Overview
Gaumukh Tapovan is a pilgrimage as much as a trek. From the Gangotri temple, the trail follows the Bhagirathi river through Chirbasa and Bhojbasa to Gaumukh — the ice mouth where the river physically emerges from the Gangotri glacier. Beyond Gaumukh, a steep morainal climb leads to Tapovan (14,640 ft), a high meadow ringed by Shivling, the Bhagirathi group and Meru. Permits are capped by the forest department, so batches are small and dates are limited to the pre- and post-monsoon windows.
- Reach the snout of the Gangotri glacier — the Bhagirathi's source
- Camp at Tapovan meadow directly beneath the 6,543 m Shivling
- Follow the pilgrim trail from Gangotri through pine and birch
- Restricted-area permit trek limited to 150 trekkers per day
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Haridwar → Uttarkashi (1,158 m)
7 hr drive along the Bhagirathi. Guesthouse night in Uttarkashi.
- 2
Uttarkashi → Gangotri (3,100 m)
4 hr drive through Harsil. Acclimatisation walk and permit collection at the forest post.
- 3
Gangotri → Chirbasa → Bhojbasa (3,790 m)
14 km walk along the pilgrim trail. Stay at the GMVN Bhojbasa rest-house.
- 4
Bhojbasa → Gaumukh → Tapovan (4,463 m)
Short walk to Gaumukh, then a steep 4 hr morainal climb to the Tapovan meadow beneath Shivling.
- 5
Tapovan acclimatisation and exploration
Rest day with optional walks to the Meru glacier base or the Nandanvan side of the valley.
- 6
Tapovan → Bhojbasa
Descent day back to the tree-line camp at Bhojbasa.
- 7
Bhojbasa → Gangotri → Uttarkashi
Return to Gangotri and drive to Uttarkashi for the night.
- 8
Uttarkashi → Haridwar
Drive back to Haridwar; arrive by evening.
Elevation profile
Peaks at 14,640 ftIndicative profile — actual daily gain depends on weather and acclimatization pace.
What's included
- Haridwar to Haridwar transport
- 7 nights accommodation (guesthouse + GMVN rest-house + alpine camps)
- All meals on trek
- Certified IMF-registered trek leader, local Gangotri guide, high-altitude support staff
- Restricted-area permit for the Gangotri National Park
- Medical kit with oximeter and portable oxygen
Not included
- Trains/flights to Haridwar
- Personal trekking gear
- Any expense arising from permit denial or weather closure
- Anything not listed under inclusions
How to reach Gangotri
Your base for this trek. Common pickup on Day 1 morning; drop-off on the last day evening.
- Airport — Jolly Grant (DED)
- Railhead — Haridwar (HW)
- Road — 10 hr / 285 km from Haridwar. Shared Tempo Traveller included in the trek price.
Things to carry
The honest list — 8 kg on your back is plenty for this trek. Layers still matter — nights drop below 5 °C.
- Ankle-length waterproof trekking boots (worn in)
- Down or synthetic jacket rated to −10 °C
- Waterproof-breathable shell jacket
- Two full sets of thermal base layers
- Three pairs of merino or synthetic socks
- Insulated + liner gloves, wool cap, sun cap
- Category 3 UV sunglasses (Category 4 on snow above 4,000 m)
- One-litre insulated flask + one reusable water bottle
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Personal medication + basic strip (paracetamol, ORS, band-aids)
- Government photo ID (original)
- · Tents, sleeping bags and mats rated to trek altitude
- · Micro-spikes and gaiters on snow sections
- · Full medical kit with pulse oximeter and portable oxygen
Trekker reviews
Questions about Gaumukh Tapovan
The ones our trek leads get asked most.
- Yes. Only 150 trekkers per day are allowed inside the Gangotri National Park. We apply for the permit against your ID at the Uttarkashi forest office 24 hours in advance.