Overview
Gomukh, also known as “Gaumukh” or “Gomukhi” Hindi: गौमुख, is the terminus or snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi River, one of the primary head streams of the Ganges River. The place is situated in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, along with Gangotri, as well as trekking destination.
About location:
Gomukh Trek is 18 km from Gangotri in the foot hills of Bhagirathi at a height of 4,255 m. It is the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. The Bhagirathi river here is pretty speedy. Around the snout, nature presents a wild topography. There are boulders scattered here and there with some pieces of broken snow, along with the hard clayey snow of the glacier. The Gomukh snout is rapidly moving backwards. According to the modern research the snout has moved 1 km in just 70 years.
History & recent tales:
Gomukh is mentioned in the Puran. It is said there that searching a lost sheep a shepherd boy reached near a glacier in Gangotri, the snout of which exactly looked like the mouth of a cow, and thus it got its name ‘Gomukh’. From then many saints, holy travelers, as well as religious people went there to worship the place.
On 26 July 2016, following heavy rains in Uttarakhand, it was reported that the front end of Gomukh was no more, as a large chunk of the glacier had collapsed and was washed away. In 2013, due to cloud burst in Uttarakhand, huge cracks had emerged on the glacier.
Trek information:
- Region: Uttarkashi district (Uttarakhand)
- Trek duration: 4 Night / 5 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Easy to moderate
- Max. altitude: 13,123 Feet
- Hike distance: 18 km
- Driving distance: 243 km
Journey Route:
Driving: Dehradun / Rishikesh – Uttarkashi – Gangotri
Trekking: Gangotri – Chirbasa – Bhojbasa – Gomukh
Additional information:
| ALL MEALS | Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch |
|---|---|
| PACKAGE INCLUSIONS | Accommodation, All Meals, First Aid Medical Help, Forest Permits, Entry Fees, Local Guide, Cook & Support Staff, Local Transport, Trek Equipment |
| PACKAGE EXCLUDES | Anything Except Package, Food During the Transit, Insurance, Mules or Porter for personal luggage, Personal expenses, transportation |
| PLACES COVERED | Rishikesh, Chamba, Tehri lake, Ghansali, Boodha Kedarnath Temple |
| THINGS TO CARRY | Back Pack & Rain Cover (50/60 liter)., Personal Medical Kit, Snacks (Energy bars, ORS and dry fruits), Torch, Trek pants, T-shirts(Full sleeves), Wind and waterproof Jacket (Light and warm), Woolen Gloves and Thermal Inners., Walking stick (Advisable at least one)., Water Bottle (Two bottles of 1 liter each) |
Short Itinerary
Day 1: Dehradun – Uttarkashi – Gangotri
- Altitude: 10,200 feet.
- 280 km drive (approx. 9 hrs.).
- Dinner.
- Stay in Hotels / Home stay.
Day 2: Gangotri to Chirbasa to Bhojbasa
- Altitude: 11,745 ft to 12,467 ft.
- 13 km trek (approx. 6 hrs.)
- Breakfast, Packed lunch & dinner.
- Stay at camp site Bhojbasa.
Day 3: Bhojbasa to Gomukh to Bhojbasa base camp
- Altitude: 12,467 ft to 13,123 ft.
- 5 km trek (approx. 4 hrs.).
- Breakfast, Packed lunch & dinner.
- Stay at camp site Bhojbasa.
Day 4: Bhojbasa to Gangotri
- Altitude: 13,123 ft. to 10,200 ft.
- 13 km down trek (approx 6 hours).
- Move at morning to Gangotri reach by mid day.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Stay at Hotels.
Day 5: Gangotri to Dehradun
- Breakfast
- 280 km drive (approx .9 hrs.)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:- Dehradun – Uttarkashi – Gangotri (243 km drive / approx 8 hrs)
On arrival in Gangotri which is Gangotri is a town and a Nagar Panchayat (municipality) in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 10,200 ft. We cross Uttarkashi which is a town in Uttarakhand and at height of 3,800 ft. So we take all needy things from Uttarkashi market. Later get refreshed & get into your rooms. Have evening tea with snacks. Enjoy evening walk around the Gangotri area. Later have dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 2:- Gangotri – Chirbasa – Bhojbasa (13 km trek / approx 6 hrs)
In the morning have breakfast at hotel and after that you may get ready for the morning trek to Bhojbasa base camp. First we cross the Forest check post which is 2 km from start & then we move for Chirbasa which is 6 km ahead from check post & at height of 11,745 ft. We will do our packed lunch there and again move ahead to Bhojbasa which is 5 km trek more. Bhojbasa is open land area in the valley situated at height of 12,467 ft. Bhagirathi peak is clear visible during the trek. Later check into the camp site there. Later in the evening enjoy the delicious dinner. Overnight stay at camp site.
Day 3:- Bhojbasa – Gomukh – Bhojbasa base camp (5 km Trek / approx 4 hrs)
Early in the morning after breakfast & with packed lunch get ready for the Gomukh Glacier which is at height of 13,123 ft. It’s moderate in starting & Lil bit tough at mid. There are lots of Big rocks there & all glacier area behind the Gomukh area. The snout of Gomukh glacier used to look like a cow’s face but you won’t see any such resemblance now which is also a origin of Holy Ganga. Mt. Shivling is clear visible & 5 km near from this place, which is also the base campsite location of Tapovan Nandanvan trek. Dinner and overnight stay at Bhojbasa campsite.
Day 4:- Bhojbasa – Gangotri (13 km trek)
Early in the morning after breakfast & with packed lunch get ready for the back down trek to Gangotri by the same route with same view and beautiful valley and jungle trek. After reach there get into your rooms and get refreshed. Later have a cup of tea & snacks. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5:- Gangotri – Dehradun (243 km drive / approx 8 hrs)
Good morning to Last day of Trip !!
Early in the morning after breakfast & we move for Dehradun / Rishikesh. We will reach there after 9 hrs approximately but if the routes between Gangotri & Uttarkashi get disturbed by the traffic or by any nature calls. We can also stay in Uttarkashi that night (an emergency case).
Travel back to Dehradun / Rishikesh with happy memories of Gomukh tour & trek.
!! An Unforgettable Journey will be ended here!!
Photo Gallery
- Note
- Inclusion
- Exclusions
- Need To Carry
- Advisory
- Confirmation Policy
- Cancellation Policy
- In case of a NO–SHOW the entire amount will be charged as retention.
- The amount received is Non Refundable.
- If reservation is cancelled minimum 15 days prior to Arrival we will give 3 months time to utilize the booking.
- Any cancellation /amendments done less than 15 days prior to arrival, then the total cost of the total number of rooms booked for the total number of nights will be charged as cancellation charges & no refund or credit note will be given.
- Accommodation for 4 Night / 5 Days (Home stay & Camping).
- Meals while on trek (Organic traditional food + Egg).
- Trek equipment’s (Tent, sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils).
- Local Guide, Cook & Support staff for whole trek.
- First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
- All necessary forest permits and entry fees.
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Transport (pick & drop).
- Food during the transit.
- Insurance.
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Anything not specifically mentioned in Itinerary.
- Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.
- Back pack and rain cover (50/60 liter).
- Trek pants, T-shirts(Full sleeves), Wind and waterproof Jacket (Light and warm), Woolen Gloves and Thermal Inner.
- Walking stick (Advisable at least one).
- Torch.
- Water Bottle (Two bottles of 1 liter each).
- Snacks (Energy bars, ORS and dry fruits).
- Personal Medical Kit (at least some needy stuff).
- Climatic conditions in the high altitudes vary from the plains; take adequate time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
- Pay heed to the trek leader or instructor in order to enjoy a safe and sound trekking experience.
- Do not consume alcohol or any other intoxicants during the trek.
- Avoid trekking during the nights.
- Before undertaking the trek, consult a physician.
- Carry basic medications and a first-aid kit during the trek.
- The trek takes place through Eco-friendly zone; do not encourage littering the local sites or campsites.
- The customer receives a confirmation voucher via email within 24 hours of successful booking.
- In case the preferred slots are unavailable, an alternate schedule of the customer’s preference will be arranged and a new confirmation voucher will be sent via email.
- Alternatively, the customer may choose to cancel their booking and a full refund will be processed.
- In case of a NO–SHOW the entire amount will be charged as retention.
- The amount received is Non Refundable.
- If reservation is cancelled minimum 15 days prior to Arrival we will give 3 months time to utilize the booking.
- Any cancellation /amendments done less than 15 days prior to arrival, then the total cost of the total number of rooms booked for the total number of nights will be charged as cancellation charges & no refund or credit note will be given.
