Explore
Gangotri
Traveler Insights
About Gangotri
Gangotri Dham, one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Located in the serene town of Uttarkashi, it is believed to be the origin of the holy River Ganga (locally known as Bhagirathi). Surrounded by the Garhwal Himalayas, this destination is a perfect blend of divinity, scenic beauty, and adventure.
Ideal Trip Duration: 3 Days
Quick Facts about Gangotri Dham
| Location | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand |
| Altitude | 3753 meters |
| Best time to Visit | May-June, Sept-Oct |
| Ideal Trip Duration | 3 Days |
| Nearest Road | Gangotri Dham |
| Mobile Network | Airtel, JIO, VI |
| Trek Required? | No trekking required |
Gangotri Dham Travel Guide
Gangotri Dham is one of the Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand with Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham. It is located in Hills region, so be prepared for it. Gangotri Dham is well connected with road transportation, so you don't need to trek or anything, but the temperature drops while reaching Gangotri Dham. The Buses are regular from Haridwar or Rishikesh to reach Gangotri Dham.
The route is good and well made, so you can drive from Haridwar to Gangotri Dham. The distance is about 280 Kms from Haridwar to Gangotri, which takes 9-10 Hours to cover, on the way you can visit Chamba, Tehri Lake (Slightly different route), Dharasu Band, Uttarkashi and Darshan at Kashi Viswanath temple. After that you can stay there for a night in Uttarkashi because it will be very hectic to reach in one go.
Then next day you can start early in the morning and reach to Gangotri Dham, have Darshan at temple and take blessing from Maa Ganga, after that visit Nearby places like Ganga River, Gangotri National Park and while coming back you can stop at Harshil valley (known for various trek, village life, apple orchard and snow mountains), also you can trek to Gartang Gali (famous wooden bridge) and Maneri Dam.
The trip to Gangotri Dham takes about 3 Days to complete from Haridwar to Haridwar.
Note: Keep Warm Clothes, Dry Fruits, and Water Bottle and some lemons if you get vomit. For elderly keep Oxygen Cylinder in case of requirement.
Ideal Gangotri Dham Itinerary (3 Days from Haridwar)
Day 1: Haridwar to Uttarkashi
- Distance: ~190 km (7–8 hours)
- Enroute: Chamba, Tehri Lake, Dharasu Band
- Visit: Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttarkashi
- Stay: Overnight in hotel or lodge
Day 2: Uttarkashi to Gangotri
- Start early morning (~4 AM) to avoid rush
- Enjoy the scenic drive through the hills
- Darshan at Gangotri Temple
- Visit Bhagirathi River, Gangotri National Park
- Return via Harshil Valley (famous for apple orchards and village culture)
- Optional: Trek to Gartang Gali or visit Maneri Dam
- Return to Uttarkashi for night stay
Day 3: Return to Haridwar
- After breakfast, drive back via the same route
Tip: Always carry woolens, dry fruits, lemon for motion sickness, and a water bottle. Elderly travelers should consider portable oxygen cylinders for high altitude comfort.
Helicopter Yatra Option
Don’t have time for a 3-day road trip? Book our 1-Day Helicopter Yatra from Dehradun. Includes darshan, assistance, and roundtrip heli service.
About Gangotri Dham
- Built in 19th Century by Nepalese General Amar Singh Thapa
- Opened during auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya
- Temple Closed for Winter on Diwali Festival
- Located on the Bank of Ganga River
Where to Stay in Gangotri
- GMVN Guesthouses (Govt-operated)
- Private Hotels & Lodges in Uttarkashi
- Homestays in Harshil Valley
What to Eat
Gangotri follows a strict vegetarian diet policy in line with its religious significance.
Popular Foods:
- Satvik Thali (No onion-garlic)
- Lemon Tea and Herbal Chai
- Dry snacks and energy bars for travel
Important Links and Contact for Gangotri Dham Yatra
- Stay and Accommodation: GMVN
- Yatra Registration: UTDB Uttarakhand Tourist Register Care Official Website
- Emergency Contacts: 104 (Medical), 108 (Ambulance)
Why Visit Gangotri Dham with Gokeys?
- ✅ Guided by Local Experts with years of experience
- ✅ Fixed and Customized Tour Packages
- ✅ Emergency Assistance during Yatra
- ✅ 4.9★ Rated by Verified Travelers
- ✅ Helicopter Tour Option Available
Reviewed by our local Rishikesh expert, Sandeep Joshi, who has guided 200+ tours across Garhwal.
Have a Question?
Best Time to Visit
- The Best time to Visit Gangotri Dham is during Summer Season in May-June, because the weather is great, no need to worry about rains. Then Sept-Oct is also good time to visit because the weather becomes cold and one can easily darshan at temple because the rush is less. Also avoid during monsoon because of landslide in hills.
- The temples open on Akshya Tritiya and closes for 6 months on Diwali festival.
Popular Activities
- Darshan at Gangotri Temple
- Explore Bhagirathi River (origin of Ganga)
- Visit Mukhba Village – winter seat of Maa Ganga
- Trek to Gaumukh–Tapovan
- Visit Harshil Valley
- Trek to Gartang Gali Wooden Bridge
- Visit Hot Springs at Gangnani
Nearby Attractions
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi
- Chamba, Tehri Lake
- Maneri Dam
- Harsil Village – apple farms and scenic beauty
- Gangotri National Park
- Gartang Gali Trek (Wooden Bridge)
How to Reach
By Road: Gangotri Dham is well connected with road transportation from Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun, so you can take public transportations, private taxi car or drive to here. The roads are good and it's a National Highway.
By Helicopter: If you have busy schedule and want to visit the temple with Helicopter then you can book from us, it will be from Dehradun Helipad and the yatra can be done in 1 day.
By Air: Nearest airport – Jolly Grant, Dehradun (240 km)
By Train: Nearest station – Rishikesh / Haridwar
Frequently Asked Questions
Available Tour Packages
