It is located at an elevation of 3553 metres. The Vasuki Tal, which is approximately 5 kilometres up from Kedarnath in the district of Rudraprayag is a high altitude, clear blue glacial lake with snow-laden Himalayan ranges which form the backdrop for this holy site surrounded by Chaukhamba peaks.
During the trek, one will pass through regions rich with Himalayan Brahma Kamals and rare wildflowers growing around the lake. Camping at the shore of this glacial lake is a unique part of your holy trek to Kedarnath. Vasuki Tal which is a high altitude glacial lake at 14,200 feet. It is at the foot of Mt. Satopanth and Vasuki Parbat.
The famous trekking destinations covered on this trek are – Gomukh, Tapovan and Nandanvan. While on this trek, one will also witness Sadhus meditating here who permanently settled and are living in caves.
After the town suffered extensive destruction back in June 2013, the new route to Kedarnath diverts from Sonprayag to Gomkara, where one needs to cross the River Vasuki Ganga. The Kedarnath Vasuki Tal trek continues to ascend towards Dev Vishnu en route through a dense alpine forest and thereafter turns to head to Dhungaj Giri. From Dhungaj Giri the journey steeply ascends to Kedarnath and further, a climb of 5 kilometres leads to Vasuki Tal. The downhill trek from Vasuki Tal follows the same route.
The Gangotri Tapovan, Nandanvan Trek offers a view of the beautiful peaks of the Gangotri region namely Shivling, Bhagirathi hovering over you throughout the trek. The campsite of Tapovan has Shivling towering over you. It is also the base camp of over 5 -6 himalayan peaks. Whie on this trek, one can get an up close view of Mt. Shivling, Bhagirathi I; Bhagirathi II; Bhagirathi III; Mt. Meru; Mt. Satopanth and Kedar Dome.
The Gangotri Tapovan Vasuki Tal trek falls under the Gangotri National Park. The restriction increases the trek operation cost and it often puts the cost out -of-proportion for smaller sized groups, but looking towards the benefits of restricting over sized trek groups and permit fees levied even on the locals.
Dehradun – Rishikesh – Narendranagar – Chamba – Tehri – Ghansali – Chibitiga – Mayali – Tilwada – Agastyamuni – Kund – Guptkashi – Phata – Gaurikund – Kedarnath – Chorabari – Bamak glacier – Vasuki Tal.
Dehradun – Gangotri – Chirbasa camp – Bhojbasa camp – Gomukh – Tapovan camp (Nil Tal and Shivling base camp) – Nandanvan camp – Vasuki Tal – Nandanvan – Bhojbasa camp – Gangotri- Dehradun
The trek to Vasuki Tal is generally completed in the day itself from Kedarnath, with trekkers returning to Kedarnath to spend the night. Vasuki Tal is just 900 metres downhill from the Vasuki Top.
The entire Vasuki lake is outlined with the unique and beautiful Himalayan flowers known as Brahma Kamal. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had descended onto the earthly realm into this lake for a holy bath during the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Visiting this place and trekking at this place should be preferred to be done during the summer and spring months of May to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October. Since the lake is situated on an extremely high altitude, this place experiences low temperatures during the winter months along with freezing weather conditions and even snowfall on some occasions. Trekking activity is not possible during the winter months. Trekking during rainy and winter seasons is not allowed since the entire region becomes prone to unpredictable landslides.
Gaumukh : It is located in the Uttarkashi district of the state Uttarakhand. It is located where the Gangotri Glacier ends at a height of 13,200 ft. Gaumukh is the second-largest glacier of India, the first one being Siachen. One of the most popular and rewarding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas, Gaumukh – Tapovan – Nandanvan Circuit not only gives you the opportunity to camp at the foot of lofty Himalayan peak but it also involves crossing the massive Gaumukh Glacier, the origin of Ganga River. The Himalayan peaks visible during this trek are Shivling, Sudarshan, Meru, Bhagirathi sisters, Kharchkund and more.
Tapovan : Tapovan is perched at an elevation of 4463 metres about 14,640 feet above sea level and is situated near the famous Gangotri shrine. At the foot of Shivling peak, Tapovan is a seasonal home to several sadhus living in caves, huts etc. The meaning of Tapovan is a tranquil holy place, where sages meditate to attain spirituality. It is a high altitude meadow at a height of 4,500 m. It lies on the bank of massive Gangotri glacier and at the base of lofty Shivling peak. However, Tapovan trek starts from Gangotri and goes through some adventurous regions of the Himalayas, taking one to the base of Mt. Shivling.
Guptakashi : It is located at an elevation of 1,319 metres (4,327 ft) in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The name Gupt Kashi means “Hidden Benares,” and the town’s sacred identity plays on its identity with the more famous pilgrimage site. The temple town is located on the way to the Kedarnath, one of the Chota Char Dhams and Panch Kedars. It has the scenic backdrop of the snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba and enjoys a salubrious weather throughout the year. Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places.
Phata : On the route to Kedarnath in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, Phata is a small village located strategically and commercially on the Gopeshwar- Gaurikund road. At an altitude of 1500 mts it is famous for having a helipad used by pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham, situated 32 km from Kedarnath. From Phata, there will be an 8 minutes journey to Kedarnath Dham in a chopper. Phata becomes a resting stop for the pilgrims who want to stay the night or for refreshments while on their way to visit Kedarnath. This place also serves as a centre point to many other various beautiful and popular destinations.
Gaurikund : Situated at an elevation of 2,650 mts above sea level, Janki Chatti is familiarly known for its hot water springs. Janki Chatti encompasses the last village in the region and it acts as the major hub for the pilgrims travelling to Yamunotri. The thermal springs of Janki Chatti act as an inevitable part of the Yamunotri pilgrimage. Ponies and palanquins are available at Janki Chatti. Janki Chatti is surrounded by mountains on all sides and lies in close proximity to the Indo-China border.
Nandanvan : It lies at a height of 15,780 feet at the base of Bhagirathi massif. Therefore, the journey connects many Hindu holy sites and takes one to the source of River Ganga “Gomukh which is the snout of Gangotri glacier. During the Nandanvan Trek, get the thrilling experience of crossing Gangotri glacier. Nandanvan is a beautiful lavish meadow located on the base of Bhagirathi Group 1, 2, 3 with the magnificent views of Mt. Shivling, Mt. Kedar Dome and Mt. Meru. The campsite is windy and offers great sight of snow covered peaks. Set up your camps here and settle for the day.
Bamak Glacier : One of the most visited glaciers is Tiprabamak in Uttarakhand. Bamak is the local name of Tipra Bamak glacier which is a long glacier about 5 km of the Bhyundar Ganga basin in the Alaknanda catchment. Run in this basin almost 16 glaciers varying shapes and sizes, adjoining the Ratanban glaciers are of significance and out of Tiprabamak. From the single ice cave emerges the melted ice of the Rataban glacier and Tiprabamak glacier at the snout of Tiprabamak. Karnaprayag, Khatyari, Nainisain, Kausani and Kandara are the nearby cities of Tiprabamak Glacier. At the foothills of the Kagbhusandi mountain ranges will lead you to the popular valley of flowers from there a 4 km trek.
Bhojbasa : Arranged at a height of 3,775 mts above ocean level. Bhojbasa can be reached by a 14 kms trek that begins from Gangotri. The trek experiences tough territories alongside the Bhagirathi River. Bhojwasa is the last and the only point of accommodation on the trek to the sacred Gaumukh Glacier. It is located 5 kms before Gaumukh Glacier, the source or origin of the Ganges. Transports to Uttarkashi and Gangotri are very easily available from Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Chirbasa : Chirbasa, a dense thicket of lofty blue pine or chir trees is located about 9 km ahead of Gangotri. This magnificent place is perched at an altitude of 3,580 metres above sea level. Girdled by the Elysian natural beauty, Chirbasa makes a perfect campsite for the trekkers heading to Gaumukh-Tapovan trek.
There is a long ceremonial puja at the time of opening of Kedarnath shrine Kedarnath. The Kapaat opening day is one of the auspicious moments for many pilgrims visiting Kedarnath from all round the country and the world. The gates open for the pilgrims to take darshan only after first opening Puja at Kedarnath Temple by priests. The opening date and time of Kedarnath Temple depends on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritya and is declared on the Maha Shiva Ratri.
The shrine is also closed for 6 months. The town, built around the revered Kedarnath temple, is located at an altitude of 3,580 m, near Chorabari glacier, which is the source of the Mandakini river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple has exquisite architecture and is built of extremely large but evenly shaped grey stone slabs. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.
One of the char dhams (the most sacred pilgrimage circuits in northern India with four holy destinations), Gangotri, in Uttarkashi, is a small town with the temple of Goddess Ganga at its heart. According to Hindu legends, the most sacred of all rivers, Ganges (or Ganga), descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri, when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his locks. The actual origin of the river is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier, 19 km away from Gangotri and is accessible by trekking. After it originates from Gaumukh, the river is known as Bhagirathi and it acquires the name ‘Ganga’ after the river Alaknanda merges into it near the town of Devprayag.
While on a Kedar Dham and Gangotri Yatra of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, adventure lovers can plan a trekking trip to Vasuki Tal as well.
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