Grade 2Gaumukh / Tapovan Trek, India

Duration 15 days (Delhi to Delhi)

6 car days, 4 rest days and 6 trek days

Grade 2

Season May June / Sep Oct

Highest Point - ( 4,463m/14,683ft )

Trek distance 44km

 

Day 1:
Arrive in New Delhi late evening and drive (7-8 hours) overnight to Mussoorie, a lovely hill station, which gives you your first views of the snowy peaks. Upon arrival, check in at guesthouse, rest and have a late breakfast or early lunch. The day is yours to unwind and acclimate to your new surroundings. Yoga class will be held in the afternoon before dinner.

Day 2: Mussoorie (1,921m/6,320ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast.
After breakfast we will go for a short day hike to cloud's End or Everest House to help with acclimatization. Return to town for lunch and prepare trekking gear and bags for next day’s departure. Overnight in guesthouse

Day 3: Uttarkashi (1,158m/3,809ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Drive from Mussoorie North on a beautiful ridge road through Devdar and Dhanolti groves, and then along the banks of the Bhagirathi River to the holy town of Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is a famous destination for pilgrims going to Gangotri and an important center for yogis and sadhus. Check into guesthouse

Day 4: Uttarkashi
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Group will walk to main temple in Uttarkashi (5km) and return to Guesthouse after darshan.
Overnight in guesthouse

Day 5. Gangotri (3,048m/10,000ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Drive 4-5 hours to Gangotri.
Gangotri lies in the northwest Himalayas of Garhwal, and is one of the four Holy dhams (pilgrim sites) of the North. The Ganga is believed to have first descended to earth at Gangotri ('Ganga' + 'Uttari' which means
descended).
The Bhaironghati bridge, said to be the highest in Asia, is built across one of the deepest gorges in the world, and connects Gangotri to the rest of the world over the Bhagirathi River. Gangotri sits at the very end of National Highway 108.
Overnight in rest house

Day 6: Gangotri
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will make a visit to Swami Sundaranand's orchard and kutti. Swamiji is renowned for his photographs, Himalayan expeditions and contributions towards the preservation of the Mighty Himalayas. It is a true honor and privilege to have darshan with one of India’s great Sadhu’s. The rest of the day will be spent acclimatizing, visting temple and surrounding sights. An optional Ganga Puja (offering) can be done on the banks of the River.
There is an 18th century temple made of granite rock at Gangotri that was built by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha commander, and later rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. The temple here is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga. Overnight in rest house

Day 7: Depart for Chirbasa (3,606m/11,830ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 9 kms (4 hrs) above the Bhagirathi River on a relatively groomed path to Chirbasa. Though there are trees, we are walking on the side of the mountain and there is little shade most of the time. We will camp in a small, forested area next to the river, and if possible we will meet the Baba who lives there.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 8: Trek to Gaumukh (3,892m/12,770ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
This day we walk for 9 kms (4 hrs) to the source of the River Ganga. It is a beautiful walk with views of Mt. Shivling and the Bhagirathi peaks. We will cross through a small landslide prone area just approaching Bhojbasa, where we will want to walk briskly! The views from just above Bhojbasa are truly memorable, and it is nice to take a rest here and gaze upon the
mountains. We will arrive relatively early and can take a bath in the Holy waters.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 9: Trek to Tapovan (4,463m/14,683ft)
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
From Gaumukh we trek 4km (2-3 hrs) up and across the Gangotri Glacier climbing over boulders, with a final ascent  over rock and scree, up a 300m vertical wall. Tapovan is a vast meadow of golden grass and is surrounded by peaks. Mt. Shivling (6543m) flanked by Mt. Meru (6630m) and Kedar Dome (6808m), Sudarshan (6,507m) and Bhagirathi 1 (6,856m), 2 (6,512m) and 3 (6,454m) are some of the peaks that can be seen from here. This is truly one
of the most breathtaking views imaginable.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 10: Tapovan
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will make a visit to Shimla baba (local holyman), and spend the rest of the day exploring the terrain around Tapovan, which is also the base camp for Mt. Shivling 6543 meters. This is a magnificent theatre surrounded by peaks reaching 22,000 feet.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 11: Trek to Chirbasa
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 13 km (5 hrs) downhill to Chirbasa and relax enjoying our last night of camping next to the Holy Bhagirathi River.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 12: Uttarkashi
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Trek 9km (3 hrs) back down to Gangotri, have final darshan with Swami Sundaranad and drive (4-5 hrs) back to Uttarkashi.
Overnight at guesthouse

Day 13: Mussoorie
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Pack up and depart by 10:00AM for the 7hour drive back to Mussoorie.
Check into guesthouse

Day 14: Mussoorie
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
Spend day relaxing and gathering things for return home. We will enjoy an evening celebration to end our journey together.
Overnight at guesthouse

Day 15: New Delhi
Morning yoga at 6:30 before breakfast
We will say our goodbyes and depart for Delhi relatively early. Most flights leave between midnight and 2:00AM, so you can rest for a while at the Radisson Hotel and wash up before going to the airport.