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Gartang Gali, Nelong Valley Trek

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Easy1 dayBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

Trekkers on a stony path above the Jadhang Gad river in the bare, steep-walled Nelong Valley2,950 mhighest point3 Photos
Max altitude
2,950 m
Days
1 day
Distance
5 km
Difficulty
Easy

Best months Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

A short half-day walk of about 2.5 km each way from Lanka Bridge, with a steady climb through conifer forest to a restored 136 m wooden gallery fixed to a sheer cliff above the Jadh Ganga gorge; the drop beside the gallery is the main challenge.

Photos

On the trail

Trekkers on a stony path above the Jadhang Gad river in the bare, steep-walled Nelong Valley
Trekkers on a stony path above the Jadhang Gad river in the bare, steep-walled Nelong ValleyPhoto: Harshit SR · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 3

The route

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · highest point

    Lanka Bridge → Lanka Bridge (via Gartang Gali)

    5 km · 4 h · No overnight

    2,760 m → 2,950 m → 2,760 m

Ups and downs

Altitude profile

2,5003,0003,500Lanka Bridge: 2,760 m, 0 kmDay 1 high point: 2,950 m, 2.5 kmLanka Bridge (via Gartang Gali): 2,760 m, 5 km
Metres above sea level · distance 5 km

Where it is

Map

Download GPX waypoints

Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.

Weather

Next 5 days on the trail

Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.

Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h

Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.

Plan the trip

How to reach

Trailhead
Lanka Bridge (nearest town: Harsil)
Nearest railway
Rishikesh or Dehradun
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
By road
Rishikesh to Uttarkashi (about 180 km), then about 88 km on the Gangotri road to Lanka Bridge, 16 km beyond Harsil; Direct buses from Rishikesh to Gangotri pass Lanka Bridge
Drive
About 9 h from Dehradun

Plan the trip

Permits and fees

We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.

Plan the trip

Cost

Self-guided

₹3,000–6,000

With an operator

₹7,500–15,300

Per person, ex-Dehradun. Guided prices published October 2026: Great Adventure ₹4,980 + 3% GST for a 2-day trip ex-Uttarkashi (add roughly ₹2,500 for Dehradun-Uttarkashi transport), Himalayan Dream Treks ₹14,500 + 5% GST for a 4-day Harsil Valley tour ex-Dehradun that includes Gartang Gali and forest entry permits. Self-guided is an estimate: bus or shared taxi Dehradun-Uttarkashi-Harsil and back, one or two guesthouse nights in Harsil, meals, and the Gangotri National Park entry fee.

Gear

Top picks for this trek

The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.

See the full packing checklist

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Packing checklist

Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.

Packed 0 of 22

Monsoon months (Jun, Sep): pack everything in plastic or a dry bag and wear shoes with good grip.

Tick each item as it goes in the bag.

What to wear
Pack and gear
Safety
Water and food
Documents and money
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Know before you go

Good to know

Mobile network
Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy coverage around Harsil and none in the Jadh Ganga gorge. Check locally.
Last ATM
Uttarkashi is the dependable option; carry enough cash for Harsil and the park fee.
Nearest hospital
Uttarkashi District Hospital for anything serious; AIIMS Rishikesh beyond that.
Water
No water source on the trail is confirmed by our sources; carry water from Lanka or Harsil.

Highlights

  • Walking the restored 136 m long, 1.8 m wide wooden gallery fixed to a sheer cliff above the Jadh Ganga gorge
  • A historic India-Tibet trade route, closed after the 1962 war and reopened to visitors in 2021
  • Views from Lanka Bridge straight down into the narrow Jadh Ganga gorge
  • Easy to combine with Harsil and Gangotri Dham on the same trip

Risks

  • The gallery runs along a vertical cliff high above the river; people with a fear of heights may find it hard.
  • July and August monsoon rain brings landslide risk on the Gangotri road and the trail; permits are not issued during heavy rain.
  • Visiting hours are limited: the trail is open roughly 9 am to 4 pm, the checkpost closes at 3 pm and visitors must be out by 5 pm.
  • The rest of Nelong Valley beyond Gartang Gali is a restricted border area near the India-China border with no overnight stays for visitors.

Know before you go

Questions

Do I need a permit for Gartang Gali?

Yes. Gartang Gali lies inside Gangotri National Park, so you need the park entry permit, issued at the park office at Kotbungla in Uttarkashi and at the Bhairon Ghati barrier, and you must carry government ID. ETV Bharat reported a fee of ₹150 for Indians and ₹600 for foreigners in April 2024; check the current fee locally.

How long is the walk to Gartang Gali?

About 2.5 km each way from Lanka Bridge, roughly 5 km round trip, which takes 3 to 4 hours depending on pace. Some news reports quote a shorter 1 km figure.

When is Gartang Gali open?

From 1 April to 30 November, when Gangotri National Park is open. April to June and September to November are the best months; July and August bring monsoon landslide risk. The park is closed from December to March.

Can I visit the rest of Nelong Valley?

Nelong Valley is a restricted area near the India-China border. Gartang Gali is the part open to walkers on a day permit; the area remains off-limits for overnight stays.

Your 8-week plan for this trekEasy grade. Start about 8 weeks before you travel.
SOS

In an emergency

Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.

You are in

District: UttarkashiUttarakhand

Nearest hospital
Uttarkashi District Hospital for anything serious; AIIMS Rishikesh beyond that.
Last ATM
Uttarkashi is the dependable option; carry enough cash for Harsil and the park fee.
Phone network
Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy coverage around Harsil and none in the Jadh Ganga gorge. Check locally.

Before you set off

  1. Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
  2. Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
  3. Download an offline map of the route.
  4. Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
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Where this comes from

Sources

Last reviewed:

  1. Complete guide on Gartang Gali — Himalayan Dream Treks
  2. Harsil Valley tour — Himalayan Dream Treks
  3. Gartang Gali — Great Adventure
  4. Historic Gartang Gali bridge in Uttarkashi opens for tourists — ETV Bharat
  5. Gangotri National Park reopens for trek: date, permits and what travellers need to know — Outlook Traveller
  6. Gartang Gali: The Thrilling Revival of the Trek — Ghughuti
  7. Gartang Gali Trek — Himalayan Hikers

Photos: Harshit SR, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sachinbauriyan, CC BY-SA 4.0; Harshit SR, CC BY-SA 4.0

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