Trip to Gangotri and Gaumukh

livinhimalayas · May 19th, 2009, 21:49

Unless you are planning to carry a toilet tent, you will have to rely upon a squatting over a hole in the ground behind a tree or a boulder. Why carry bottled water easier to carry a filter that fits over a water bottle!

sks551 · May 19th, 2009, 22:02

livinhimalayas,
What filter are you referring to? Will it remove all impurities? Is this readily available in India? How do I buy this filter after arrival at Delhi?

Paleface · May 19th, 2009, 23:39

Even a cloth wrapped a couple of times around the neck of a bottle will do - there's very little pollution of water going on at that height close to the source - coffee filters even, will take out all the sediments...

livinhimalayas · May 20th, 2009, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sks551

livinhimalayas,
What filter are you referring to? Will it remove all impurities? Is this readily available in India? How do I buy this filter after arrival at Delhi?

these are filters that fit over bottles (some have special bottles to fit over others fit most water bottles) these are used to filter water that you fill into your bottle. Some of them are so effective that they claim that you can even filter and drink sewer water (I wouldn't try to check that claim) but i know they are very effective. The NIM shop in Uttarkshi keeps them and i am sure some other shops that sell kit for trekkers and mountaineers also stock them Check out some of these shops.

delhiwala · May 20th, 2009, 00:59

At Gangotri you have hotels with proper toilet facilities. At Bhojawasa also you have a GMVN rest house. It too has toilets, but there is no plumbing, so can't hazard a guess about the cleanliness. The water for use is stored in Plastic drums and is too cold....

Ahead of Bhojwasa you'l have be with nature only when nature calls.

You may ask your porter to carry water, or you may filter the water through a cloth as paleface has recommended. But IMO, there is no need, the water is pure here, it's real glacial mineral water....

Quote:

Originally Posted by sks551

I have been looking for an answer, but no one seems to have asked the question I have been thinking;

What are the toilet facilities like in or around Gangotri, Bhojbasa, Tapovan etc during the trek?
Do I have to rely on trees or large boulders for natures call?
Also, can you buy bottled water in Bhojbasa? Or do I have to carry all the water we need from Gangotri?

sks551 · May 20th, 2009, 15:17

Thanks guys. I was planning to carry water purifying tablets. I am not sure if I need them.

One other thing; If for some reason we cancel our trek to Tapovan and return after visiting Gaumukh then it will give us two spare days. Is it possible to visit Kedarnath and return during those two days? We will have a hired car, is it feasible?

What is the distance between Uttarkashi and Gaurikund and how long will it take?
I don’t think we will be able to do both Kedarnath and Badrinath during those two days. Badrinath is probably too far.

vardhan.harsh · May 30th, 2009, 22:38

hey sks,

went through your complete thread. My wife and i are also planning this trek next week (first week of june). As for permits, there is absolutely no reason why you should keep the obtaining of permit on the day you reach uttarkashi. I've applied for the same through fax and have already received it. (though i have to pick it from their office when i cross uttarkashi). This would ensure that you have the permit well in advance. I had a talk with someone in that office and they mentioned , that on the permit the actual name of the guide/porters are not required. The name of the trekkers along with the number of guides/porters should suffice.

I think i should be in a better position to be perfectly sure once i'm back from the trip by 15th June.

By the way, anyone been on this route post the permit system being in place? Do you have any idea if the dhabas & the ashrams are still operational or they too have been closed down on the Gangotri-Bhojbasa part of the trek.

Is it advisable to keep the first day a little relaxed , and camp at chirbasa. (if yes, are there any dhabas there post permit system for the guide to stay at night).

I'm not planning to take a tent for the guide as well. Would he be able to manage acco. for himself at dhabas or ashrams (even at tapoban? ) I would be carrying food for him as well, but carrying a separate tent for him could be difficult.

I believe food is available till bhojbasa, however we would need to arrange for ourselves at tapovan. I'm also planning the tapovan - nandavan trek. Is it advisable to do so directly or return back to gaumukh and then do Nandanvan ?

chathim · May 31st, 2009, 20:32

We did the Gangotri- Gaumukh-Tapovan trek early this month. We were a group of 7 persons from Bombay. We had taken in a local operator Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure to arrange all the logistics including vehicle from Haridwar, Guide, Porters, Camping stuff, Gangotri National Park permit etc etc.

Just wanted to place on record here (& to warn other persons not to get into his snare). His services were absolutely pathetic. I have gone for such operator arranged treks in the past as well. This was by far the worst. He looked for cost cutting at all ends. So, sleeping bags (while new) were locally made and absolutely unsuitable for that altitude. Initially he was planning only 2 tents (2 pax capcity) for 7 of us, but increased it to 3 when we created noise. All the 9 porters/ cooks and guide were packed like sardines in only one tent. The food quantity was always insufficient. In all, while the trek was beautiful, the arrangements were disasterous, to the extent that we decided to stay in Mauni Baba Ashram in Tapovan and GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa on way back.

On reaching back to Gangotri, when we complained to him on service quality, he had the audacity to tell us "this is what you get for what you pay"

The payment was made based on what he asked for the travel schedule he prepared for us.

Overall, avoid him like a plague. Dont spoil your trekking holiday with morons like him. Remember the name Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure

livinhimalayas · May 31st, 2009, 21:11

Phew what a bummer eh! Chathim - good of you to report the non performer. How do people expect to remain in business with an attitude like that.

vardhan.harsh · May 31st, 2009, 21:26

Hey chathim,

Couple of quick questions since you were there last month.

1. Any dhabas at Chirbasa ? We are planning to stay the night there.

2. Ample clear the food /acco are not an issue at bhojbasa, with plenty of options available. I suppose we can buy maggie also to carry forward to our journey to tapovan / nandanvan from here. Let me know if that is not possible.

3. Any food availability at Tapovan ? We are not planning to take a tent for the guide. Will he be able to arrange stay at Tapovan, if we carry a sleeping bag for him?

Paleface · May 31st, 2009, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by chathim

Remember the name Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure

Was he in Uttarkashi, if not where from??

sks551 · Jun 1st, 2009, 19:31

chathim,
Thanks for the warning about the touring company.
We are not thinking about hiring any touring company. We will hire a taxi and book our hotels as we go.
Did you book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa before hand? We will be travelling first week in Oct. I believe it will be low season. Do I still need to book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa? Previously we were planning to go up to Tapovan but we have changed our mind in favour of going to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
I am hoping that the taxi company we will be hiring will help us to get the trekking permission from DFO's office

vardhan.harsh,
Please let me know how your tour went when you get back from your trip.

chathim · Jun 1st, 2009, 19:42

1. No dhabas at Chirbasa. After Gangotri, the only point of avaiable rest/ meal is Bhojbasa.

2. You could buy maggie, but wonder how you were going to cook it. No hot spring there to have cuppa noodles ! At Nandanvan, the Mauni Baba Ashram is there. I dont know if they provide food/ heating facility. We just took the room from him and our staff did the cooking outside on the stove they were carrying.

3. Tapovan has stay option in terms of Mauni Baba's Ashram. However, the capacity is limited (I believe 2 roooms and 1 cave). When we reached Tapovan, it started snowing heavily and we couldnt errect the tents. So, we were very thankful when we got the Ashram room. So, you could consider the Ashram option for the guide. Worse case, if it is full, he would need to share ur tent

Quote:

Originally Posted by vardhan.harsh

Hey chathim,

Couple of quick questions since you were there last month.

1. Any dhabas at Chirbasa ? We are planning to stay the night there.

2. Ample clear the food /acco are not an issue at bhojbasa, with plenty of options available. I suppose we can buy maggie also to carry forward to our journey to tapovan / nandanvan from here. Let me know if that is not possible.

3. Any food availability at Tapovan ? We are not planning to take a tent for the guide. Will he be able to arrange stay at Tapovan, if we carry a sleeping bag for him?

chathim · Jun 1st, 2009, 19:45

No need to book in low season. Sufficient capacity in GMVN. Worse case, if it is full, there is one Ashram adjoining it, which has ample capacity. Shouldnt be a problem...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sks551

chathim,
Thanks for the warning about the touring company.
We are not thinking about hiring any touring company. We will hire a taxi and book our hotels as we go.
Did you book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa before hand? We will be travelling first week in Oct. I believe it will be low season. Do I still need to book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa? Previously we were planning to go up to Tapovan but we have changed our mind in favour of going to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
I am hoping that the taxi company we will be hiring will help us to get the trekking permission from DFO's office

vardhan.harsh,
Please let me know how your tour went when you get back from your trip.

chathim · Jun 1st, 2009, 19:47

Shambhu Rawat

Yeti Adventure

NIM Road, Near Jhulapul,Joshiyara
Uttarkashi ,Uttaranchal 249193,India
Ph 01374-224810,
Fax 01374-222408

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paleface

Was he in Uttarkashi, if not where from??

May 19th, 2009, 21:49	#91
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,337	Unless you are planning to carry a toilet tent, you will have to rely upon a squatting over a hole in the ground behind a tree or a boulder. Why carry bottled water easier to carry a filter that fits over a water bottle! __________________ He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees. - Benjamin Franklin

May 19th, 2009, 23:39	#93
Paleface Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Garhwal Himalaya Posts: 1,786	Even a cloth wrapped a couple of times around the neck of a bottle will do - there's very little pollution of water going on at that height close to the source - coffee filters even, will take out all the sediments... __________________ Only a mediocre person is always at his best. Somerset Maugham.

May 31st, 2009, 20:32	#98
chathim Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10	Avoid Operator "Shambhu Rawat" We did the Gangotri- Gaumukh-Tapovan trek early this month. We were a group of 7 persons from Bombay. We had taken in a local operator Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure to arrange all the logistics including vehicle from Haridwar, Guide, Porters, Camping stuff, Gangotri National Park permit etc etc. Just wanted to place on record here (& to warn other persons not to get into his snare). His services were absolutely pathetic. I have gone for such operator arranged treks in the past as well. This was by far the worst. He looked for cost cutting at all ends. So, sleeping bags (while new) were locally made and absolutely unsuitable for that altitude. Initially he was planning only 2 tents (2 pax capcity) for 7 of us, but increased it to 3 when we created noise. All the 9 porters/ cooks and guide were packed like sardines in only one tent. The food quantity was always insufficient. In all, while the trek was beautiful, the arrangements were disasterous, to the extent that we decided to stay in Mauni Baba Ashram in Tapovan and GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa on way back. On reaching back to Gangotri, when we complained to him on service quality, he had the audacity to tell us "this is what you get for what you pay" The payment was made based on what he asked for the travel schedule he prepared for us. Overall, avoid him like a plague. Dont spoil your trekking holiday with morons like him. Remember the name Shambhu Rawat of Yeti Adventure

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May 19th, 2009, 22:02	#92
sks551 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 225	livinhimalayas, What filter are you referring to? Will it remove all impurities? Is this readily available in India? How do I buy this filter after arrival at Delhi?

May 20th, 2009, 15:17	#96
sks551 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 225	Thanks guys. I was planning to carry water purifying tablets. I am not sure if I need them. One other thing; If for some reason we cancel our trek to Tapovan and return after visiting Gaumukh then it will give us two spare days. Is it possible to visit Kedarnath and return during those two days? We will have a hired car, is it feasible? What is the distance between Uttarkashi and Gaurikund and how long will it take? I don’t think we will be able to do both Kedarnath and Badrinath during those two days. Badrinath is probably too far.

May 30th, 2009, 22:38	#97
vardhan.harsh Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 59	hey sks, went through your complete thread. My wife and i are also planning this trek next week (first week of june). As for permits, there is absolutely no reason why you should keep the obtaining of permit on the day you reach uttarkashi. I've applied for the same through fax and have already received it. (though i have to pick it from their office when i cross uttarkashi). This would ensure that you have the permit well in advance. I had a talk with someone in that office and they mentioned , that on the permit the actual name of the guide/porters are not required. The name of the trekkers along with the number of guides/porters should suffice. I think i should be in a better position to be perfectly sure once i'm back from the trip by 15th June. By the way, anyone been on this route post the permit system being in place? Do you have any idea if the dhabas & the ashrams are still operational or they too have been closed down on the Gangotri-Bhojbasa part of the trek. Is it advisable to keep the first day a little relaxed , and camp at chirbasa. (if yes, are there any dhabas there post permit system for the guide to stay at night). I'm not planning to take a tent for the guide as well. Would he be able to manage acco. for himself at dhabas or ashrams (even at tapoban? ) I would be carrying food for him as well, but carrying a separate tent for him could be difficult. I believe food is available till bhojbasa, however we would need to arrange for ourselves at tapovan. I'm also planning the tapovan - nandavan trek. Is it advisable to do so directly or return back to gaumukh and then do Nandanvan ?

May 31st, 2009, 21:11	#99
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,337	Phew what a bummer eh! Chathim - good of you to report the non performer. How do people expect to remain in business with an attitude like that.

May 31st, 2009, 21:26	#100
vardhan.harsh Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 59	Hey chathim, Couple of quick questions since you were there last month. 1. Any dhabas at Chirbasa ? We are planning to stay the night there. 2. Ample clear the food /acco are not an issue at bhojbasa, with plenty of options available. I suppose we can buy maggie also to carry forward to our journey to tapovan / nandanvan from here. Let me know if that is not possible. 3. Any food availability at Tapovan ? We are not planning to take a tent for the guide. Will he be able to arrange stay at Tapovan, if we carry a sleeping bag for him?

Jun 1st, 2009, 19:31	#102
sks551 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 225	chathim, Thanks for the warning about the touring company. We are not thinking about hiring any touring company. We will hire a taxi and book our hotels as we go. Did you book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa before hand? We will be travelling first week in Oct. I believe it will be low season. Do I still need to book the GMVN guesthouse in Bhojbasa? Previously we were planning to go up to Tapovan but we have changed our mind in favour of going to Kedarnath and Badrinath. I am hoping that the taxi company we will be hiring will help us to get the trekking permission from DFO's office vardhan.harsh, Please let me know how your tour went when you get back from your trip.