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Yamunotri Trek

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Moderate3 daysBest May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Yamunotri temple and ashram buildings in a green, forested gorge above the rocky bed of the Yamuna, with a waterfall behind3,293 mhighest point3 Photos
Max altitude
3,293 m
Days
3 days
Distance
12 km
Difficulty
Moderate

Best months May–Jun, Sep–Oct

  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 paved but steady 6 km climb of about 650 m from Janki Chatti to the temple, 2-4 hours up and 1.5-2 hours down, often in peak-season crowds and pony traffic; ponies, dandis and palkis are available for those who cannot walk.

Photos

On the trail

Yamunotri temple and ashram buildings in a green, forested gorge above the rocky bed of the Yamuna, with a waterfall behind
Yamunotri temple and ashram buildings in a green, forested gorge above the rocky bed of the Yamuna, with a waterfall behindPhoto: Atarax42 · CC BY-SA 3.0

1 / 3

The route

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Dehradun → Janki Chatti

    By road · 7.5 h · Guesthouse

    640 m → 2,650 m

  2. Day 2 · highest point

    Janki Chatti → Janki Chatti (via Yamunotri Dham)

    12 km · 6 h · Guesthouse

    2,650 m → 3,293 m → 2,650 m

  3. Day 3

    Janki Chatti → Dehradun

    By road · 7.5 h · No overnight

    2,650 m → 640 m

Ups and downs

Altitude profile

2,0002,5003,0003,500Janki Chatti: 2,650 m, 0 kmDay 2 high point: 3,293 m, 6 kmJanki Chatti (via Yamunotri Dham): 2,650 m, 12 km
Metres above sea level · distance 12 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
Janki Chatti (nearest town: Barkot)
Nearest railway
Dehradun (also Haridwar and Rishikesh)
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
By road
Dehradun (about 180 km via Mussoorie, Damta and Barkot); Haridwar (about 220 km); Rishikesh (about 210 km); Uttarkashi (about 125 km); Barkot (about 45 km, 1.5 hours)
Drive
About 7.5 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

₹3,500–8,000

With an operator

₹8,000–12,500

Per person. Guided prices are ex-Haridwar 3-day packages: Royals Services ₹8,000 including tax (Janki Chatti stay); eUttaranchal ₹8,999 / ₹9,999 / ₹11,900 + 5% GST (Barkot stay, also starts from Dehradun or Rishikesh). Ponies, dandis and palkis are extra in both. Self-guided is an estimate ex-Dehradun: bus to Barkot and shared jeep to Janki Chatti (about ₹900-1,200 each way), two nights in a Janki Chatti guesthouse or GMVN rest house (₹300-900), food, and an optional pony (about ₹1,200 one way).

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 32

Nights near 3,293 m can drop close to freezing even in summer. Pack one more warm layer than you think.

Tick each item as it goes in the bag.

What to wear
Pack and gear
Sleeping

Many trek operators provide tents and sleeping bags. Ask before you buy.

Safety
Water and food
Documents and money
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Know before you go

Good to know

Mobile network
Patchy: BSNL and Jio work in Barkot; at Janki Chatti only BSNL is reliable; there is practically no signal on the trek until close to the temple, where BSNL sometimes works.
Last ATM
Barkot (no ATM at Janki Chatti)
Nearest hospital
Uttarkashi; Dehradun for serious cases. There is no medical shop at Yamunotri, so carry basic medicines.
Water
Water points and tea stalls along the paved path during the yatra season; carry a bottle and treat stream water.

Highlights

  • Darshan of Maa Yamuna at Yamunotri Dham, the first of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, at 3,293 m
  • Surya Kund, the hot spring beside the temple where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes tied in cloth and take them home as prasad
  • Divya Shila, the sacred rock near Surya Kund that is worshipped before darshan of Maa Yamuna
  • A narrow gorge walk beside the young Yamuna, with waterfalls and snow peaks above the temple

Risks

  • July-August monsoon rain brings landslides on the path and on the Rishikesh-Yamunotri highway (NH-134); in early August 2026 landslides disrupted the road, so check road status before going.
  • Peak season (May-June) brings heavy crowds and pony traffic on the narrow path; book rooms in advance and start the walk early.
  • Char Dham Yatra registration is mandatory; carry the registration and a photo ID.
  • The road between Barkot and Janki Chatti has narrow single-lane stretches; avoid driving after dark.

Know before you go

Questions

How long is the walk from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri?

About 6 km one way (12 km return) on a paved path from Janki Chatti, the last road point. Most pilgrims take 2-4 hours up and 1.5-2 hours down. Ponies (about ₹1,200 one way), dandis and palkis are available for those who cannot walk.

When are the Yamunotri temple doors open?

The kapat open on Akshaya Tritiya (19 April in 2026) and close for winter on Bhai Dooj (23 October in 2025). In winter Maa Yamuna's doli is taken to Kharsali, where she is worshipped until the doors open again. The best months to go are May-June and September-October.

Do I need a registration or permit for Yamunotri?

Yes. Registration for the Char Dham Yatra is mandatory, online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or through the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, with offline counters in Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh. We found no separate trekking permit for the temple path; check locally in Barkot if unsure.

What are Surya Kund and Divya Shila?

Surya Kund is the main hot spring beside the temple; pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in its water tied in muslin and take them home as prasad. Divya Shila is a sacred reddish rock near Surya Kund that is worshipped before darshan of Maa Yamuna.

How do I reach Janki Chatti?

Janki Chatti is about 180 km from Dehradun (7-8 hours) via Mussoorie and Barkot. There is no direct bus: take a bus to Barkot and a shared jeep for the last 45 km, or hire a taxi. Carry cash, as the last ATM is at Barkot.

Your 8-week plan for this trekModerate grade. Start about 8 weeks before you travel.
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In an emergency

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You are in

District: UttarkashiUttarakhand

Nearest hospital
Uttarkashi; Dehradun for serious cases. There is no medical shop at Yamunotri, so carry basic medicines.
Last ATM
Barkot (no ATM at Janki Chatti)
Phone network
Patchy: BSNL and Jio work in Barkot; at Janki Chatti only BSNL is reliable; there is practically no signal on the trek until close to the temple, where BSNL sometimes works.

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. Yamunotri Dham — Registration and Tourist Care — Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (Registration and Tourist Care portal) (official)
  2. Yamunotri, Uttarakhand: Sacred Source of the Yamuna River — Uttarakhand Tourism (uttarakhandtourism.gov.in) (official)
  3. Yamunotri — Wikipedia
  4. Yamunotri: The Most Complete Guide — Discover with Dheeraj (Dheeraj Sharma)
  5. Yamunotri Dham Yatra 2 Nights ex-Haridwar — eUttaranchal
  6. Yamnotry Yatra 3 Days Package (Royals Services, Haridwar) — Royals Services (via TourTravelWorld)
  7. Char Dham opening dates and registration — Himalayan Dream Treks
  8. Yamunotri Dham In Uttarakhand Closes For Winter On Bhai Dooj — ETV Bharat
  9. Shri Kedarnath and Shri Yamunotri temples close for winter on Bhaiya Dooj — All India Radio News (newsonair.gov.in) (official)
  10. Yamunotri Dham To Open Doors At 12.35 PM On April 19, On Akshaya Tritiya — ETV Bharat (2026 opening)

Photos: Atarax42, CC BY-SA 3.0; AaS, CC BY-SA 4.0; Anurag.vq, CC BY-SA 4.0

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