Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Waking up early the next day, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and begin with a drive to Gangotri. (The most sacred of all rivers is the Ganga. The Ganga symbolizes purity. It washes away all sins. It is compared to a mother goddess who presides through all the stages of life: from birth to death. The river is believed to have been born out of Vishnu's big toe. It is said to flow through the skies (like the Milky Way) via Harsil by covering approx. 95 km in 6-7 hrs. Lunch would be served at Harsil -The small hilly destination of Harsil became popular for the legend Pahari Wilson or Raja Wilson. Fredrick E Wilson escaped into the Garhwal region and went to the King of Tehri for a safe place. The King of Tehri was honest to the British so, he refused to shelter him. Then Wilson moved to the mountains and hides his self-there for detection. But the fortune of Wilson brought him into Harsil a beautiful hamlet located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Wilson deserted the British army after 1857 of Sepoy Munity. The small town is perched at an elevation of 8600 ft. above the sea level. After lunch mild trek to Mukbha, is a small village in the town of Harsil, on the banks of river Bhagirathi, on the way to the pilgrimage of Gangotri. It is situated at an altitude of 2620 mts above the sea level. This place is popular due to the fact that the idol of goddess Ganga is bought down to Mukbha from the shrine of Gangotri in the upper Himalayas and keep here throughout the winters as Gangotri becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. The village holds two temples of Ganga one is new made up of concrete and marbles but you can visit the old temple made up entirely of deodar and brass. On arrival check-in to hotel. Evening witness and admire the beautiful Gorge at Bhairon Ghati over which there is a steel girder bridge. Gangotri is the place where the Goddess Ganga descended on Earth from Heaven, and a Temple of Goddess Ganga marks the spot where the Goddess descended to the Earth. The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3200 m surrounded by Deodars (Cedar) and Chir (Pines). Dinner & overnight stay at Gangotri.

After early breakfast start trekking towards Chirbasa (with packed lunch), 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 mind-blowing 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.

After breakfast the trek commences towards Bhojwassa via Chirvasa (3600mt) along a well-trodden and well laid path following a gentle incline along the picturesque Gangotri valley. The entire trek on this day is along the roaring Bhagirathi River. Bhojwasa is the last oasis on this route and has a lot of trees, but beyond this point the terrain becomes totally desolate and barren. Packed lunch would be served. From Chirbasa one continues to ascend higher towards Bhojwasa, the last inhabited place on this route. We progress along a picturesque trail initially passes through dense deodar forests before emerging into the wide un forested valley. The arrival at Bhojwasa is heralded by a descent that continues for a good 750 meters or so to arrive at a small temple and a potential campsite near the river- the place to hit the sack for the night! Enjoy the excellent sunset on Bhagirathi group of peaks. Exploration of the surroundings and Photography are a must do for the remainder of the day! Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

The day has arrived when it will be the strenuous and longest day of the trek. Fill water bottles (there are no water sources on the route). We will be heading to Tapovan (with packed lunch), and coming back to Bhojwasa on this day. The trek to Gaumukh is fairly easy. Gaumukh is the end of the Gangotri glacier and hence the source of the divine Ganges river. Gaumukh basically means cows mouth, it is believed the snout looked like cow’s mouth in past. The trail from here gets steeper and filled with rock boulders. The rock moraines on the glacier make the climb difficult, but it also means there is no need of technical equipment’s. Trek to the source of river Ganga and witness its infancy in the Gangotri valley. Surround yourself with the mountains in the meadows of Tapovan. The final trek to Tapovan is a rocky terrain, once you cross it you will be pleased to be in the best-known meadows with closer view of the magnificent Mt. Shivling. Tapovan is famous for the Sadhus who come here for meditation. It is also the base camp for the expeditions going to Mt. Shivling. It offers the direct, bigger sight of Mt. Shivling which is considered one of the most sacred and beautiful mountain. You will see a distant view of the lofty Himalayan peaks such as Mount Shivling (6543 m) Mount Meru (6630 m) Keder Dome (6808 m) Surdarshan (6507 m) and Bhagirathi I, II and III. On coming closer to the view, you will come across the luscious golden meadows of Tapovan, from where you can have panoramic views of these peaks. Walk barefoot on the shouldering grassland. After the grueling trek, Tapovan serves as a perfect place for solitude. Here you will find mountain goats roaming around, just as you are. Head back to Bhojwasa for dinner and overnight stay.

Enjoy the panoramic view of Bhagirathi group of peaks while at Breakfast. Post breakfast Trek to Gangotri. Upon arrival at Gangotri, hot lunch would be served. After lunch board coach and proceed for Uttarkashi. Arrive Uttarkashi, transfer to hotel, check in freshen up and relax. Dinner and overnight stay at Uttarkashi.

After breakfast pack up your luggage board coach and proceed for Rishikesh/Dehradun/Haridwar.