A slower, trekker's version of the Char Dham: two nights at Bhojbasa below the Bhagirathi peaks, an unhurried morning at the glacier, and the four dhams by road around it.
Some travellers book the Char Dham and look for a way to stretch their legs; others are trekkers who would like to see the four shrines while they are in Garhwal. This page is for the second group. The heart of the trip is the walk from Gangotri up the Bhagirathi valley to Gaumukh, snout of the Gangotri glacier, with two nights at Bhojbasa so you are not racing the clock on the most beautiful part of the trail.
Spending a full day at Bhojbasa changes the experience. You reach the glacier in the soft early light, sit by the river without hurry, and walk back to camp for lunch with the Bhagirathi peaks and Shivling in view. The rest of the itinerary follows the standard Char Dham route from Haridwar. If you prefer the shorter version that returns to Gangotri the same day, see Char Dham yatra with Gaumukh.
Trek lengthAbout 18 km each way
Trek days3 (up, glacier, down)
Max altitudeAround 3,900 m at Gaumukh
GradeModerate, non-technical
PermitForest permit from Gangotri side
Total trip11 nights / 12 days
Gaumukh trek: stages, distances and terrain
The path is well defined but entirely on foot beyond Gangotri. Distances below are approximate and measured from the Gangotri temple.
Stage
Approx. distance
Terrain and notes
Gangotri – Chirbasa
9 km
Steady climb through deodar and pine; forest checkpost near the start
Chirbasa – Bhojbasa
5 km
Open valley, scree slopes; watch for falling stones on some stretches
Bhojbasa – Gaumukh
4 km
Rough moraine and boulders, no shade; the glacier snout comes into view
Gaumukh – Gangotri (return)
18 km
Same path down, easier on the lungs but hard on the knees
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Bhojbasa has a few basic guest houses, an ashram and seasonal camps; facilities are shared and simple. There is no motor road, so everything you need travels on your back, a porter's back or a pony. Mobile signal is patchy at best.
Package price
Package
Duration
From, per person
Chardham + Gaumukh trek (2 nights Bhojbasa)
11N / 12D
₹26,500
Char Dham + Gaumukh (1 night Bhojbasa)
11N / 12D
₹26,500
Char Dham only from Haridwar
9N / 10D
₹21,500
2027 estimates per person for four travellers sharing a vehicle, budget hotels. Permit fees, porters and ponies are extra. Final price depends on dates, hotels and group size.
Porters can usually be hired at Gangotri for the trek and are paid locally. Travellers starting in Delhi add one night and a return day; see the Char Dham from Delhi plan for that pattern.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Collect your group in Haridwar and drive through Dehradun and over the Mussoorie hills. The road winds down to the Yamuna and on to Barkot. Check your trekking gear tonight; you will use it tomorrow.
Day 2
Yamunotri: the warm-up walk
45 km + 6 km trek each wayFull dayNight: Barkot
The 6 km climb from Janki Chatti is a useful test of pace and footwear before Gaumukh. Take darshan at the temple of Goddess Yamuna and see the hot springs of Surya Kund. Note any blisters or knee strain and adjust your kit.
Day 3
Barkot to Gangotri
200 km7–8 hoursNight: Gangotri
Drive via Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi to Gangotri. Evening darshan and aarti at the temple. Sleep at 3,100 m to begin acclimatising, and arrange porters if you want them.
Day 4
Trek to Bhojbasa
14 km6–7 hoursNight: Bhojbasa
Show your permit at the checkpost and walk up through the forest to Chirbasa for a tea break. Beyond, the valley opens and the trail crosses scree under steep walls; keep moving steadily on the exposed stretches. Arrive at Bhojbasa by afternoon and rest.
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Day 5
Gaumukh, back to Bhojbasa
8 km round trip4–5 hoursNight: Bhojbasa
Start at sunrise for the 4 km scramble over moraine to the glacier snout. Spend unhurried time at Gaumukh, take the water of the infant Bhagirathi and enjoy views of the Bhagirathi peaks. Walk back to Bhojbasa for lunch and an afternoon of rest at altitude.
Day 6
Bhojbasa to Gangotri, drive to Uttarkashi
14 km trek + 100 km driveFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
An early start brings you down the 14 km trail to Gangotri by late morning, where your vehicle waits. Stop for a hot lunch in Gangotri or Harsil. Drive down the valley to Uttarkashi for a hot shower and a proper bed.
Day 7
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
A road day that doubles as a recovery day, via Chamba and Tehri lake to the Mandakini valley. Stretch your legs at tea stops to avoid stiffness after the trek. Arrive in Guptkashi by evening and repack for Kedarnath.
Day 8
Trek to Kedarnath
30 km + 16 km trek6–8 hoursNight: Kedarnath
Take the shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund and set off on the 16 km path. Well acclimatised after Gaumukh, most trekkers find the paved trail steady and manageable. Arrive by afternoon and attend the evening aarti at the temple.
Day 9
Kedarnath to Guptkashi
16 km + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Dawn darshan, then an optional walk to the Bhairavnath temple on the ridge for the view. Descend to Gaurikund at your own pace. Take the jeep back to Sonprayag and drive to Guptkashi.
Day 10
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross the Chopta pass, past meadows and rhododendron forest, to the Alaknanda valley. Climb past Joshimath to Badrinath by late afternoon. Take a dip in the Tapt Kund and attend the evening aarti.
Day 11
Badrinath to Rudraprayag
160 km6–7 hoursNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Morning darshan and a short walk at Mana village to Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul. After lunch, drive down the valley. Overnight at Rudraprayag or Srinagar.
Day 12
Rudraprayag to Haridwar
165 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
A final drive past Devprayag and Rishikesh to Haridwar. You will have walked over 70 km on this yatra, so the comfortable car ride is well earned. The tour ends in Haridwar by afternoon.
Fitness, permit and gear
Six-week fitness plan
Weeks 1–2: brisk walk 45 minutes daily, five days a week.
Weeks 3–4: add stairs or hill walks with a 5 kg daypack.
Weeks 5–6: one long walk of 12–15 km each weekend in your trekking shoes.
Before travel: a medical check-up, especially if you are over 50 or have blood pressure or heart issues.
Permit
Entry beyond Gangotri needs a forest permit for the Gangotri National Park. Numbers are limited each day, so we start the process with your ID details well before travel. You still need the separate, free Char Dham registration for the temples.
Gear checklist
Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support
Trekking poles (useful on the moraine and descent)
Private vehicle with hill driver, Haridwar to Haridwar
Fuel, tolls, parking and state permits
Permit and registration assistance
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Gaumukh permit fee
Porters, ponies or trekking guide
Kedarnath pony, palki or helicopter
Sonprayag – Gaurikund jeep
Lunch, puja, VIP darshan
Extra nights due to weather
Insurance and personal expenses
Book with us on +91-99111 77951 (call or WhatsApp). Share your dates, group size and trekking experience, and we will send a plan with hotel options and an estimate.
Gaumukh trek with Chardham: FAQ
How difficult is the Gaumukh trek?
Moderate. It is long rather than technical: about 18 km each way with a gain of around 800 m, rough moraine near the glacier and some rockfall-prone stretches.
Why two nights at Bhojbasa?
It lets you reach Gaumukh early in clear weather, spend time there and rest at altitude, instead of walking 22 km in one day.
When is the best time for the Gaumukh trek?
May–June and mid-September to October. July and August bring rain, slippery trails and higher rockfall risk.
Can beginners do this trek?
Fit beginners can, with six weeks of preparation. The Yamunotri walk on day 2 is a good check before committing.
What is the price?
From about ₹26,500 per person for four travellers on budget hotels, from Haridwar. Permit fees and porters are extra; this is a 2027 estimate.
Is there phone signal at Bhojbasa?
Very limited. Tell your family you may be out of contact for two days.
Can I continue to Tapovan?
Tapovan needs a guide, glacier crossing and extra days. Ask us for a separate quote.
