Road to Gangotri

mountaingirl

Hi!

Thought I will chip in too –

1. Since you are already familiar with Garhwal – you have a mental picture already (of the area). Or atleast have something in your head rather than try n create a picture of your own, right?

2. Going to Tapovan – You can break from Gangotri to Chirbasa OR, go directly to Bhojbasa. IF you go directly to Bhojbasa, then give yourselves ONE day’s rest here before heading for Tapovan. You can walk to the Gaumukh glacier and spend sometime there before returning to Bhojbasa.

3. Since you are going in the pilgrim’s period – best to carry your tents. Also, you will need it for Tapovan. You will need to spend a night. Try to look at the night sky and the sunrise.

4. As suggested earlier, take ski pole or something to help walk. The snow till Gaumukh melts by mid May. However, going to Tapovan involves walking on the moraine – and places you can find some icy patches – nothing to be afraid of and nothing you can’t handle.

5. The last 4 Km stretch from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa has falling rocks, so take care to start early. Nothing to be scared of but still need to be wary.

6. Travelling in Pilgrim’s period has it’s plus too – it is nice to have a chat with them and to get to understand their reason for the ‘trek’. Seeing them performing rituals is also very interesting. Though I would always avoid talking to a group of school students/ groups of boys or girls. They turn hooligans and you don’t want to tbe answering ‘my name is….i come from….yes you can have a picture with me….’ To 30-50 students in a row!!! PHEW!

7. The bridge – yes you are right – there are two bridges. One of them is on the old disused road. You can see it from the new road. I have never walked down but looking at it always makes me want to! The new one is said to be the second highest in Asia. You can ask the driver to drive slowly however don’t take pictures. Being foreigners, you need to be a bit more careful – especially in this region as the security here is pretty tough. I agree with VSK Sharma when he says that looking down is more thrilling!

8. Other things of tourist interest are the – Wilson hut in Harsil (not much to see but interesting old time story), the half buried temple at Dharali. Oh, another bridge!!! At Zangla. You can stop here and walk to the bridge – try to listen to the sound of the river from both sides of the bridge. There is some legend to it but I will share it when you tell me what you noticed on your trip :-)

9. Lastly, since you have a group with you – and going till Tapovan – I would advise you to take ‘some’ local help. As long as the weather holds, it is not a problem, but things can go bad at high altitude as you probably know it yourself, right?

Lastly, check out this thread

Take care and have a great trip!

VSK Sharma

Hi,
The previous reply is good one and covers all the aspects discussed on this thread.

Well 20 years back the vehicles did not go upto Gangotri as they are going now days. You had to trek from the road head to Gangotri and the trail on reaching the river used to go down in the gorge and just above the water level the wooden bridge existed for crossing the river. Thereafter one had to climb up the gorge and reach the other side. This part of the trail is not used, since the construction of the new bridge over which the motor vehicles can ply.

while moving towards gangotri if you look down the bridge right side you get to see the remains of the old bridge.

So The old wooden bridge just above the river water has been replaced by the concrete bridge over the gorge. And you had heard about this bridge from your firends. Only old timers know about the old bridge.

scott s

mountaingirl,

THANK YOU! What a helpful and terrific post! I'll let you know what I noticed when we return in July of 2007!!!

Scott S

scott s

Tomorrow I leave for India for this one month travel adventure! I will post when I return to greet you all with our stories and joys from our journey!

Thank you SO much for your helpful feedback. I am excited beyond words for this vacation!

Talk to you in early July!

Scott S