Overview
Region :- Uttarakhand
Duration :- 8 Days
Grade :- Moderate To Difficult
Max Altitude :- 14700 Ft.
Approx Trekking Km :- 46 Kms.
An eight day itinerary interspersing myth, spirituality, and sensational adventure, the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek takes you around the Gangotri glacier to the site traditionally believed to be mouth of the holy river Ganga.
The Gangotri glacial expanse is nearly 24 km long and 6 to 8 km wide, beginning from Gaumukh and extending as far as the Chaukhamba massif around Badrinath. Courtesy of celebrated mountaineers Shipton and Tilman, we have a trek route traversing the entire stretch of this storied land. After feasting our senses in the fleeting glacial hues and the immense backdrop of Mount Shivling, present in its entirety from the base to the serrated peak, we descend through the meadows of Tapovan back to Gangotri. The trek is verily a raging visual thrillfest with rising mountain behemoths such as the Bhagirathi twin peaks, and Mount Meru, besides the ever present Shivling.
Itinerary
Day 01: Dehradun to Gangotri
Get all set to begin the journey from Dehradun at morning 6. The day will be longer as you will cover 241km to Gangotri. It will be wonderful 8 hours ride along the mighty mountains.
Located at only 35kms from Dehradun, the first major attraction will be Mussorie, the famous hill station. The Hill station offers majestic sight of Shivalik Ranges. After a break for lunch and a bit of sight-seeing through Dhanulti, Chamba, you will arrive to the land of Gods, Uttarkashi.
Day 2: Acclimatization day at Gangotri
Good morning in the holy land of Gangotri!
Have breakfast and enjoy the entire day just being alive in the religious vibes. Now that you are at 10171 ft height, today is the day for acclimatization. Acclimatization is like health supplement to your body to get used to the environmental and low temperatures. While doing that, you can take the advantage of being in Gangotri, one of the four Char Dhams. The Gangotri temple is the biggest temple which was built in the 18th century. Apart from that you can visit the BhagirathShila, a holy rock where King Bhagirath worshipped lord Shiva and PandavaGufa where Pandavas were rested.
Day 3: Gangotri to Chirbassa
Have full breakfast and take steps ahead to embark the trek through the mountains. You will be walking through the pine forests alongside the astounding Bhagirathi river. There will be gradual ascents but it will be easy 4-5 hours trek. Throughout the route beautiful Sudarshan Parbat (21,345ft) will accompany you. You will also come across some waterfalls and streams at which you refill your water bottles. The entire walk will be in the Gangotri National Park.
Towards the end of the trek you will be welcomed by boulders of the Sudarshan peak, just cross them and you will reach the campsite.
Day 4: Chirbassa to Bhojwasa
Wake up with the stunning fluorescent views of sun rays on the mountain peaks, get refreshed to trudge again. This will be the easiest 2-3 hours trek having gradual ascent. The trail widens up now with more closer views of the Bhagirathi peaks. You will across some landslide sections easier to walk upon. After the trek, you will find a plain terrain where tents will be laid for you, that is Bhojwassa.
The Bhojwasa came from Bhopatra trees or the Birch trees, which are in abundant there.This is the widest part in the valley serving you the first view of Mount Shivling. You will find ashram, police post and rest house, also some igloo like houses. You can opt staying in those houses but that require permissions.
Day 5: Bhojwasa (12435 ft) to Khada Pathar via Gaumukh (13452 ft) & Tapovan (14600 ft)
The day has arrived when it will be the strenuous and longest day of the trek, so eat full, get packed lunch, fill water bottles (there are no water sources on the route), carry energy bars and lots of excitement.
The trek to Gomukh is fairly easy. Gomukh is the end of the Gangotri glacier and hence the source of the divine Ganges river. Gomukh basically means cows mouth, it is believed the snout looked like cows mouth in past. Most religious people consider it as a blessing to visit Ganges. Even if you are not religious you will be astonished to see how huge the snout is and how small you are in front of it.
Day 6: Tapovan to Chirbassa
Rise early to cherish the few last moments in front of legendary mountains who are shining in the bright sun rays. Mt. Shivling looks prettier as never before, passing its beauty to the adjacent peaks. Together they all make a spectacular sight. It is then time to take these memories back after having breakfast. Carry packed lunch and enough water as you did earlier, because there are no water sources.
Yes, again you have to cross the rocky terrain and moraines of the glacier. Descending is difficult than ascending they say, you will realise this now as you make way around the boulders.Watch your steps and move gradually. Try to relive the moments while you retrace the steps.
Day 7: Chirbasa to Gangotri
Wake up to realize that this will be the last day of the trek. Trek for around 4-5 hours covering 9km to Gangotri. You will enter again in the Gangotri National Park. You can catch up streams and waterfalls to refills water bottles. Say good bye to the Bhagirathi and other mountain peaks as their sight now disappears.
Have hot lunch and dinner in the guest house. Pack to return to Dehradun and thereby to your lovely homes.
Day 8: Depart for Dehradun
Have a final cup of morning tea in the mighty land of Gangotri. Say final good bye to your fellow trekkers, exchange numbers, and lots of memories. Take a wonderful group picture and get into the cab that will ride you back to Dehradun. This will a 8 hours ride, between the mountains, valleys and Bhagirathi river. The river which guided us throughout the trek.
You will reach Dehradun by 5PM, from here you can lead your return journey as you have planned. Make sure to take back loads of adventure filled memories and take a pledge to come back to the mountains.
How to Reach
By Air :-
Take a flight to Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, Hire a cab to reach Dehradun City as the airport is 29 km away.
By Train :-
The Dehradun railway station is located in the centre of the city which is well connected to all the major cities of the country.
By Bus:-
Dehradun is easily accessible from major cities of the country as it has an excellent road connectivity with other major cities and towns of North India. There are state-run and private buses that offer a regular service.
Fitness Required for Nag tibba trek
At high altitude as the air gets thinner oxygen becomes less abundant.The percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen determines the content of oxygen in our blood. After the human body reaches around 2,100 m (7,000 feet) above sea level, the level of oxygen in our hemoglobin begins to plummet. However, the human body has both short-term and long-term adaptations to altitude that allow it to partially compensate for the lack of oxygen.
The Nag tibba trek Trek is an easy trek suitable for first time trekker with basic fitness
Trekking Experience: Ideal trek for a beginner.
Fitness Required: The Valley of Flowers Trek falls in the category of Moderate treks. The trail is fairly laid out path and has very few steep ascends or descends. Water is available through out the trail. But still if you are thinking of your first big Himalayan trekking experience its better to be prepared. Here is the training schedule to prepare for the trek.