Gaumukh Tapovan Trek: Distance, Permit and Plan from Gangotri

Facts checked November 2026.

For many Ganga devotees, seeing the very place where the Bhagirathi comes out of the ice is the high point of a lifetime. Gaumukh is not a temple visit, though; it is a proper high-altitude trek inside a national park, with a daily limit on numbers. This guide sets out the route and distances from official sources, the permit steps, a sensible day plan, and who should and should not attempt it.

This page is part of our Gangotri and Yamunotri Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Char Dham and Do Dham yatra packages.

What and where is Gaumukh?

Gaumukh (also written Gomukh) is the snout of the Gangotri glacier, where the Bhagirathi river emerges. The Uttarkashi district website gives its height as 13,200 ft (4,023 m). The Bhagirathi takes the name Ganga from Devprayag, where it meets the Alaknanda. The name Gaumukh means “cow’s mouth”, from the shape the ice face was said to have.

Gaumukh lies inside Gangotri National Park, beyond Gangotri temple in Uttarkashi district. The official Char Dham portal places Gangotri temple at 3,100 m.

How long is the Gaumukh trek from Gangotri?

Official figures differ, mainly because the glacier snout moves and the trail is measured from different points:

For planning, assume 18 to 19 km each way to the glacier, and more if you go on to Tapovan.

Do you need a permit for Gaumukh, and how do you get one?

Yes. Entry to Gangotri National Park needs a permit from the forest department, and the Gaumukh–Tapovan trail is capped at 150 visitors a day. GMVN notes that permission comes from the District Forest Officer, Uttarkashi.

1. Apply early: permits can be obtained online through the Pathik portal or at the Uttarkashi forest office, as reported by Outlook Traveller for the 2026 season. In peak weeks the daily limit fills, so apply as soon as your dates are fixed.
2. Keep your ID ready: carry the same photo identity you used for the permit, and a copy of the permit itself.
3. Fee: Outlook Traveller reported a fee of around Rs 150 per person for Indians in 2026. Confirm the current amount when you apply.
4. Check in at the checkpost: park checkposts open at 6 am. Start early and reach your halt before sunset.

This permit is separate from the free, compulsory Char Dham registration. Our Char Dham registration guide covers that.

When is the Gaumukh trek open?

Gangotri National Park is open from 1 April to 30 November and closed in winter, from December to March. In 2026 it reopened on 1 April, with the Gaumukh route still partly under snow in early April, as reported by Outlook Traveller. In practice, many trekkers go between May and June or in September and October, when Gangotri temple is also open. The monsoon months bring rain, slippery moraine and a higher risk of rockfall.

Gangotri temple’s own dates are on our Gangotri opening and closing date page.

A sensible plan for the Gaumukh trek

GMVN’s own package runs over 7 days from Rishikesh, including the road days and a day at Tapovan. If you add Tapovan, keep an extra night there.

What is Tapovan, and should you go?

Tapovan is a high meadow above Gaumukh, known for its views of Mount Shivling and the Bhagirathi peaks. The climb from Gaumukh crosses the glacier and is steep and loose. Go only with an experienced local guide, good fitness and a clear weather window. Kedartal, a glacial lake at roughly 4,750 m in the same park, is another serious trek and not a side visit on a yatra.

How difficult is the Gaumukh trek?

GMVN grades it as a “high altitude mild trek”. In practice, the distance, the height above 4,000 m and the loose rock in the last stretch make it hard for anyone who is not used to walking in the mountains. Common problems are headaches and breathlessness from the altitude, tired knees on the way down, and cold at night.

• Spend at least one night at Gangotri before starting.
• Walk slowly, drink water often and eat well.
• Turn back if anyone has a severe headache, vomiting, confusion or chest pain.
• Read our altitude sickness guide before you go.

Is the Gaumukh trek suitable for senior citizens or children?

For most elderly yatris and young children, no. Gangotri temple itself is reached by road and is one of the easiest dhams to visit, so older family members can take darshan at Gangotri and Bhairon Ghati while fit members do the trek. Our Gangotri temple guide covers darshan, timings and what to see near the temple.

What should you carry?

• Permit, photo ID and Char Dham registration slip.
• Warm layers, a windproof jacket, cap, gloves and thermal wear; nights at Bhojwasa are cold even in June.
• Trekking shoes with ankle support, and a walking stick or poles.
• Raincoat, torch, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Water bottle, dry snacks, a basic first-aid kit and your regular medicines.
• A bag to carry all your waste back out of the park.

Our Char Dham packing list has the full list.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar includes Gangotri darshan with two nights at Uttarkashi. We can add extra days at Gangotri for family members who want to trek to Gaumukh, while the rest of the group rests. Call or WhatsApp us on +91 78178 98687 to plan.

Frequently asked questions

How many km is Gaumukh from Gangotri?

Official pages give 17 km (Uttarkashi district, Gomukh page) and 19 km (Uttarkashi district, Gangotri page); GMVN says about 18 km. Plan for 18 to 19 km each way.

Is a permit required for the Gaumukh trek?

Yes. A Gangotri National Park permit is compulsory, and only 150 people a day are allowed on the Gaumukh–Tapovan trail. Apply online or at the Uttarkashi forest office.

What is the Gaumukh permit fee?

Outlook Traveller reported about Rs 150 per person for Indians in 2026. Confirm the current fee when you apply, as it is revised from time to time.

When is the Gaumukh trek open?

Gangotri National Park is open from 1 April to 30 November. Early in the season the trail can still have snow.

Where do you stay on the Gaumukh trek?

Most trekkers stay at Bhojwasa, about 14 km from Gangotri, and visit Gaumukh the next morning. Facilities there are basic.

What is the height of Gaumukh?

The Uttarkashi district website gives 13,200 ft (4,023 m).

Can senior citizens do the Gaumukh trek?

It is not advised for most elderly yatris. The distance, altitude and loose rock make it demanding. Elders can take darshan at Gangotri temple, which is reached by road.

How many days does the Gaumukh trek take?

Usually three to four days from Gangotri, including a night at Bhojwasa. Add more days if you go on to Tapovan.