Gomukh Trek 19th – 29nd May 2024
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Gangotri - Gomukh Trek
Area: Garhwal Himalayas.
Duration: 10 Days
Altitude: 4463 mts /14638 ft
Grade: Moderate
Fitness Level - Intermediate
Costs: Rs. 63,750.00 (not including flights)
Season: Best between mid May - June and Aug – Oct.
Day 01: ( 19th May 2022 ) Delhi - Morning arrival at Dehradun airport by flight no. SG 6289 at 11.20 am. Cars will be waiting. Proceed from the airport to Uttarkashi. We stop along the way for lunch and snacks. Reach Uttarkashi early in the evening. 5.5 hr drive. Check into Ganeshpur Ashram & Relax. Optional visit to the temple & town, and meditation by the Ganges.
Day 02: ( 20st May 2022 ) Uttarkashi - Gangotri (3048 M/10000 Ft) : Morning Yoga session & breakfast. Darshan with Swami Premananda. After breakfast, drive 100 kms (3.5 hr) drive
from Uttarkashi to Gangotri via the beautiful Harsil valley. Enroute we pass through the beautiful Harsil Valley & Gangnani, the hot water springs. Arrive in Gangotri by late afternoon.
Evening - temple visit & Ganga aarti. Dinner and overnight stay at Isav Ashram.
Day 03: ( 21st May 2022 ) Gangotri (3048 Mts/10000 Ft)- Bhojbasa (3792 Mts/12440 Ft) 13 Kms Trek/5-6 Hrs) : 6.30am After breakfast we begin our trek to Bhojbasa via Chirbasa (3600mt). From Gangotri we move along the beaten track towards Chirbasa, which is on a tree line. Lunch at Chirbasa (Packed lunch). The entire trek is along the roaring Bhagirathi River. Beyond Chirbasa the terrain becomes desolate and barren. In fact, it has been referred to as Arctic Tundra by many trekkers. From Chirbasa we trek further to Bhojbasa, the entire trail passes through dense forest. Arrive at Bhojbasa, a small temple and campsite near the river. Afternoon, free to explore the area and to enjoy excellent sunsets on the Bhagirathi group of peaks. Dinner & overnight stay in dome tents.
Day 04: ( 22nd May 2022 ) Bhojbasa - Gomukh (4000 Mts/12900 Ft) - Bhojbasa ( 8 kms trek) :
Morning yoga along with the panoramic view of Bhagirathi group of peaks. After breakfast we cross Bhagirathi river via a manual cable car & start the 4 kms trek to Gomukh (4000mt), Source of Ganga. Gomukh is where the water of Ganga trickles down from the glaciers. The sages called it Gomukh because in the distant past, it probably appeared like a cow’s mouth. Explore the area. Herds of Bharal (blue mountain goats) are a common sight here on mountain ridges. On the far side of the Glacier the Bhagirathi I, II, III (6454mt), provide an equally impressive backdrop. There is also another beautifuI Himalayan snow peak, the base of which is also the little wonder, called Tapovan where Sadhus and Saints go for extended meditation during summer months. After
spending time at Gomukh, holy dip, meditation and admiring the beauty of the place, we start walking back to Bhojbasa. Dinner and overnight stay at our dome tent campsite.
Day 05: ( 23rd May 2022) Bhojbasa - Chirbasa ( 6 kms trek) :
Morning enjoy the panoramic view of Bhagirathi group of peaks followed by breakfast at Camp we start a downwards trek to Chirbasa
Day 06: (24th May 2022 Chirbasa to Gangotri.(6 kms)
Morning meditation, yoga and breakfast. Downward journey back to Gangotri. Dinner and overnight stay at Isav Ashram.
Day 07: ( 25th May 2022 ) Yoga practice and meditation in Gangotri. Day of relaxation. After breakfast at Gangotri, time to shop, visit the Temple or dip in the Ganga. The visit of Gangotri valley is not complete until we visit Gangotri falls and the kuteer (log hut) of one of the most famous saint Swami Sunderananda (Also, called Photo Baba), who has been meditating & living in Gangotri from 1948 onwards. Since then, he has captured the changes that have happened in the Gangotri Valley. In 2002, his Coffee Table book was published with his rare photo, titled " Himalayas through the lens of a Sadhu." Overnight stay in Isav Ashram.
Day 08: ( 26th May 2022 ) Gangotri – Uttarkashi (Drive 3 Hrs) Yoga practice and meditation in Gangotri. Enroute stop at Gagnani for a relaxing dip in the hot water spring. Dinner and overnight stay at the Ganeshpur Ashram, Uttarkashi.
Day 09: ( 27th May 2022 ) Uttarkashi - Yoga and meditation session. Advaita Vedanta talk & discussion. Relax in & around the ashram. Optional visit to Viswanath Temple and market. Evening meditation followed by bhajans / aarti. Dinner and overnight stay at Ganeshpur Ashram.
Day 10: ( 28th May 2022 ) Rishikesh (160 Kms/5 Hrs) : After morning Yoga & breakfast, we drive towards Rishikesh. Enroute we make a lunch stop at Chamba. Later proceed further to arrive at Rishikesh & after check into your hotel. Participate in the Ganga aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh. Dinner & overnight in Rishikesh.
Day 11: ( 29th May 2022 ) Rishikesh –Dehradun airport (15 Kms/45 mins) : Morning after breakfast drive to Jolly Grant airport Dehradun to catch flight to Mumbai.
Tour Terminates
ESSENTIALS : Basic personal items to be carried include, feather jacket, heavy woolens, hat, gloves, walking boots (kindly use new boots before trek), walking sticks, rain proof jacket, torch, external power banks, water flask, sun cream, & medicines, a firm rucksack with broad strap keeping overall weight in mind. Nice idea to bring hot water bottle, the old fashioned kind!
Temperatures will be cold. Approx. 10 Degrees Celsius and less. It will get warm walking. Night time and in the morning, will be especially cold, fleece jackets, hats and thermal socks recommended, must!!
Uttarkashi
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Located in Uttarakhand, it is known for being an abode to the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Sages from ancient times have considered Uttarkashi as a place to attain utmost spiritual enlightenment. People from across the country visit this town to pay homage to the Gods. Uttarkashi lies on the banks of the sacred river Ganga (Bhagirathi.)
Known as ‘Kashi of the North.’ Just like Varanasi (Kashi) of East, Uttarkashi lies between the holy rivers Varuna, also known as Syalam Gad and Assi, also known as Kali Gad, with the confluence of rivers Varuna and Bhagirathi marking the limits of Uttarkashi on one end and the confluence of rivers Assi and Bhagirathi, marking the limits on the other end.
The town is completely surrounded by Balkhilya, Indrakeel (also called Hari Parvat), Varunavat, Mahendra Parvat (known as Mahidanda locally) and the Airavat Mountains.
Vishwanath Temple – This temple is the oldest and most sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Joyti Lingums. According to the legends, Lord Shiva appeared here to save Rishi Markandeya from Yama, the God of death. T
Shakti Temple – Opposite the Vishwanath Temple is the ‘Shakti Temple’, dedicated to Goddess Durga. Pilgrims visit this temple to seek blessings from Goddess Durga and to have a look at the heavy trident which is revered here in the form of ‘Shakti’. The vibration of the Trident can be felt, down into earth, where it fell and crushed the demon.
The average temperature of Uttarkashi remains around 22 degree Celsius with its height above the sea level being 1158 meters.
Gangnani
Further up on way to Gangotri about 26 kms from Maneri is the hot water spring at Gangnani, where one can have refreshing bath in the Kund called Rishi Kund. There is a temple near the Kund dedicated to the Sage Parashar, believed to be the father of Ved Vyas.
Harsil
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A beautiful spot to see the colours of the nature. The walks, picnics and trek lead one to undiscovered stretches of green, grassy land. Harsil is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Sighting here includes the Wilson Cottage, built in 1864 and Sat Tal (seven Lakes). The adventurous tourists have the choice to set off on various treks that introduces them to beautiful meadows, waterfalls and valleys. Situated amidst the incredible beauty of mountain peaks, Harsil is counted amongst some of the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region.
Gangotri
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Gangotri is couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. The temple is 3,145 meters above sea level. Over 10,000 feet. The Holy shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3200 m surrounded by deodars and pines. The original temple was constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa. Every year people from all around the world visit this shrine. A number of ashrams and dharamshalas are located on the other side of the river. It is believed that Raja Bhagirath used to worship Shiva on a slab of rock, now known as Bhagirath Shila situated near the temple. Submerged in the river there is a natural Shivling where, according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat when he received the Goddess Ganga in his matted locks. A days trek takes one to Gomukh, the source of the mighty Ganges.
According to legend, Lord Shiva rewarded King Bhagirath after his penance and Ganga came down to earth. However, due the fact the earth would be devastated if Ganga came down in her full force, Lord Shiva caught her in his locks. It was then proclaimed that Goddess Uma or Parvati, Shiva's consort, would bathe in the Ganges daily and only then would she descend on the earth. The sacred stone near the temple denotes the place where Ganga first came down to earth. This is why Ganga is also called by the name of Bhagirathi. The entire region is extremely breath-taking and a sight to behold. The bed of the river adjoining the temple is divided into three basins, where the pilgrims bathe. One of these basins is dedicated to Brahma another to Vishnu and the third to Shiva. It’s believed seven generations of ancestral karma can be cleansed here, at this place.
It’s believed Ganga water or Ganga Jal from here never gets old or goes bad. The water taken from this sacred spot is exported by pilgrims to other parts of India and in previous experience, carried to the other side of the world, where for years, I can testify, the water never went green. There are many water vessels that can be brought for this purpose. However, if you have your own – it’s better to bring.
Gangotri stands on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. Now China. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 120 km from China, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi.
Gomukh
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Gomukh embraces thousands of people who come for its serenity. It feels as though the atmosphere carries the sound of mantras, sung eons ago, which sill echo in the landscape. It is a blessing to be present and aware to the nature and history of this land, as it’s the pious mythology, which comes alive and makes it a sacred destination.
Gaumukh is 18 km from Gangotri in the foot hills of Bhagirathi at a height of 4255m. At one time the glacier was situated at Gangotri but the snout is rapidly moving backwards. According to the modern research the snout has moved 1 km in just 70 years.
The trek, approximately 19 kilometres commences from Gangotri where the shrine, dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located on the bank of the gurgling river, Bhagirathi and where we will perform a puja for blessings. The journey follows the course of Bhagirathi, cutting and running through the thick cedar and pine forest.
The Bhagirathi river is incredible, with such force and mesmerising sound, she cleanses the mind. Further, it embarks upon a beautiful alpine meadow that is dotted and patched with several wild and colourful orchids. Herds of Bharal (blue mountain goats) are a common sight, from here on, mountain ridges and a different terrain. The view of peaks, stretching across the Himalayan range, form like a silver cascade and makes the experience a walk into paradise.
Cost includes: Ex Dehradun airport Transport (New Toyota Innova cars), Accommodation in Hotel ( Haridwar & Rishikesh) & Ashram (Gangotri & Uttarkashi). Meals (B + L + D during trek & ashram only) & Breakfast & dinner at hotel, During trekking - Porters, Clients tent (Dome / low tents because of high wind conditions), Kitchen Tent, Toilet tent, Entrance fee at Gangotri National Park, & in dome tents (Bhojbasa), Experienced Mountain guide, cook / cooking guide.
Cost does not include: Meals during drive, hot and soft drink, laundry, tips, any other expenses beyond our control such as bad weather, road blockage, landslide, political problems and any accident during tour/trek.