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Trek to Gaumukh, Tapovan with an extension to Kedar Tal

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Trek to Gaumukh, Tapovan with an extension to Kedar Tal
  • Category: Trekking/Camping/Moderate+/15days
  • Season: Mid May-June / Mid August -October
  • Location: Garhwal in Uttarakhand
  • Cost: Rs.43680 per person approx plus taxes
  • Min Group: 4
  • Customizable: Yes
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About the trip

To get upclose and personal with the colossal Himalayas and get a taste of Indian culture, join us for the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek. You start the trip with a long but beautiful road trip to Gangotri, along the Bhagirathi River. The trek starts from here. You will find Gangotri bustling with sages who have journeyed here to pay homage at the source of the Ganges, the most revered river in India. The spiritual intensity of Gangotri, one of India's most sacred pilgrimage sites, is palpable as you witness the daily Puja at the temple.

At Gaumukh, one sees water gushing out of a snout like opening. The awe-inspiring view is no doubt revered by one and all. As you weave your way from Gangotri to Tapovan, every twist in the trail reveals another stunning snow clad Himalayan giant. The beauty of Tapovan is something words can’t do justice to; undulating alpine meadows, network of gurgling streams and the ‘almost next to you’ presence of some renowned Himalayan peaks makes it one of the most awe inspiring sights in the region. We will camp right at the base of the Shivling peak (6543m, called the Matterhorn of Garhwal).

From Tapovan  we cross the glacier towards Nandavan, retrace our steps and come back to Gangotri  and start our hike towards our next Himalayan destination the high altitude lake of Kedar Tal .Here the walk is mostly through glaciers, exploratory walks towards ABC camp and Jogin Peaks is very rewarding. Hike back to Gangotri and drive down to Uttarkashi. Then drive down to Rishikesh and then board the train to Delhi.


Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip

 

Duration – 15 days
Trekking days – 10 days
Max Altitude – 4700 mts
Acco - Alpine Camping - 9 Nights,
Hotel/Guesthouse - 3 Nights, 
Train - 2 Nights

Cost Inclusive of

1.    All road transfers by private vehicles from Haridwar to Haridwar.
2.    Accommodation will be provided throughout the trip as mentioned in the itinerary on twin sharing basis.
3.    Meals: As per itinerary. Tea /coffee, snacks & drinking water during the trek. All meals would be vegetarian. The cuisine would be a mix of Indian, Chinese, Continental & Local.
4.    English speaking & professionally trained mountain guide.
5.    Kitchen staff would accompany the group on the trek.
6.    Porters / Mules will carry one bag per client ( not to exceed 20 Kgs)
7.    Camping equipment: 3/4 season tents (Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond or similar), sleeping bags, ground mattress, mess tent & camping tables & stools.
8.    All trekking permits and park entry fees.
9.    First Aid Kit.

Cost Not Inclusive of

1.    Air Fare
2.    Travel Insurance
3.    Accommodation in Delhi - We can arrange it if required. Rooms starting at Rs.2500 and upwards.
4.    Single supplements.
5.    Additional meals/services not mentioned in the above.
6.    Charges for video/ still cameras etc.
7.    Alcohol, beverages, soft drinks etc.
8.    Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
9.    Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
10.  Insurance
11.  Train fare. Can be arranged on request

Itinerary

Day 01: DELHI - HARIDWAR
Arrive the previous night in Delhi. Day can be spent visiting old Delhi and other historical monuments. Take the late night train from Delhi for Haridwar.

DAY 02: HARIDWAR - UTTARKASHI (1150m, Drive 200 kms /6-7 hrs)
Arrive at Haridwar early in the morning and from here depart for Uttarkashi by road. Check into the hotel. Evening visit the Vishwanath temple.
Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 03: UTTARKASHI - HARSIL/GANGOTRI (3050m, Drive 98 kms /3-4 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Gangotri, a very small and beautiful temple town situated on the banks of river Ganges. This drive in the Bhagirathi valley is full of impressive gorges at the Bhairav Ghati. We check into a guest house here and visit the ancient temple here. A short acclimatisation hike in the surroundings is also essential here.
Overnight in a small hotel/guest house. In case of non availability of rooms here we will stay at Harsil, a beautiful village close to Gangotri.

DAY 04: GANGOTRI - BHOJWASSA (3800m, trek / 5-6 hrs)
We walk into the Gangotri National park and very soon are rewarded with nice views of the Bhagirathi peaks. We will cross Chirbasa (place having pine forests) and continue hiking towards Bhojbasa (place having Birch trees). From Chirbasa great views of the Bhagirathi, Shivling (Matterhorn of Garhwal) & Bhrigu Parbat unfold. Overnight in tents.

DAY 05: BHOJWASSA - GAUMUKH (3890m) - TAPOVAN (4450m, trek / 5-6 hrs)
First stage of the trek takes us to Gaumukh. The snout of the glacier is the source of the Ganges and is a very holy place for millions of people around the world. Though difficult to reach for an average guy on a pilgrimage you might catch a few people here taking a dip in the freezing holy water. Sadhus (holy men) are found taking refuge in the surrounding caves. Moraine walk followed by a steep 40 mins climbing to the ridge top takes you to Tapovan. Contrasting beauty of this high altitude meadow hits you as a surprise. This oasis is a combination of undulating meadows, gurgling streams and unparalleled views of the mighty Himalayan peaks. Overnight in tents.

DAY 06: TAPOVAN - REST /EXPLORATORY DAY
Do your own thing today! Explore the meadows of Tapovan, cross the glacier and walk towards Nandanvan, attempt a short climb towards the Shivling base camp or just chill out, soaking in the beauty of this truly amazing landscape. Overnight in tents.

DAY 07: TAPOVAN - CHIRBASSA (3600m, trek /4-5 hrs)
Retrace your steps to Chirbasa. Overnight in tents.

DAY 08: CHIRBASSA - GANGOTRI - BHOJKHARAK (3750m, Trek /6-7 hrs)
We will trek down to Gangotri in a couple of hours rest for awhile and start hiking towards our next Himalayan destination, the high altitude lake of Kedar Tal. Today we will walk till Bhoj Kharak from Gangotri. This hike will take around 4 hours. We mostly traverse the Kedar gorge to reach our destination. Overnight in tents.

DAY 09: BHOJKHARAK - KEDARKHARAK (4150m, Trek /3-4 hrs)
We cross the tree line in sometime and towards afternoon reach our next destination, Kedar Kharak. This is a very pleasant campsite with meadows all around and a network of streams. Overnight in tents.

DAY 10: KEDARKHARAK - KEDARTAL (4700m, Trek /3-4 hrs)
We cross the meadows and from then on the trail is mostly through scree, rocks & boulders. After a few hours of mostly uphill walking we reach Kedar Tal. You will experience complete 'Mountain Madness' here. Blue waters of the high altitude lake, massive Himalayan peaks all around and highways of glaciers and the backdrop sound of avalanches and glaciers breaking.....what more can a mountain lover ask for!! Overnight in tents.

DAY 11: KEDAR TAL - REST/EXPLORATORY DAY
Exploratory walk towards the ABC camp for Thalaysagar & Jogin peaks is going to be very rewarding. The walk is mostly through glaciers and moraine. One can also opt to relax by the lake side. Overnight in tents.

DAY 12: KEDAR TAL - BHOJKHARAK (3750m, Trek /4 hrs)
We retrace our steps to reach Bhoj Kharak. Overnight in tents.

DAY 13: BHOJKHARAK - GANGOTRI (3050m, trek /2-3 hrs) - UTTARKASHI (1150m, Drive 98 kms /3-4 hrs)
We hike down till Gangotri and from there drive down to Uttarkashi. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 14: UTTARKASHI - RISHIKESH - HARIDWAR (Drive kms 224 kms /6-7 hrs)
Today you drive down to Rishikesh, spiritual capital of the country. You will get to visit the famous ghats (holy bathing area) and ashrams (refuge for pilgrims). Also you can attend the evening 'aarti (religious ceremony)' at the banks of river Ganga. After dinner we drive to the holy city of Haridwar and board the train from here for Delhi. Overnight in the train.

DAY 15: DELHI
Arrive early morning at New Delhi railway station.

Trip ends here
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