Gaumukh Tapovan Trek at a Glance
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights, Dehradun to Dehradun (Delhi by overnight Volvo)
- Trek distance: about 46 km on foot (about 23 km each way from Gangotri)
- Highest point: Tapovan meadow, 4,463 m (about 14,640 ft)
- Gaumukh glacier snout: about 4,020 m (13,200 ft)
- Difficulty: moderate to difficult; one earlier Himalayan trek recommended
- Trek start: Gangotri, about 3,100 m
- Season: May–June and September–early October (Gangotri National Park is open 1 April to 30 November)
- Permit: Gangotri National Park permit, arranged by us (150 trekkers a day)
- Guide: registered guide, mandatory beyond Gaumukh, included
- Temperature: day 6–22°C, night -3 to 8°C in season
- Group size: up to 17 trekkers per batch
- Nearest airport / railway: Jolly Grant (Dehradun) / Dehradun
- Mobile network: none after Gangotri
Calculate Your Price (Group Tour)
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek Package 2027
Gaumukh Tapovan trek 2027 at a glance: an 8-day, 7-night guided trek from Dehradun to Tapovan meadow (4,463 m) below Mt Shivling, via Gangotri, Chirbasa, Bhojbasa and the Gaumukh glacier snout, the source of the Bhagirathi (Ganga). The price is ₹14,850 + 5% GST from Dehradun, or ₹16,500 + GST from Delhi by Volvo semi-sleeper (₹17,500 sleeper). It is a Dehradun-to-Dehradun price: transport, the forest permit, the mandatory registered guide, all trek meals and tents are included. Batches run in May–June and September–October 2027, and groups of 4 or more pay less.
Our price includes Dehradun–Gangotri transport; many Gangotri-to-Gangotri packages charge it separately. Want a private batch for family or friends? Call or WhatsApp us on 9311052232.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek Itinerary (8 Days)
| Day | Route | Distance | Time | Altitude | Stay | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehradun → Gangotri (drive) | 237 km | 9–10 hours | about 3,100 m | Gangotri | Dinner |
| 2 | Gangotri → Chirbasa | 9 km | 6–7 hours | about 3,600 m | Tents | B, L, S, D |
| 3 | Chirbasa → Bhojbasa | 5 km | 3–4 hours | about 3,780 m | Tents | B, L, S, D |
| 4 | Bhojbasa → Gaumukh → Tapovan | about 9 km | 7–8 hours | about 4,020 m → 4,463 m | Tents | B, L, S, D |
| 5 | Rest and acclimatisation day at Tapovan | – | – | 4,463 m | Tents | B, L, S, D |
| 6 | Tapovan → Gaumukh → Bhojbasa → Chirbasa | about 14 km | 7–8 hours | about 3,600 m | Tents | B, L, S, D |
| 7 | Chirbasa → Gangotri | 9 km | 4–5 hours | about 3,100 m | Gangotri | B, L, S, D |
| 8 | Gangotri → Dehradun (drive) | 240 km | 8–9 hours | – | – | Breakfast |
B = breakfast, L = lunch, S = evening snacks, D = dinner. Altitudes are approximate. Road distances: see our Gangotri distance chart.
Day 0: Delhi to Dehradun (Delhi package)
Overnight Volvo bus (semi-sleeper or sleeper) from Delhi
- If you book from Delhi, take the overnight Volvo bus to Dehradun, included in the Delhi price.
- Reach Dehradun early in the morning for the Day 1 pickup.
Day 1: Dehradun to Gangotri (about 3,100 m)
Drive: 237 km, 9–10 hours | Stay: Gangotri | Meals: Dinner
- Pickup from Dehradun and drive via Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi river.
- Reach Gangotri by evening; visit the Gangotri temple and other places to visit in Gangotri if time allows.
- Trek briefing, dinner and overnight stay in Gangotri.
Day 2: Gangotri to Chirbasa (about 3,600 m)
Trek: 9 km, 6–7 hours | Stay: Tents | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- Permit check at the Gangotri National Park gate, then a steady climb along the Bhagirathi through pine and deodar forest.
- Chirbasa, named after its chir pine trees, has views of the Bhagirathi peaks.
- Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 3: Chirbasa to Bhojbasa (about 3,780 m)
Trek: 5 km, 3–4 hours | Stay: Tents | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- A short day to help acclimatisation. The trail crosses Gila Pahar, a rockfall-prone stretch; cross it quickly and quietly as your guide directs.
- Bhojbasa, named after its bhojpatra (birch) trees, looks straight at Mt Bhagirathi.
- Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 4: Bhojbasa to Gaumukh (about 4,020 m) and Tapovan (4,463 m)
Trek: about 9 km, 7–8 hours | Stay: Tents at Tapovan | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- Walk about 4–5 km over a boulder trail to Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi.
- With the guide, climb about 4 km over the steep, loose moraine of the glacier to Tapovan meadow.
- Tapovan sits right below Mt Shivling, with Meru and the Bhagirathi peaks around it.
Day 5: Rest and acclimatisation day at Tapovan
Stay: Tents | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- Rest, short walks on the meadow and time with the views of Shivling, Meru and Bhagirathi.
- This day lets your body adjust to the altitude before the long walk down.
Day 6: Tapovan to Chirbasa (about 3,600 m)
Trek: about 14 km, 7–8 hours | Stay: Tents | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- Descend carefully over the moraine to Gaumukh, then walk back past Bhojbasa and Gila Pahar to Chirbasa.
- Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 7: Chirbasa to Gangotri
Trek: 9 km, 4–5 hours | Stay: Gangotri | Meals: Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
- An easy walk down to Gangotri, with time for the temple and the market.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Gangotri.
Day 8: Gangotri to Dehradun
Drive: 240 km, 8–9 hours | Meals: Breakfast
- Drive back to Dehradun, reaching by evening. Delhi package: overnight Volvo back to Delhi.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek Package Price
In 2027, Manchala Mushafir’s Gaumukh Tapovan trek costs ₹14,850 per person from Dehradun for 1–3 people, falling to ₹13,850 for big groups, plus 5% GST. From Delhi, with the overnight Volvo both ways, it costs ₹16,500 (semi-sleeper) or ₹17,500 (sleeper). Prices include transport, permits, a registered guide, all trek meals and tents.
| Pickup | 1–3 people | 4–8 | 9–15 | 16–30 | 31–50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehradun | ₹14,850 | ₹14,550 | ₹14,350 | ₹14,150 | ₹13,850 |
| Delhi (Volvo semi-sleeper, +₹1,650) | ₹16,500 | ₹16,200 | ₹16,000 | ₹15,800 | ₹15,500 |
| Delhi (Volvo sleeper, +₹2,650) | ₹17,500 | ₹17,200 | ₹17,000 | ₹16,800 | ₹16,500 |
- * Per person on quad sharing. Triple sharing is ₹1,500 more, double sharing ₹3,000 more and single ₹5,500 more per person.
- * Delhi pickup: the overnight Volvo bus between Delhi and Dehradun, both ways, adds ₹1,650 per person (semi-sleeper) or ₹2,650 (sleeper) to the Dehradun price.
- * 5% GST is extra. Pay 25% to book, or the full amount.
- * Women travelling alone share a tent only with other women.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek 2027 Batches
Every Saturday and Sunday in May–June and from early September to mid-October 2027. Choose a date in the booking box to see seats left.
- May 2027: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
- June 2027: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
- September 2027: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
- October 2027: 2, 3, 9, 10
Inclusions
- Transport from Dehradun to Gangotri and back by tempo traveller
- Delhi package: overnight Volvo bus between Delhi and Dehradun, both ways (+₹1,650 semi-sleeper or +₹2,650 sleeper)
- Stay in Gangotri (Day 1 and Day 7) and in tents on the trek, on sharing basis
- All meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 8 breakfast
- Sleeping tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and toilet tents
- Gangotri National Park permit and camping charges (at the Indian-national rate)
- English-speaking registered mountain guide, cook and kitchen team
- First-aid kit
- Crampons and gaiters if required
Exclusions
- 5% GST
- Travel to Dehradun for the Dehradun pickup (Delhi transport is included only in the Delhi price)
- Meals during road journeys
- Travel or trek insurance (insurance is required for the permit)
- Porter or mule for personal luggage (available at extra cost)
- Higher permit fee for foreign nationals
- Personal medical kit and personal expenses
- Emergency evacuation cost
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Cancellation Policy
| Cancelled before trek | Paid in full | Paid 25% advance |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days or more | 100% refund | 100% refund |
| 7–14 days | 93% refund | 75% refund |
| 4–6 days | 70% refund | No refund |
| 3 days or less | No refund | No refund |
See the full cancellation policy.
Permits and Documents (We Handle Them)
- Permit: we apply for your Gangotri National Park permit; the fee is included at the Indian-national rate
- Daily limit: only 150 trekkers are allowed on the Gaumukh route each day, so book early
- Guide: a registered guide is mandatory beyond Gaumukh and is included
- You send us: a photo ID (Aadhaar card or passport), a passport-size photo and a medical fitness certificate
- Insurance: trek insurance is required; bring your own policy
- Foreign nationals: passport and visa; the permit fee is higher
Safety on the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
The Gaumukh Tapovan trek is safe for fit trekkers in season with a registered guide. The main risks are the altitude at Tapovan (4,463 m), the rockfall stretch at Gila Pahar between Chirbasa and Bhojbasa, and the loose moraine climb above Gaumukh.
- Health checks: the trek leader checks every trekker each morning and evening
- Acclimatisation: a short Day 3 and a full rest day at Tapovan
- Turn-around rule: anyone with altitude-sickness symptoms goes down with a staff member
- Rockfall zones: crossed early in the day, in single file, without stopping
- Evacuation: by trail via Bhojbasa to Gangotri, then by road to Uttarkashi district hospital
- Medical kit: a first-aid kit on every batch; carry your own regular medicines
Who Can Join: Fitness and Eligibility
Gaumukh Tapovan is a moderate-to-difficult trek. Train for 4–6 weeks before it, until you can jog 5 km in about 35 minutes or walk 10 km with an 8 kg backpack. See how to get fit for a high-altitude trek.
- Age: best for trekkers aged 15 and above
- Experience: one earlier Himalayan trek is recommended, for example Kedarkantha or Har Ki Dun
- Medical: a medical fitness certificate is required for the permit; tell us about heart, blood-pressure, asthma or other conditions before booking
Best Time for the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
The best time is May–June and September to early October. Gangotri National Park is open from 1 April to 30 November, but early April trails can still have snow, July–August brings monsoon landslides on the road, and from November the high camps are snowbound. Gangotri temple itself is open only from Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) to Annakut, the day after Diwali, so for darshan on the way check the Gangotri temple opening and closing date. Before you go, check Gangotri weather today.
| Months | Day | Night | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| May – June | 15–22°C | 5–10°C | Pleasant, clear skies; our summer batches |
| July – August | 7–17°C | 0–7°C | Monsoon rain, landslides and slippery trails; no batches |
| September – October | 10–15°C | -3–8°C | Stable weather, the clearest views; our autumn batches |
| November – March | 0–5°C | below 0°C | Snow; the national park closes from 1 December to 31 March |
Why Trek to Gaumukh and Tapovan
- The source of the Ganga: Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, where the Bhagirathi begins. Its story is told on our Gangotri Temple page
- Tapovan meadow: a high meadow right below Mt Shivling, long used by sadhus for meditation
- Big peaks: Shivling, Meru, Bhagirathi I–III and Sudarshan
- Spellings: also written Gomukh, and Bhojbasa is also spelt Bhojwasa
What to Pack
- 50–60 litre backpack with a rain cover, plus a small daypack
- Waterproof trekking shoes with good grip, and a trekking pole
- Thermal layers, a fleece and a down jacket
- Rain jacket and trousers, woollen cap, gloves and socks
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Head torch and a 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank
- Two water bottles and a quick-dry towel
- Personal medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Photo ID, medical certificate and insurance papers
- Cash, as there is no network or ATM after Gangotri
Extend Your Trip
Add a day on the way back for Harsil and its apple orchards, the wooden Gartang Gali walkway near Nelong, or the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi. Ask us when you book.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek FAQs
The Gaumukh Tapovan trek costs ₹14,850 per person (1–3 people, quad sharing) from Dehradun, ₹16,500 from Delhi by Volvo semi-sleeper and ₹17,500 by Volvo sleeper, plus 5% GST. Groups pay less, down to ₹13,850. Triple sharing is ₹1,500 more, double ₹3,000 more and single ₹5,500 more per person.
The package includes transport from Dehradun to Gangotri and back, all meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 8 breakfast, stays in Gangotri and in tents on the trek, sleeping bags and mats, the Gangotri National Park permit, a registered mountain guide, a cook and kitchen team, a first-aid kit, and crampons and gaiters if needed. GST, insurance, a porter and personal expenses are extra.
Yes. The Delhi prices include the overnight Volvo bus between Delhi and Dehradun, both ways: ₹1,650 more than the Dehradun price for semi-sleeper (₹16,500 in all) or ₹2,650 more for sleeper (₹17,500). If you choose Dehradun pickup, travel to the pickup point is not included.
We run batches every Saturday and Sunday in May and June 2027, and from 4 September to 10 October 2027. Seats left for each date are shown in the booking box on this page.
Yes. A registered guide is mandatory beyond Gaumukh, and our guide is included. We apply for your Gangotri National Park permit; only 150 trekkers are allowed each day, so book early.
Send us a photo ID (Aadhaar card or passport), a passport-size photo and a medical fitness certificate. Trek insurance is also required. Foreign nationals need a passport and visa, and pay a higher permit fee.
The trek is moderate to difficult. The hardest day is the steep, loose moraine climb from Gaumukh to Tapovan at 4,463 m. You should be able to jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, or walk 10 km with an 8 kg backpack, before you go.
Fit beginners can, with 4–6 weeks of training, but we recommend at least one earlier Himalayan trek, such as Kedarkantha or Har Ki Dun, before Gaumukh Tapovan.
The trek is safe for fit trekkers in season with a registered guide. The main risks are altitude at Tapovan (4,463 m), the rockfall stretch at Gila Pahar between Chirbasa and Bhojbasa, and the loose moraine above Gaumukh. Our trek leaders check everyone’s health each morning and evening, keep a rest day at Tapovan and bring down anyone with altitude-sickness symptoms.
Yes. We can run a private departure on your dates within the park season. Call or WhatsApp us on 9311052232 for a quote.
From Dehradun the price is ₹14,850 for 1–3 people, ₹14,550 for 4–8, ₹14,350 for 9–15, ₹14,150 for 16–30 and ₹13,850 for 31–50 per person, plus 5% GST. Delhi prices fall in the same steps.
Yes. A porter or mule for personal luggage can be arranged at Gangotri at extra cost; ask us for the current rate when you book.
If you paid in full, you get a 100% refund 15 or more days before the trek, 93% for 7–14 days, 70% for 4–6 days and no refund within 3 days. If you paid the 25% advance, it is 100% at 15 or more days, 75% for 7–14 days and no refund within 6 days.
The package is 8 days and 7 nights from Dehradun. You walk about 46 km in total (about 23 km each way from Gangotri) over 5 trekking days, with a rest day at Tapovan.
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