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Grade:Moderate Location: Uttarakhand Altitude:4460 m Duration:8 Days Opposite the triple-peaked Bhagirathi massif, and at the very foot of the once regarded Indian Matterhorn, Mt. Shivling, the location of the trek lends as much to its popularity as does the pure beauty of the expanse of the lush green meadows of Tapovan and the pure magic and energy of Gomukh. Gomukh Tapovan trek is not just a trek, it is a journey. It is a journey not only for its sacredness and travel through the holy land filled with stories on every corner, but also because it is the source of Ganga- the ferocious river which is on a 2700km long journey of its own to nourish an entire nation with its raw power and sacred energy. Gomukh is regarded as the mouth of this powerful river and the place where it starts its all-encompassing voyage. Tapovan has a significance of its own. With the magnetic energy of the place at the foot of some of the most reverential and indomitable mountains of the Garhwal range, each of which hold a special place in our age-old mythology, remains a place of choice for the spiritual yogis to go into long-term meditation despite the harsh conditions of the altitude. It also forms the base camp for some of the most difficult climbs in Garhwal Range of Himalayas like Mt. Shivling and Mt. Kedar Dome. Starting from the holy mountain town of Gangotri, the trail for this trek is a stunning assortment of landscapes from the lush forests of Chirbasa to massive open grounds of Tapovan. Going into the Greater Himalayas, the trek snakes through the confines of Gangotri National Park and takes you to a maximum altitude of 4,463M to experience some of the most heart- stopping beauty and puts you right in front of the full face of Shivling and the Bhagirathi sisters. You don’t just see the peaks but experience the full force of these mountains as you see them rise from toe to head in an unobstructed and nothing short of an inspiring view. What’s even better is that it is an uncrowded and minimally explored trail which reserves its beauty only for a few who make it there. The best time to do this trek in pre-monsoon season is between April and June and for post- monsoon season from September to October.
The trek begins from Gangotri which is a mountain city on the banks of River Bhagirathi and is known to be the origin of the holy River Ganga. Located in the Greater Himalayan Range, legend says that this is where Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the river from the locks of his hair. This holy city which lies at an altitude of 3,415M is a 245 km drive away from Dehradun – the closest city with an airport. If you have signed up with HIM EXPED for a drive from Dehradun to Gangotri, the day starts early. Everyone assembles at the meeting point by 7 in the morning so we can start our long drive up to Gangotri, a holy mountain city in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Although there’s nothing more on the agenda for today other than the 8-9 hour drive, it is better to leave as early as possible for two reasons: One, so we can reach as early as possible and give our bodies enough rest for what’s coming the next day. And, two, roads on the mountains are unpredictable and it is always better to account for delays when we start. It is also better to reach before it gets dark.
Today is our first day of the actual trek. We start early after an early breakfast. We will be walking towards Gomukh, the snout of Gangotri glacier. Our destination for today is Chirbasa which is at an altitude of 3,600M and means home of pine in the local language – no points for guessing what kind of trees you are likely to find en route to Chirbasa which will take us 4 hours to get to. The entire trek up until Chirbasa is alongside the roaring Bhaigrathi River whose refreshing spirit is likely to keep the spring in your gait alive all the way through.
Bhojwasa in the local language literally translates to the home of birch trees. A view of the very impressive Bhagirathi range of peaks follows alongside. There is a dramatic change of scenery after Chirbasa when the trail starts to get barren and desolate. Since we covered a major part of the distance yesterday, today is not an overly heavy day. Expect to reach our campsite by the river by lunchtime. The mesmerizing sunset over the spectacular Bhagirathi range is a perfect view to end your day with.
Today is the big day. We wake up to the majestic view of the Bhagirathi range of peaks and head out for our next campsite after an early breakfast. We will be crossing the snout of the glacier that we saw glimpses of on our way yesterday. We will be walking alongside our companion, River Bhagirathi, till we get to Gomukh. Gomukh, which curiously translates to the mouth of the cow, was named so by sages of the yesteryears for its appearance. Gomukh is known to be the source of Ganga and where it originally begins its long journey through the many regions it flows by. We spend some time exploring the region around Gomukh after which we head on toward Tapovan - one of the finest high-altitude alpine meadows in the area. The trail from Gomukh onwards is one on moraine-rich glaciers. The view of the surrounding peaks starts to get wider and wider as the trail from Gomukh to Tapovan gets steeper with every step forward. Tapovan, known for its gorgeous meadows encircling the base of Shivling Peak, is a beautiful campsite bustling with many freshwater streams and an assortment of wildflowers scattered across its floor. Herds of Bharal (blue mountain goats) running up and down the mountain ridges with magnificent views of Bhagirathi I, II, and III in the background, is a common sight here. Is it any wonder why Tapovan remains one of the most preferred spots for spiritually inclined people for their long periods of meditation? We can try some of that as we set up camp here for the night!
We trace our steps back through the familiar territory to get to Bhojwasa.
We give Chirbasa a skip on our way down and head on directly to Gangotri.
The day is a long drive back to Dehradun. Expect to reach Dehradun by early evening and plan your journey ahead accordingly.
In case of bad weather or other difficulties which might set us off schedule during the course of the trek, Day 8 is set as a reserve day. This will only get used if unexpected and unforeseeable conditions present themselves at the last minute preventing us from reaching our destination as planned. If the buffer day is used, you have to pay Rs. 2,500 per day (INR). The amount will be collected by the Trek Leader.
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