To the Source of the Ganga
Few walks in the world carry the significance of this one: from Gangotri temple along the Bhagirathi to Gaumukh, the glacier snout where the Ganga is born, and up onto the Tapovan meadow — a sadhu-dotted plateau directly beneath the perfect spire of Mt. Shivling.
The Route
Gangotri (10,000 ft) → Chirbasa → Bhojwasa (12,450 ft) → Gaumukh snout → moraine climb to Tapovan (14,600 ft). Strong parties add Nandanvan across the glacier. The return retraces the pilgrim trail.
Permits and Numbers
The route lies in Gangotri National Park with a strict daily visitor quota — permits are checked at the park gate and should be arranged in advance through your operator or the online forest portal. Carry original ID.
Best Time and Difficulty
May–June and September–October. Moderate-to-difficult: the altitude is real, the moraine climb to Tapovan is loose and steep, and weather on the glacier changes fast. Acclimatize at Bhojwasa and keep a spare day.