Gangotri Trek : Men die, but travellers live on indefinitely! They live on worn paths, crushed snow, whistling woodlands, and ruffled leaves blown away by the autumn breeze. Gangotri Glacier Trek is a thrilling trek in the Gharwal Himalayas that provides a remarkable trip to the Ganga River’s source. Walking in the shadow of the Guardian Mountains at altitudes ranging from 4000 to 6500 metres is the ultimate trip for adventure enthusiasts.
Arrive at Delhi and check into your hotel. Post lunch, attend the mandatory briefing at the IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation) and meet the Liaison officer for the climb. After the briefing, catch an overnight train to Dehradun. Take a cab to your guesthouse, Uttarkashi upon your arrival. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a scenic drive on the way.
In case, you are missing any trekking gear, you can lend it from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, and drive to Gangotri. Inhabited by sadhus and pilgrims, Gangotri is famous for the Gangotri Dham. Take a small tour of beautiful temples around. After a sightseeing tour around the city, retire for the day.
Also See: Kedarkantha Trek
The expedition reaches an astonishing height of 21889 ft. covered in 23 days and 24 nights. And, is continued with proper acclimatization periods and buffer days for bad weather. Journey beside the Bhagirathi River and pass through birch and maple trees as you hike towards Nalla camp (via Rudragaira Nalla). Pitch your tents and retire for the day.
Have your breakfast and get ready to hike Gangotri 1 base camp. The trail starts with steep climbs over a meadow followed by a river crossing and another to the Rudugaira base camp. Keep trekking over the glacial moraine to the base camp, and spend an overnight in the camp. The following day, have some rest and acclimatize your body.
A period of 10 days is dedicated to the climbing period. By the time you will be reaching the summit point, you will set 3 camps. In addition to that, 2 days are dedicated for any contingency in the trek due to bad weather. Have your moment of celebration achieving the summit and later descend to Gangotri from the Base Camp.
Once you have arrived Gangotri, drive back to Mussoorie and then to Dehradun. Catch a train to Delhi and debrief at the IMF.
The Gangotri I Trip ends here!
Why choose Gangotri Glacier trek?
For obvious reasons, the Gangotri Glacier is both an adventurer’s paradise and a pilgrim’s destination. However, because this is one of the most remote sites in the Himalayas, it is not a welcoming tourist destination. And the abundance of challenges throughout the expedition, is why it attracts all of the adrenaline junkies in the world. Apart from that, the weather is unpredictably variable and can change at any time during the hike. It’s best to bring enough clothing and trekking equipment up there. Check out our complete list of essentials for this adventure hike.
What’s the best time for planning a trek to Gangotri Glacier?
The best months to visit Gangotri Glacier are mid-April to June and September to November. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold, and there isn’t a lot of rain. As a result, trekking is not perilous. The Gangotri Glacier Trek is best done during the summer months, when the skies are clear, and the sun is shining brightly. Apart from summer, spring is another popular time to visit Gangotri. Trekking in the spring is so much pleasure because there is so much greenery around and the weather is so beautiful.
The Gangotri Glacier Trek should not be undertaken during the monsoon or winter months. As the road to Chardham is closed during the winter due to significant snowfall, while the monsoon makes things tough with slippery pathways. The route is closed from November to March.
Itinerary
Gangotri 1 – 23 Days / 22Nights
Day 1: Arrive Delhi, Mandatory expedition briefing at IMF
Meal – Dinner
- Arrive at Delhi, check into your hotel and post lunch session we go for a mandatory briefing at IMF.
- You will be introduced to the Liaison officer for the climb.
- Post the briefing, catch the overnight train to Dehradun.
Day 2: Dehradun to Uttarkashi
Meal – Breakfast + Dinner
Stay – Stay in a guest house on a sharing basis
Transfer – 200 km
- Reach Dehradun early in the morning, board your cab to Uttarkashi.
- A long drive in the mountains and we have breakfast and lunch on the way to our guest house in Uttarkashi.
- Reach your guest house, freshen up and check for personal equipment from the NIM to rent it if anyone is short of.
- Have your dinner at the guest house and retire for the night.
Day 3: Uttarkashi to Gangotri
Altitude – 10006 ft.
Meal – Breakfast + Dinner
Stay – Stay in a guest house on a sharing basis
Transfer – 100 km
- Wake up in the morning, have your breakfast and board your cab to Gangotri.
- Reach holy town of Gangotri, inhabitant by many sadhus and pilgrims. Take a small tour of beautiful temples around.
- Arrive at your guest house and rest for the day.
Day 4: Gangotri (Acclimatization day)
Altitude: 10006 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Dinner
Stay: Stay in a guest house on a sharing basis
- Wake up to a cozy morning, have your breakfast and enjoy your day at leisure.
- We will take a small acclimatization walk around Gangotri to acclimatize and loosen our muscles a bit.
- Take proper rest and retire for the day at the guest house.
Day 5: Gangotri to Nalla Camp
Altitude: 12335 ft.
Trek: 4 hours
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Wake up on a fresh morning, have your breakfast and start your trek to Nalla camp.
- The trek route is gradual, you walk on the left section of Bhagirathi river.
- You will pass through birch and maple trees towards the Rudragaira Nalla.
- Pitch your tents and with hot meals retire for the day.
Day 6: Nalla Camp to Gangotri 1 Base Camp
Altitude: 14763 ft.
Trek: 4 hours
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Wake up excited, have breakfast and prepare for Gangotri 1 base camp.
- The trail starts with steep climbs over a meadow followed by a river crossing and another to Rudugaira base camp.
- Keep trekking over the glacial moraine to the base camp, overnight in the camps.
Day 7 – 8: Acclimatization Days
Altitude: 14763 ft.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
Stay: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Wake up to a relaxed morning, have your breakfast and rest for the day.
- Do some side walks around the camps in order to adapt and acclimatize.
- Have your hot meals and retire for the day in tents.
Day 9 – 18: Climbing Period
Altitude: 21889 ft. (Gangotri 1)
- A period of 10 days is dedicated to the climbing period in which we will set up 3 camps above the base camp and proceed to the summit point.
Day 19 – 20: Buffer / Contingency days for bad weather
- The day 19 and 20 was dedicated for any contingency in the trek due to bad weather.
Day 21: Trek back to Gangotri from Base Camp
Day 22: Drive Gangotri to Mussoorie
Day 23: Drive to Dehradun – Take the train, IMF debrief. Trip Ends!
- Take the drive back to Dehradun and from there the train back to Delhi.
- Attend the IMF debriefing and bring this adventure to an end.
Things To Carry
1. Shirts / T-shirts –5/6, Trekking Pants -5-6
2. Windproof jacket of decent quality preferably with a hood
3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower), Scarf/muffler
5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks (5-6 pairs)
6. Comfortable Trekking (Waterproof shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small quick dry towel
9. Water bottle (sturdy ones)
10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
11. Sun glasses (polarized/UV Protected), Walking stick / Trekking pole
12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
14. Personal toiletries
15. Day pack/small bag in case if you are planning to offload your regular backpack
16. Hand Sanitizer
17. Extra face masks
18. Valid government ID proof (Passport)
