Nomad Saikat
The trekkers love trekking to pristine locations just because of the view that they would get to witness there. And the challenges and adventures that come along are something that they crave for. It is a different kind of adrenaline rush to explore a trekking trail and there are some really popular trekking trails in the country as well. And one such trekking trail that is really popular is the Gomukh Tapovan Trek. This is one of the popular treks that the trekkers and adventure lovers love exploring. However with time and with the introduction of new trekking trails this trail became a little sidelined though. But still there is a special essence of this trek due to the geographical location and the cultural significance of this journey. In case you are planning to hop on for a trekking spree this can be a great option for you to explore.
Gomukh Tapovan Trek
For every adventurer and nature lover the tranquil trail will be a heaven. Tapovan is a beautiful location with meadows and Shivling peak. A lot of devotees also prefer this trek to take a dip in the holy water here as Gomukh is the source of River Bhagirathi and the River Ganga trickles down from the Gangotri glacier here. With an impressive altitude and pristine view this can undoubtedly be one of the most rewarding treks that you can complete. From river Bhagirathi to its sisters and the view of Mount Shivling from its base you cannot imagine how breathtaking the location looks. Keep on reading this article as here I will mention everything that you need to know about the Gomukh Trek. This will be a helpful article for you if you are planning a trek to Gomukh Tapovan soon.
How to reach
The base camp for the trek is Gangotri and you need to reach there first to carry forward with this trek. And there are various modes of transport to reach here that you can opt for so let’s discuss that.
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the base camp is the Dehradun airport or Delhi airport. You will get flights from major cities and towns to reach either Delhi or Dehradun first. If you are reaching the Delhi airport you can next book a train from Delhi to reach Dehradun. And if you are reaching Dehradun directly then that would be a more convenient option for you to reach the base camp. You can however take buses from Delhi as well to reach Dehradun, and then again take another bus to reach the base camp.
By train
In case you are travelling by train you can take the train to Delhi or Dehradun first and then you will have to travel the rest of the way by road. If you are travelling from Delhi you can even take a train to Dehradun from there as well. And then from Delhi or Dehradun however you will have to take a car or a cab to reach the base camp of this trek.
By road
You can travel by road as well to reach the base camp of this trek. There are buses available from different locations to reach Dehradun and from there again you will get buses to reach Gangotri. You can even take a car or hire a taxi as well from multiple locations to reach the base camp of the Gomukh Tapovan Trek.
Overview of Gomukh Tapovan Trek
The Gomukh Tapovan Trek is located in the state of Uttarakhand and takes you through the pristine location of the Greater Himalayas. The trek starts from Uttarakhand and finally ends at the pilgrim town of Gangotri which is the source of river Ganga. It is a difficult trek and the Gomukh Tapovan Trek distance is about 46 km. In total it takes around 8-9 days to complete this trek and the highest altitude is 14,203 feet. It can be a suitable trek for people from 12 to 62 years but you need physical fitness and mental strength to continue with this difficult trek.
The Gomukh Tapovan Trek is not just a physical journey or a trek but it is also a mental and spiritual journey as well. The ideal time for a trek here would be during the summer season or the post monsoon months. So if you are interested then plan the Gomukh Tapovan Trek during this time.
Read More : Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Height, Route Map, Itinerary, Cost
Gomukh Tapovan Trek Cost
The location of Gomukh Tapovan is a protected area and so you would need a permit to enter the area as well. You will have to obtain Gomukh Tapovan Trek permit from the Forest Department and it would cost you around Rs. 1500 per person. There are different Gomukh Tapovan Trek package also which you should opt for. Even though it is possible to trek independently, if you are taking a guide here it will be a better experience for you. The fees for the guide range from something around Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 per day. Along the journey you will also get various lodges, homestays, camps, hotels where you should be staying. The cost usually varies from Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000 depending on the type of hotel and amenities.
For transportation it would depend on the kind of transport you are opting for to reach the base camp. If you are travelling by a bus it would cost you Rs. 500 to Rs. 1500 for one way and a one way flight would cost you something around Rs. 5000 to Rs. 8000. And along with that there is the cost of food as well and at local restaurants it will cost around Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per meal. Overall the cost would vary from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 30000 per person depending on the mode of transport, accommodation and type of food. So plan your trip accordingly and try to book the accommodation or transportation in advance to get it done in a lower price range.
Gomukh Tapovan Trek Route and Itinerary
Day 1 :Drive from Dehradun to Gangotri
This will be a drive of 240 km and would take around 8 to 9 hours to reach. The altitude of this journey however would be 10,000 feet. Gangotri is basically a small pilgrim town which is significant as the source of river Ganga. Here the trekkers will have to reach on the first day and also they can explore the town. It is also important for acclimatization as well while you enjoy the beautiful view here. At night you will have to stay at a guest house or a hotel here.
Day 2 :Trek from Gangotri to Chirbasa
It is the day of trekking and the total distance will be 9 km. It would approximately take you around 4-5 hours to reach the destination for the day. For this day the altitude will be about 11, 8111 feet. The journey therefore will start from Gangotri early in the morning and follow the Bhagirathi stream upwards. Moreover the trail will mostly go through the dense pine and deodar forests. Then you will reach the first campsite here that is Chirbasa for a night stay and acclimatization.
Day 3 :Trek from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa
Day 3 starts from Chirbasa and the trek distance on this day will be 5 km. Also it will be a difficult trek and the altitude will be 12, 467 feet. It would take around 3 hours to reach Bhojbasa which is the campsite. It is however a short trek but nevertheless a very steep one. The campsite is located at the foot of the Gangotri glacier and will offer a pristine view.
Day 4 : Bhojbasa to Gomukh to Tapovan
This is the main day of this journey and it will be a 6 km trek. You will reach the altitude of 14,222 feet on this day and it will take around 7 hours to reach there. The trail on this day is steep and will reach Gomukh. You will also cross the Gangotri glacier which is an experience in itself. After reaching Gomukh the trekkers can also take a dip in the holy icy cold water here. Along with that they can also offer prayer at the temple at this location. Again there is a steep yet short climb from there to reach Tapovan. It will however take around 2 to 2.5 hours time to reach Tapovan which is the campsite for the day. It is also the base camp for Shivling Peak and Meru Peak as well.
Day 5 : Rest Day
This is a leisure day and you can witness the sunrise and view of the peaks here. You can also explore the area around Shivling peak. It is furthermore a location where a lot of trekkers meditate as well.
Day 6 : Trek from Tapovan to Chirbasa
This is the day when you will start your trek downhill from Tapovan and it will be a long walk of around 11 km. It would take you around 6 hours to reach Chirbasa by afternoon if you start early in the morning. And then you will be able to enjoy camping at Chirbasa overnight.
Day 7 : Trek from Chirbasa to Gangotri
On this day the trek will cover around 9 km in about 5 to 6 hours. You will follow the Bhagirathi river trail to reach Gangotri and check in to your hotels or guesthouses and rest.
Day 8 : Drive from Gangotri to Dehradun
This is the last day of the journey when you will head back to Dehradun. It will take you around 8 to 9 hours to reach Dehradun from Gangotri. On the way you can visit some sightseeing spots here as well. And then after reaching Dehradun you can opt for your trains, flights or bus to reach your desired destination. And with this the Gomukh Tapovan trek comes to an end on the day 8.
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about the Gomukh Tapovan Trek and it is one of the most interesting treks that you can be a part of. Other than the geographical significance, the religious and cultural significance of this location further makes this trail more interesting. It is one of the most difficult treks as well when it comes to the difficulty level. But if you have enough fitness and mental preparation then even beginners can try it. For adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers it will be one of the most interesting treks to take a part in. The majestic view of the location along with the pristine altitude are definitely a highlight of this challenging trek. So let me know if this article on Gomukh Tapovan Trek is helpful for you in knowing about the details of this trek.
