Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
Uttarakhand
8 Days
Max Altitude
14,600 FT
Grade
Moderate To Difficult
Duration
8 Days
Trekking KM.
46 KM
| Suitable for: | 15+ years |
| Experience: | First timer can apply, previous trekking experience is more appreciated. |
| Fitness: | Cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress. |
18,500 /Person
- +5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Dehradun to Dehradun | included transport
- Rs 15,400 Trek Cost & Rs 3,100 Transportation (All included in the cost)
Overview
Trek Info
- Trail TypeRound trail. The trek starts and ends at Gangotri
- Rail HeadDehradun, Haridwar & Rishikesh is the nearest rail head to the base camp
- AirportJolly grant airport Dehradun
- Base CampGangotri
- Best Season
- Summer Treks (Mid Apr - Jun)
- Autumn Treks (Sep - Mid Nov)
- SnowMid December to Mid June
- Services fromDehradun to Dehradun | Included Transport
- MealsMeals while on trek & at Hotel/Guesthouse (Veg)
- StayCamping (Twin sharing) & Hotel/Guesthouse
- Region - Uttarakhand
- Duration - 8 Days
- Grade - Moderate To Difficult
- Max Altitude - 14600 Ft.
- Approx Trekking Km - 46 Kms.
Why Gaumukh – Tapovan Is A Must-Do Trek
An eight-day itinerary interspersing myth, spirituality, and sensational adventure, the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek takes you around the Gangotri glacier to the site traditionally believed to be the mouth of the holy river Ganga.
The Gangotri glacier expanse is nearly 24 km long and 6 to 8 km wide, beginning from Gaumukh and extending as far as the Chaukhamba massif around Badrinath. Courtesy of celebrated mountaineers Shipton and Tilman, we have a trek route traversing the entire stretch of this storied land. After feasting our senses in the fleeting glacial hues and the immense backdrop of Mount Shivling, present in its entirety from the base to the serrated peak, we descend through the meadows of Tapovan back to Gangotri. The trek is verily a raging visual thrillfest with rising mountain behemoths such as the Bhagirathi twin peaks, and Mount Meru, besides the ever-present Shivling.
The realization of the magnificence of watching the river that gave birth and nourished an entire civilization emerge fitfully out of the Gaumukh snout to flow 2,525 odd kilometers before meeting with the ocean, comes at a riveting spiritual moment. Trickling from Gangotri glacier through Gaumukh, meaning “cow’s mouth”, the river has a different name- Bhagirathi and becomes the Ganga, the life vein of the northern plains of India only after flowing in with another headstream, Alaknanda at Devaprayag- the key confluence point of Ganga before it pours into the plains. This illustrious geography has emerged from myths that imagine the river as intensely sacred. She was brought to earth from her celestial heights to renew the life of men by the rigorous dedication of a mortal, Bhagirath who gives the channel its name- Bhagirathi, and the river’s devastating energy was sustained by none other than Shiva himself.
The trek, in great parts, veers beyond the tree line and passes through larger-than-life mountainscapes. We camp at rugged heights from where the snow transfused peaks are a stone’s throw away. Be it the surreal sight of the Bhagirathi peaks glistening in the moonlight, the mind-numbing sight of the Shivling from Tapovan campsite, rising from the base to its zenith right before you, or a glimpse of the formidable Mount Meru, the bravura of visual ecstasies never seems to run out on this journey.
This trek is classified as moderate-difficult for all the right reasons. You must come braced for an arduous hike along boulder-ridden paths and a ruthless climate. The holy men who are found living permanently in the meadows of Tapovan for sadhana under the gaze of Shivling can be the ones to draw your inspiration from!
About The Trek
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek is a magnificent trek that takes you along one of the most beautiful and mystical routes of India, all the way to the Gaumukh Glacier, the source of the holy river Ganges. This beautiful trek starts from Gangotri. On the first day, you will drive from Dehradun to Gangotri and the following day you will have an acclimatization day to adjust your body to the higher altitudes. On day 3, our actual trekking begins where we will trek from Gangotri to Chirbasa. A beaten trail takes you from Gangotri to Chirbasa, Chirbasa is covered with tree lines, although not as dense.
The next day, you will trek up to Bhojwasa and as you move out of Chirbasa, the terrain becomes barren and desolate resembling the Arctic Tundra. The closer you get to Bhojwasa, the more vegetation you start to notice, and soon you are in a dense forest. Once you reach Bhojwasa, you are free to explore the area at your leisure in the evening and enjoy a startling sunset over the Bhagirathi group of peaks. The next day, we will head to the source of the Ganga River, the Gaumukh Glacier, and also trek up to Tapovan, a meadow where sages and ascetics go for meditation. Taking a rest day at Tapovan the next day, we will head back to Bhojbasa the following day and from Bhojbasa we will head back to Gangotri and on the 8th day, you will be driven back to Dehradun, ending the wonderful adventure.
What Can You Expect At The Trek
Gaumukh Tapovan is a moderate to difficult trek and as such it requires you to be physically prepared for the trek. Even though it’s a difficult trek, with the right preparation, even a beginner can do the trek. The trek is great on mountain views. You get fantastic views of Mt. Shivling, from the base to the summit, and the Bhagirathi group of peaks.
If you are doing the trek in the summer months that is from mid-May to end-June, there may be traces of snow in mid-May and whatever vegetation the trail has become turning green, the melting snow also adds a swell to the Bhagirathi River and this is noticeable in Suryakund itself. In July, the monsoon begins, which adds makes the trail prone to rockfalls and landslides and it is extremely risky to go there during the monsoon season thus we recommend visiting Gangotri pre-monsoon or post-monsoon. The summer season is the most popular time to do the trek as a lot of pilgrims also happen to visit Gangotri. During summer, the daytime temperature is pleasant and remains around 15°C – 20°C during daytime while the nights are cold and the temperature can drop close to 0°C.
Another great time to do the trek is during autumn when you get to see amazing views of the valley and autumn also brings some color to the trail as the vegetation en route to Bhojwasa turns shades of brown, maroon and yellow. The autumn season for Gaumukh Tapovan Trek is much shorter than the summer season and lasts for about only 4 to 5 weeks. This is because from mid-October it starts snowing and the higher campsites like Bhojwasa are completely covered in snow, making the trek impossible to do in winters. In autumn (mid-Sep to mid-Oct) the temperature is around 15°C during the day and at night it falls as low as -3°C to -5°C. So dress appropriately in layers to keep yourself warm.
Who can participate
- Age; 15 years.
- Experience of any high altitude trek, at least 1 treks of 4,000m/13,100ft.
- The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
- The climber should be able to carry a 12-16 kg backpack.
- Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60 to 90 beats per minute)
- Blood Pressure Reading must be in between (DIASTOLIC 75 – 85, SYSTOLIC 100 - 130 mm Hg)
- Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 to 20 breaths per minute)
- Should not have Liver and kidney issues
- Should not have Diabetes Mellitus, Bronchial Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, Very High blood pressure etc
- No pacemaker implant
- People with the Sinus issues please contact to trek coordinator before booking the trek
- Junior trekkers (below 15 years) should have a company of parent/guardian.
- Trekkers between 15 to 18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/guardian.
Health Awareness
Government Employees {SCL}
Government Employees can avail the benefit of Special Casual Leave (SCL) when you join us for a trekking expedition. As per the rules of the Pay Commission, Special Casual Leave can be availed for up to 30 days in a calendar year for trekking/mountaineering expeditions through a registered organization. Trek The Himalayas is a registered adventure tour operator by Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and Ministry Of Tourism (MOT)
Trekkers have to apply for leave at least 20 days before trek departure date.
Note
Itinerary
How To Reach
- Pick Up Place
- Drop Place
- Note
First of all everyone has to reach Dehradun, after that TTH will take care of your further travel plan.
Our pick-up location is Dehradun Railway Station at 06:00 AM
The distance from Dehradun Bus Stand (ISBT) to Railway Station is 6 km, without traffic it will take 15 minutes.
Options to reach Dehradun
1. Take an overnight train/bust to Dehradun, and then take a cab to the pickup point.
We always recommend to go for the govt. Buses over the private ones outside the bus station as based on the experience we have found that there are very high chances of delay involved with private buses. Also, govt. Buses are always more reliable. Whichever bus you choose, just make sure to reach Rishikesh at least by 05:30 am positively.
2. Take flight to Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant Airport) (25 km, 50 min), if coming by flight then come one day early.
- TTH’s Tata Sumo, Tempo Traveller or similar vehicles will pick-up you.
- Pick-up is included in the cost of the trek.
- If you wish to upgrade the transport service, please contact the Trek Coordinator.
Trekkers will be dropped at Dehradun Railway station by 06:00 PM, for onward journey from Dehradun it is advised to make arrangements after 08:00 PM.
The distance from Railway Station to Dehradun Bus Stand (ISBT) is 6 km, it will take approx 25 minutes.
Cost Terms
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Note
- Tour Fee
- Cancellation Policy
1. Transport from Dehradun to Gangotri and return (NON-AC)
• Vehicle Type : Tempo Traveller/Sumo/Bolero (depends on the availability)
2. Accommodation :
• Guest house stay, Type : twin/triple/Dormitory
• Camping : Twin sharing basis
3. Meals while on trek (Veg.)
• Day 1 Dinner to Day 7 Dinner as per the itinerary.
4. Drinking water while on trek (Tape/Mountain water).
5. Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, mattress, kitchen & dinning tent, utensils, tent, micro spikes (if required).
6. All necessary permits, camping fee and entry fees to Gangotri National park.
7. Safety equipment: First aid medical kit, stretcher and portable oxygen cylinder.
8. Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff.
9. Porters/mules to carry central equipment.
10. TTH staff insurance.
1. Any kind of personal expenses and emergency evacuation charges.
2. Food during the transit.
3. Any kind of Insurance (Mandatory).
4. Mules to carry personal luggage.
5. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head "Price Includes".
Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things)
1- Satellite phone/setphone - is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth's surface.
2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) - is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.
3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) - are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly
Normally TTH expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to porter.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 2100/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 2400/- if you inform us after reaching Gangotri
The backpack cannot weigh more than 09 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
Special Offers
Make a single payment and trek the number of times you want.
If you book a trek with Trek The Himalayas and are unable to complete the same or you have successfully completed that trek and want to do it again, you can repeat it multiple times without paying the cost of the trek.
Terms and conditions
- This offer is a non-transferable.
- This offer is valid for Trek The Himalayas limited fixed departures.
- This offer is valid for 5 years from the date of booking.
- This offer is not valid if the participant has received a cash refund or voucher at the time of cancellation.
- Participants don’t have to pay for the trek cost but have to pay for the transport cost.
The fee can be paid by online transfer/Check deposit/Cash deposit/Demand draft. Instruction for
payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. When your transfer is done, please
e-mail us a confirmation mail with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation efficiently.
Cancellation terms:
For the cancellation of services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, Trek The Himalayas must be notified of the same in writing at [email protected] At the time we receive your written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip
Refund options
- 5% deduction of trek fee
- 100% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip
Refund options
- 30% deduction of trek fee
- 100% cash voucher for same trip till one year
- 85% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip
Refund options
- Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch
- 50% deduction of trek fee
- 80% cash voucher for same trip till one year
- 70% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek
Refund options
- Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend
- No cash refund
- 20% cash voucher for the same trip till one year
- 10% cash voucher for any trip till one year
If by a rare consequence TTH calls off/cancels a trek:
At TTH, we almost never call off or cancel our treks. But in the rare event that we do call off or cancel a trek due to any unforeseen circumstances or natural catastrophes like continuous rain or snow, thunderstorms, snowstorms, landslides, floods, earthquakes, or any other natural calamity that prevents us from carrying out a trek in a safe manner, unforeseeable circumstances like local riots, curfews, pandemics, lockdowns, government orders, or any such situations that prevents a safe trekking experience, TTH will issue a voucher summing up to the same amount as your trek fee. The voucher can be redeemed on any of the treks over a period of the next year.
Note
- The voucher is also not issued if for any reason you have to come down from the trek. The trek leader may send you down from the trek, owing to reasons like lack of fitness, AMS, blood pressure, turn-around-time, health issues, or if you are found smoking/ drinking, or breaking the rules of the trek. Vouchers are issued only when the whole trek is cancelled or called off on behalf of TTH.
In the rare event that TTH shifts a trek:
As we mention always, weather conditions at high altitudes are extremely unpredictable and can change at any time of any day. Also, situations like natural calamities or political unrest, pandemics and lockdowns, etc are out of our control and if an event cannot run under any such circumstances that we do not directly have control over then we will try to give you an alternative trek, which means your trek will be shifted from one trek to another, which will be safer and more favourable.
In these cases, a voucher is issued to mitigate the difference in cost between the two treks. You can redeem the voucher at any time over a period of one year from the date of issue. A refund fee or refund of the difference is not applicable.
Note:
- Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch
- In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by TTH
- TTH holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
Cash Voucher Terms:
- This is a non-transferable voucher
- The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas
- The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India
- To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id
- All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher
- Trek The Himalayas holds rights to add/remove any of the Terms and Conditions without prior notice
Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Trek The Himalayas" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which TTH or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. TTH reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
Trek Essential
- Basic Gear
- Clothes
- Personal Utilities
- Head Gears
- Foot Gears
| Back pack & rain cover | (50 - 60 ltr) with comfortable shoulder straps |
| Day pack + rain cover | 20 - 30 ltr (If hire a mule or porter) |
| Walking stick | Advisable (At least one) |
| Water bottle/Hydration pack | 2 bottles of one liter each, People who use hydration pack 1 hydration pack and 1 bottle of one liter, Carry at least one thermos flask. |
| Personal Medical Kit | Consult your doctor |
| Snacks | Energy bars, dry fruits, electral/ors |
| T-shirts | 4 Full sleeves (Non-cotton) |
| Fleece T-shirts | 1 Nos. |
| Fleece jacket | 1 Nos. (Alternative: a woollen sweater) |
| Down feather / Hollofil jacket | 1 Nos. |
| Wind & waterproof (jacket & pant) | 1 Pair |
| Thermal inners (upper and lower) | 1 Pair |
| Trek pants | 3 Synthetic (avoid shorts, fitting denims, capris) |
| Waterproof gloves | 1 Pair |
| Fleece/woolen gloves | 1 Pair |
| Poncho | 1 Nos. |
| Sunscreen cream | Moisturiser |
| Hand sanitizer | Antibacterial powder |
| Toothbrush and toothpaste | Lip balm / Chapstick |
| Toilet Paper & wipes | Quick dry towel |
| Head torch | 1 Nos. (Avoid Hand torch) |
| Sun cap | 1 Nos. (One that covers the neck as well) |
| Woolen cap | 1 Nos. |
| Balaclava | 1 Nos. (Optional) |
| Neck-gaiters | 2 Nos. |
| Sunglasses | Dark with side cover, it should be U/V protected, People who wear spectacles- (A)- Use contact lenses. (B)- Photo chromatic glasses. |
| Trekking shoes | 1 Pair (Waterproof, high ankle with good grip) |
| Floaters/flip-flops | 1 Pair |
| Cotton socks | 6 pairs |
| Woollen socks | 1 pairs |
| Gaiters | 1 Pair (TTH will Provide) |
Important Links
Fitness
Fitness regime for:
| Moderate To Difficult |
Calculate Your BMI :
Your BMI value is
24.22
Congratulations, your body is in good conditions!
| BMI Range | Category |
|---|---|
| Less than 16.5 | Serverely Underweight |
| 16.5 - 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 - 25 | Normal |
| 25 - 30 | Overweight |
- If your BMI is normal, you can plan your fitness regime as mentioned.
- If your BMI is not normal, consult your trusted physician before you plan your fitness regime.
- If you're suffering from any chronic illnesses consult a medical practitioner.
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18,500 /Person
- +5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Dehradun to Dehradun | included transport
- Rs 15,400 Trek Cost & Rs 3,100 Transportation (All included in the cost)
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