbasa in about 5 hrs. Setup camp
Day 7 Chirbasa to Gangotri to Camp Kuflon Basics. 2-3 hrs
walk and 4 hrs drive
After breakfast carry on the trail to reach Gangotri (4hrs) and
board the waiting vehicles to drive back to the camp Kuflon
Basics for the comforts of hot shower, barbeque and the
campfire.
Day 8 Camp Kuflon Basics to Haridwar to Delhi
Have an easy start, let the aching muscles rest. An early lunch
/ brunch and drive back (5 hrs) to Haridwar to board the evening
Shatabdi to reach Delhi by 10:30 in the night
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