Gangotri Glacier

This Gangotri Glacier is situated in the Uttarkashi district that borders with China. This is one of the most important sources of Ganges and it is regarded as one of the largest glaciers having the volume of 26 cubic kilometers. It is approximately 29 kilometers long and 3 kms wide. There are certain peaks of Gangotri group and that includes the climbing routes like Thalay, Shivling, Bhagirathi III and Meru. It flows in north western direction forming the cirque below via Chaukhamba and that is one of the highest peaks as well.

The Gangotri Glacier terminus will resemble to a cow’s mouth and that is why it is known as Gomukh. It is approximately 19 kms from Gangotri town. It is one of the most essential Bhagirathi River sources and is a significant Ganges tributary. It is situated very much close to the Shivling base lying between Tapovan meadows. This is also one essential Hindu pilgrimage site and many Hindu people bathe in this icy water which is very much close to Gangotri town and you can also do trekking to Tapovan as well as Gomukh.

Geology

This glacier is similar to a valley and it is present in Garhwal Uttarkashi district, Uttaranchal, Himalaya. It flows in North West direction. It is bound between 30°43'22"–30°55'49" as well as 79°4'41"–79°16'34". This also has an extended height from 4100 to 7000 and it is located in north of Central Main thrust and it is composed of garnet schist, granites and also auger banded gneiss. This is also composed of depositional features like talus cones and snow bridges as well as mounds of dead ice, erosion features similar to ridge crests, conical peaks and glacial troughs, tails and crags, rock basins, waterfalls, glacial lakes and gullies. There are longitudinal as well as transverse crevasses which are formed when blocks of ice will be getting broken down. Its ablation Gangotri zone covers through the supra-glacial moraines and can be easily characterized through sections of ice and supra-glacial melting pools. The reason being subsidence and its fast nature of degeneration, this centre gets full from supra-glacial lakes. In higher Himalayan region, glaciers will be dominating fluvial system. Its cover is approx 200 km square having a volume of 19 km cube.

Source

This is one of the glaciers having 3 tributaries namely Raktvarn (15 km), Kirti (11 kms) and Chaturangi (22kms) and has 19 small tributary glaciers. It is one of the systems that comprises of 7 glaciers- Swetvarn, Thelu, Pilapani and Nilambar and all of them being very much essential. These Suralaya, Seeta as well as Vasuki are the most essential tributaries that make the complete Chaturangi system and Kirti system comprising of 3 tributary glaciers. There are 3 significant systems of tributaries and they will be directly draining in Gangotri Glacier and that is inclusive of Miandi, Swachand, Ghanohim and Sumeru.

Tourism

This glacier can be easily approached. It is also connected via motorable road till Gangotri temple and that is approx 15 kms. A long path bridle will be following till the Bhagirathi river bank till Gomukh and that is glacier snout. This is easily approachable through Gangotri and it is also connected to main destinations and that includes Tehri, Uttarkashi as well as Rishikesh.

Trek

Base camp is Gangotri Glacier-Temple of Gangotri till Gangotri Glacier and that is 16 kms.

This region is regarded as trekker’s paradise and this is one of the most thrilling experiences for all those who love adventure and they can enjoy rock climbing as well. This trek will be passing through pine coniferous trees orchard and therefore making a memorable experience. Some of the main destinations involved by trekking routes are Lanka, Bhojbasa, Nandavan, Gomukh as well as Tapovan. This trekking route will be providing you with spectacular views of many peaks such as Sudarshana, Shivling, Thel, Kedar and Bhagirathi. You can also indulge yourselves camping and these areas include- Bhagirathi, Meru, Shivling and Kedardom. This area is visited 2 times a year and that is between April till June as well as September till November. Ashrams as well as Budget hotels are easily available for accommodation.

How to Reach

By Road

This Gangotri glacier is easily approachable via Gangotri (16kms trek starting at Gangotri till Gomukh). It is easily connected with main destinations such as Uttarkashi (98 kms), Tehri (172 kms) as well as Rishikesh (257 kms).

By Rail

Rishikesh is the nearest railhead.

By Airways

Dehradun is the nearest airport.

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