- 13 Nights / 14 Days
The temple at Gangotri was built by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gurkha General. The trek from Gangotri till Gaumukh has become part of the pilgrim route, as many choose to visit the holy meadows of Tapovan. The legendary duo, Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman, in their reconnaissance years in India, traversed the complete length of Gangotri Glacier and discovered trekking routes linking Badrinath to Gangotri and Kedarnath. They made it possible to traverse high altitude passes like Kalindikhal (5,960 m), and Satopanth Col. (5,419 m) and also found a logical exit route from the Chaukhamba basin.
From Haridwar to Gangotri is a long and tiring road journey. Before starting the Tapovan Nandanvan Trek, rest for a day at Gangotri. It is a beautiful place, from where you can leisurely visit Chirbasa on the way to Gaumukh or spend some time at the Bhagirathi River. After the hustle and bustle of city life, Gangotri seems peaceful even amidst hundreds of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, also approach the Forest Officer in Gangotri for permits either a day before your trek or early morning on the day of your trek. The Forest Office is about 2 km ahead of Gangotri, towards the Gaumukh trail. The Divisional Forest Office located in Uttarkashi has laid certain rules for regulating the flow of pilgrims in the Gangotri National Park. The rules are:
Please contact us for more detailed content using the number +91 9811014398 / 9811925848
The Tapovan Nandanvan Trek coincides with a pilgrim route to one of the Char Dham. Gangotri is considered to be the mythological source of the river Ganga. It is said that King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva for the salvation of the souls of his 60,000 sons. Shiva obliged and requested Goddess Ganga to release her water, which purified the ashes of Bhagirathi’s sons. Thanks to this mythological story, River Ganga is considered a means to purify one’s soul.
In the morning transfer to Delhi railway station and take an AC train for Haridwar at 06:50 hrs. After arriving in Haridwar meet our guide and transfer to Rishikesh, check into your hotel. Evening time is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning after breakfast drive to Uttarkashi via Chamba and Tehri. This 5-6 hours drive will take you through the course of narrow streams of Ganga Valley and later by the Bhagirathi river valley. Reaching here check in to the hotel. Take rest for a while and head for exploring the major attractions of Uttarkashi. Overnight stay at Uttarkashi.
After having breakfast in the morning we will drive 95 kilometer by road to reach the Gangotri through Gangnani hot water spring, Bhairon Ghati and Harsil. By late afternoon we will reach at Gangotri and check into the hotel. In the evening visit the Gangotri temple for Darshan and Aarti ceremony. Dinner and overnight stay.
Today, after taking breakfast in the morning we will direct the trek further to Bhojwassa through Chirbasa (3600 metres). From Gangotri we will go ahead all along the flattened track heading towards Chirbasa, which is an adobe of the Chir trees. The entire trek today is beside the garrulous Bhagirathi River. Ahead of Chirbasa the landscape becomes really barren. In fact, it is referred as Arctic Tundra by a few trekkers. From Chirbasa we will hike further to Bhojwassa, the on the way of the entire trail we pass through dense forest and reach at Bhojwassa. There is a small temple and a potential campsite situated near down beside the river. We will build our camp near the river side. Afternoon, time is free to explore the nearby region, spectacular surrounds and to take pleasure of incomparable sunset on the Bhagirathi Peak. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in tents.
Wake up early in the morning and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Bhagirathi group of peaks. After having a wholesome breakfast trek to Gomukh (3890 metres) begins. Gomukh is the source of the Ganges; it is a place where the water of Ganga trickles downwards from the glaciers. The sages called it ‘Gomukh’, since in the distant ancient times; it possibly appeared like the mouth of a cow. Travel around and explore the region and begin the trail to Tapovan, one of the finest towering altitude alpine meadows with stunning backdrops in the area. The trek from Gomukh to Tapovan is precipitous gradient, and as we climb higher, the view of the surrounding crest becomes much more obvious. Tapovan is known for its stunning and extensive meadows with sparkling streams, and wild flowers. The base camp of the Shivling peak is surrounded by vast meadows and towering peaks. Tapovan is the base camp for various expeditions that includes Bhagirathi peak, Shivling peak, etc. On the distant side of the glacier the Bhagirathi I, II, III (6454 metres), offer an impressive backdrop that you can sight during the train. It is also a place where saints and Sadhus come for absolute meditation during the summer season. Arrive at Tapovan and set up the camp. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in camps. It is said that there is similarity between the Shivling and the Matterhorn peak in the Alps. Foreigners frequently use the name Matterhorn for Shivling. Marco Pallis wrote of Shivling: Horried looking mountain with a striking resemblance to the Mattherhorn… beautiful alluring, hideously inaccessible.
On this day you are free to accustom yourself, relax and enjoy the fabulous views of the snow covered peaks, fauna, flora, and mountain landscape of the region and capture them in your cameras. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in the camps.
On this day we will move forward to Nandanvan through the Gomukh glacier. The route from Tapovan passes from the upper section of the meadow till we reach downwards and on the glacier. From Gomukh glacier we will turn towards Nandanvan (4340 metres) and steering on the right one we will be reaching on the Gangotri glacier. The glacier is between the two ranges and the landslides make a stratum of rock-strewn moraine on the ice which perhaps makes the walking a little easier. The glacier hike is slippery and lack of attention would be risky. While on the trail you can see Massive crevasses en route gaped hither and thither. After we walk for about a kilometre there is a vertical ascent. Big rocks en route offer grip and foothold, but scores of them are illusory too. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in camps.
Wake up early in the morning to take pleasure of the astonishing sunrise on the high peaks in magnetic surrounds. After having breakfast we will trek downwards to Bhojbasa. We will reach Bhojwassa in around 4 to 5 hours and camp. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in camps.
In the Morning after having wholesome breakfast we will hike downwards to Gangotri, where a car will be waiting for us. From here we will drive back to Uttarkashi. Arrangements made for dinner and an overnight stay in hotel.
In the morning after having breakfast we will drive back to Haridwar. Upon arrival at Haridwar, transfer to train station and from here catch AC train for Delhi at 18:05 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.
