Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandanban-Tapovan Trek

The trek along the holy river Bhagirathi takes you right up to the source of the river-popularly known as Gaumukh (Cow's snout) at the base of the Gangotri glacier. This trek is for adventure lovers and involves mountain climbing, rock climbing and glacier traverse. This trek can however be undertaken by non-mountaineers with sound health also. The trek passes through an orchard of coniferous pine trees at Chirbasa and birch at Bhojbasa. From Bhojbasa one has to trek to Lanka and Gaumukh. From Gaumukh to Nandanvan one traverses along the Gangotri glacier and Chatturangini glacier. One can pitch one's camp at the junction of Chatturangini glacier and Bhagirathi-Gangotri glacier.

From Nandanvan the views of prominent peaks namely - Shivling, Bhagirathi, Sudarshana, Thel, Kedar dome are fabulous. The trek to Tapovan from Nandanvan after crossing the Gangotri glacier and traversing on a rocky face one arrives at the meadows of Tapovan (meditating ground), a green lush valley in the summers confined by many named and un-named peaks of the Garhwal Himalaya. Herds of Bharal (Blue mountain goats) are a common sight here on mountain ridges