Road to Gangotri

scott s

Could you share your experience with the road from Uttarkashi to Gangotri? I have traveled from Mussoorie to Tehri to Gauri Kund. And trekked to Rudrinath, Tungnath, and Kedarnath.

I'm just wondering if all the stories I've heard about the mountain road to Gangotri are true?: is it beautiful and terrifying? Or mostly just beautiful?

Any insights/experiences are welcome!

Thank you!

Scott S

arjunm

Dear Scott

Put your fears away. The road to Gangotri is simply beautiful. Nothing to be terrified about.

On the way you'll see lovely meadows, snow capped peaks, and the Bhagirathi snaking its way below. Sometimes, the river widens up and spreads itself out into rivulets. That's something to see from high above.

It is one of India's National Highway (No 108), so it is quite well maintained. I just got back this October from there and things were quite nice.

Arjun

VSK Sharma

Yes I agree, the road is good one. This year it was in damaged condition due to landslides as a new road is getting constructed above the present one. Other than this no problems. Anyway I don't know upto which place it is presently open since the temple has closed down for winter.

scott s

Thanks for the feeback, VSK Sharma! We will actually be traveling this road in late May, when we are hosting a group of students from a college in Maryland, USA. I've read a bit about the bridge that this road crosses at one point. And the view down to the river sounds beautiful!

Thanks for your input!

Scott S

Rich Anpoor

look out for the small village past Uttarkashi for the natural hot springs - sorry can't remember the name of the place. there are a few hotels and male & female bathing pools.

does anyone know when the temple at gangotri closes for the winter (and reopens) and if the new road has changed the accessabilty during the winter months??

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rahul550

HI Scott S,

The road from Uttarkashi to Gangotri is really magnificent. You will find a place named Gangani, where there are hot sulphur springs, you can take a refreshing bath here. Seperate bathing for men and women. Thereafter, you can proceed to Gangotri. There is also a place called Bhairon Ghati (Narrow Gorge)Hindi for a Demon called Bhairon and Ghati means gorge, Why it called so you will figure out yourself when you see it!!! Guy, that place gives me some creeps... something happens in my guts...
Well you will enjoy the feeling I am sure...

The people are really nice... you know respect begets respect.. you respect them and their feelings and you will see these people are ready to do any thing for you. I have made some of the truly great freinds there.

Do write if you are coming to India.

Rahul.

tasuray

Hi,
It will take 5 or 5 1/2 hours to reach Uttarkashi to Gangotri. View is off course beautiful.From Gangotri you also can go to Gomukh (bamak of The river Ganges)by trek if you can spare two more days.Firstday,Gangotri to Bhojbasa (14kms) trek and night halt.Secondday, Bhojbasa to Gomukh (5kms.)and back to Gangotri.I think this will be a life time experience for you.You will get accomodations in GMVN bunglow at Bhojbasa.

VSK Sharma

Hi
The name of the village is Gangnani as has been mentioned in an early reply.
The temple closes on Diwali day and when it opens I don't remember.
The new road is still under construction and has not been opened up. Anyway it is much before Harsil and will not affect the route during winter. I suppose one can reach Harsil during winter. However, find out if the GMVN Hotel is open during winter. Anyway Dayara Bugyal is good for visit during winter.

scott s

Due to a server failure, a few posts on this thread were lost, but the good people at IndiaMike.com were kind enough to let me know.

Vidu, you had posted on this thread last week. I reprinted your post here, because I wanted to thank you for sharing your story of family travel with me.

I also had posted thanking you, Arjun, for being the first to "calm" me and get me thinking in a more excited way about this adventure. Your "put your fears aside" truly helped.

The beauty of India is absolutely stunning! I cannot believe how awesome the mountain country is! My friends and I are in for a real treat it seems.

Rahul550, I cannot WAIT for this section you describe! And we will definitely have to get out of our jeeps and enjoy these hot springs!

VSK, Rich, tasuray, thank you for your input as well!

It would seem from hearing from all of you who have been here that this is a wonderful place to spend some time. We are also planning on hiking to Gamukh and Tapovan and seeing Mighty Shivling!

Scott S

Vidu's earlier post:

Dear Scott,

I second Arjun, it is definately a very pleasurable to be travelling on
that road. I just returned from a vacation to gangotri and yumnotri.
You would just love it.

I was with my family (my wife and kids aged 5 and 7) driving my self
from Jaipur to Uttarkashi in 13 Hours. and next day to gangotri.

Best of luck

Regards / Vidu

travel joy

The valley of the Bhagirathi is one of the most beautiful river valleys in India.The road to Gangotri is quite a entertaining journey, specially after Gangnani...and the bridge over the gorge before Bhaironghati is awsome.

If u plan to go beyong Gangotri, u can hike easily upto Gaumukh.But from there to Tapovan is not an easy hiking trail.. it is pure high altitude trekking.So take preparations.

IndeGuru

>The beauty of India is absolutely stunning! I cannot believe how awesome the mountain country is..

And if you go further north, they say there is a place called 'Gyanganj' home to immortal saints & mystics, they say there's a village where these saints dwell and are said to be over 120 years in age! No one knows thw route to Gyanganj since its deep in the mountains, life is ismple there and they spend most of their time in spritual practices. Incidentalyl this has also been mentioned in Robin Sharma's book " The Monk who sold his Ferrari"
Must be awesome to visit that place

SANJAY_DEL

GANGOTRI INFOLINE

General Information
Altitude : 3084 m.
Climate : Pleasant during day, cold at night.
Season : April to October.
Clothing : Heavy woollens throughout the season.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali and English.
Accessibility
Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 17 km from Rishikesh and 265 km from Gangotri.
Rail : Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 248 km away.
Road : Gangotri is connected by road with Rishikesh, at 265 km away. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam organises different package tours through 2X2 dlx / coach and other cab tours, other bus services are available - Samyukt Rotation Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti connect Gangotri with many centres in the region like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Uttarkashi etc..
Accommodation
Gangotri, Ph. No. : 013772-22221.

Post Office (only during Yatra season), Primary Health Centre and Police Check Post, Bank Facilities.

For Detailed Information Contact:
Yatra Office, GMVN Ltd., AGM (Tourism), Modern Reception Centre.
(Advance Reservation Centre)
Shail Vihar, Haridwar Bye Pass Road, Rishikesh, Pin: 249201.
Tel: 0135- 2431793, 2432648, 2430799, 2430357(R)
Fax: 0135-2430372.
Email: yatra@gmvnl.com, yatraoffice@sancharnet.in.

Gangotri


The shrine of Gangotri is situated at an elevation of 3048 m amidst captivating surroundings. Gangotri is located at a distance of 99 km from Uttarkashi. The temple, constructed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, in the 18th century, is situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi. It is visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year. A number of ashrams are located on the other side, some of which provide accommodation facilities to the visitors.

scott s

travel joy and others,

That trek to Tapovan is something that we are very excited to accomplish. The views of Shivling sound magnificent! How many days would you recommend we allow to hike from Gangotri to Tapovan and back, staying one day overnight at Tapovan?

Thank you!

And that "hidden village" sounds magical. I wish we had time to visit there as well

Scott S

arjunm

Dear Scott

Here are some trek plans for you:

Easy plan A, if you have not so fit people with you:
Day 1: Gangotri to Chirbasa
Day 2: Chirbasa to Gaumukh
Day 3: Gaumukh to Tapovan
Day 4: Tapovan to either Gaumukh or Bhojbasa
Day 5: Gaumukh/Bhojbasa to Gangotri

Plan B: Moderate trekking
Day 1: Gangotri to Bhojbasa
Day 2: Bhojbasa to Tapovan
Day 3: Tapovan to Bhojbasa
Day 4: Bhojbasa to Gangotri

Plan C: Trek plan if you are fit and short of time
Day 1: Gangotri to Gaumukh
Day 2: Gaumukh to Tapovan / back to Bhojbasa
Day 3: Back to Gangotri

Crazy plan for the die hards
Day 1: Gangotri to Tapovan
Day 2: Tapovan to Gangotri

Now Scott, keep a few things in mind. These are the Himalayas and you should never take chances with altitude. I would support plan A any day as it gives you time to get used to the altitude. When I went this year in October, we were 10 of us. Only 5 of them made it to Tapovan. The rest suffered altitude sickness and some of them fatigue. Also, we did not stay at Tapovan but came down back to Gaumukh (this way, avoided the cold and the altitude of Tapovan).

Please get your folks on a physical fitness plan before you embark on these stuffs. You'll only enjoy things more.

In case you want to save costs, then Plan B is good, but you must come back down to Bhojwasa the same day. So the revised plan would be like this:

Day 1: Gangotri to Bhojwasa
Day 2: Bhojwasa to Tapovan and back to Bhojwasa
Day 3: Back to Gangotri

In this plan you don't get into any of the altitude sickness problems. But just make sure your folks are reasonably fit.

Finally, don't let my plans frighten you. Tapovan is not that difficult a trek except for the last 1½ hrs. It is a very gradual climb from Gangotri to Gaumukh. From Gaumukh the route gets a bit steep, but not too much. Take a look at this photo for a better idea. This is a picture taken from Gaumukh and the route in Red is the way to Tapovan.



Arjun

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scott s

Arjun:

I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate your specific breakdown of the trek to Tapovan from Gangotri. We have a group of college students from Maryland in America going with us on a guided trip in May/June of this coming summer.

My colleague in charge of our trip made changes in our itinerary based on your experience which I e-mailed to him from this post.

We can't thank you enough. I think we might have been in the "Crazy Plan for the Die Hards" category by mistake.

Thanks much!

Scott S