Source of Ganges trek
13 Days
Best Season: May and mid Sept to mid- Oct
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Trek to the Source of mystical River Ganges.
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See the Source of the Holy River.
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Witness the soul-soothing Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh.
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Highest altitude gained - 4463 m - Tapovan.
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Enjoy the amphitheatrical view of Himalayan peaks from Tapovan.
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Visit culturally & spiritually important cities.
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Train ride from Haridwar to Delhi in one of the fastest trains of India.
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Optional tour to Agra to see the beautiful Taj Mahal.
Route Map
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - Departure
Depart from your home country.
Day 2 - Delhi / Rishikesh
Arrive at Delhi International Airport and transfer to hotel. After breakfast, drive 225 km / 6 hrs to Rishikesh. Check in the hotel. Rest of the time is free. Rishikesh is located on the banks of the river Ganga where we find multitude of religious activities, Sadhu and Yoga Ashrams. In the evening, we witness Ganga Arti (Worship) by the side of River Ganga. The fading light of the day and with lit up butter oil lamps held by Priests chanting mantras at the Ghat offers you a heavenly solace. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 3 - Rishikesh / Uttarkashi (1158 m)
After breakfast, we proceed to Uttarkashi 185 km / 7 hrs. Uttarkashi is situated in the wide Bhagirathi valley by the banks of Bhagirathi River originating from Gaumukh, Gangotri Glacier. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 4 - Uttarkashi / Gangotri (3048 m)
In the morning, we drive 95 km / 5 hrs to Gangotri, en route we stop at hot water spring at Gagnani, the water is known to have curative effect for skin problems. Gangotri is a small town where the ancient temple of Mother Goddess Ganga was built in early 18th century, amidst Cedar and Pine trees, by Amar Singh Thapa. The temple is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva offering penance for his dead ancestors. According to the legend Ganga descended from heaven after King Bhagirath deeply meditated and worshipped Lord Shiva requesting him to send Ganga River on the earth in order to wash sins of 60,000 of his ancestors and thus liberate their souls so that they can make their journey to heaven. The temple is an exquisite 20 feet high structure made of white granite. We witness the soul soothing prayers at the Gangotri Temple in the evening. Overnight in simple hotel / simple guest house.
Day 5 - Gangotri
Be it a man’s urge to placate the Gods above or to quench his desire for adventure; Gangotri is an ideal location for both. The confrontation with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world are found here. It’s a day free for acclimatization and making arrangements for our trek. We walk around Gangotri to make an acclimatization walk for about 4-5 hrs. Overnight in simple hotel / simple guest house.
Day 6 - Gangotri / Bhojbas (3792 m)
After breakfast, we start our trek to Bhojbas following the right bank of Bhagirathi River. It’s a gradual ascending trek of 14 km. En route we get beautiful view of Sudarshan peak (6507 m) and Bhagirathi massif – Bhagirathi I (6856 m), II (6512 m) and III (6454 m). Total trek about 6 - 7 hrs. Overnight in Dormitory / Tent.
Day 7 - Bhojbas / Gaumukh (3890 m) / Tapovan (4463 m)
After breakfast, we begin our trek to Gaumukh, the source of the River Ganga where you see holy water gushing out from the snout of Gangotri Glacier. Continue further trekking by crossing over Gangotri Glacier and final ascent to grassy meadow of Tapovan on the east bank of the Gangotri Glacier. Tapovan is also the base camp for climbing Expedition to the stunningly beautiful Mt Shivling (6543 M). Enjoy the amphitheatrical view of Himalayan peaks from here. Total trek about 6 hrs. Overnight in tents.
Day 8 - Tapovan - Day Excursion towards Meru Glacier
Today, we will do an excursion towards Meru Glacier, for an excellent view of Meru Massif (6660 M); Shivling (6534 M) and Bhagirathi massive (6856 M). After this, we go back to Tapovan. Total trek is of about 4-5 hours. Overnight in tents.
Day 9 - Tapovan / Nandanvan (4350 m)
After breakfast, we start our trek by crossing over Gangotri Glacier. Continue further trekking to Nandanvan, which offers stupendous views. Crossover the rocky moraine and ascend to Nandanvan to arrive at the beautiful meadow of Nandanvan. From here, we can see Kedardome and Kharch Kund (6612 m) in the Southwest and Shivling and Meru peak on the West. About 6 -7 hours trek. Overnight in tents.
Day 10 - Nandanvan / Chirbas (3580 m)
After breakfast we start trekking back to Chirbas, thus slowly going back to civilization, leaving behind unforgettable memories of snowy mountains. We start descending to Gangotri Glacier on our way back to Gaumukh. After taking a good look at the beautiful view of mountains around, you start negotiating Gangotri glacier to reach Gaumukh. Trek further down 4 km to Bhojbas and the last 5 km to our night camp at Chirbas grassy meadow surrounded by pine forest. About 7 hours trek. Overnight in tents.
Day 11 - Chirbas / Gangotri / Uttarkashi
After breakfast, we trek for 2 hour to Gangotri, from where we board our bus to Uttarkashi. The drive to Uttarkashi is about 95 km / 5 hrs. Overnight in simple hotel.
Day 12 - Uttarkashi / Haridwar / Delhi
Drive 220 km / 8 hr to Haridwar. Time permitting visit Har Ki Pauri on the left bank of river Ganga. Later, transfer to Railway Station for Shatabdi train to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Day 13 - Delhi / Agra (Optional) / Departure
Day free in Delhi or Optional Excursion to Agra. Later, transfer to International Airport for your flight back home.
The river Ganga is the holiest river of India. It is believed by Hindus that a bath in the Ganga River washes your sins. Many holy cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi are situated on the banks of Ganga. It’s fascinating to watch Sadhus (Holy men), Ashrams, Yoga Centres and various religious ceremonies going on the ghats of Ganga. Originating from Gaumukh (snout of Gangotri Glacier) the river covers 2,500 km of distance across the country before it merges in Bay of Bengal in Calcutta.
This trek therefore, not only tests your adrenaline to trek over glaciers but also gives you a deep insight in the mysticism wrapped around river Ganga. You begin to get more and more curious, to learn about Hindu way of life, and why millions of them worship the holy river Ganga. Other than cultural feast this trek offers a great bonanza to your eyes with splendid views of snow clad mountain in amphitheatrical shape. The trek starts from Gangotri Temple, dedicated to Mother Goddess Ganga on the bank of Bhagirathi River which is the main tributary of Ganga River. Winding through Bhojbas, Gaumukh, Tapovan, Nandavan and Vasu ki Lake, the trek offers an unparalleled view of photogenic mountain Shivling (6543 m), Meru (6672 m), Bhagirathi massif, Kedar dome (6830 m), Vasu ki Parbat (6792 m) and a plethora of other snow mountains. In short, on this tour you have both culture and nature at its best. A tour highly recommended to intrepid trekkers and inquisitive cultural minds.
