Treks from Gangotri and Yamunotri

Hello

In May I intend to go trekking in India for the first time. Until now I just know Nepal and so I’m a bit unsure about the conditions in India.

I plan to make two trips, one from Gangotri to Tapovan and one through the Dodi-Valey to Yamunotri. If I’ve got the guide books and other information right, there is no possibility of a lodge-trekking, so I will have to take a tent etc. with me. Is there really no simple overnight accommodation on these treks and how about food on the way?

If I want to make a tour with a guided group, is it better to book it in Rishekesh or would it also be possible to make the booking in Gangotri? Could anybody recommend an agency and give me some information about the prices?

Is it better to lend a tent and to go hiking on my own or with my own guide?
Then I would also like to know how cold or how warm it will be on these treks in the middle of May or does somebody know a website with information on the weather in Gangotri.

Many thanks in advance

Hi Dewe

I did the Char Dham yatra in September. I hiked up to Tabovan, but took the bus to Yamunotri.

You'll have no problem with guides from Gangotri to Tabovan if you wish to hire them in Gangotri. But for the trek to Yamunotri I would reccomend organising it in Rishikesh as the many of the guides in Gangortri are not prepared for that trek.

While I was there I met a fellow in his 40's who seemed very nice, and had a good set of references and training, later I noted he was reccomended in the LP. I'll try to dig up his info for you and pos tit later.

One thing to keep in mind is that the area is changing very rapidly right now and areas that may be refered to in the guidbooks as trails are now roads! Especially in the Yamunotri area.

Cheers
Balmandir

Uttarkashi at the road head before proceeding to Dodi tal is also a good place to hire guides and porters. The Nehru Instt of Mountaineering [ NIM ] at Uttarkashi has instructors who may be helpful. A day's visit to this instt. is recommended. Its not a difficult trek... but you may need a guide just in case .....

I trekked to Yamunotri and Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan in May 2003 .
For Gaumukh-Tapovan , guide per se is not needed , but if you are planning to camp at Tapovan , you need to carry stuff and cook there .. we hired a porter cum cook from Uttarkashi to do that for us !
As to the weather , it's mostly good in Mid-May...but weather being weather , one can never guarantee anythying.. we pitched tent in very warm weather at Tapovan , and while tea was being made , it started snowing and didn't let up till 8:00 in the night. Did not sleep a wink due to severe cold .

i wud like to ask you ki hw will b d weather at gangotri yamunotri and harsil in mid may?? do i have to carry woolens ??

Yes !

Keep in mind, that for going beyond Gangotri a cumbersome permit procedure has been implemented. I was planing this trip myself for August, but will perhaps drop the idea due to this.
A trek from Uttarkashi to Dodi Tal and further on to Yamunotri should be easy. Last time I made it until Dodi Tal but thereafter had to turn back due to heavy rain and thousands of leeches on the trail.
From Yamunotri you could go for Bali pass and if you have time, further to Har ki Dun via Ruinsara lake.

The mountains can get cold and wet at any time of year. Best to be well prepared.

For treks around Bandarpoonch Massif, source of Ganga & Yamuna, i would suggest you be as kitted out as possible without overdoing it, so if you have a lightweight s/bag, take it. Dodi Tal to Yamunotri would be safer with a guide - I mean we shouldn't underestimate the Himalayas. The weather has been dry and warm of late, but winter rains were extremely late and then only intermittent, so changeable conditions may be expected. Don't forget after a few days of dry spell there is nearly always a release and cooling down, if only for a day or two. Otherwise go light and with a guide and Dodi Tal - Yamunotri should be straightforward.

Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan, well your'e in Yatra high season in May, so for starters you need a permit at Uttarkashi to go on from Gangotri - Saddhu's are going up barefoot and virtually naked, so you can work out what you need from their minimal baggage....

well thnx.....so full sleeve shirts or mayb light woolens will do in d afternoons but i hve heard dat it bcums chilly cold in d mornings evenings nd night..is it so??...well ill pack a few woolens also to be on a safer side.....nd will i find snow at that time?whats d speciality of these places??i hve heard apples found here are very nice...

Hey SMS language is not appreciated on this forum. Before some Moderator pulls you up on that, type in full words not SMSees.
A warm jacket, woolen cap and socks should see you through, not to forget thermal underwear.
This is not the apple season, the apples are available only in Sept - Oct. Nature, peace and tranquility are the specialties of this area so enjoy these.

thankyou for telling me that i should not be writing in sms language.i was not aware of it. and for being so specific about what necessarily i shoud carry as i like carrying lite bags...so that is why i was askin evryone.!!thanks once again

So do I, so I think add a good pair of jeans, a couple of T-shirts (one full sleeve if possible) along with the items mentioned before.

yeah...thanks!!