Gangotri and Yamunotri Trek
Perched
at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi
district of the northern state of Uttaranchal. It is very close to the Indo-Chinese
border and is surrounded by the Himalayan offshoots on all sides. Yamunotri,
lies near the Bandarpunch Mountain, which is 6315 m high and lies to the north.
The glacial lake of Saptarishi Kund, on the Kalind Parbat, at an altitude of
4421 m, is the real source of the Yamuna River. Yamunotri is at a distance of
278 km from Dehradun, 236 km from Rishikesh, 176 km from Chamba, and 21 km from
Sanya Chatti. It remains cool even during summers. The winters are snow-bound
and temperatures fall below 0°C. One is advised to carry light or heavy
woolens depending on the time of visit. Best season to visit is May-June and
September-October.
Yamunotri, the source of the river Yamuna, is the western most shrine in the
Garhwal Himalayas, located on a flank of the Bandarpunch peak (the revered
shrine of Yamunotri, source of the shadow of the 6,315 mts high Bandarpunch
mountain). It constitutes one of the four most important pilgrimages, collectively
called 'char dham' of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Just
like Gangotri (the place where the river Ganges originates) Yamunotri is the
place where the river Yamuna originates. This pilgrim centre is in the Uttarkashi
region at a height of 3233 mts above sea level on the western side of the Banderpoonch
peak which is at a height of 6316 mts above sea level. The last bus stop is
Hanuman Chatti which is 14 kms away by foot.
The actual source of river Yamuna lies a further one km. ahead of Yamunotri,
at an altitude of 4,421 m, and the trek to this place is extremely difficult,
so pilgrims usually offer obeisance at the Yamunotri temple itself. Legend
has it that a sage, Asit Muni, used to reside at this secluded spot in ancient
times. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess
Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (7 km. away). This ancient
temple was made by the King of Tehri, Pratap Shah in 1919. It is said that
the temple of Yamunotri was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the last
decade of the 19th century. In 1923 this was destroyed, with only the idols
left, and was rebuilt. It was once again damaged in 1982. A hot water pool
at Yamunotri is used for the preparation of "PRASAD" normally rice
and potatoes, cooked by dipping them in the hot water, tied in cloth bags.
During
winters this place is buried under a heavy blanket of snow, so the approach
is extremely difficult. The track along the river bank is quite magnificent,
dominated by a wide panorama of mountains. The whole trek to the temple passes
through many large and small rivers, lakes, canals, forests, waterfalls, villages
and meadows.
For reaching Yamunotri, one has to undertake a 220 km journey from Rishikesh
to Hanumanchatti, where the motorable road ends. The remaining 13 km journey
has to be covered on foot or on ponies.
The temple remains closed during the winter months of Nov. to April.
Yamunotri is famous for its trekking routes. The trek route from Hanuman Chatti
to Yamunotri is 14 km and takes about 5 hours. It is a picturesque route through
the countryside following the river track.
The Dodi Tal track, which links Gangotri and Yamunotri, is a famous trek route.
It starts from Kalyani, en route Gangotri from Uttar Kashi. It then goes on
to Agoda, Dodi Tal (3024 m), Darwa Top (4130 m), Shima and finally Hanuman
Chatti. The entire route is about 60 km long and takes about four days to
complete.
There
is another trek from Hanuman Chatti to Phul Chatti and from Janki Chatti to
Kharsali.
Both routes, from Rishikesh or Dehra Dun converge at Barkot, a place of great
scenic beauty, with apple orchards all around and the great Himalaya range
forming the skyline. Actual trekking starts from Hanuman Chatti, the road
to which is motorable. Buses ply from Rishikesh/Dehra Dun/Barkot.
GANGOTRI TO YAMUNOTRI VIA DODITAL
This is a trek of great beauty between Kalyani & Hanuman Chatti, a distance
of 49 km. You can do a round trip from either end.
From Uttarkashi take a local bus to Gangotri & get off at the confusingly
named Gangotri (3 km) or walk it. Here take the track to your left up to Kalyani
(1,829 m), the recognized starting point of the trek. From here it gets steeper
as the path climbs trough forest to Agoda (2,280 , 5 km), a suitable camping
or halting place. The next day carry to Dodital (3,024 m), picturesquely set
in a forest of pine. deodar & oak. This is the source of Asi Ganga &
is stocked with trout. There is a Forest Rest House. Above the lake there
are fine views of Bander Punch (6,378 m, Monkey's tail). To reach Hanuman
Chatti (2,400 m) walk up to the Aineha Pass (3,667 m, 6 km) which also has
splendid views. Then it is a 22 km walk down to Hanuman Chatti, the road head
for Yamunotri.
Yamunotri, via Dodi Tal
This
is an interesting trek wich starts from Uttarkashi, situated at the bank of
Bhagirathi (Ganga) river, and reaches Yamunotri , the source of Yamuna river.
The bus journey from Delhi to Uttarkashi is the same to Gangotri-Gaumukh trek.
Due to acute lake of accommodation facilities at Yamunotri, pilgrims usually
do not halt, but return the same day to Janakibai Chatti after the visit.
Possible Ity For Gangotri and Yamunotri Trek
Duration : 17 Days
Places Covered : Delhi - Mussoorie - Uttarkashi - Gangotri - Gaumukh
- Tapovan - Gaumukh - Raktwarn Glacier - Kalyani - Malla - Dodital - Hanuman
Chatti - Yamunotri - Saptrishi Kund - Simli - Mussoorie - Delhi.
Day 1 : Delhi to Mussoorie (2005mt.) 300 kms Road
Day 2 : Sightseeing in around Mussoorie
Day 3 : Mussoorie to Uttarkashi (1158mt.)150 kms Road
Day 4 : Uttarkashi to Gangotri (2789mt.)88kms Road
Day 5 : Gangotri to Gaumukh (3892mt.)19 kms. Trek
Day 6 : Gaumukh to Tapoban (4463mt.) 30kms. Trek
Tapoban to Gaumukh
Day 7 : Gaumukh to Nandanban (4337 mt.) 12 kms. Trek
Nandanban to Gaumukh
Day 8 : Gaumukh to Raktwarn Glacier
Raktwarn Glacier to Gaumukh
Day 9 : Gaumukh to Gangotri 19kms. Trek
Day 10 : Gangotri to Kalyani (1892 mt.) 82 kms Road
Kalyani to Malla 5 kms. Trek
Day 11 : Malla to Dodital (2073 mt.)16 kms Trek
Day 12 : Dodital to Hanuman Chatti (2400 mt. )30 kms Trek
Day 13 : Hanuman C. to Yamunotri shrine (3185 mt.) 14 kms Trek
Day 14 : Yamunotri to Saptrishi Kund (to & fro)
Day 15 : Yamunotri to Simli 22kms. Trek
Day 16 : Simli to Mussoorie 102 kms. Road
Day 17 : Mussoorie to Delhi 300 kms Road
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