Gangotri Gaumukh Trek

Overview

Gangotri Gaumukh Trek

Gangotri at an elevation of about 3,100 meters is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage and notable for being one of the Char Dham sites. The shrine, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is located on the bank of the gurgling river Bhagirathi and is the major attraction. The divine journey turns bit adventurous as one continues to head towards Gaumukh at 4,125 meters, the source of River Bhagirathi that joins the River Alaknanda at Devprayag. The trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh, which is approximately 19 kilometers trek, is one of the popular and spiritual treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region. The journey continues to follow the course of River Bhagirathi, cutting and running through the thick cedar and pine forest. Further, it embarks upon a beautiful alpine meadow that is dotted and patched with several wild and colourful orchids. The rewarding view of the Gangotri group of peaks and Jogin peak and stretch of Himalayan range that forms a silver cascade, makes the entire strenuous trek a walk to paradise.

The Gangotri to Goumukh trek, which is one of the moderate treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region, starts from Gangotri and leads to Bhojwassa. Gangotri is easily accessible by road from Rishikesh via Uttarkashi and Harsil. The trek from Gangotri to Bhojwassa passes through the rich green bed of Chirbasa and expunges to a barren and disolated landscape till it blends once again with the thick pine and cedar forest. From Bhojwassa the trail continues to ascend towards Goumukh, where the water of River Bhagirathi trickles down from the glacier. Herds of Bharal (blue mountain goats) are a common sight from here on mountain ridges. On the far side of the glacier the Bhagirathi I, II, III at 6454 meters, provide an equally impressive backdrop. The downhill trek from Goumukh follows the same route to Gangotri.