Gangotri, in Uttarkashi district, is the shrine of Goddess Ganga. Unlike Yamunotri and Kedarnath, the road reaches the temple area, so the visit is short on foot. It is also the trailhead for the trek to Gaumukh, the glacier snout associated with the source of the Bhagirathi.
About this page: Registration rules were checked against the official registration portal on 2026-10-25. Gaumukh permit details come from secondary 2026 guides (daily cap and fees conflict between sources), so confirm with the Uttarkashi forest office. Distances are approximate.
Things to see
- Gangotri Temple. Shrine of Goddess Ganga on the Bhagirathi.
- Bhagirath Shila and Surya Kund. Sacred sites close to the temple, and a cascade on the river nearby.
- Harsil. Quiet village on the way, in the Bhagirathi valley. Popular for apple orchards and views.
- Gaumukh trek. About 18 km one way from Gangotri on foot. Secondary 2026 guides report a daily cap of 150 people, permits from the Uttarkashi forest office, the Gangotri forest office or the Pathik portal, and (since September 2024) a mandatory guide, insurance and medical certificate; the national park is reported open 1 April to 30 November. Fees are reported inconsistently, so confirm with the forest department before planning.
How to reach Gangotri
By road
Rishikesh/Dehradun - Chamba - Tehri - Uttarkashi - Harsil - Gangotri. Uttarkashi is the standard overnight halt, roughly 100 km short of Gangotri.
By rail
Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) or Dehradun are the usual railheads.
By air
Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), then road.
The last stretch
Vehicles reach the Gangotri temple area, so the walk is short. For the Gaumukh trek the trail starts from Gangotri and is a multi-day commitment for most people, with camping or basic lodges and guide arrangements.
Where to stay
Uttarkashi has the most hotels. Gangotri and Harsil have smaller lodges, ashrams and dharamshalas. Book ahead during May-June.
Food
Vegetarian meals at dhabas and ashrams. Limited choice at the higher end of the route.
Budget
No reliable published price list was verified for this page. Vehicle hire for the Uttarkashi-Gangotri leg and the number of nights drive most of the cost. Confirm current rates locally. Open the budget estimator.
Season and weather
Open only in the yatra season. In 2026 Gangotri opened on 19 April (Akshaya Tritiya); closing is customarily around Govardhan Puja/Diwali (reported as 10 November 2026, not officially confirmed). Road closures from landslides can occur on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri stretch in monsoon.
Safety
- Do not trek towards Gaumukh without the required permit and, ideally, an authorised guide.
- Weather turns quickly at this altitude. Carry rain gear and warm layers.
- Mobile coverage is patchy past Harsil.
Tips
- Combine Gangotri with Yamunotri via Barkot - Uttarkashi if doing the traditional sequence.
- Fill fuel and withdraw cash in Uttarkashi; options thin out beyond.
Plan around Gangotri
Itineraries that include it
- Char Dham Yatra in 11 days (11 days)
Treks in the same district
- Kedarkantha (easy-moderate, 5 days)
- Har Ki Dun (moderate, 7 days)
- Dayara Bugyal (easy-moderate, 4 days)
- Auden's Col (difficult, 12 days)
Frequently asked questions
Does the road go all the way to Gangotri?
Yes. Vehicles reach the temple area, which makes it the easiest of the four dhams on foot.
Can I walk to Gaumukh without a permit?
No. A permit from the forest department is required, with limits on daily numbers. Check the current process before you go.
Sources and verification
Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Prices, opening dates, road status and permits change often. Confirm with an official source before you travel.