Tapovan is one of the best high-altitude grasslands found in India. It’s a wonderful place where you will find exceptional scenic beauty. It is situated at an elevation of 4463 meters which is about 14,640 feet above sea level. The best thing about the Tapovan is that it is near the famous Gangotri shrine. You will encounter many sadhus at the foot of the shivling peak. Sadhus live in huts or caves there. It is an amazing view to experience. Here the sadhus dive into meditation as it is the best place to do so.
Over the last few years, it has been observed that Tapovan is attracting people to trek. It is getting more popular day by day as the people are coming here from the far-off places to view and indulge in the enchanting grassland. The place is also adorned with beautiful flowering pots.
In Uttarakhand, the Gaumukh Tapovan trek is famous because it is near the Gangotri. People are easily picking up this trek to explore the picturesque beauty of the place. You can make your uncountable memories on this Himalayan trek that will provide you with an enriching experience.
If you understand the meaning of Gaumukh then you will get to know that it means the mouth of the river Ganga which implies that it is the origin of the Ganga river.
The Ganga is the most venerated stream in India. Tapovan is a snow-capped glade, a couple of km away from Gaumukh. It is home to numerous sages pondering in caves here. Tapovan is additionally the headquarters of Mt Shivling (6543 m). Local people hold Mt Shivling in incredible love. The whole district overflows with high profound enthusiasm. Nobody can prevent the profound vibrations from getting to the Gaumukh Tapovan trail. Maybe, this is the reason, numerous travelers come to the Himalayas at least a few times to encounter Gaumukh and Tapovan!
One of the most well-known and compensating journeys in the Garhwal Himalayas, Gaumukh – Tapovan – Nandanvan Circuit not just offers you the chance to camp at the foot of the elevated Himalayan pinnacle yet it likewise includes crossing the enormous Gaumukh Glacier, the beginning of Ganga River.
This popular trek will show you the lush green meadows that encircle the glacier. The ideal duration of the trek is for about 5 days with a medium difficulty level.
Itinerary
Take a good drive for about 7 to 8 hours from Dehradun to Gangnani via Uttarkashi. In Gangnani you can enjoy the natural hot water spring baths.
After that, take a 9km trek from Gangotri to Chirbasa. Here throughout the trek, you will encounter the Bhagirathi river.
Moving ahead from Chirbasa you have to trek for 5kms towards the Bhojwassa. Here you will trail through the dense forest.
From here to have to move to your final destination which is Tapovan. The trek has a steep ascent where you are surrounded by the Himalayan peaks.
The trek from Gaumukh to Tapovan has a steep ascent, and as we climb, the view of the surrounding peaks becomes clearer.
This day is free for us to acclimatize, relax and enjoy the magnificent snow-capped peaks, flora, fauna, and mountain landscape.
Weather
It is significant to know when the weather is appropriate to trek because if you visit in bad weather then you cannot trek safely. It gets risky as the rainfall season makes the transportation and trek challenging. The best time and weather for the Gaumukh Tapovan trek are the spring season, summer season, and autumn season.
Accommodation
You can very easily get basic accommodations during the trek where you can consume simple food. An ashram with good food is the perfect place to stay. On the other side, you can also carry your tent and food.
The trek is safe and therefore both the single traveler and the group travelers enjoy the journey of the trek.
Best time for Gaumukh Tapovan trek
May is the best time for the Gaumukh Tapovan trek as you can begin your journey from the 5th of May every year. The months you should avoid are July and August as it is the monsoon season. Trek during Monsoon season is risky otherwise you can go there till October.
Highlights of the trek
The main highlights of the Gaumukh Tapovan trek are that you can take a holy dip in the Bhagirathi river which is a holy ritual in Hindus. It is at a high altitude of 14222 ft.
During your journey, you will come across the three magnificent Bhagirathi groups. The glimpse of these three soaring peaks is breathtaking.
If you have enough of the greenery then you can take a short trek to Bhojwassa which is barren but mostly studded with trees. The trek to Bhojwassa is often compared to the Arctic Tundra region.
When you decide to go for the Gaumukh Tapovan trek, you instantly make plans for the pilgrimage spots that take you to take blessings from different temples and spots like Bhagirathi Sisters, Gangotri Glaciers, Gaumukh, and many more.