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Gangotri National Park is the third-highest wildlife sanctuary in India. Nestled in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand, this national park offers a diversity of flora and fauna. As you trek up this pristine park, you will be greeted by the alpine meadows to the conifer forests and you can imagine the scenic beauty that it offers. The park is also home to rare species of wildlife like tigers, snow leopards, Asian black bears, etc, and birds such as Himalayan monal, Himalayan barbet, bulbul, and many more. The astounding part of the Gangotri National Park is that the holy river Ganga originates from here.
Gangotri National Park Location
Photo: MurderousPass / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The Gangotri National Park address lies in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. This 2390 sq. km area is visited by adventurous thrill seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers because of its many attractions. Apart from the lush meadows, this park has enticing springs, waterfalls, ridges, and snow-capped mountains that will blow your mind. The park itself is a key part of the landscape, encompassing areas around the Gangotri Glacier, the source of the Ganges River.
How To Reach Gangotri National Park
Photo: Anonymous8010 / Wikimedia Commons
The Gangotri Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible by road, railway, and flight. Many visitors take the nearest airport, railway station, or bus stand and hitchhike to the national park.
By Road: The bus station closest to the National Park is the Dehradun bus stand which is 210 kilometres away. From there you can take a taxi to the park.
By Rail: The Dehradun railway station connected to all the major cities of India is 210 kilometres away from the park. From the station hire a taxi to the Park.
By Air: The nearest air transport to the national park is at the Jolly Grant Dehradun airport, 220 kilometres away from the park.
Places To Visit In And Around The Gangotri National Park
There are many attractive places to visit in and around the Gangotri National Park to explore for visitors.
1. Tapovan
Photo: schwiki / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Tapovan trek is highly rewarding and challenging in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The trek begins in Gangotri and takes one over green pastures and rocky geography passes through glacier moraine to reveal a more breathtaking view of mountains such as Shivling, Bhagirathi, and Meru. It also offers the view of the sacred Gaumukh glacier – the origin of River Ganga – and the trek finally ends at Tapovan, a panoramic glacier of 4463 m. Tapovan means ‘abode of the deities’ and is abuzz with several ashrams and meditation encampments. It thus gives trekkers unforgettable scenic splendour, spiritualism, and
Best Time To Visit: 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
Cost/Person: ₹16,000 approx.
2. Gangotri Temple
Photo: Arupamdas / Wikimedia Commons
The temple is devoted to Hinduism’s Ganga goddess; thus, it is one of the most significant temples. It is situated at an altitude of 3100 metres in the mountains of the revered River Ganga origin. The temple was built in the 18th century by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa and merges very harmoniously with the tranquil beautiful scenery and exquisite white granite mountainous architecture. Gangotri Temple offers a Char Dham Yatra and invokes culture and spirituality from its practices, myths, and landscape.
Timings: 4 AM – 2 PM, 3 PM – 9 PM
Entry Fee: N/A
3. Pandav Gufa
Photo: Backpackerin / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Pandav Gufa, is an old place of worship situated near Gangotri. It is a cave many like to visit because of the rich historical significance it carries. According to the legend, this place once served as the shelter and meditation spot for Pandavas during their pilgrimage from Kurukshetra to Mount Kailash after the Kurukshetra War. The cave lies at an altitude of nearly 3,500 metres amidst pine forests and rocky landscapes about 1.5 km from the Gangotri Temple. The short hike up to Pandav Gufa is very scenic and attracts pilgrims and trekkers who wish to experience the peaceful surroundings, spiritual atmosphere, and richness of history.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 AM
Entry Fee: N/A
4. Dayara Bugyal
Photo: b52_Tresa / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The meadow lies at a height of over 10,000 feet. The forests are pretty in spring, and the meadows are an unbeatable green in summer; they turn orange in autumn while showing striking views of the mountains, and the snowscape in winter is amazing.. From Dayara, the pictorial sight from the Greater Himalayan range will greet you. Bandarpunch and Kala Nag summits standing on the Gangotri range are so near that you can almost feel them touch your skin. Trekkers love spending time gazing over these mountains and watching the sunset.
Timings: 12 AM – 11:59 AM
Location: Barsu Road
5. Nelong Valley
Photo: ELG21 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Nelong Valley, located in the district of Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand is a very attractive valley sequestered close to the Indo-Tibet border. Comparably, it has more landscapes in Tibet because of its sandy, high-altitude areas. It contains steep deep cliffs amidst great expanses of green wasteland and distinctive plants and animals. Due to its proximity to the border, the region remained closed to visitors for many decades but reopened in 2015. Nestled at about 3,700 metres above sea level, the valley is home to ancient wooden sculptures, a historic trade district, and views of the sweeping Tibetan Plateau. An adventurer in this environment will enjoy taking a vacation in the bosom of the Himalayas.
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Cost/Person: ₹250 per vehicle, ₹150 per person
Where To Stay & Eat
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Since this is a major tourist area, finding a decent hotel around the national park is easy and affordable. They have good hotels like Ukhimath, Prakriti, Kedarnath, Badrinath, and many more properties that will give you a comfortable stay. The average budget of the hotel is between ₹2000 – ₹3000 if you are looking for decent accommodation.
You will find roadside dhabas, vegetarian restaurants, and many more in this place. Restaurants like Himalayan Treats, Cafe Himalayan, Saket restaurant, Baba ka Dhaba, Gangotri Dhaba, and many more offer lip-smacking Indian, south-Indian, and Chinese cuisines.
Other Factors To Consider
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Here are some factors to consider before planning your trip to the Gangotri National Park area.
Best Time To Visit:
You will enjoy the Gangotri National Park from May to June and September to November. You can visit the places around the Park in pretty much the same months but you can visit Dayara Bugyal any time of the month due to the different scenic landscapes and accessibility throughout the year.
Tips For Travellers:
- Wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes and carry water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Carry essential trekking items like a torch, charged mobile, medical kit, warm clothing, light carry bags and more.
- Do not litter inside the national park and respect local customs and wildlife.
- Get the permit to enter the national park in advance before you plan to go.
The Gangotri National Park offers the best of prettier landscapes, religious aspects, and activities for the adventurous soul. A trekking enthusiast or anyone who appreciates nature will remember the beauty of high landscapes. All these attributes, however, are in sharp contrast to the tranquil pilgrimage destinations interspersed within the wilderness which is truly the characteristic of the Gangotri region. So, book a trip with TripXL and start your beautiful journey of collecting awesome memories.
Cover Photo: PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
