76 Harsil Uttarkashi Treks
Day-treks from Uttarkashi and Harsil in the Gangotri area of Uttarakhand, India
Background, Trek Summary, Pictures and Videos of the these Treks:
On the Gartang Gali trek staircase (at Lanka Bridge near Harsil, Gangotri) I met a gentleman from Nainital (who was also 74 years old, like me) and his wife!
Background
It was nearly 5 years since I did any treks with my old trekking friend Sadanand Kamath (SK), So when in late summer of 2022, he suggested a 1 week trip to Uttarkashi for short day-treks from Uttarkashi and Harsil (in Gangotri area), I readily agreed.
SK did all the planning and bookings for our Homestays in Uttarkashi (at Eagle's Nest homestay of our mutual friend Tilak Soni ) and at Sundar Homestay at Harsil. We left from Mumbai by flight on 8th Oct 2022 to Dehradun and returned back on 15th October, See detailed itinerary in footer below.
The beautiful front garden of our "Sundar Homestay" at Harsil . . . . it was overflowing with flowers and apples! A great place to stay.
Tilak Soni's restaurant "The Food Habit" at Mondo near Uttarkashi . . . . on the Bhagirathi river bank
A selfie by Tilak Soni in his restaurant "The Food Habit" .. of SK and me with two other guests there Krishna and Varsha
SK at Entry Gate and starting point of the Gartang Trek
Trek Summary:
We did 3 day-treks, two Village visits and a Gangotri Visit
the Treks were: (1) Nachiketa Taal trek from Chowrangi Khal near Uttarkashi (2) Gartang Gali trek and (3) Lama Top trek from Harsil.
Two Heritage Village visits: Bagori Village & Mukhba Village from Harsil.
We also did a quick day-trip visit to Gangotri though it was drizzling rain when we were there.
Trek Blog:
I am not writing a detailed diary for this trip; Fellow trekker Sadanand Kamath (SK) has already done the blog in 5 parts and written great details about this trip. Here are the 5 links to his blog. Do read all of them:
2 Harsil & Bagori Village Visit
Itinerary: See the day-wise itinerary in the footer below
Entry gateway to Bagori Village .... a settlement of Bhutias who traded with Tibet via the Nelang Valley trade routes before 1962
Gangotri Temple on a drizzly rainy day
Nachiketa Taal
A Bagori village home made of carved wooden panels
View from Lama Top of surrounding snow peaks at Harsil
Me at Lama Top (nera Harsil) ... pic by Sadanand Kamath
The Maa Ganga Mandir at Mukhoba Village (3 Km from Harsil) where the Idol from Gangotri iTemple s brought down during winter months. Also Mt Srikanthak and range seen on the left from the temple front yard.
Snow peaks seen North towards Gangotri range from the Tekla bridge on Baghirathi river in Uttarkashi (near Tilak Soni's homestay "Eagle's Nest")
A Bagori Village home with a wall painting
Mukhba Village Traditional Homes
Google Map showing Uttarkashi, Eagles Nest and Route to Nachiketa Tal
Map showing Sundar Homestay at Harsil, Lama Top, Route to Gartang Gali Trek starting point
Some Videos shot during this Trip: (to be added later)
Day-wise Itinerary (Actual)
08 Oct 22 Flight Mumbai (7:20AM) to Dehradun (9:15AM) Taxi Dehra Dun (10AM) to Uttarkashi Eagle's Nest (3:45PM)
09 Oct 22 Taxi Uttarkashi (9:15AM ) to Chourangi Khal (10:15AM); Trek to Nachiketa Taal (12Noon), Parikrama & Back to Chaurangi Khal (12:45PM) and then back to Uttarkashi (3:45PM)
10 Oct 22 Taxi Uttarkashi to GMVN, Harsil (2:20PM) and an afternoon walking tour of nearby Bagori Village (3pm to 4:30PM)
11 Oct 22 Taxi Harsil (9AM) to Lanka Bridge (9:45AM) , Gartang Gali Trek (9:45AM to 12:15PM) and Taxi to Gangotri Visit and back (1;00PM to 3:15PM)
12Oct 22 Trek from Harsil ( 9:30AM) to Lama Top and back by (12:45PM)
13Oct 22 Taxi Harsil (9:45AM), first a visit to Mukhba village (30mins) and then continued to Uttarkashi (1:00PM)