Gaumukh Yatra – All details, dates, itinerary, cost & More
Region: Uttarakhand
Base Camp: Gangotri
Days: 5
Altitude: 13,300 ft
Grade: Moderate
Distance: 39 Km
Min Age: 16 Years+
Best Season: Summer and Autumn
Trek Description
Gaumukh, the snout of Gangotri Glacier is located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of 13,300 ft, Gaumukh is from where the Bhagirathi River originates.
This Yatra is done in 5 days, in which 2 days are for traveling and 3 days for trekking where we trek around 38 Km distance.
This Yatra takes you from Gangotri to Gaumukh via Cheerbasa and Bhojbasa. We will stay 2 nights in Gangotri and 2 nights in Bhojbasa.
Gangotri serves as the base camp for not only Gaumukh but also several other treks and expeditions. You can have an enjoyable journey visiting the famous Ganga Temple here and also the changes in landscapes and the beauty they come with.
There’s a story of how Goddess Ganga came to earth. With the devotion of Raja Bhagirath, Ganga Ma descended from Devlok to Prithvilok. Till day the Shila on which Raja Bhagitha meditated is in Gangotri. Bhagirath Shila is located near Ganga Ghat and 2nd entrance point of Gangotri Temple.
Every year thousands of people take this Yatra towards Gaumukh. While returning people bring back Ganga Jal from Gaumukh.
This year in 2024, Ganga Maa temple will open on 10 May.
Anyone who has Ganga Maa as their Aaradhya should do this Yatra. This Yatra will take you closer to the most important river in India, which shaped our culture, religion and civilization.
Itinerary
Drive Distance: 245 Km
Drive Time: 9-10 hours
Altitude: 10,300 ft
Your journey towards Gangotri will start from Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Gangotri is approximately 245 Km away from Dehradun and takes around 9-10 hours to reach there.
We will cross major towns like Chinyalisour, Uttarkashi and Harsil. In Uttarkashi, take time to purchase any necessary items. Remember, this is the last town where you will have multiple ATM services, so it is recommended to withdraw the essential cash from here.
We will avoid any sightseeing in between so that we can reach Gangotri on time.
By evening, we will be at Gangotri. Check in to your hotel room, relax a bit and after that, you can join the evening Aarti at Ganga Ma Temple.
Trek Distance: 15 Km
Trek Time: 6-8 hours
Altitude Gain: 2,650 ft
Altitude: 12,480 ft
Bhojbasa from Gangotri is approximately 15 Km so we will start early. After breakfast, we will start our journey towards Gangotri National Park Check Point. Rest few minutes here as your guide will generate the final permit for all the group members. Take a group photo here and leave for your journey ahead.
From the checkpoint, we will start toward Bhojbasa. In between we will cross Chirbasa. This is a rest point for all the trekkers, you can rest here if you feel like it.
Along the trail, you will find a lot of water sources. You will cross the landslide section and rockfall section. Be careful here, walk with attention, and proper balance, and listen to instructions of your guide.
By evening you will reach Bhojbasa Campsite which is at an altitude of 12,480 ft. From here whole Bhagirathi Massif is visible. Named after Bhojpatra, Bhojasa campsite has a lot of Bhojpatra trees.
Trek Distance: 10 Km
Trek Time: 5-7 hours
Gaumukh Altitude: 13,300 ft
Wake up early morning, enjoy the sunrise over Bhagirathi peaks, have your breakfast, and get ready for your journey towards Gaumukh.
We will cross the Bhagirathi River with the help of a trolley. Keep in mind it can take 1-2 hours for the entire batch to cross the river. Once on the other side of the valley, we will start walking towards Gaumukh.
For a few Km, the trail is filled with shrubs and grass. After that, the landscape will change and the rock section will start. You will encounter a lot of boulders and rocks on this part of the trail. Gaumukh from here is nearby.
Have darshan at Gaumukh, spend a few hours, enjoy the vibe and listen to the gushing sound of the Ganga.
We will return to Bhojbasa following the same route from where we came from.
Trek Distance: 15 Km
Trek Time: 5-6 hours
Altitude Loss: 2,750 ft
Altitude: 10,300 ft
Today we will return back to Gangotri after soulful Gaumukh Darshan. Following the same trail that we crossed on Day 2, we will come across a rockfall section and landslide zone. Be careful in these sections.
By noon we will reach Gangotri. Check in to your hotel, and rest. In the evening you have the option to attend the aarti, explore the local market, and visit the museum and surya kund.
Drive Distance: 245 Km
Drive Time: 9-10 hours
After breakfast we will start our road journey to Dehradun. We will drive through the scenic road passing through Landour, Moriana Top, Uttarkashi, and Harsil.
We will reach Dehradun by evening.
What’s Included and Excluded?
Price Inclusion
- 2 Nights stay in Gangotri
- 2 Nights camping in Bhojbasa
- Meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 breakfast
- All the required forest and camping permits
- Sleeping bags, Mattresses and Tent
- Helmet, Ecobag and First aid kit with oxygen cylinder
- Certified Trek Leader
- Trek completion certificate
Price Exclusion
- Travel Insurance
- Meals during the transportation
- 5% GST is not included
- Any expenses or items not mentioned in the inclusion section are not covered
- For backpack offloading additional fee of INR 1,500 will be charged
- Any expenses arising from emergencies during the trek
- Transportation from Dehradun to the base camp and back to Dehradun
- Any personal expenses
Things to Carry
- 45-60 Ltr Bag Pack With Rain Cover & Comfortable Straps
- Hot & Cold Water Bottle Like Borosil & Milton
- Energy Bar, Dry Fruits & ORS
- Personal Medical Kit
- 2/3 Full Sleeves (Non-Cotton)
- 1 Full Fleece T-Shirt
- 1 Fleece Jacket (Woollen Or Sweater)
- 1 Down Feather/Hollofil Jacket
- 1 Waterproof Jacket/Poncho
- 1 Pair Thermal Inners (Upper And Lower)
- 2 Trek Pants (Avoid Shorts & Denim Pants)
- 1 Pair of Waterproof Gloves
- 1 Pair of Woollen Gloves
- Sun Cap
- Woollen Cap
- 4 Pairs Of Cotton Socks
- 1 Pair Of Woollen Socks
- 1 Pairs Of Sunglasses (U/V Protected)
- 1 Neck Gaiters (Buff)
- Tiffin Box
- 1 Waterproof & High Ankle Trekking Shoes
- 1 Pair Of Floaters
- Hand Sanitizer & Sunscreen Lotion
- Toothbrush And Toothpaste
- Toilet Paper And Wet Wipes
- Quick Dry Towel
- Lip Balm & Antibacterial Powder
- Moisturizer
How To Reach Gangotri
If you choose to reach Dehradun by flight, it is the easiest and quickest medium. However, the air flight does not take you directly to Dehradun, but to Jolly Grant Airport, the nearest airport from the city. It is located approximately 25 kilometers from the city center, where several domestic airlines operate regular flights to and from Dehradun. Upon landing at the airport, you can hire a taxi, vikram, or take bus to Dehradun.
It is recommended to book your tickets a month or two before your departure date. Last minute flight booking is usually higher than regular price.
If direct flights to Dehradun seem to be pricey, then it will be wise to take flights to Delhi as they are more affordable. From Delhi, you can reach Dehradun via state bus like UTC, or HRTC or use apps like Abhibus or Redbus. Railways and shared taxis are also good options.
Traveling by train is another great option to reach Dehradun. You can reach there within a short period as it is well-connected to major cities by train. The Dehradun Railway Station serves as the primary railway station while you can also always choose Haridwar Railway Station. You can book tickets on various trains connecting Dehradun to places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.
You can also travel via road to Dehradun from your hometown. Dehradun is connected by National Highways from/to the major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Chadigarh. So it will not be a problem in getting a transportation to Dehradun; however, it might not be as quick as air flight.
Nevertheless, you can still enjoy the beautiful views of the Himalayan foothills during your ride.
Gangotri, the starting point for Gaumukh Tapovan, is approximately 237.1 kilometers from Dehradun. To reach there, you can hire a private taxi or take a bus from Dehradun, which takes around 7 hours.
Buses to Uttarkashi leave early in the morning from Dehradun Hill Station and Prade Ground. The bus ticket usually costs 350 – 400 rs. And shared taxi charges from 400-500 which can be booked in Rispana pul and Prade ground. To reach Uttarkashi by 12 PM, you must board the bus early in the morning around 5 am. Taxis from Uttarkashi bus stand to Gangotri leave till 2 Pm during the summer season and 12 pm in the autumn season.
Once you reach Uttarkashi, you can get a shared taxi to Gangotri, which charges 300- 400 RS and can be found at the Uttarkashi taxi stand.
Raithal is the point where we start our Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand. It is approximately 183 kilometers away from Dehradun, which takes around 6 to 7 hours by public transportation. To reach Raithal you have to reach Uttarkashi first.
The bus to Uttarkashi leaves early in the morning around 5:30 am from Dehradun Hill station. You can also book your ticket online via the UTC portal. The average cost of the ticket is around 350 to 400 INR. Shared taxi option is also available.
If you are traveling via taxi, you will be charged around 400 to 500. You can hire a taxi from Rispana Pul and Parade Ground to Uttarkashi. Upon reaching Uttarkashi, you can rent another taxi to Raithal from Uttarkashi Taxi Stand. You must pay 100 to 150 INR to hire the taxi.
Note | Transportation Service: We also arrange transportation services for our trekkers, with the pick up point being Prince Chowk, Dehradun and pick up time between 6 am and 7 am. An add on of INR 2,500 will be charged from trekkers.
Difficulty Level of Gaumukh Yatra
The difficulty level of the Gaumukh Yatra is moderate. It can be completed in 5 days; 2 days for travel from Dehradun to Gangotri and Gangotri to Dehradun, and a total of 3 days of trekking. Similarly, you will travel approximately 38 km as you reach the maximum altitude of 13,300 ft above sea level.
Yes, this trek has a moderate difficulty but it does not mean that you don’t have to prepare. You must be very careful in packing your trekking gears, physical and mental health, and acclimatization. You will go through the remote trail that features a rockfall section, steep ascend, and changes of altitude sickness. That’s why it’s important to come prepared.
The trail from Gangotri to Bhojbasa is around 14 km with gradual ascend and altitude gain of 2,650 ft. Trekkers usually take 6-8 hours to cover this distance depending on their physical fitness.
Between Gangotri to Cheerbasa, the trail is good. After Cheerbasa, there are some rockfall sections that you have to be careful about.
The most important thing is that you walk for 6 to 7 hours for 3 days, which will be physically exhausting. So, to complete this trek you need endurance and physical strength which you can train your body before starting this trek.
Best Time to do Gaumukh Yatra
Preparing for the Gaumukh Yatra must be done properly, and choosing the best time to go for this trek falls under it. Considering this topic, the best time depends on what trekkers expect from this journey. Some might like to travel during the autumn while some in other seasons. But there are several parameters that indicate the ideal time for taking on this journey.
Summer Season: Summer season, starting from May, is the season when the weather is most stable. With temperatures being moderate during this timeframe, most trekkers prefer trekking during this time. The clear skies, mild temperature, minimal rainfall, and clear vision are some of the advantages of the summer season.
Temperature during this time ranges from 17 degrees Celsius to 1 degrees Celsius.
In June mid week or end week you may also get to see new born Lambs of Bharal or Blue sheep.
This is also the time when gates of Ganga Temple opens up. You will get to see lot of pilgrims in this season and trail will have more people as compared to Autumn season.
Autumn Season: Autumn starts from the month of September and continues till October. The weather and climate patterns are somehow similar to the Spring season. Moderate temperature, clear skies and views are the major features of this timeframe.
Autumn starts after the end of the monsoon, so you can still enjoy the views of the greenery around the Tapovan region. Average temperature during this time ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to -3 degrees Celsius. Sky remains clear and sunny offering perfect views of Bhagirathi Massif and Shivling.
Can I Go For A Winter Trek to Gaumukh Yatra?
Off-season trek to Gaumukh cannot be done since the Gangotri National Park remains closed during the winter season. This is because the high altitude locations in Tapovan areas get freezed due to extremely low temperatures. Average temperature ranges from -2 degrees celsius to -15 degree celsius.
More Info regarding Gaumukh Yatra
Gangotri Temple & Mukhba village
Gangotri Temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, Ganga. People believe that Goddess Ganga descended from heaven after Bhagirathi Ji earned the blessings from Lord Shiva from his intense meditation.
The Goddess Ganga temple witnesses a grand procession that starts from Mukhba village. Mukhba is located above Harshil.
The temple itself has a deep-rooted historical connection, as it was renovated by Amar Singh Thapa, an army general during the Gorkha rule.
Bhagirath Rock (Shila)
One of the most notable landmarks is Bhagirath Shila, which lies at the footstep of the Gangotri Temple. People believe that it is the same place where King Bhagirath earned blessings from Lord Shiva from his deep meditation after which he sent Goddess Ganga from heaven.
To this time, Bhagirath Shila stands as a symbol of his devotion and connection between humans and the holy Ganga River.
Pandav Gufa:
Pandav Gufa (Cave) is another popular landmark in this region. It is situated a few kilometers away from Surya Kunda, along the left bank of the Bhagirathi River. It is also known as Patangana or Pandava Gufa as Hindu myths suggest that it is the same place where Pandavas arrived during their ‘Banabaas’ journey.
Also, it is believed that the place is where Pandavas performed a Dev Yagya, seeking redemption for the sin of cow-killing. Their journey continued from here, leading them to the sacred destination of Kedarnath, tracing the banks of the Rudraganga.
Gaumukh is located inside naturally enriched place, Gangotri National Park. It lies in Uttarkashi District and covers about 2,390 km2 (920 sq mi) in distance. The national park is home to several wildlife and plant species. From endangered species to the most common ones, this place shelters a wide range of flora and fauna.
Talking about green vegetation, you can find Himalayan birch trees, deodar, blue pine, and juniper inside the National Park.
The national park is also home to Bharals (Himalayan blue sheep), Himalayan bears, and Himalayan Griffon. Similarly, white leopards, also known as snow leopards, can be rarely encountered in this part. It is one of the most rare animal species in the world with only between 4,000 and 6,500 existing in the world currently.
While on this adventure, you can explore other beautiful destinations such as Harshil Valley, Nelang Valley, Uttarkashi, Gangotri Base Camp, Kedartal, and Suryakund.
Gallery
Map of Trail
FAQs
It’s 38 Km from Gangotri to Gaumukh and back to Gangotri.
The best time to do the Gaumukh Yatra trek is Summer (May to June) and Autumn (September to November). During these months, the weather and climate patterns are stable with less chance of rain and snowfall.
Yes, every campsite is equipped with dry pit toilets. But you must carry your own toilet paper for your convenience.
Uttarkashi has ATMs where you can withdraw cash. However, cash availability can be limited, so it’s wise to make last-minute cash withdrawals in Dehradun before starting the trek.
Charging your gadgets might be always challenging during the trek. During Gaumukh Yatra Trek, the last charging point you will get is at Gangotri. So it is recommended to carry spare batteries for cameras and a power bank with a capacity of more than 20,000 mAh to ensure you have enough power for the entire trek.
Pure vegetarian food will be served with dishes like Rice, Dal, Roti, Vegetables, Parantha etc. If you are a Jain or have any special food requests then do let us know. Note: Only vegetarian food will be served.
In Gangotri, network is available via networks like Jio, Airtel and BSNL. After Gangotri no network is available. Our team member will be using Walkie Talkies for communication.
Stay will be provided on a Triple/Quad sharing basis. In case you want single or double occupancy then additional cost will need to be paid. INR 6,000 for single occupancy and INR 4,000 per person if you are a couple/friend.
Aadhaar card, Declaration form, and Travel Insurance. If you are a teen then a parent’s declaration will be needed. If you are 60+ then a medical certificate will be required. And if you are a foreign national then your Passport will be needed for issuing permits.
Click on book now, enter the details like full name, city etc, and pay the amount. In between if you face any problem, reach out to us at +91 80896 93825.
9,499
/ Per Person
5% GST & + 2,500 INR Transportation Cost
Book NowAvailable Dates
May 4, 11, 18 and 25
June 1, 18, 15 and 22
September 7, 14, 21 and 28
October 1, 5, 8, 12, 19 and 26
Leave a Comment