New Govt Regulation: Restricted Permits at Gangotri National Park

I am planning to visit Gaumukh in the 1st week of June. I have ready with great interest the details and thank to all who contributed with tips and suggestions. I however have one question on the permit from Uttrachal or Gangotri to trek to Gaumukh. Is that normally easily manageable? I did not see any information on that. Any tips or suggestions there? I plan to reach gangotri on 4th evening travelling from Delhi in Car. I would ideally like to do this trek - gangotri to Gaumukh - in one day (5th June) and return on 6th back to Delhi. I would appreciate any further information on 'the permit'as I am concerned now that I may not end up wasting anytime at Gangotri or Uttrakashi for this purpose. PLease advise and you can also reach me directly via email. Thanks Vijay Bhagirath
I guess the main question is : Do I have to apply in advance or can I manage it on reaching Uttrakashi? ANy experiences to be shared in this regard?

Tapovan - Vasukital - Khara Patthar - Sweta Glacier - Tapovan - Gangotri trek
'Hi respected members,
I am a moderately experienced trekker, and have done Tapovan Nandanvan & other treks earlier (though not at this time of the year). Me & 3 others are leaving for a longer trek 'Gangotri - Tapovan - Vasukital - Khara Patthar - Sweta Glacier - Tapovan - Gangotri' route, next week. All provisions (including sleeping bags, tents, mats, food rations etc) have been arranged for. 3 porters, 1cook and 1 guide (From NIM) have also been engaged from Uttarkashi. I plan to start from Gangotri on 15th June & return by 21st June. I would welcome advice from the experienced members of this forum on
1. Route & difficulties beyond Nandanvan till Vasukital
2. Route & difficulties beyond Vasukital till Sweta Glacier
3. Good camp sites post Tapovan (at Vasuki Tal & Sweta Glacier)
4. Weather conditions at Vasukital & Sweta Glacier(Any snow at this time or not)?
5. Any stretch on this route that might need roping or any ice climbing or other technical mountaneering?
6. Any other trek route I may embark on from Vasukital instead of Khara Patthar & Sweta Glacier(Same day return to Vasuki tal)?
7. Any other advice or info.....
Regards
Angshu'

a) what's the cost of guide/porters from NIM? Any contact no for NIM guides?
b) Do we get to hire equipments (tents/sl.bag...) from NIM? i'd heard that they take lump sum deposit for this.
c) is it okay @ this time of the year?

a100, there's a good sticky on NIM at this link NIM - Nehru Institute of Mountaineering

thanks gemcam for the prompt reply. I have already gone through this from which I could gather that equipments are avl @ NIM w/o deposit. I was wondering weather its a one off case or anybody can get the gears from NIM w/o deposits? I had already called up their office enquiring abt the dates for the courses. Is this the same no which i can use to get-in-touch-with/hire NIM guide(s).

Thanks a lot

The details of hire charges and the contact numbers are on their website http://www.nimindia.org/nim/DMF%20Hi...ges%20List.pdf
BTW, the email ID is not a live one. Not sure about them giving information on guides but would think they could guide you.

I found another number on this site
Mr Himalayan Sherpa. : Mobile nUmber 09412077549, who apparently is with NIM, is a master trekker and will also give details about hires/ guides etc.

We're planning to go in the last week of June to Tapovan so am like you in the process of planning and organising.

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i had done the tapovan trek (oct - 2007).
ne info u may require?

From this year permission for entering Gangotri National Park is available at Gangotri Too. That's really good news.

Rushir

Hi I just returned from my trek to Tapovan - Nandanvan. We could not make it to Vasukital due to heavy snow-fall (Quite strange for this time of the year though. The permits are available from Deptt. of forests at Uttarkashi. You may procure at Gangotri also, however only if less than 150 people are on their way only then... so its a risk...

Angshu79 - how was the weather at Gaumukh/Tapovan ? We're planning to go upto Tapovan and will start over the weekend.

ac100
Here's a working mail ID for NIM. nimutk2004@gmail.com Thanks for the offer for info. If we were to do Bhojwasa - Tapovan - Bhojwasa in one day, What is the latest time in the evening when there is natural daylight in late June when we can safely walk back from Tapovan? We are medium to limited routine exercise people.

Guys,

I got this from Orkut Himalayan Community.
http://www.orkut.com/Main#CommMsgs.a...704277&start=1
Would any body confirm ?

==============================
Earlier It was possible to stay at Tapovan with Mata ji or with shimla babaji
I was there on 25th of may 2009.
Forest Officer were there and they are not allowing any
one to stay permanently there they asked mata ji and baba ji to vacate the valley but camping is allowed.
==============================
Whole Thread: http://www.orkut.com/Main#CommMsgs.a...704277&start=1

Even Lal Baba Ashram at Bhojwasa to vacate..

dunno about now... but whe had camped @ tapovan. The morning sunrise was beautiful with the wild himalayan goats (Bharal) washed against the rays of the rising sun & of course the majestic Shivling

Tapovan to Bhojwasa would be about about 3 hrs walk.

angshu and gemcap if you guys are back please post updates on
- GMVN Bhojwasa running status
- Bengalai Mata in Tapovan is he still there >

Hi,

We are a group of 13 people planning to Trek from Gangotri to Vasuki Tal from 18th September, 2009.
What permissions are required? How do I apply for those?
How can I get the details of porters and guides before hand? we were thinking of going to Gangotri and then hiring porters. Would this permission be applicable even for those localites?
What about the security deposit?

Thanks,
Nisha

Hey Nisha,

Did you go on the Trek that you were planning? Please post your experience here if so.

Thanks,
-Vivek