Yamunotri Gangotri Yatra: Route, Trek and Gangotri Temple Guide

The Yamunotri Gangotri yatra covers the first two dhams of the Char Dham circuit – the sources of the Yamuna and the Ganga – in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Yamunotri needs a short trek, while the road goes right up to the Gangotri temple. Many families do the Yamunotri Gangotri yatra on its own in 4–5 days from Haridwar, or as the first half of the full Char Dham Yatra.

Yamunotri Gangotri yatra route

Distances are approximate. On the full Char Dham Yatra you continue from Uttarkashi to Guptkashi for Kedarnath instead of returning to Haridwar – see the Char Dham route map.

Yamunotri: the trek from Janki Chatti

Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and stands at about 3,293 m. Vehicles stop at Janki Chatti, and a paved path of about 6 km climbs through a narrow gorge to the shrine. Ponies, palkis and pithoos are available at fixed rates. Near the shrine is Surya Kund, a hot spring where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in cloth bags to take home as prasad. Start the trek early; afternoons often bring clouds and rain.

The Gangotri temple

The Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and stands at about 3,100 m on the right bank of the Bhagirathi river. The white granite temple was built in the 18th century by the Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa. Legend says King Bhagirath meditated here to bring the Ganga down to earth. The evening aarti at the ghats of the Gangotri temple, with the river roaring below, is a highlight of the Yamunotri Gangotri yatra.

Road to the Gangotri temple

From Uttarkashi the road follows the Bhagirathi via Bhatwari, Gangnani (with its hot spring), Harsil and Dharali to Gangotri town. The stretch past Harsil, with apple orchards and deodar forests, is one of the most beautiful drives of the Yamunotri Gangotri yatra. Registration passes are checked at Hina on this road.

Gaumukh: the source of the Ganga

The Bhagirathi actually starts at the Gaumukh glacier, about 18 km beyond the Gangotri temple. The trek passes Chirbasa and Bhojbasa and needs a permit from the Gangotri National Park office, with a daily limit on trekkers. It is a separate one- or two-day trip, not part of a normal Yamunotri Gangotri yatra.

Best time and practical tips

• Best months for the Yamunotri Gangotri yatra: May–June and mid-September–October. See the best time for Char Dham Yatra.
• Register before you go – passes are checked at Barkot and Hina. See Char Dham Yatra registration.
• Carry warm clothes; nights in Gangotri town are cold even in May.
• Keep a spare half-day for landslides on the Yamunotri road.
• Check official updates on Uttarakhand Tourism.

Book your Yamunotri Gangotri yatra

We run the Yamunotri Gangotri yatra as a 4–5 day private trip from Haridwar, or as part of our 9-day Char Dham Yatra package. Book a car or tempo traveller through our Char Dham taxi service, see real Char Dham images of both shrines, and read the complete Char Dham Yatra guide.