TRIP TO GOMUKH GLACIER
Gomukh in Hindi means snout of a cow and because the glacier looks like a snout of a cow, hence the name Gomukh. Gomukh is one of the oldest glaciers at the foothill of Bhagirath mountain range and is the source for Bhagirathi river which is one of the primary headstream for river Ganga.
To reach Gomukh we have to first reach Gangotri which is one of the holy pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Gangotri is connected with the road and there is a big Parking lot at the entrance of Gangotri which accommodates the cars and buses of people driving there for either religious purposes or for a trek. Gangotri is located in the Uttarkashi District of the Northern state of Uttrakhand.
I’ll be sharing my experiences with you all of my trek to Gomukh Glacier in May of 2017.
Day1: (Delhi to Tehri: 332 Kms 7 hours Approximate time to reach)
We started our journey early morning by car from Delhi Tehri city which is in Uttrakhand as well. A beautiful town in the Himalayas with one of the largest dams known as the Tehri Dam. We Reached Tehri by 1PM and after leaving our bags in the Hotel we straight away went to a Tehri Lake which is spread in 44 kms and is filled with the water of Bhagirathi river. Tehri Lake is famous for its water sports activity.
Day2: (Tehri to Gangotri: 214 Kms 7 and a half hours run)
Next day early morning we started from Tehri towards Gangotri. The view along the way is absolutely mesmerising and the sights will definitely take your breath away. Huge Himalayan Mountain ranges with small villages are just the perfect setting for lifelong vacation.
We reached Gangotri by 3 Pm and the place was foggy as if the clouds descended at the place. We took rooms in a small hotel and later we went to explore beautiful Gangotri.
Day3: (We stayed in Gangotri) 3415 Meters above sea level.
It was recommended by our guides to stay in gangotri for one day so that our bodies get acclimatized to the height because Gangotri is located at the Height of 3415 Meters above sea level. So our guides took us on a small trek to a Pandav cave. A small cave where Pandavas stayed for a brief time. Evening we enjoyed some good food and the cold weather.
Day4: (Gangotri to Bhojbasa: 14kms )
To trek to Gaumukh we need permission from the DFO of Gangotri National park. They Issue only 150 permits per day and you also have to cross through the forest dept. check point where they will count all the plastic bags or any other plastic item we are carrying is to protect the trail from pollution.
Trek is so beautiful, we have to cross the forest of Pine trees and the place is called Cheedvasa. But, as we ascend towards Gomukh greenery slowly disappears and all you see is rocks.
By 2pm we reached Bhojwasa which is located at the height of 4023 meters and is the basecamp for all the treks either to gomukh or further.
Day5: (Bhojbasa to Gomukh: 5kms Trek)
Next day early morning after breakfast we started from our camping site towards Gomukh Glacier. It was a steep and difficult trek as the route was full of Big boulders of stone and pebbles along the way. At certain points we had to literally climb walls like boulders.
On the glacier we saw something amazing which locals do to check whether the path they have taken on the glacier is safe or not. They stack up rocks ‘Pitthu’ along the path they took over the glacier. If the stack is not erected that means the glacier moved it may not be wise to take that path. So they scan for a different route.
By Afternoon we returned back to the camp, had lunch, sat near Bhagirathi river and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the place.
Day6: (Bhojbasa to Gangotri)
Day 6 was all about returning back to Gangotri. We started early in the morning and reached Gangotri by noon. Saw some ibex along the way.
Day7: (Gangotri to Delhi) 528 kms 14 hours drive
From Gangotri we started early again and drove straight to delhi because we all were drivers so we took chances to drive back home. We took some stoppages along the way.
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Cheers!!