Nelong Valley is a cold, dry high-altitude valley at about 3,400 m inside Gangotri National Park, close to the India–China border. Its bare brown mountains and deep gorges look so much like Ladakh that people call it the "Ladakh of Uttarakhand". Because it is a border area, only Indian citizens can visit, with a permit from the district administration in Uttarkashi. Day trips start from Bhairon Ghati, about 26 km beyond Harsil, and visitors must come back the same day.
Nelong Valley at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Gangotri National Park, Uttarkashi district |
| Altitude | About 3,400 m (11,400 ft) |
| Gateway checkpost | Bhairon Ghati (near Lanka, before Gangotri) |
| From Harsil | About 26 km to Bhairon Ghati, then about 25 km into the valley |
| From Uttarkashi | About 100 km to Bhairon Ghati |
| Who can go | Indian citizens only |
| Permit | Required, from the district administration, Uttarkashi |
| Night stay | Not allowed; return the same day |
| Open | Roughly May to November (weather permitting) |
| Best months | May–June and September–October |
Why Nelong Valley is special
- Landscape: a dry, rocky cold desert with the Jadh Ganga (Jahnavi) river cutting through it, very different from the green hills of Garhwal.
- History: before 1962 this was a trade route between India and Tibet. After the 1962 war the area was closed and the villages of Nelong and Jadung were vacated. It was opened again for domestic tourists in 2015.
- Wildlife: blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr and, very rarely, snow leopard.
- Gartang Gali: a 17th-century wooden walkway hanging on a cliff above the Jadh Ganga gorge, near the start of the valley road.
How to get the Nelong Valley permit
The permit is issued in Uttarkashi. In recent seasons the process has been done in person, and it can take from half a day to a couple of days, so plan a buffer.
Documents needed
- Application addressed to the District Magistrate, Uttarkashi, with the names of all travellers (including the driver) and vehicle details
- Aadhaar card or other photo ID for every traveller (original + photocopies)
- Driving licence of the driver and vehicle registration certificate
- Medical fitness certificate for high-altitude travel (asked for in recent seasons)
- Passport-size photos
Steps (as followed in recent seasons)
- Submit your application at the DM office (Collectorate), Uttarkashi.
- Get the required signatures from the Forest office and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) as directed by the office.
- Collect the final permit, signed by the competent officer.
- Show the permit and pay the national park entry fee at the Bhairon Ghati checkpost.
Offices are closed on Sundays and government holidays. Reach in the morning and call ahead to check that the officer is available.
Our tip: many visitors save time by arranging the permit through a registered local operator. If you book a Harsil trip with us, we help with the paperwork.
Fees
There is no large permit fee. You pay the Gangotri National Park entry fee at Bhairon Ghati. In 2025 this was about ₹150 per person and ₹250 per vehicle. Confirm the current amount at the checkpost.
Timings and rules
- Visitors usually enter in the morning and must be back at Bhairon Ghati by about 5 pm.
- No overnight stay or camping in the valley.
- A daily cap on visitors and vehicles has been applied in past seasons.
- In recent seasons private cars have had to stop at Bhairon Ghati, with visitors continuing in forest department vehicles. Rules on vehicles change, so ask when you get the permit.
- Photography near Army and ITBP posts is not allowed. Follow instructions at every checkpost.
- Carry original ID cards; they are checked more than once.
How to reach Nelong Valley
Haridwar/Rishikesh → Uttarkashi (about 170 km, 6 to 7 hours) → Harsil (about 75 km, 3 hours) → Bhairon Ghati (about 26 km, 1 hour) → Nelong Valley (about 25 km, 1 hour).
The road beyond Harsil is narrow and rough in places. An SUV is better than a small car. Most people stay in Harsil the night before and leave by 7 am.
Suggested itinerary: Harsil and Nelong Valley in 5 days
| Day | Plan | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar/Rishikesh to Uttarkashi | Uttarkashi |
| 2 | Permit work in Uttarkashi; Kashi Vishwanath temple in the evening | Uttarkashi |
| 3 | Drive to Harsil; Bagori village and Mukhba | Harsil |
| 4 | Day trip to Nelong Valley (and Gartang Gali if open) | Harsil |
| 5 | Gangotri darshan (in season), return to Uttarkashi or drive back | — |
If your permit is ready in advance, you can save one day.
Best time to visit
| Months | Conditions |
|---|---|
| May to June | Pleasant days, snow on high peaks, open roads |
| July to August | Monsoon; landslides on the Uttarkashi–Harsil road; not ideal |
| September to October | Best: clear skies, golden colours, good wildlife sightings |
| November | Very cold; the road can close early with snow |
| December to April | Closed |
Altitude and health
Nelong is at about 3,400 m. Since you visit for only a few hours and sleep lower in Harsil (2,600 m), altitude problems are uncommon but walk slowly and drink plenty of water. People with heart or breathing problems should consult a doctor. The nearest proper hospital is in Uttarkashi.
What to carry
- Original ID and permit, with photocopies
- Warm jacket, cap and sunglasses (strong wind and sun)
- Water and packed food; there are no shops in the valley
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- A full fuel tank (fill in Uttarkashi; the next pump is far)
Nelong Valley fits best into a Harsil trip. Our Harsil tour package and Harsil Valley group tour can include a Nelong day trip with permit help. Contact us for dates.
