Gomukh Trek Reopens for Tourists, Tapovan and Kedartal Routes Still Closed
Gangotri National Park has reopened the Gomukh trek with permits after improved weather, but Tapovan and Kedartal remain shut due to heavy snow.
Current Summary
The Gangotri National Park administration has reopened the Gomukh trek for tourists and trekkers following an improvement in weather, with the required permit now being issued. The Tapovan and Kedartal treks remain closed to general trekkers because of heavy snow accumulation. Permission is being granted for mountaineering on the high peaks of the Gangotri glacier region, though the India Meteorological Department has issued warnings and mountaineers heading to high Himalayan areas are being alerted about weather conditions. The closures stem from a spell of heavy rain and snowfall in the last week of September that made the Gomukh, Tapovan and surrounding tracks difficult to navigate, stranding more than 200 trekkers and mountaineers on various high Himalayan routes. Administration, SDRF, police, army and other rescue teams carried out operations to bring the stranded trekkers to safety, with many airlifted by helicopter. Following that episode, authorities had suspended trekking and mountaineering in the Gangotri National Park area as a precaution; the reopening is being carried out in a phased manner now that conditions have been assessed.
What We Know
- Gomukh trek has reopened for tourists and trekkers with the required permit.
- Tapovan and Kedartal treks remain closed due to heavy snow accumulation.
- Mountaineering permission is being granted for high peaks in the Gangotri glacier region.
- The closures followed heavy rain and snowfall in the last week of September that stranded over 200 trekkers, who were rescued by SDRF, police, army and helicopter operations.
- Reopening is being done in a phased manner after weather and track conditions were assessed.
What Is Still Unclear
- Timeline for reopening the Tapovan and Kedartal treks.
- Current snow depth and conditions on the closed routes.
Trekkers heading to the high Himalayan regions should check IMD weather warnings before travel; Tapovan and Kedartal routes remain off-limits.
What Changed
- 7 Oct, 03:41 pmSignal detected: Gomukh Trek Reopens for Tourists, Tapovan and Kedartal Routes Still Closed
Background
More than 200 trekkers and mountaineers were stranded in the Gangotri National Park area in late September after sudden heavy rain and snowfall, prompting a multi-agency rescue and a precautionary suspension of trekking and mountaineering activity.