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| Dokriyani Bamak |
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| (Bamak is the local name for the glaciers) is another well developed medium-sized glacier of the Bhagirathi basin.
The glacier is formed by two cirques, originating at the northern slope of Draupadi-Ka-Danda and Jaonli peak, 5600 m and
6000 m respectively. The glacier is 5 km long and flows in the northwest direction terminating at an elevation of 3800 m.
The stream originating from the glacier's melting water is called Dingad which later joins many other snow / ice melted
streams and finally merges into Bhagirathi river near Bukki village.There are several well- developed meadows and proglacial
lakes located 2 km below the snout of the glacier. These meadows, lakes and other formations themselves tell us the past
history and behaviour of the glacier and also provides good camping sites. |
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The glacier is easily approachable from Uttarkashi. Nearly 56 km from Uttarkashi on the road to Gangotri, Bukki village is
2 km from the bus terminus situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi river. On way to Dokriani glacier, one has to walk 23 km
from the road (Bukki village). After crossing the Bhagirathi river a footpath flows along the steep mountain slopes up to
Tela camp (2500 m), from Tela to Gujjar hut a 12 km run along the Dingad stream is a route offered to cross the several up
and down ridges, many samll and big streams and dense mixed forests of deodar, rhododendron (burans), oak, pine etc. provide
an atmosphere of perfect peace and tranquility. Overwhelmed by such heart-touching beauty one crosses the way without
difficulties. Gujjar Hut (a summer camp of Gujjars with their buffaloes) is located at a height of 3500 m, just 5 km below
the Dokriani glacier. Gujjar Hut is the gateway of the valley.
The valley has a gentle slope with different land features formed by the glacier and surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
This place is good for camping and one can walk up to the glacier and adjoining areas and climb the small peaks. Only Gujjar
huts and a base camp (near the glacier snout) of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun lie on the way. One visiting
the area has to make his own arrangement for food, tents and light warm clothes. The best season to visit is through out
summer and autumn. Besides the above two glaciers, Kedar, Rudugaira and Jaonli are some other glaciers which are approachable
by the same way. |
Trek
Base camp Nainital
Bukki to Dokriani Glacier 23 km.
Bukki to Bukki village 2 km.
Bukki to Kheratal 17 km.
Kheratal to Dokriani Glacier 5 km.
Bukki to Uttarkashi 34 km.
Uttarkashi to Rishikesh 149 km.
Accessibility
Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 162 km.
Rail : Nearest railway station is at Rishikesh, 145 km.
Road : Uttarkashi is well connected by motor able road to Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and other major towns of the state
and region. |
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| Gangotri Glacier |
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| One of the holiest glaciers of Uttaranchal, the Gangotri Glacier has a special significance in the history of India as well as the history of Hinduism. Famous for being the source of the River Ganges, one of the most sacred rivers of India, a tour to the Gangotri Glacier is considered to be one of the important pilgrimages that a devout Hindu should undertake. A trekker’s paradise, the Gangotri Glacier is one of the most important tourist attractions of Uttaranchal and a definite must visit while on a tour to Uttaranchal.Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, in the district of Uttarkashi, the Gangotri Glacier is not a single valley glacier but a combination of a number of glaciers, which are fed into the main glacier and end up forming a huge chunk of ice. |
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These glaciers include Hrigupanth (6772m), Kirti stambh (6285), Sumeru Parvat (6380) respectively and Ratavana Bamak, Chaturangi Bamak and Swachand Bamak. Easily approachable, the Gangotri Glacier is known for its smooth surface, which allows a smooth flow except in certain places where ice walls and crevices have developed over the ages.
The route which leads to the Gangotri Glacier is picturesque and culminates to reach the famous Gangotri Temple, one of the most respected temples in Uttaranchal.
Largest Himalayan Glacier :
One of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas, Gangotri originates at 7,100 meters above sea level and descends to a height of 4,000 meters, covering around 143 square kilometers in northern and eastern India. Its estimated volume is 27.75 cubic kilometers.However, the length and volume of glaciers are not stable. They are dependent on mass balance, and therefore, on climate. |
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| Bandarpunch Glacier |
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| Winding roads leading to the most picturesque vales imaginable while, smiling faces usher you to their land… welcome to Uttaranchal, the “abode of the Gods”. Surrounded by the snow clad peaks of the majestic Himalayas, a trip to Uttaranchal is truly the perfect recipe for that dream holiday you had always wished for. A perfect combination of places of religious interest as well as scenic locales, a visit to Uttaranchal reveals many of the best kept secrets of nature. One of these is the presence of a number of the glaciers of Uttaranchal, famous among which is the Bandarpunch Glacier. |
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Bandarpunch Glacier in Uttaranchal
Located on the northern slopes of the Bandarpunch peak (6316m), Bandarpunch west (6102m), and Khatling peak (6387m), the Bandarpunch Glacier is one of the principal tourist attractions of Uttaranchal.
One of the most important glaciers of the River Yamuna, considered as one of the holiest rivers of India, the Bandarpunch Glacier is about 12 kms long.
The formation of the Bandarpunch Glacier is circular in shape and comprises of three cirque glaciers which are later joined by the Yamuna River. The region around the glacier presents a perfect location for trekkers who flock o the area almost all round the year.
The distance of the Bandarpunch Glacier from the neighbouring regions is about:
Taluka to Bandarpunch 23kms
Taluka to Seema /Osla 14kms
Seema to Bandarpunch 15kms
Taluka to Mussoorie 171kms
Mussoorie to Dehradun 36kms
By Road : Dehradun to Taluka 207km |
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| Yamunotri Glacier |
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| Yamunotri (3150 m) is a pilgrimage site near the source of the Yamuna, a river sacred to the Hindus. Hundreds of thousands go up the 6 km path each year from the settlement of Janaki Chatti. Most walk up but some get carried up by others - the poor mostly because they are unable to walk themselves, the wealthy mostly because they are unwilling (couch potatoes).The hike culminates at the temple to the river goddess followed by a dip in the freshly melted waters of the Yamunotri glacier. Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of visitors due to package tourism and higher incomes of the great Indian lower and middle classes. They come from far and wide, driven by unexamined beliefs and a relationship to nature that - with its self-absorbed devotion and ignorance of the natural world - many postmodern atheists would consider an impoverishment. |
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A veritable human drama unfolds, combining scrawny porters who slog for $8/day, saffron clad sadhus ranging from crooks, cranks, to mellow potheads, traffic jams and jostling crowds, spontaneous dancing and singing, and makeshift eateries and chai stalls along the rugged mountain path laden with mule droppings. Stories of pilgrims and migrant workers abound, which (often simultaneously) attract, amuse, instruct, and repel, amid the not infrequent kindness and humanity of strangers. |
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