The Gangotri National Park, one of India’s most famous high-altitude wildlife sanctuaries, is idyllically located amid the natural environs of Uttarkashi. The national park is located in the bio-geographical zone and has elevations ranging from 1,800 meters to 7,083 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 2,390 square km. One of the major attractions is the Gaumukh glacier, the origin of river Ganges which is located inside the park.
Gangotri National Park Flora-Fauna
Explore Gangotri National Park, one of the country’s most pristine areas of nature. The national park is a glimpse of heaven on earth, offering a gorgeous and attractive landscape filled with thick coniferous woods, lovely meadows, and towering glaciers. The Gaumukh- Tapovan Trek, one of the most popular hiking routes, will reunite you with nature while awe-inspiring you with its beautiful environment. The rushing pearl-like water of the Ganga making its way from its glacial beginnings creates a breathtaking scene that will take your breath away.
The Gangotri National Park, which was established in 1989, has an area of 1,553 square kilometers and rises to an elevation of 7,083 meters. Here vegetation and animals are abundant due to its unusual geographic position. Several endangered species live here, including bharal (blue sheep), black bear, brown bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan snowcock, Himalayan thar, musk deer, and snow leopard. A day among the lively animals of the national park will immerse you in a state of tranquillity and calm away from the stress and bustle of your daily life.
Places to See in Gangotri National Park
Gangotri National Park has 11 tourist attractions where visitors may spend their free time. You may see a list of all the Gangotri National Park sightseeing alternatives here and organize your trip appropriately.
Nelong Valley:- The much-talked-about Nelong Valley eventually opened to tourists in 2015, and it has since become a popular destination for adventure seekers. It is very similar to Ladakh, with high peaks and a temperature and terrain comparable to Lahaul, Spiti Valley, and Ladakh.
Gangotri Temple:- Gangotri Temple, the tallest temple devoted to Goddess Ganga, is one of the four Chota Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand, located at an elevation of 3,100 meters. Goddess Ganga is the embodiment of the venerated Ganga River. The serene white temple is bordered by Deodar and pine trees, as well as the Greater Himalayan Range. The holy river Bhagirathi, one of Ganga’s two head-streams, runs near Gangotri Temple.
Bhojbasa:- Bhojbasa is a picturesque place on the rough terrains, located at an elevation of 3,775 meters above sea level. Bhojbasa is accessible by a 14-kilometer hike beginning at Gangotri. The trail follows the Bhagirathi River over tough terrain.
Gaumukh Trek:- The Gaumukh – Tapovan – Nandanvan Circuit, one of the most popular and rewarding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas, not only allows you to sleep at the foot of a majestic Himalayan peak, but it also entails traversing the vast Gaumukh Glacier, the source of the Ganga River.
Tapovan Trek:- Tapovan is a naturally diversified environment blanketed by beautiful green grasses that are regarded as India’s best high-altitude grasslands. It is located near the famed Gangotri shrine at an elevation of 4463 meters, or 14,640 feet above sea level. Tapovan, located at the foot of Shivling Peak, is a summer home to numerous sadhus who live in caves, huts, etc.
Kedar Tal:- Kedartal, popularly known as ‘Shiva’s Lake,’ is one of Uttarakhand’s tallest lakes. This beautiful glacier lake is located in the Uttarkashi district at an elevation of 4,912 meters above sea level. The melting of the Kedar glacier creates the Kedar Ganga River, an important tributary of the Bhagirathi River.
Chirbasa:- Chirbasa is a dense thicket of high blue pine or Cheed trees found around 9 km ahead of Gangotri. This spectacular location is located at an elevation of 3,580 meters above sea level. Chirbasa, surrounded by Elysian natural beauty, is an ideal campground for hikers trekking to the Gaumukh-Tapovan trek.
Bhoj Kharak:- Bhoj Kharak, at an elevation of 3,780 meters, is a beautiful campground on the road to Kedar Tal. This sumptuous location may be reached by beginning a strenuous 8-kilometer journey from Gangotri, which can be finished in a day or so. On the approach to the Bhoj Kharak camping area, you can see the Thalay Sagar Mountain and the beautiful conifer forest.
Gangotri Glacier:- Gangotri Glacier is located in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, poised amid the majestic Garhwal Himalayas. This glacier flows from the northern slope of the Chaukhamba group of peaks. This glacier feeds the Ganga River and is the biggest glacier in the Himalayas, with an estimated volume of 27 cubic kilometers.
Kedar Kharak:- Kedar Kharak is an enthralling location that hikers come across when walking towards Kedartal. Trekkers commonly camp in Kedarkharak on their way to Kedar Tal, which is a breathtaking high-altitude lake.
Gangotri National Park is famous for
Tourists visit Gangotri National Park for Treks, Valleys, Gaumukh, Tapovan, Expeditions, Adventure, Himalayas, Mountaineering, and Peaks.
Bird Watching, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Wildlife Tourism are all prominent activities/interests at Gangotri National Park.
Opening and Closing Dates of Gangotri National Park
Every year on April 1st, the park opens to the public for the summer season. And on November 30th, Gangotri National Park closes during the winter session for all tourists.
The park is named after the Gangotri glacier, which feeds into the holy river Ganga, sustaining the whole human race. River Bhagirathi also runs through the park, maintaining the region’s animal and bird populations.
Staying in Gangotri National Park
There are various inexpensive motels along Route 108 in Uttarkashi. These motels provide a homey atmosphere without spending much. These hotels are great for travelers looking to relax after lengthy journeys.
Best time to visit Gangotri National Park
The best time to visit Gangotri National Park is from April to October.
How To Reach
By Road:- The major cities are well-connected to Gangotri by well-maintained national and state roadways. The state government and commercial firms operate frequent bus services linking Gangotri to neighboring towns and cities. There are bus services to and from Yamunotri, Mussoorie, Tehri, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and other locations.
By Train:- The nearest railway station to Gangotri is Dehradun Railway Station, which is 240 km away. To get to Gangotri, you can take a taxi, a bus, or a shared cab from Dehradun. There are regular direct and connecting trains to Dehradun from Puri, Amritsar, Mumbai, New Delhi, Howrah, Varanasi, and other Indian towns and cities.
By Air:- The nearest airport to Gangotri is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 260 km away. This is a domestic airport offering direct and connecting flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram. If you are seeking an international airport, the nearest one is in New Delhi, which has flights all over the world. You may take a taxi from Jolly Grant Airport to Gangotri or take a bus from Dehradun ISBT.
Nearby Destination
Gangotri Uttarkashi
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Kartik Gangotri National Park Uttarakhand, like the best time to visit, and how to reach, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
