Gangotri Glacier is located in Uttarkashi District in a region bordering China. This glacier, source of the Ganga, is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers. The glacier is about 30 KM long (19 miles) and 2 to 4 km (1 to 2 mi) wide. Around the glacier are the peaks of the Gangotri Group, including several peaks notable for extremely challenging climbing routes, such as Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi III. It flows roughly northwest, originating in a cirque below Chaukhamba, the highest peak of the group.

The terminus of the Gangotri Glacier is said to resemble a cow's mouth, and the place is called Goumukh or Gaumukh (gou, cow + mukh, face). Goumukh, which is about 18 km (11 miles) from the town of Gangotri, is the precise source of the Bhagirathi River, an important tributary of the Ganga. Goumukh is situated near the base of Shivling; in between lays the Tapovan meadow.

The Gangotri glacier is a traditional Hindu pilgrimage site. Devout Hindus consider bathing in the icy waters near Gangotri town to be a holy ritual, and many make the trek to Goumukh and Tapovan.

Gomukh is 18 km from Gangotri in the foot hills of Bhagirathi at a height of 4255m. One has to trek to reach Gomukh from Gangotri. It is better to visit Gomukh in June or October. On the birthday of Ganga or Ganga Dassera pilgrims throng here. The way side natural beauty is pleasant and the Sudarsan peak accompanies tourists in the entire route. Snow covers the hills, roads, houses and trees making a white wilderness.

After advancing 9 km tourist will find huge boulders scattered around at a height of 3500m in Chirbasa. Trekking for next 5 km one has to cross difficult mountain path, a stream to reach Bhojbasa. Three Pyramid like peaks of Bharirathi range stand on guard and to the left is Shivalinga. Tourists will find shelter at the ashram of Bishnudas Baba’s disciple Lalbihari Baba at Bhijbasa. Bhurj or Birch trees are seen no more, at 3780m high ‘U’ shaped valley of Bhojwasa, the two storeyed lalbaba’s Ashram has 12 rooms.Each stone of this ashram are gifts of different good Samaritans Himalayan lovers. The rooms of the ashram are strangely structured so that not so much chilly inside but it is extremely cold outside. One can trek for 1½ hours to negotiate rugged, rocky path from Bhojwasa to Gomukh which is 4 km away. The entire stretch from Gangotri to Gomukh is marked with white paint. The largest glacier of the Garhwal Himalayas 24 km long and 2-4 km wide (6500- 7000m) is beautiful Gangotri Glacier and it slopes down from the western part of Chaukhamba and ends in Gomukh. There is a huge mass of ice down below 1000ft is Glacier Point Gomukh. Snow all around you fills your heart with tranquility. Ganga flows with high speed and current, the name here is Bhagirathi. You can see the cave from where the Ganga emerges and begins her journey. On three sides of this glacier are three holy pilgrimages, Brahma-tirtha Gangotri, Vishnu-tirtha Gangotri and Maheshwar-tirtha Kedarnath. Mandakini in Kedar and Alakananda in Badri originate from this glacier. 

Tapovan: Bhrigupanth range is visible from Gomukh. To the east of this is Shivalinga (6543m) or Mahadeo-ka-linga. This Shivalinga seems real linga image of Shiva. At the foot of Shivalinga peak at a height of more than 4354m is the wonder of Himalayas, 5x2 km wide valley Tapovan, a green oasis in the snowy wilderness, once an excellent place for the meditation of the hermits. Other peaks are Bhagirathi 3 (6454m), Bhagirathi 1 (6856m), Kedardom (6831m) looking like umbrellas. Further away is Basuki Peak. Amarganga fountain descends from Shivalinga towards Gomukh named as Akashganga. To the left of Bhagirathi is Nandanvan the valley of flowers.

Keeping Gomukh to the right taking the ascent to the left, crossing Gangotri glacier diagonally, climbing up 1000 ft, Tapovan is at a distance of 5 km. A lot of crevasses have to be avoided along the way. Tapavon is not for ordinary tourists, those who dare the eagles will go wild seeing the coloured stones, spectrum of flowers and the charming beauty of the Himalayas. Lodging and fooding is available at Tapavon. On the other side of the glacier another 3 km away at the juncture of Chaturang Bamak and Gangotri glacier is the valley of flowers, the base camp of Bhagirathi Nandanvan (4400m). Bhagirathi, Shivalinga and Kedardom look gorgeous from Nandanvan. Another 6 km is another heaven, Vasuki Tal.