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Shivling Peak Expedition Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps
Itinerary spanning 20 days starting from Gangotri.
Standard RouteThis is the baseline pacing strategy for this expedition. Expedition leaders frequently modify rotation schedules, add reserve weather days, or adjust high camps based on real-time mountain conditions. Consult the operator's expedition dossier for their precise approach.
Duration
20 Days
Total Distance
80 KM
Max Altitude
21,467 FT
Trek Type
linear
Permits Required Before You Go
Permit Cost
Foreigner Process
IMF peak booking registration, Inner Line Permit (if near border), and mountaineering visa.
Nearest Embassy Hub
New Delhi
Day by Day Breakdown
Camp Alt
10,170 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Drive to Gangotri
Drive along Bhagirathi Valley. 8 hrs.
Key Landmarks
The motorable road navigates deeper into the Bhagirathi river gorge, where the landscape transitions from lower foothills into the steep, pine-clad canyons.
Camp Alt
10,170 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Short trek to Surya Kund and local temple.
Key Landmarks
The team holds position within the barren rocky landscape, monitoring weather patterns and adapting to the thinning atmosphere.
Camp Alt
12,440 ft
Day Gain
+2,270 ft
Reach Bhojbasa
Hike past Chirbasa pine forests. 6 hrs.
Key Landmarks
The Gangotri settlement gives way to a forested trail navigating the Bhagirathi gorge toward Bhojbasa.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
+1,760 ft
Reach Tapovan Base Camp
Cross Gaumukh glacier snout. Steep climb to Tapovan. 5 hrs.
Key Landmarks
The Bhojbasa trail emerges onto a rocky approach over the glacier to the Tapovan meadows.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Traditional puja ceremony. Gear checks and organization.
Key Landmarks
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Scout approach route over Meru Glacier moraine.
Key Landmarks
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Load Ferry to Camp 1
Climb steep rock couloirs carrying heavy climbing gear.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONHelmet Mandatory
Helmet mandatory. Move quickly and quietly through the rockfall zone without stopping to rest.
Camp Alt
17,800 ft
Day Gain
+3,600 ft
Shift to Camp 1
Ascend rock scrambling paths to establish Camp 1 on the shoulder.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
KEY ACTIONHelmet Mandatory
Helmet mandatory. Move quickly and quietly through the rockfall zone without stopping to rest.
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOPacing Delays
Slower pacing expected due to bottlenecking on fixed lines.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
17,800 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Load Ferry to Camp 2 & Fix Route
Technical rock climbing. Fix lines on vertical chimneys, return to Camp 1.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
19,800 ft
Day Gain
+2,000 ft
Establish Camp 2
Climb vertical granite segments to set tents on narrow ridge shelf.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
INFOPacing Delays
Slower pacing expected due to bottlenecking on fixed lines.
Camp Alt
19,800 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Rest at 19,800ft. Monitor health stats.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Camp Alt
19,800 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Fix Route to Camp 3
Fix ropes on 65-degree ice wall and serac barrier, return to Camp 2.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRoped Travel
Requires roped glacier travel.
KEY ACTIONStart Early
Start before sunrise to ensure snow bridges remain solid.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
INFOPacing Delays
Slower pacing expected due to bottlenecking on fixed lines.
Camp Alt
20,800 ft
Day Gain
+1,000 ft
Reach Hanging Summit Camp
Technical climbing on vertical blue ice using jumars and fixed static ropes. Trekkers establish a highly exposed hanging bivouac camp directly beneath the summit cornice, facing extreme cold and severe wind shear.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The final ascent leaves the upper glacial basin for the exposed summit ridges, offering panoramic views across the watershed divide before descending back to the icefields.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
17,800 ft
Day Gain
-3,000 ft
Today's Objective
🏔 Summit Mt. Shivling
A midnight push scaling near-vertical ice gullies and traversing beneath highly dangerous active seracs. After summiting, the team must execute a complex series of technical rappels down sheer rock and ice faces back to Camp 1.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The final ascent leaves the upper glacial basin for the exposed summit ridges, offering panoramic views across the watershed divide before descending back to the icefields.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRoped Travel
Requires roped glacier travel.
KEY ACTIONStart Early
Start before sunrise to ensure snow bridges remain solid.
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
-3,600 ft
Descend to Base Camp
Pack up Camp 1, descend to Base Camp for hot meals.
Key Landmarks
The barren ice and moraine of the upper basin transition quickly back into alpine scrub and alpine meadow basin as the route loses elevation.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Reserved for bad weather.
Key Landmarks
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Second reserved buffer day.
Key Landmarks
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Camp Alt
14,200 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Third reserved buffer day.
Key Landmarks
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Camp Alt
10,170 ft
Day Gain
-4,030 ft
Descend to Gangotri
Retrace through Bhojbasa to Gangotri. 7 hrs.
Key Landmarks
The Tapovan meadow plunges back across the glacier to the Gangotri settlement.
Camp Alt
2,000 ft
Day Gain
-8,170 ft
Drive to Dehradun
Return drive to Dehradun. End of expedition.
Key Landmarks
The mountain valley topography transitions back into the lower foothill river plains.
Expedition Extensions & Add-ons
Gangotri Heritage Walk
+1 DayExplore local traditional temples and villages in the base region.
Camp-by-Camp Details
Tapovan Base Camp
Base Camp
Water
Glacial stream melt
Wind
Moderate
Night Temp
-8°C
Camp 1 (Shivling Shoulder)
High Camp
Water
Snow melt required
Wind
High
Night Temp
-15°C
Camp 2
High Camp
Water
Snow melt
Wind
High
Night Temp
-18°C
Camp 3
High Camp
Water
Snow melt
Wind
Extreme
Night Temp
-25°C
Navigation & Route Data
Magnetic Declination
+1.5°
Key Waypoints
Critical Navigation Notes
Glacier approach is prone to crevasse shifts; route must be wanded.
Ridge section requires rope fixing and pathfinding on wind-blown snow.
Maintain compass bearings in whiteout conditions.
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Step 4: Safety & Framework
You understand the route.
Now understand the hazards, physiology, and Go/No-Go decision framework.
View Safety Framework