Day 1: Delhi – briefing at IMF
We will greet you at Delhi international airport and drive you to your hotel. After lunch, we will go to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation where we will get our climbing permit and meet our Liaison Officer. We can also visit the mountaineering museum in the same building.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 2: Drive Delhi – Dehradun (Approx 6 hrs drive)
Around 5-6 hrs drive will take us from Delhi to Dehradun.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3: Drive Dehradun – Uttarkashi (1,150m / 3,773ft, 5-6hrs)
We will drive to Uttarkashi through the mountain hills. Last sort out of the equipments. Overnight at a guest house or hotel.
Day 4: Drive Uttarkashi to Gangotri (3,046m / 9,993ft, 4-5 hrs)
We will follow the Bhagirathi river on a narrow exposed mountain road to reach Gangotri. Gangotri is a sacred place for the Hindus as it is the source of the River Ganga and so it is visited by many pilgrims.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 5: Acclimatisation day in Gangotri
We will make final equipment preparations and acclimatise to Gangotri’s altitude by going on a short acclimatisation walk.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 6: Acclimatisation trek: Gangotri – Chirbasa (3,548m / 11,640ft, 4hrs)
Before starting our trek, we will visit the temple and take the blessings. We will trek towards Gaumukh (the beginning of the Gangotri glacier) and will be able to see the impressive Bhagirathi group of peaks. We will camp at Chirbasa, next to the Bhagirathi river.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 7: Acclimatisation trek: Chirbasa – Bhojbasa (3,784m / 12,415ft, 2hrs)
We will continue trekking to reach Bhojbasa and become acclimatised to this altitude.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 8: Acclimatisation trek: Bhojbasa – Nandanvan (4,420m / 14,501ft, 5hrs)
We will follow the pilgrim’s path to reach Gaumukh, the beginning of the Gangotri glacier. We also will be crossing a glacial moraine to make our way to the meadows of Nandanvan, at the base of the Bhagirathi peaks. You will see a magnificent view of Shivling peak, Meru and Kedar Dome.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 9: Acclimatisation trek: Nandanvan – Vasuki Tal (Satopanth Base Camp, 4,920m / 16,142ft, 3-4hrs)
With views of the Shivling and Meru upon starting out, we move forward into the Vasuki glacial moraine. We will see today’s destination, the Vasuki Tal (Satopanth Base Camp), as we climb up a short fixed line at the foot of the north-west ridge of the Vasuki Parbat.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 10: Satopanth Base Camp
Today is a rest and acclimatise day at Base Camp. We will prepare the equipment, gear and food for the climb ahead to the higher camps and have the opportunity to explore around Vasuki Tal.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 11 – 22: Climbing days (including rest days and contingency days)
Base camp (4,920m / 16,142ft) to Camp 1 (5,400m / 17,717ft, approx. 5hrs)
We walk on grass covered moraine between the Chaturangi glacier and Vasuki Parbat initially and descend on to scree moraine of the Sundar glacier to reach our camp.
Camp 1 (5400m / 17,717ft) to Camp 2 (6,100m / 20,013ft, approx. 6hrs)
To reach Camp 2 we have to use fixed ropes to first to cross a small glacier to reach the base of a steep rock climb. If it snows, this becomes a mixed snow and rock climb. There are good holds and the gradient declines slightly after the steep start. Fixed ropes will ensure safety and an easier passage. Afterwards, we will climb through a snow gully to a small col, which would be our Camp 2.
Summit day (7,075m / 23,212ft, approx. 8-10hrs or more)
The climb towards the summit is first on the famous knife ridge, then gradually on a gentle slope of snow and some rock scree. It is a steep short climb near the summit. The summit view is magnificent.
Day 23: Satopanth Base Camp – Bhojbasa
Today we walk from Satopanth Base Camp to Bhojbasa after an early breakfast.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 24: Bhojbasa – Gangotri – Uttarkashi
We will trek from Bhojbasa to Gangotri and drive to Uttarkashi.
Overnight stay in guest house/hotel.
Day 25: Uttarkashi – Dehradun
We will drive from Uttarkashi to Dehradun.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 26: Drive Dehradun – Delhi.
About in approx 6hrs we drive back to Delhi.
Day 27: Delhi – Fly back home
Here, the expedition officially ends.
Please note:
This itinerary is approximate. Clients are embarking on adventure travel in a remote mountain region and the itinerary is subject to weather, road conditions, vehicles and local availability of Porters. Ri Guides will make every effort to see that clients acclimatize completely, and complete and enjoy their trip.