Gaumukh Tapovan

"The Gaumukh Tapovan Trek in Uttarakhand is a sacred and scenic journey to the source of the Ganga. Trek across Gangotri Glacier, camp beneath the mighty Mt. Shivling, and witness sunrise over the Bhagirathi peaks — a perfect blend of spiritual energy and Himalayan grandeur."

 INR 17,000 (Gangotri to Gangotri)

+ INR 3,000 (transportation to & from Haridwar/Rishikesh)

+ INR 4,000 (offloading bag)

• Trek Name: Gaumukh - Tapovan

• Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

• Region: Uttarakhand

• Grade: Moderate to Challenging

• Highest Altitude: ~4,450m (Tapovan)

• Best Season: May–June & September–October

Embark on a soul-stirring journey into the raw, untamed wilderness of the Gangotri National Park. This is where nature reveals itself in its most powerful form. This trek offers not just breathtaking views but a deeply immersive experience in one of the most sacred and dramatic high-altitude landscapes in the world which leaves you humbled and inspired. At the end of the trek you carry home more than just pictures – a piece of the Himalayas in your heart.

✅The trek starts from Gangotri - one of the sacred dhams in Uttarakhand.

✅Venture deep into a landscape shaped by time and elemental force.

✅Walk alongside the mighty Gangotri Glacier, and stand in awe before Gaumukh, the sacred snout of the glacier and the revered origin of the Bhagirathi River — which merges with the Alaknanda at Devprayag to become the Ganga. 

✅Experience camping at Tapovan (14000ft) surrounded by an awe-inspiring amphitheatre of iconic Himalayan giants. 

✅Sleep beneath the shadow of Mt. Shivling – the Indian Matterhorn, and wake up to the surreal view of this sacred peak glowing in the golden light of dawn

📅Day 1: Arrive in Gangotri (3,048m)

• Drive from Dehradun/Haridwar to Gangotri (9–10 hours)

• Scenic drive via Uttarkashi and Harsil Valley

• Overnight stay in guesthouse/hotel

• Evening visit to the Gangotri Temple

📅Day 2: Acclimatization Day at Gangotri

• Acclimatization walk to nearby areas (like Pandava Gufa or Surya Kund)

• Trek briefing, gear check, and photography session

• Overnight stay in Gangotri

📅Day 3: Trek from Gangotri to Bhojwasa (3,780m) | 14 km | 6–7 hrs

• Enter Gangotri National Park

• Walk alongside the Bhagirathi river with views of Sudharshan and Bhagirathi peaks

• Cross Chirbasa (pine forest area) en route

• Overnight in tents at Bhojwasa, near the last tree line

📅Day 4: Trek to Gaumukh (3,900m) – Tapovan (4,450m) | 10 km | 6 hrs

• Reach Gaumukh, the sacred glacier snout — origin of River Ganga

• Climb steep moraine and boulder trails to Tapovan, a pristine high-altitude meadow

• Camp beneath the towering Shivling peak, with views of Meru, Bhagirathi, and Thelu

📅Day 5: Exploration Day at Tapovan

• Hike towards Meru Base Camp or Shivling Advanced Base Camp

• Witness sunrise and sunset hues over Shivling – “The Indian Matterhorn”

📅Day 6: Trek back to Gangotri | 20 km | 8–10 hrs

• Descent from Tapovan

• Retrace steps along the Bhagirathi river

• Stay overnight in hotel/guesthouse

📅Day 7: Drive back to Dehradun/Haridwar

• End of trek and transfer

✈️ By Air

1. **Fly to Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun – DED)**

Located about 225–260 km from Gangotri

Daily flights connect Dehradun with major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai 

2. From Airport to Gangotri

By road: Taxis or buses (private/state) can be hired directly from Dehradun to Gangotri via Rishikesh → Uttarkashi → Harsil. Typical travel time is around 7–8 hours 

🚆 By Train

1. Nearest major railhead:

**Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH): ~230–264 km away**

**Haridwar Station: slightly farther at ~290 km**

*(Dehradun station is also around 240 km away, but Rishikesh is preferred as most trains stop there.)*

2. From Rishikesh/Haridwar to Gangotri

Road transfer: via taxi or shared bus through Rishikesh → Uttarkashi → Harsil → Gangotri. Total road journey: 8–12 hours, depending on stops and traffic.

🔹 Gaumukh is the source of the holy Ganga (Ganges) River.

“Gaumukh” literally means "Cow’s Mouth" — named because the glacier snout once resembled a cow’s mouth. It’s considered a sacred origin point of the Ganga, and a pilgrimage site as much as a trek destination.

🔹 Tapovan is one of the highest grasslands in India.

Located at around 4,300 meters (14,100 ft), Tapovan is a vast alpine meadow surrounded by towering Himalayan giants — including Shivling, Meru, and Bhagirathi peaks — making it a paradise for photographers and sadhus alike.

🔹 Mount Shivling is nicknamed the "Matterhorn of India."

This stunning, pyramid-shaped peak towers over Tapovan and is revered as an abode of Lord Shiva. It's also a popular peak for advanced mountaineers from around the world.

🔹 You’ll walk beside the Gangotri Glacier — one of India’s largest.

This massive, 30 km-long glacier feeds the Ganga and offers a surreal landscape of icefalls, crevasses, and moraines — a rare and raw sight not found on most treks.

🔹 It’s a trek of spiritual seekers and adventure lovers alike.

For centuries, saints and sages have meditated at Tapovan. Even today, you might spot sadhus living in stone shelters, undisturbed in deep solitude at 14,000+ feet.

🔹 The name ‘Bhagirathi’ comes from a legend of devotion.

The towering Bhagirathi peaks (I, II, III) are named after King Bhagirath, whose penance led to Ganga descending from the heavens — a story deeply linked to the origin of the river.

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