Gaumukh is also known as Gangotri Glacier and called Gomukh as well. Gangotri Glacier is located in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India in a region bordering China. This glacier, source of the Ganges, is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers.
Around the Gaumukh glacier are the peaks of the Gangotri Group, including several peaks notable for extremely challenging climbing routes, such as Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi III. It flows roughly northwest, originating in a cirque below Chaukhamba, the highest peak of the group.
Gaumukh is situated at a distance of 19 Kms from Gangotri. It is very windy there and as it is situated at a height of approx. 3900-4000 meters from sea level, oxygen in the air is deficient.
One has to walk/trek all through, one can also hire a horse ride up to Bhojwasa (14 Kms from Gangotri). However, the last 5 km is a beautiful trekking route, and needs must be covered on foot. The road is okay but strewn with boulders and there are challenges on the way. One needs to cross 4-5 water streams on the way. There are very narrow log-bridges over these streams, barely five inches in width and one has to be very careful when crossing these. There are two landslide-prone zones on the way where stones/boulders come down all the time.
Only 150 people are allowed to visit Gaumukh per day. There is forest gate at approx. 1.5KM from Gangotri, it opens at 6.00AM, where one needs to show the travel permission and pay Rs.150/- per person. No plastic bags, bottles etc. are allowed to be taken beyond this point. (One can carry these items after making a security deposit, deposited in this gate office).
The terminus of the Gangotri Glacier is said to resemble a cow’s mouth, and the place is called Gomukh or Gaumukh (gou, cow + mukh, face). Gaumukh, which is about 18 km from the town of Gangotri, is the precise source of the Bhagirathi river, an important tributary of the Ganges. Gomukh is situated near the base of Shivling; in between lies the Tapovan meadow.
The Gangotri glacier is a traditional Hindu pilgrimage site. Devout Hindus consider bathing in the icy waters near Gangotri town to be a holy ritual, and many make the trek to Gomukh and Tapovan.
Many pilgrimages and foreign travellers do the trek of Gaumukh (Glacier) from Gangotri during their Char Dham Yatra.
Gaumukh – Yamunotri
Distance:– 222 kms
Time:– 8 hrs
Route:– Gaumukh – Gangotri -Chinyalisaur – Dharasu Band – Barkot – Jankichatti – Yamunotri
Gaumukh – Gangotri
Distance:– 20 kms
Time:– 4 hrs
Route:– Gaumukh – Gangotri
Gaumukh – Kedarnath
Distance:– 380 kms
Time:– 16 hrs
Route:- Gaumukh – Gangotri – Srinagar –Rudraprayag – Augustmuni – Guptkashi – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Gaumukh – Badrinath
Distance:– 440 kms
Time:- 14 hrs
Route:– Gaumukh – Gangotri – Srinagar – Rudraprayag –Karnaprayag –Nandprayag – Pipalkoti –Joshimath – Govindghat – Pandukeshwar – Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath
Normally travellers are not allowed to stay in Gaumukh or Tapovan, if you get the permission then you can arrange camps or tents from Gangotri or Uttarkashi.
1) Dev Darshan
It is located in Gangotri which offers 3 accommodation with private balconies. It has all the essential facilities.
Address:– Gangotri National Highway 108, Uttarkashi 249194 India.
2) Prakriti The Retreat
This beautiful retreat offers its guest the beautiful and perfect view of the river from its rooms. You can explore many popular places while staying in this retreat.
Address:- Gangotri National Highway, 81st KM Milestone(Near Harsil), Dharali, Distt Uttarkashi
3) Harsil Cottage
This cottage is situated on the banks of a river. It offers its guest nature in its purest form. It provides luxuriou rooms with attached bathroom and tasty food served.
Address:– The Harsil Retreat, Harsil, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
4) Mountain Village Stay
It is situated at an apple orchard at Harsil, Uttarakhand. This hotel offer all the necessary facilities like 24 hour front desk, airport transfer, room service etc.
Address:- Dharali Heights, Village Dharali Harsil, Uttarakhand.
5) The Char Dham Camp
It is a beautiful place to stay for pilgrims doing Chardham yatra. The sacred Bhagirathi river adds more beauty to this beautiful place. The camps provided comfy beds with all the basic amenities.
Address:- Kalp Kedar Mandir,Village Dharali, P.O. Harsil, Gangotri , 249335.
Gaumukh well connected by motorable roads but the place does not have any airports and railway stations. You can easily travel here by using public transport as well as by driving your own vehicle.
Route 1:- Delhi – Gaumukh via Haridwar
By Road:– Gaumukh is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to Gaumukh from Delhi via Haridwar. You can also drive your car to travel Gaumukh.
Gaumukh does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Haridwar via train then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Gaumukh. It will take approximately 10 hours to reach Gaumukh.
Route 2:- Delhi – Gaumukh via Dehradun
By Road:– Gaumukh is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to Gaumukh from Delhi via Dehradun. You can also drive your car to travel Gaumukh.
Gaumukh does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Dehradun via train or air then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Gaumukh. It will take approximately 11 hours to reach Gaumukh.
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