BHAGIRTHI III CLIMBING EXPEDITION
Outline The trek to Nandanvan is exciting through Gangotri and Bhujwasa and here we can call the halt of regular trekking staff. After getting one acclimatized, the climbers move ahead to establish the second camps of high altitude.Route details and general observationThe route follows 1000 meters of vertical granite followed by another 200 meters section of mixed rock and ice and a top part of steep ice. Spending time hanging on the wall is thrilling so the challenge lies in its technical difficulty, rather than its heights. The summit is majorly depending on weather.
The first ascent of Bhagirathi III was in 1933 by Charles Warren and Colin Kirkus who ascended via the W ridge from the Gangotri Glacier. They referred to the peak as the second Satopanth peak. Bhagirathi III is one of the most impressive peaks in Garwhal Himalaya with its summit of 6454 Meters and is the 3rd highest among the Bhagirathi groups of peaks.
In 2005 we supported David Garcia, who led a six-member team of mountain guides from Spain. They were to attempt the southwest pillar route on the Bhagirathi III peak. They arrived at the base camp of Gangotri on 17th September and made higher camps till 2nd October. However, they were caught in continuous bad weather, which made climbing very dangerous with much snowfall.
Day 1 Arrive Delhi Overnight Delhi hotel
Day 2 Administrative work in Delhi (Indian regulations), cargo handling ,IMF briefing and purchasing etc. Overnight Delhi hotel
Day 3
Drive to Rishikesh, Rishikesh exudes a distinct mysticism and spirituality. Known in mythology as the abode of Shiva and the place where Ram observed penance for killing Ravana, the place holds importance for all Hindus. It is believed that meditating in this ‘World Yoga Capital’ brings one closer to attaining salvation. Gateway to the Himalayas, Rishikesh abounds in natural beauty as the mighty Ganga flows majestically past lush green hills. Take a tour around this quiet town and let yourself be soaked in its beauty and tranquility. Lakshman Jhula: A landmark in the town, it is a suspension bridge across the Ganga. According to a legend the bridge was built of jute ropes by Lakshman, hence the name Lakshman Jhula. Enjoy spectacular views of the holy river that flows beneath it as well as the striking mountains which lie in the backdrop. A favorite pastime for tourists visiting Lakshman Jhula is feeding the fish in the river. Triveni Ghat: This is the main bathing ghat in Rishikesh, forever busy with thousands of devotees taking a dip early morning. The ghat derives its name from the belief that that the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet here. The ghat is especially busy in the evenings when the aarti is conducted. The air turns especially sacred when priests offer their prayers and chant mantras to the river. After the aarti, the river gives out a spectacular view as thousands of earthen lamps are set afloat on the river. Overnight Hotel
Overnight Hotel
Day 4
Drive to Uttarkashi: 165 Kms/ 6 hours: The drive between Rishikesh and Uttarkashi is reasonably wide, very smooth and scenic. Narendra Nagar is the first town, 15 Kms beyond Rishikesh. Thereafter, another vital town is Dharasu, about 115 Kms from Rishikesh. This is an important junction because the route to Yamunotri (100 Kms away from Dharasu) bifurcates from here. One gets the first view of Bhagirathi about 10 Kms before Dharasu. We reach Uttarkashi before noon and few hours are spent for the wild life formalities concerning our climb, although our advance party that joins us at Uttarkashi would have completed major formalities. Overnight Guest House
Overnight Guest House
Day 5
Drive to Gangotri (3046m), 95 Kms/ 3 hours: Gangotri, the origin of the River Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The original Gangotri Temple was built by the Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga (the Ganges) from Devprayag onwards where it meets the River Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri Glaciers and is a 19 km trek from Gangotri.Gangotri is among the most beautiful in the Garwhal districts, with, high above, a snowline that endures year round and below a carpet of forests, superb Himalayan views and all the joys of trekking through God's country. Overnight tourist bungalow/Camp
Overnight tourist bungalow/Camp
Day 6
Trek Gangotri – Bhujwasa (3790m): This morning after breakfast we visit the famous Gangotri temple and later we trek to Bhojbasa. The entire trek today is along the roaring Bhagirathi river. Arrive Bhojbasa and camp. Afternoon free to explore the area and to enjoy excellent sunset on Bhagirathi group of peaks. Overnight at Camp
TREK/ Camp
Day 7
Trek Bhujwasa - Nandanvan (4340m) Base camp at Nandanvan was a beautiful meadow, lush with Alpine flowers. You find the awesome sight of Shivling and the Bhagirathi mountains from this camp at Nandanvan.
TREK/ Camp
Day 8 & 9
Acclimatization/ Base camp establishment/ The initial two hour trek across alpine meadows and sandy flats is deceptively easy towards the base camp which we set for the further acclimatization.
Base Camp
Day 10
Sort loads / acclimatization. Our LAP (low altitude porters) will come back from here and only cook+ kitchen helpers will stay. The HAP (high altitude porters) will stay longer according to the plan made with individual expedition leaders.
Base Camp
Day 11- 22 Establishing higher camps with HAPs Camp I & II
Day 23 or 24 Summit bid Camp
Day 25 Trek back to Base Camp/ Spare(Our LAP will approach you this day to trek back) Camp
Day 26 Trek back to Bhujwasa: Details are already given above, we are following the same rout. Overnight Camp TREK/ Camp
Day 27 Trek back to Gangotri: Details are already given above, we are following the same rout. Overnight Camp Hotel
Day 28 Drive Gangotri - Rishikesh: Details are already given above, we are following the same rout. Overnight Camp Hotel
Day 29
Drive Rishikesh - Delhi: Details are already given above, we are following the same rout. Overnight Camp
Overnight Delhi hotel
Day 30 Delhi/ de briefing, cargo work and farewell celebrations Overnight Delhi hotel
Day 31 Fly Delhi -OUT
- International airport to hotel in Delhi transfer by small coach/ medium or large cars as per the group size
- Delhi Hotel to IMF for briefing and back and to IMF again for de briefing
- Delhi to trek beginning point and back to Delhi transfers
- Transfer to international airport in Delhi after the trip
Hotels as per the program
- Trekking duration camps with all meals
- Gala dinner at Delhi with expedition mementoes/ souvenirs
Staff (Porters/ cooks/ kitchen helpers/ trekking guides)
- Low altitude Porters for the trekking part only till base camps
- High Altitude Porters (02) with every expedition team from BC to BC
- Cook (01) from trek beginning to trek end including BC days with 01 kitchen helper
- Trekking guide (01) from trek beginning point to BC and back to trek end point
Equipment
- Trekking tents till base camp for the members
- Trekking tent for cook+ helper and LO at base camp for the full expedition
- Ground mattresses
- Kitchen tent, chairs, tables, stools, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- Toilet tents and toiletries till base camp
Administrative assistance to the expedition team
- IMF formalities
- Uttarakhand government formalities
- Environment fees of the porters
- Insurance of the staff and porters if anyone not already insured by us
Extra services included for LO
- Tent for LO
- Food for LO
- Transportation for LO
- IMF fee
- Uttrakhand government fees
- Air tickets of the expedition members
- Any kind of insurance of the clients
- Personal expenditures of the clients
- Helicopter rescue
- Expedition tents & equipment
- Food and cooking of the food after base camp in higher camps.
- Cargo handling charges
Suggestions about FOOD during higher camps
- Kindly get the details separately if you want us to provide food during higher camps.
Skiing supplement
- If you want to ski down from some peaks, you can write separately.
The IMF Peak booking charges ( It is not included in our expedition cost)
(a) Below 6500 m US$ 500 for a party of two members. For additional members up to seven, US$ 200 each (i.e. total for 7 members US$ 1500). Thereafter, for each additional member US$ 250 up to a maximum limit of twelve members.
(b) 6501 to 7000 m US$ 700 for a party of two members. For additional members up to seven US$ 300 each (i.e. total for 7 members US$ 2200). Thereafter for each additional member US$ 350 up to a maximum limit of twelve members.
(c) 7001 and above US$ 1,000 for a party of two members. For additional members up to seven US$ 400 each (i.e. total for 7 members US$ 3000). Thereafter for each additional member US$ 450 upto a maximum of twelve members.
(d) For trekking peaks
(Stok Kangri, Ladakhi, Friendship, Hanuman) US$ 100 for a party of two members. For additional members up to seven US$ 50 each (i.e. total for seven members US$ 350). Thereafter for each additional member US$ 100 upto a maximum of twelve members.
For East Karakoram only joint expeditions with Indian counterparts are permitted to climb the peaks.
Uttrakhand EXPEDITION FEE (It is not included in our expedition cost)
For foreign expeditions (all amounts in Indian Rupees)
Above 7001 Mt 80,000.00
Between 6501 - 7000 Mt 65,000.00
Below 6500 Mt 60,000.00