Perched in the high alpine cirques of the Great Himalayas, Uttarakhand’s glaciers are the mighty frozen water towers of the Indian subcontinent, feeding the perennial lifelines of North India: the Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Kali, and Ramganga rivers. Covering over 3,800 square kilometers, these rivers of ice are colossal reservoirs of freshwater, sacred centers of Hindu devotion, and world-class destinations for wilderness trekking.
Gangotri Glacier: The Cradle of the Holy Ganga
Stretching over 30 kilometers in length and up to 4 kilometers in width in Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is one of the largest valley glaciers in the Himalayas. Its terminus at Gaumukh (3,892m / "Cow's Mouth") is the revered source where the holy Bhagirathi River bursts forth from beneath the ice.
Pindari & Kafni Glaciers of Kumaon
Located between the Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot massifs in Bageshwar district, the Pindari Glacier spans 3.2 kilometers, terminating in the dramatic "Zero Point" at 3,660m. Nearby, the Kafni Glacier provides a serene alpine valley feeding the Kafni and Pindar rivers.
Milam Glacier: Kumaon's Largest Ice Giant
Originating from the eastern slopes of the Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks in Pithoragarh, the 16-kilometer Milam Glacier feeds the roaring Gori Ganga river. The trek to Milam follows the ancient silk route through ghost villages of the Bhotia merchants.
Satopanth, Bhagirathi Kharak & Khatling
Satopanth and Bhagirathi Kharak glaciers cradle the origins of the Alaknanda River near Mana, while the heavily crevassed Khatling Glacier in Tehri Garhwal births the Bhilangna River, feeding into the Tehri Dam reservoir.