This trip starts with a tour of Delhi and a visit to the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra. Then we head to the Himalayas and one of India's best treks to the source of the Ganges River high up in the Himalayas might be the best option. The source of the Ganges attracts numerous Hindu pilgrims ever year to witness this spiritual location. The actual source of the Ganges is at the end of the long Gangotri Glacier and is known as the "Gomukh (meaning cows mouth)." This trek will depart from Delhi and we will spend the first day getting to Rishikesh a small village on the banks of the Ganges at the base of the Himalayas. It’s another two days of ldriving through the high peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas to reach the end of the road at Gangotri where the trek starts. The first day of trekking takes up the banks of the Bhagirathi River and we are rewarded with views of the Bhagirathi group of peaks all of which are over 6000m/20,000 feet. We spend the next day hiking up to the actual source of the Ganges at the end of the giant Gangotri Glacier whose melting waters feed the Ganges. We then make a steep climb to the meadows at Tapovan where we have fantastic views of Shivling Peak. This area is a mecca for hindu pilgrims and still visited by many of the Sadhus as the religious wise-men of India are referred. We spend the next day with a long hike up the glacier reaching a high point of 5250m/1725ft and admiring the surrounding mountains before again camping at Tapovan and returning back to Delhi via the same route as we came. The best season for this trek is from May to June and Sept to early November.
What's Included?
- 12 day adventure, 4 of which include 3 meals a day
- 4 nights of accommodation; 2 nights Uttarkashi and Rishikesh, 1 night each; Agra, Delhi and Gangotri
- Transport by Air Conditioned Train/Bus/Auto
- Tents and supplies while trekking
- All permits and sees
- Fully-licensed, English-speaking guide
- Porter service
- Local and government taxes
