Gaumukh – Tapovan Trek

The Gaumukh–Tapovan trek begins at Gangotri (3,048 m) and follows the Bhagirathi river upstream to its glacial source at Gaumukh. The "cow's mouth" glacier snout is where the Bhagirathi — which becomes the Ganga downstream — emerges from the ice. It is a 19 km walk from Gangotri with most trekkers camping at Bhojbasa (3,775 m).

Beyond Gaumukh, a steep boulder-field trail climbs to Tapovan (4,463 m), a meadow that sits directly below the Shivling peak (6,543 m). This is one of the most dramatic camping spots in the Himalayas: Shivling rises sheer from the glacier into the sky above the meadow. An inner line permit from the District Magistrate's office in Uttarkashi is required.