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The Source of the Ganges Trek
Celebrated in Hindu mythology and religion, the Garhwal Himalayas are said to be the "Abode of the Gods". The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massif, at the sacred shrine of Gangotri and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury. A trekkers delight, this itinerary leads to one of the most important spots of Hindu spirituality, where you will experience a strange atmosphere of religious fervour. Thousands of Pilgrims arrive here 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.
From Gangotri, the path proceeds at first along the sacred river, then through dense forests and grassy areas, close to the Source of the Ganges, you find the strange view of half-naked saddhus in the lotus position, meditating on the bank of the bubbling stream pouring out the glacier. Further up, Tapovan is a grassy area with numerous brooks, surrounded by snowy peaks.
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi - On arrival meet at the airport and transfer to the Hotel. O/n stay at Hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Day 03 - Delhi – Rishikesh: Checkin hotel Ganga Kinare/Great Ganga. Overnight at Rishikesh.
Day 04 - Rishikesh - UTTARKASHI 1150 mts: Drive 152 kms/ 5-6 hours. 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 up to Gangotri. Overnight in hotel Shivlinga in Uttarkashi.
Day 05: UTTARKASHI - GANGOTRI 3048 mts: Drive 97 kms/5 hours. 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 Gangotri. Check in at hotel Manisha Cottage.
The remaining day is spent exploring the pilgrimage of Gangotri. Overnight stay.
Day 06: GANGOTRI – BHOJBASA 3350 mts: A 13 km soft trek. The wide 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 Bhojbasa, literally the abode of pines. Camp on a grassy meadow beside the Bhagirathi. Trek time : 5 hours, 14 km trek.
Day 07: BHOJBASA - GAUMUKH 3850 mts: Continuing along the pilgrim grassy hillsides. Trail then curves, to unfold a breathtaking view of wild flowers studded meadows crowned by the Bhagirathi group of peaks Camp on a wide sandy beach at Gaumukh, where the holy Ganga gushes out of the snout of the Gangotri glacier, is set in a wide moraine-stream valley Shivling 6540 m, sits looking down like an old learned man, while the Bhagirathi I, II and III tower above. Trek time : 5 hours, 4 KMS.
Day 08: GAUMUKH - TAPOVAN 4350 mts - GAUMUKH: The trail leaves its way through the terminal moraine before cutting across the Gangotri glacier and climbing steeply up to the grassy slopes to the vast ablation valley of Tapowan. The vast meadows strewn with wild flowers are situated at the base of Shivling. The Bhagirathi peaks are now almost within touching distance. Trek back to camp at Gaumukh. Trek time : 7 hours, 10 KMS TREK.
Day 09: GAUMUKH - GANGOTRI: Trace back your footsteps and experience the mesmerizing Himalayas once again. Overnight at Hotel Manisha Cottages at Gangotri. Trek time : 5 hours, 18 KMS TREK.
Day 10: GANGOTRI - CHAMBA 1676 mts: Drive to Chamba179 kms/8 hours. Arrive and check in hotel Classic Hiltop.
Chamba is one of the brightest spots of Tehri Garhwa. This quaint town offers one of the most spectacular views of snow capped Himalayas and the enchanting Bhagirathi vally. Being the center point of routes to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Tehri & New Tehri, Chamba is fast changing into the ideal interlude. Overnight in Camp/hotel.
Day 11: CHAMBA - HARIDWAR: Drive to Haridwar 85 kms/3 hours. Arrive and check in Hotel Hari Ganga. Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal. It’s also your starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the rivers Ganga and the Yamuna. According to legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to sage Kapil’s curse. The penance was answered and the river. PM at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12: HARIDWAR-DELHI
Trekking Equipment’s
General Instructions
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