Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Gaumukh Tapovan is picturesque trek located in Uttarkashi. It is one of the most rewarding and popular treks for trekking enthusiasts. These trek showcases the beauty of Garhwal Himalayas and few other remarkable peaks like Mt. Shivling, Mt. Bhagirathi and Mt. Bhrigupanth.

Gaumukh is the pout or terminus of the pristine Gangotri Glacier and is also the source of the Bhagirathi river. This snow-capped spot is located at a height of around 13,200 ft and is also known to be a haven for the pilgrims as it is the source of Ganga.

Trickling from Gangotri glacier through Gaumukh, meaning “cow’s mouth”, the river has a different name- Bhagirathi, and becomes the Ganga, the life vein of the northern plains of India only after flowing in with another headstream, Alakananda at Devaprayag- the key confluence point of Ganga before it pours into the plains.

What to Watch Out For:
  • Gaumukh Glacier – I have not stood at the snout of such a gigantic glacier in my life. The Gaumukh glacier snout must be as high as a ten-storey building. Big chunks of ice, as big as cars, continuously fall with thunderous sounds from the mouth of the glacier.
  • Towering Mountains – The trek is verily a raging visual thrillfest with rising mountain behemoths such as the Bhagirathi twin peaks, and Mount Meru, besides the ever present Shivling.
  • Beautiful Mt. Shivling – There are summit views and there are ‘big’ summit views. On the Gaumukh Tapovan trek, you don’t just see the best views of Mt Shivling. You see Mt Shivling right from the base to it’s summit. And if you don’t know about Mt Shivling, it’s one of the most beautiful looking mountains in our country.
  • The night view of Mt Shivling and Bhagirathi sisters – If you are lucky to be there on a cloudless night, for heaven’s sake don’t be inside your tent! Mt Shivling and the Bhagirathi sisters on a cloudless night, will give you goosebumps. Right there, from the inky darkness of your camp, you can see the snow whites of these mountains glistening in the night — every gully, crag and ridge visible.