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30°55'31.8"N 79°04'54.7"E

Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Trek to the Source of Ganges the most sacred river in India, a complete blend of spiritual fulfillment and natural spectrum.
  • Uttarakhand
  • 8 Days
  • 46 KM
  • 14,202 FT
  • Moderate to Difficult
  • ₹ 15450
    $ 205*
    ?
    The price is for a group of 16 people. The charges will be different for a tailormade private trek. The charges in dollars are more as the permit fees are different for non-Indians.

Book Now

Or Call On
+91 8800332031
  • Event Type

    Trekking

  • Best Time

    May-June, Sept-Oct

  • Base Camp

    ?
    Click to open in maps

    Gangotri, Uttarakhand

  • Pickup Point

    ?
    Click to open in maps

    Railway Station, Dehradun

  • Minimum Age

    ?
    For this adventure, we only allow people above this age to ensure the safety of everyone joining this adventure.

    10

Highlights



  • Gaumukh forms the mouth of the Holy Ganga river as seen in its purest form.
  • Witness the magnificence of Mt. Shivling, Mt. Meru, and the twin peaks of Mt. Bhagirathi.
  • Experience spiritual reverence like never before!

Overview

Bringing passion, spirituality, and adrenaline in one single trek is a menacing combination, and the mesmerizing Gaumukh Tapovan trek promises much more than that! The trek cuts through Gaumukh, the source of the river Ganga which can be seen cascading down the snout of the Gangotri glacier. While numerous neighboring massifs like the Bhagirathi twin peaks, and Mt. Meru can be seen, the most ensnaring sight is the majestic Mt. Shivling which chaperones the entire trek, unfolding bit by bit every hour until it looms over you in stark entirety, rendering you dumbfounded. Another marvel in the form of the stunning meadow of Tapovan awaits you, perched right above Gaumukh.

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

On day one, trekkers will be driven to Gangotri from Dehradun, which makes for a 10-12 hours drive. Shaded by lofty mountains and beautiful Deodar forests, Gangotri is also the base village for the Kedartal Trek. Rest overnight, and gear up for the trek beginning the following day to the source of river Ganga.

Meals : Dinner Only
Accommodation : Hotel
Time Taken : 10-12 hours
Altitude : 10,001 ft.
Distance : 250 km

Begin early in the morning by driving from Dharali to Gangotri. Start trekking towards Chirbasa, the trail to which snakes through a lush forest. In a matter of a few minutes, the mighty Sudarshan Parbat (21,345 ft.) greets you. Take trail proceeding towards the left side of the mountain, to the right of which the roaring Bhagirathi river can be seen. A little further up, you can see one of the first streams and waterfalls of the trek. Crossing a makeshift bridge and a few more streams will bring you mindblowing vistas of the valley. A few hours of trekking will land you at the Chirbasa campsite sitting beside the Bhagirathi river and affording great views of the Bhagirathi peaks. You will camp here overnight.

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 6 hours
Altitude : 11,716 ft.
Distance : 9 km

As you begin your trek from Chirbasa, other towering peaks loom out gracefully. You now embark on the Gaumukh trail. A few minutes later, the beautiful Chirbasa campsite can be seen below, after which the terrain seems rugged and broken in places. Soon, you will face the first ridge of the day. The twin Bhagirathi peaks appear closer as you trek further up the trail. It is not advisable to loiter much as there may be many falling rocks to watch out for. Once you reach Bhojbasa, you are gifted with the first magical glimpse of Mt. Shivling. Go on a short trek to Gaumukh, which takes about 2.5 hours to reach, and is flanked by Mt. Shivling on the right.

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 3 hours
Altitude : 12,450 ft.
Distance : 5 km

Take the same trail to Gaumukh as the other day. The most challenging day of the trek, the trail from Gaumukh to Tapovan takes you through rugged glacial moraines and the stunning Gaumukh glacier. Making your way through the landslide-prone regions, and the glacial stream Akash-Ganga sends a rush of excitement through your body! A deadly combination of ice and rocks adds to the difficulty level, making it slightly slippery. The initial leg of the climb up to the top of the glacier is a stark ascent of about 100 meters. Soon, you must wade through the chilling Akash-Ganga, post which, a steep ascent of 1.5 hours will bring you to Tapovan. Pitch your tents here for the night.

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 7 hours
Altitude : 14,202 ft.
Distance : 9 km

An alpine meadow nestled right at the foot of Mt. Shivling, the mountain can be seen rising from base to summit in breathtaking entirety. Such a splendid view of mountains is something few treks can boast of. The section right beside Mt. Shivling is believed to have been used by sages for meditation, and a few wise men have even made it their abode. Another hour’s trek treats you with jaw-dropping views of yet another behemoth- Mt. Meru. Ensure that you return before 01:30 PM, since the weather conditions tend to change unexpectedly after that.

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents

Trekking back to Gaumukh demands about 4-5 hours of trekking, post which Bhojbasa is only an hour away. Take the same trail back to Chirbasa from there.

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Tents
Time Taken : 8 hours
Altitude : 11,761 ft.
Distance : 14 km

The trek back from Chirbasa to Gangotri is quite smooth and can be traversed comfortably. The trail back follows the same route taken while ascending. 

Meals : B, L, D
Accommodation : Hotel
Time Taken : 5 hours
Altitude : 10,001 ft.
Distance : 9 km
On this day, you will drive back to Dehradun. You will reach Dehradun by 6 or 7 pm.
Meals : Breakfast Only
Accommodation : Not Included
Time Taken : 10-12 hours
Distance : 250 km

How To Reach

We can arrange a cab for you from the pickup point in Dehradun, you will be liable to pay for this. All the trekkers joining the trek can share the cab cost. For communications purposes, we will create a Whatsapp Group before the departure date of the trek and will share the details regarding the transportation. The drop at Dehradun after the trek will be arranged in a similar way.


How to reach Gaumukh Tapovan Trek Base Camp (Gangotri) :

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Dehradun and is easily accessible, it is just 25 km away from the city. Daily flights from New Delhi are available to this airport. You will have to take a bus or a cab to reach Gangotri.


By Train

Dehradun railway station. Overnight trains that hail from Delhi are Nandadevi Express and Dehradun Express. People often prefer railways over airways because with trains you get to see the landscape in its full glory, it is also cheaper and you will definitely enjoy your way till Dehradun. You will have to take a bus or a cab to reach Gangotri.


By Road

Regular bus service is available from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate which plies government buses that are safe and you can rely on them more than the private buses. You will have to take a bus or a cab to reach Gangotri.

Why Trek With Us ?

Twin Sharing Tents
Eco Friendly & Paperless
Finest Guides
Just Right Group Sizes
Commitment to Safety

Fixed Departures All

Inclusions

  • Accommodations at Trek: All accommodations on the trek will be on twin sharing basis in Tents or Homestays. Any accommodation in a hotel/guest house/hostel will be in a budget hotel.
  • Mountain Guide: An experienced and certified mountain guide will accompany you for the trek. The team will have years of experience and well equipped for any emergency situation.
  • Services of a Professional Trekking Team: A team of an experienced Cook, Camp Staff, Porters/Mules will accompany you for all the arrangements on the trek.
  • Meals: All Meals on the Trek are included. We will serve Vegetarian Indian food on the trek which will be cooked by our high altitude chefs. It will be a five-course meal plan.
  • Camping and Safety Equipment: All the camping equipment such as Tents, Sleeping bags, Toilet Tents, Dining Tent, Mattresses, and other things will be provided by us and we guarantee the quality. Safety Equipment including Medical kit, Oxygen Cylinder, Oximeter, Crampons & Gaiters(if required) will be provided by us. We recommend you to bring your own sleeping bags if possible.
  • Trek Permits and Forest Camping Charges: Only for Indian Clients, All the applicable trekking permits, Camping Charges, Forest Entry Fee, etc will be paid by us. Foreigners have to pay these charges if not mentioned.
  • A Life-Changing Experience: We assure you that by trekking in the Himalayas you will have a life-changing experience and we will do everything we can to provide you with the best services and make your venture in the wild an unforgettable one. 


Note: Prior to booking any adventure with Trekmunk, it will be mandatory to sign the waiver form and get a medical certificate from a doctor in due time, without these, you will not be allowed to start the trek. All this will be done online without using any paper.

Exclusions

  • GST and Other Taxes: The goods and services tax is not included in the price mentioned with the trek. They are subjected to change according to the government rules of India.
  • Accommodation and Food in Dehradun: Food and stay in Dehradun and during transit are not included in the package. You can book your hotels or homestays in Dehradun, we can recommend a few good options.
  • Flights and Transportation to Dehradun: Flights or other means of transport are not included in the package. Transportation from Dehradun to Gangotri and back Dehradun is not included in the package. We can arrange a cab for which you will be liable to pay.
  • Personal Equipment: Your Rucksack, personal clothing, shoes, trek poles, and other personal trekking gear is not included in this package. You have to bring your own gear according to the weather and difficulty of the trek.
  • Portage of Personal Bags(Offloading): We highly advise you to carry your own burden (your rucksack) but due to any reason, if you wish to not carry your rucksack, we can arrange for a porter/mule to carry it. For this service, you will be charged over and above the trek cost. The charges for offloading vary with every trek.
  • Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is not included in this package. We recommend you to have travel insurance before opting for such adventures. You can buy insurance from us while booking the trek, it is optional.
  • Personal Expenses: Any personal expenses incurred (Laundry, Bottled Water, Beverages, Snacks, Orders at tea houses or dhabas, Tips for guides, Camera fees, etc) are not included in the package.
  • Emergency Expenses: Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control are not included in the package.
  • Anything not mentioned in Inclusions of the package.

Cancellation Policy And More Information

Booking Terms:

 

Confirmation Policy:

Upon Booking, An invoice will be sent to your mail & within 12 to 24 hours the booking confirmation with additional details will be sent to your mail.

 

Cancellation Policy:

This image is only a brief visual representation of the policy.

Please read the detailed policy carefully by clicking on this text.

 

Refund Policy:

Any refund applicable will be processed within 10 to 15 business days as per the company policy.

 

Postpone/Transfer of a booked trek:

a) You can postpone your booked trek for a period of two months (61 days) but Trekmunk will charge a 20% processing fee. The last date for the postponement will be 15 days before the start of the trek. You can book any slot for the same trek in the next 2 months (61 days) which will totally depend on the availability. You will have to confirm your slot for your future trek 15 days prior to that trek. Failing to book the slot in 2 months (61 days) time, would be considered a cancellation with no refund of any kind. The 2 months (61 days) time frame will be from the start date of the initial trek you booked for. Postponing a booked trek can only be done once. If it is postponed 45 days before the departure date, we will not charge any fee.

 

b) You can transfer your booked slot for the trek to any fit person till 15 days before the trek. You just have to mail us the request and rest we will handle. The new person has to get all the mandatory documents duly signed for the trek and is bound with this booking contract. It is the participant's responsibility to read and agree to all these terms.

 

Please read the detailed policy carefully by clicking on this text.

 

More Information: 

1. We Trek for a Cause: For overall development of the areas we run our operations in, we donate Rs 100/- per booking from our profits which are used for the upliftment of the local people and conserving nature. We have named this initiative as - Trek for a Cause. For more details, follow: https://www.trekmunk.com/trek-for-a-cause

 

2. We are paperless: We are focusing on Sustainable Tourism and to do that we are trying all measures to convert our trek operations to be Eco-Friendly. Going Paperless is one step closer to our aim. 

 

3. Single-Use Plastic: Trekmunk does not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We are ensuring that our team is working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We will send you instructions on how to go plastic-free on your adventures.

 

4. Preparing for your Holiday: Getting some additional exercise makes a lot of sense to spend time before coming on a trekking adventure. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. Hiking in the hill country is the best training but jogging, squash and swimming are also good for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina. To read more on how to get fit, follow: https://www.trekmunk.com/get-fit-for-trek 

 

5. Electricity Supply & Plug: You will get electricity supply till the starting point of the trek. If not Indian, We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

 

6. Currency: The unit of currency in India is the Indian Rupees.

 

7. Health & Vaccinations: 

Severe Allergies: If you have a severe allergy please inform the Trekmunk office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment on trekmunk trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by our leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on the arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations: You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however, if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary. 

 

8. Passport & Visas/Identity Proofs: If foreigner, Validity for 6 months, should have blank pages, and should be kept with yourself all the time.

 

9. Water: If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled or filtered. Additionally, you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a LifeStraw, Sawyer Filter) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles.

 

10. Altitude: This adventure involves going to a very high altitude. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatize successfully. We will send you the information in your mailbox about Acute Mountain Sickness and trekking in high altitudes. On this trip, we carry bottled oxygen for use in emergencies.

 

11. Guidance on Tipping: Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Normally the guide and any other trek staff are given their tips at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. The main guide will make sure that the tip is appropriately distributed among all the staff members on the trek.

 

12. Spending/Emergency Money: Approximately Rs. 8000-10000/- (in Indian Currency)should be carried for miscellaneous expenses including porter and trek crew tips, drinks, soft drinks, etc. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash as the availability of ATM is less in these remote areas. This can also serve as your emergency spending money.

 

13. Travel Insurance: It is recommended to have travel insurance for these kinds of adventures. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary. We will ask for the Travel Insurance Details over a mail. Indians can buy insurance from us while booking the trek.

Reviews

Chadar trek is considered to be one of the most difficult and dangerous treks, which requires a lot of skilled trek leaders, a perfect guide and a strong team of porters. I choose Trekmunk for Chadar and they proved they are a perfect team. Highly skilled trek leaders, profession ...

Sushil Chauhan
Chadar Trek

I chose (after a lot of research) Trekmunk for my first trek - The Hampta Pass and Chandratal Trek. And I am so really glad I did so. The trekker needs to only focus on the trek and the beautiful landscape around him/her. The rest of everything is taken care of by Trekmunk from d ...

Sreekul Nair
Hampta Pass Trek

I had the most wonderful experience trekking through the ranges of Chandrashila with Trekmunk. The small moments of achievement were phenomenal. Chandrashila is the most astonishing peak that I've ever trekked through; I've never been so fascinated. I think I am going to go for a ...

Anwesha Chakraborty
Chandrashila Trek

Reviews

Chadar Trek
Sushil Chauhan

Chadar trek is considered to be one of the most difficult and dangerous treks, which requires a lot of skilled trek leaders, a perfect guide and a strong team of porters. I choose Trekmunk for Chadar and they proved they are a perfect team. Highly skilled trek leaders, professional skiers, gave us details on how to walk on slippery ice. Professionally trained and certified with wilderness medication programs always ready to take your care in any condition and travelers themselves. One will enjoy their company, their travel stories and their way of leading a trek. Cheers to team Trekmunk.

Chadar trek is considered to be one of the most difficult and dangerous treks, which requires a lot of skilled trek leaders, a perfect guide and a strong team of porters. I choose Trekmunk for Chadar and they proved they are a perfect team. Highly skilled trek leaders, professional skiers, gave us details on how to walk on slippery ice. Professionally trained and certified with wilderness medication programs always ready to take your care in any condition and travelers themselves. One will enjoy their company, their travel stories and their way of leading a trek. Cheers to team Trekmunk.

Hampta Pass Trek
Sreekul Nair

I chose (after a lot of research) Trekmunk for my first trek - The Hampta Pass and Chandratal Trek. And I am so really glad I did so. The trekker needs to only focus on the trek and the beautiful landscape around him/her. The rest of everything is taken care of by Trekmunk from day 1 till the end of the trek. Scrupulously managed logistics; no compromise on safety and security; experienced, intelligent and knowledgeable trek leaders; scrumptious meals; contingency and backup plans; etc. make Trekmunk an ideal choice to go trekking with. My trek was lead by Ashish Pathania, Prashant Reddy and Sanjay Thakur. The three are were thorough professionals. They were jolly, very helpful, experienced, knowledgeable, organized, and needless to say polite yet strict when needed. They played the most important roles in making sure our overall trekking experience was a wonderful one. Thank you Trekmunk for one of the most beautiful experiences I have had till date. Will see you guys soon.

I chose (after a lot of research) Trekmunk for my first trek - The Hampta Pass and Chandratal Trek. And I am so really glad I did so. The trekker needs to only focus on the trek and the beautiful landscape around him/her. The rest of everything is taken care of by Trekmunk from day 1 till the end of the trek. Scrupulously managed logistics; no compromise on safety and security; experienced, intelligent and knowledgeable trek leaders; scrumptious meals; contingency and backup plans; etc. make Trekmunk an ideal choice to go trekking with. My trek was lead by Ashish Pathania, Prashant Reddy and Sanjay Thakur. The three are were thorough professionals. They were jolly, very helpful, experienced, knowledgeable, organized, and needless to say polite yet strict when needed. They played the most important roles in making sure our overall trekking experience was a wonderful one. Thank you Trekmunk for one of the most beautiful experiences I have had till date. Will see you guys soon.

Chandrashila Trek
Anwesha Chakraborty

I had the most wonderful experience trekking through the ranges of Chandrashila with Trekmunk. The small moments of achievement were phenomenal. Chandrashila is the most astonishing peak that I've ever trekked through; I've never been so fascinated. I think I am going to go for another trek with Trekmunk soon enough! The kind of hospitality that is provided to us is worth appreciating. I made many new friends and have enjoyed each and every day of this trek to its fullest.

I had the most wonderful experience trekking through the ranges of Chandrashila with Trekmunk. The small moments of achievement were phenomenal. Chandrashila is the most astonishing peak that I've ever trekked through; I've never been so fascinated. I think I am going to go for another trek with Trekmunk soon enough! The kind of hospitality that is provided to us is worth appreciating. I made many new friends and have enjoyed each and every day of this trek to its fullest.

Kedartal Trek
Mazhar Dohadwala

We were a group of 12 friends and booked a trek to Kedartal with Trekmunk, it was an amazing experience..even though it was our first trek to the Himalayas and Kedartal being a difficult terrain trek we were guided excellently by the Trekmunk team. They served us nutritious food, took complete care of our safety and health and gave us the right advice to overcome AMS. Eagerly awaiting our next trek with them.

We were a group of 12 friends and booked a trek to Kedartal with Trekmunk, it was an amazing experience..even though it was our first trek to the Himalayas and Kedartal being a difficult terrain trek we were guided excellently by the Trekmunk team. They served us nutritious food, took complete care of our safety and health and gave us the right advice to overcome AMS. Eagerly awaiting our next trek with them.

Meghalaya Backpacking
Jayati Bist

Our 7 days trip to Meghalaya was a truly memorable experience. Thank you Trekmunk for arranging such an adventurous backpacking trip and a special thanks to Mohit Goswami our trip leader for giving us an experience of what true travelling is. From hitchhiking to traversing the unknown places to eating delicious Momo's to climbing 3000 steps, we did it all in those 7 days which came to end so quickly and none of us wanted to go back home. Such an experience where you just pick up your rucksacks and walk down the roads of a traveller could have been only possible because of Trekmunk!

Our 7 days trip to Meghalaya was a truly memorable experience. Thank you Trekmunk for arranging such an adventurous backpacking trip and a special thanks to Mohit Goswami our trip leader for giving us an experience of what true travelling is. From hitchhiking to traversing the unknown places to eating delicious Momo's to climbing 3000 steps, we did it all in those 7 days which came to end so quickly and none of us wanted to go back home. Such an experience where you just pick up your rucksacks and walk down the roads of a traveller could have been only possible because of Trekmunk!

FAQ's

Related Blogs

Excited about your upcoming Himalayan trek? Don't trek the threat of Acute Mountain Sickness dampens the high. While it is quite common to experience AMS at high altitudes if not properly , there are a few things that can reduce the chances of your getting sick.
When we think about trekking, it usually involves choosing a suitable trek for yourself, finding the proper gear, and you are set to scale a challenging adventure, away from your monotonous city life.
Even the idea of climbing the highest trekkable summit of India is sure to put euphoric images in a trekker’s mind; if you are an experienced trekker though who has done at least one high altitude trek this idea can be put to action.
India is one of the few countries which provide variety in geography, seasons, weather, culture etc. From summer to winter, one can find all the possible weathers around India. July is the season of rain and monsoon. Monsoon is loved by everyone.
Remember this nursery rhyme? Jack and Jill Went up the hill To fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down, And broke his crown, Jill came tumbling after. Do you know why Jack tumbled down that hill, in the first place? Yeah, it was probably because Jack and Jill were drunk while climbing that goddamn
Manners maketh a man. And well, when you live under one roof, there are some little things that one must keep in mind so as to not cause any inconveniences to oneself or the others around.
An injury on a trip is hardly the kind of souvenir you'd like to bring, right? And if you categorically have this innate ability to trip on anything or even better..
If you wanna see how high you can climb, you have to let go of what weighs you down. A simple law that works very well in life. But stands equally true when you go on a trekking trip.

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