Sources
of Ganges Trek
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Max Altitude: 4570 Mts
Best Time: May to June & Aug to Oct
Difficulty: Moderate Trek
Ganges is one of the holiest river in India and its source,
a sacred pilgrimage for devout Hindus. The trek follows
the Ganges to its source at Gaumukh, the snout of river
Ganges.
Legend is that Goddess Ganga descended here from heaven
after prolonged penance of King Bhagirath.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrival in New Delhi, reception upon at Indira Gandhi International
airport New Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02: Delhi - Dehradun - Mussorrie
Morning transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi train
to Dehradun. Arrive Dehradun & 35 Km drive to Mussoorie.
Popularly known as the queen of hills, this charming hill
station, 280 km from Delhi is situated at an altitude of
2,500 mts. above sea-level. Enchanting view of pine covered
hill slopes and snow capped mountains leave an indelible
impression on one's mind. The modern bungalows, malls and
well laid gardens which are located on the small hills around
the area are enough to attract any tourist.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 03: Mussoorie
Day free at Mussoorie to explore the surrounding areas.
You can visit the Lal Tibba, Gun Hill, Kempty Fall and Mall
road.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 04: Mussorrie - Uttarkashi 1150 mts.
Drive 5 hours (130 Km). The drive along the ridge line to
Chamba, affords panoramic views of the high mountain peaks
of Garhwal. Then down to Tehri to join the Bhagirathi river
valley, which we follow upto Gangotri.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 05: Uttarkashi - Gangotri 3048 mts.
Drive 5 hours (100 km). Following the torrential river up
stream, the road winds up the valley past the hot sulphur
springs at Gangnani, to climb steeply up a series of hairpin
bends to the village of Sukki. Arrive Gangotri. Afternoon
free to explore the Gangotri. Thousands of Pilgrims arrive
here in 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 otherwise her descent
from the heavens would have split the earth.
Overnight: Tourist Bunglow
Day 06: Gangotri - Chirbasa - Bhojbasa 3800m mts.
An easy walk (14 Km trek). We progress along a picturesque
trail initially passes through dense deodar forests before
emerging into the wide unforested valley. It then carries
on to a small isolated forest of pine at Chirbases, literally
the abode of pines.
Overnight: Tent
Day 07: Bhojbasa - Gaumukh (3900m) - Tapovan (4450m) in
4h 
From Gaumukh, source of the Ganges, the scenery is fascinating,
with praying pilgrims and half-naked saddhus meditating
along the banks of the tumultuous stream that pours out
of the glacier. The trail crosses Gangotri moraines before
reaching Tapovan and its gorgeous meadows, furrowed with
streams and scattered with flowers. From here the panoramic
view over Shivling (6540m), Meru (6660m) and the Bhaghirati
massifs (above 6500m) is stunning. It is not surprising
that saddhus chose this area to meditate in summer time.
Overnight: Tent
Day 08: Tapovan - Kirti Bamak - Tapovan in 06h
A full days walk to the Kirti Bamak glacier and to the base
of peaks Kedarnath Dome 6850m, Kirti Bamak 6500 m and to
a view of Shivling from the east. Return to Camp.
Overnight: Tent
Day 09: Tapovan - Nandanvan (4570 m) in 06h
This Day is largely an exercise is boulder hopping. Crossing
the moraine covered Gangotri glacier to Nandawan located
at the confluence of the Chaturangi and the Gangotri glaciers.
Literally meaning the four coloured glacier. The Chaturangi
is truly multi-hued. The massive meadows of Nandavan are
situated at the base of the Bhagirathi massif. The area
provides excellent sightings of Bharal (blue sheep).
Overnight: Tent
Day 10: Nandanvan - Bhojbasa in 05h
Another boulder hop along the Gangotri glacier to its snout
at Gangotri.
Overnight: Tent
Day 11: Bhojbasa - Gangotri Trek - 100 Km drive Uttarkashi
Trek back to Gangotri and drive to Uttarakashi. On arrival
Uttarkashi transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: Uttarkashi - Rishikesh 155 Km
Drive to Rishikeh 5 hours. On arrival check into hotel.
Evening free for personal activities. Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Morning free. Afternoon drive to Haridwar railway station
and from Haridwar catch train for Delhi. On arrival meet
at the station and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 14: Delhi Departure
Transfer to the international airport time to catch flight
for onward destinations.
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