The river Ganga or Ganges is the holiest river of India and on this trek, we will be able to explore its source which begins in Gaunmukh; situated at the feet of the Gangotri glacier. Here many pilgrims, particularly Sadhu’s (wise men), come to pay homage at the sacred temples on the banks of the river. On this journey, beginning in Rishikesh, you will be able to see some of Himalaya’s famous peaks that reach an altitude of around 6000 m / 19,685 ft. as well as beautifully imposing glaciers. We end our trek in Uttarkashi, where we will proceed to Rishikesh before you take the train from Haridwar to Delhi.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Train Journey: Delhi to Mussoorie
You will be received at the Delhi railway station and straight to Mussoorie, which is around 300 km. The road winds up to Mussoorie; a beautiful summer resort. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 3
Exploring Mussoorie
With a free day at Mussoorie, we will be exploring the surrounding area. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 4
Journey from Mussoorie to Uttarkashi
Travelling Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 1150 m / 3,772 ft.
We will drive along the ridge line to Chamba that captivates views of high mountain peaks of Garhwal. We will then descend to Tehri to join the Bhagirathi river valley, which we will follow up to Gangotri. Overnight stay in a tourist bungalow in Uttarkashi.
Day 5
Journey from Uttarkashi to Gangotri
Travelling Distance: 100 km
Travelling Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 3048 m / 9,999 ft.
After following the torrential river upstream, the road winds up the valley past the hot sulphur springs at Gangnani. We will then ascend up a series of bends to reach the village of Sukki.
Day 6
Exploring Gangotri
The day will be spent exploring this place of pilgrimage; thousands of pilgrims arrive here in the summer to wash away their sins in the Holy Ganga. It is said that Lord Shiva sat at the base of this fall to take the Ganga into his locks, for her descent from the heavens would have split the earth. Overnight stay in a hotel/tourist bungalow.
Day 7
Trek 1 – Gangotri – Chirbasa or Bhojbasa
Trekking Distance: 13 km
Altitude: 3350 m / 10,990 ft.
The trail passes through dense deodar forests before emerging into the wide valley. It then proceeds into a small isolated forest of pine at Chirbasa. We will camp on a grassy meadow beside the Bhagirathi.
Day 8
Trek 2 – Bhojbasa – Gaumukh
Trekking Distance: 4 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 3850 m / 12,631 ft.
As we continue along the grassy hillsides, the trail then curves and unfolds a breath-taking view of wild flower meadows, crowned by the Bhagirathi group of peaks. We will camp on a wide sandy beach at Gaumukh, where the Holy Ganga gushes out of the snout of the Gangotri glacier. It is set in a wide moraine-stream valley called Shivling (6540 m / 21,456 ft.).
Day 9
Trek 3 – Gaumukh – Tapovan
Trekking Distance: 5 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4350 m / 14,271 ft.
The trail leads its way through the terminal moraine before cutting across the Gangotri glacier, before climbing steeply up to the grassy slopes to the vast ablation valley of Tapowan. The vast meadows are covered with wild flowers that are situated at the base of Shivling.
Day 10
Trek 4 – Tapovan – Kirti Bamak – Tapovan
Trekking Distance: 7 km
Trekking Time: 6 hours
It is a full day of trekking to the Kirti Bamak glacier and to the base of peaks Kedarnath Dome 6850 m / 22,473 ft. and Kirti Bamak 6500 m / 21,325 ft. We will then return back to the camp in Tapovan.
Day 11
Trek 5 – Tapovan – Meru Glacier – Tapovan
Trekking Distance: 6 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4800 m / 15,747 ft.
It will be another full day of trekking. We will cross the meadows of Tapovan, before we ascend into another valley which is followed by the base of Mt. Meru (6400 m / 20,997 ft.) We will then return to camp.
Day 12
Trek 6 – Tapovan – Nandavan
Trekking Distance: 7 km
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4570 m / 14,993 ft.
We will be crossing over a moraine-covered Gangotri glacier to Nandawan located at the confluence of the Chaturangi and the Gangotri glaciers. The massive meadows of Nandayan are situated at the base of the Bhagirathi massif. The area provides excellent sightings of Bharal (blue sheep). Overnight stay in a camp.
Day 13
Trek 7 – Nandayan – Vasuki Tal
Trekking Distance: 7 km
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4800 m / 15,747 ft.
It is a full day’s walk to the picturesque Vasuki Tal lake. The trail follows a grassy ridge running parallel to the Chaturangi glaciers, across a small glacier eroded valley to Vasuki Tal. It then continues along the lateral moraine of the Chaturangi glacier to the views of Mt. Satopanth. We will then return to camp.
Day 14
Trek 8 – Nandavan – Gaumukh
Trekking Distance: 13 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
We will be crossing over several boulders along the Gangotri glacier to its snout at Gangotri.
Day 15
Trek 9 – Gaumukh – Gangotri – Uttarkashi (Car)
We will retrace our steps back to Gangotri before driving to Uttarkashi. Overnight stay in a camp or a tourist hut.
Day 16
Journey from Uttarkashi to Rishikesh
Travelling Time: 5 hours
Day 17
Train Journey: Rishikesh – Delhi
You will be driven to Haridwar Railway Station, where you will then catch the train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be received by one of our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 18
Flight Departure: Delhi
You will have the morning free to do what you wish before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
