mukeshnegi85
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 18 Feb 2023
Origin of Ganges River
Visit this place between May and Oct when the Temple is open and You won't need any guide, You will find reasonable hotels, food and everything and in case if you are visiting this place for trekking purpose during off season and when the Temple is close, You can only come with guides or Agencies along with online permission which is must. Your visit will depend upon lot of factors and you would be treated like a tourist, don't take go pro cameras inside or take them in your bag else it will be charged INR 500, There are Ashrams at Bhojbasa and enroute and food facilities, you need to bring your own food and stay arrangements with permission if visiting during off season for trekking permission or come with Agency which is hefty. Temple was good, close to Ganges River and the trail till Bhojbasa and Tapovan will definitely take you for a roller coaster ride, avoid visiting during Monsoon.
Daryn123
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 10 Oct 2021
Gamukh trek late September 21
Gamuhk trek end of Sept 21 Rishikesh – the starting point for the journey, the place turned into a nightmare city since I last visited a sleepy inviting village 30 years ago. Now traffic jams are to be expected anytime, particularly on weekends, and the atmosphere is gone. In Tapovan, best sleep away from the main road and close to the superb Secret Garden Café, which is an out of India experience. Don’t miss the amazing organic shop on the southern side of the road in Tapovan with its excellent banana cake and so much more. An excellent place to pile stocks for the trek. Rishikesh-Gangotry by taxi – 7000 Rs. The way back – 8500 Rs. 10-12 h driver. Difficult journey due to numerous landslides. Gangotri Hotel: the one we recommend is Tapovan Cottage, the third on the left from the main gate to the village (not yet on Booking.com). It is managed by Umeshchan (7087742754, speaks only Hindi) who also cooks wonderfully. The place is spotless clean with a real hot shower, a rarity you will appreciate at 3000m! One day of acclimatization in Gangotri is recommended. During this day, a short recommended walk (1.5h) is in Gartan Gali (the recently refurbished part of the trade root and wooden bridge hang above an amazing canyon) – 7 Km from Gangotri – highly recommended. ‘ Day 1: Gamgotri to Bhojbasa: A good path throughout but long (14km), with crossing of a few streams, mostly on bridges, well maintained and every sense of danger is prevented by the park’s maintenance of cemented wide path where needed. The way is a beautiful one with Gangotry 1&2, amd Mt Meru seen above. 6-8 h. 500 Rs at the entry to the National Park are a deposit if one takes his trash with him and given back upon leaving the park. Bhojbasa is an eye sore spot at 3800m. Ugly buildings and rocks with supposedly welcoming writings on them, yet the government G.H. offers dorms and appetizing (if not entirely clean, at least according to our experience) variety of food. It also might have mineral water for sale. Most importantly, it has lovely hot Chai. Day 2: Bhojbasa to Gamuk. 1.5-2.5 easy walk after crossing above the Bhagirati-Ganga in a trolley. The glacier is amazing. Plan to stay here at least half an hour. Gangama at its best. Truly divine. Tapovan – is 5 hours difficult walk from Bhojbasa. Does not leave much time to enjoy the place. Day 3: Bhojbasa to Gangotri. 4-6h. Pleasant walk on the same way up. There are porters to hire in Gangotri, but, after +1.5 years of Covid, and just one week after the area was opened to tourists, there were only a few of them. We arranged ours in advance from Uttarkashi.
Pavan319
★★★★4.0Wrote on 20 Jun 2020
Stay at ashram
Can i stay at tapovan ashram and meditate there? I would like to mediate at tapovan ashram? Could you tell me is it possible?
kaushikdas77777
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 7 Nov 2019
Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan trek
The river Bhagirathi originates from Gangotri glacier & considered as the origin point is called Gaumukh. The name Gaumukh means Mouth of a Cow. It is located about 19 KM from Gangotri at an altitude of 13200 ft & can be reached by trekking. Me 65 yrs & my wife 62 yrs, reached Bojbasha & boarded in GMVN rest house.On 16th morning we crossed the Bhagirathi river by hand pulling ropeway and started our trek. Most of the path was full of boulders and walking on them was a test of physical endurance. After walking about 4 km , the site of Gangotri glacier & Gaumukh came in to view. The glacier is covered with mud and stones. It was a lovely view. Then we moved towards Tapovan (14640 ft) which was another 5 km. Trek to Tapovan is very tough. There are tricky glacier sections to be crossed in addition to steep climbs.It was very difficult to walk on big boulders & in some places loose pebbles.I was simply mesmerized to see the beauty of mountains surrounding me. Mount Bhagirathi was on my left, Meru on right and mighty Shivling was in the middle. Mount Shivling can be seen from top to bottom at Tapovan. I was simply hypnotized seeing the creation of nature and was standing like a zombie for minutes. After spending more than an hour we came down to Gaumukh. I was thrilled to see the origin of Ganges from the closest proximity. Finally we came back to Bhojbasha.. Next day we left for Gangotri. This trail is rated as moderate & can be undertaken by trekkers with good state-of-health.
AshaD888
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 28 Oct 2019
Amazing trip
For those who are visiting for the first time after 2013, please note that if you wish to visit Gaumukh take permission for Gomukh- Tapovan trek. After 2013, Gomukh trek is blocked due to landsliding. you can see Gomukh from 2 km away which is waste of time and efforts. So if you cross the river at Bhojwasa ( which is allowed only for tapovan permits) you can see Gomukh where Akash ganga meets Bhagirathi,(about 100 meters distance). You don't have to go to Tapovan for this trek. Only those who go for Tapovan trek, can go till point zero and reach till Gomukh after coming down from Tapovan. There were so many people returning back from Bhojwasa, who were disappointed to know that they can't go near to Gomukh with permit of only Gomukh trek.
