Gangotri national park was established in 1989 covering an area of 2,390 sq km, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The holy river Ganga originates from the Gaumukh glacier inside the Gangotri National Park. River Baghirath also flows out from the park. The park is on the Himalayas at an altitude of 7,083 meters from the mean sea level.
Gangotri National Park is fascinating and affluent with flora and fauna and attracts lakhs of tourists yearly from across the world. It has more than 150 different bird species, 15 species of mammals, and some rare animal, bird, and plant species like Bharal or blue sheep, black bear, brown bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan snowcock, Himalayan thar, musk deer and snow leopard.
If you wish to have a memorable trip to Uttarkashi then Gangotri National Park is the right place that also covers many adjacent tourist spots like The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in the south, Nanda Devi National Park to the southeast, and Sangla Valley and Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuaries in the west.
Why you should visit Gangotri National Park
Gangotri National Park is an excellent example of natural beauty that houses rivers, mountains, glaciers, hills, plants, animals, and other beautiful creatures. The dense covering of vegetation of pine, fir, oak, deodar, and spruce makes the forest look lush green. The park is famous for beautiful mountains, rivers, valleys, trekking, adventures, bird watching, wildlife sanctuaries, mountaineering, peaks, and expedition. It is one of the beautiful attractions of the Himalayas and Uttarakhand. There are 63 mountains named in the Gangotri National Park and Chaukhamba I, Satopanth, Chaukhamba II, Chaukhamba III, and Kedarnath Main are the important mountain peaks.
Inside the huge park lies the Gangotri glacier which spans about 30 km in length and 4 km in width. You can witness the streams of the holy river Ganga.
Best time to visit Gangotri National Park
The park is monitored by the local administration and is open to tourists from April to October every year. The reason for the closure of the park in the other month is the extreme climatic condition. The Himalayas experience extreme cold storms during the winter season which is dangerous for tourists. There is also a threat of landslides and avalanches for some reasons due to the influence of monsoon rainfall.
How to reach
Gangotri National Park is located in Uttarkashi which is 189 km from Haridwar, 206 km from Dehradun, and 127 km from Rishikesh. The park can be reached either by road or by train or by flight to the nearest airport.
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport which is 26 km from Rishikesh. From there direct buses and taxi services are available.
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to Gangotri National Park which is about 240 km away.
Gangotri National Park is well connected by road from the major cities of Uttarakhand. Direct buses run from major cities of Uttarakhand.
Hotel in Uttarkashi
If you are worried about where to stay while you are on a trip to Gangotri National Park then Dayara Resort is the right choice. It is just 70 km away from the Gangotri glaciers. Hundreds of tourists book rooms and stay at Dayara Resort when they are trekking or hiking at Uttarkashi.
Dayara Resort is located in an ideal place covering green lush mountains and splendid view.