How to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi

How to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi

Year after year, tourists from all over India visit Gangotri and Yamunotri. Both of these are situated in Uttarakhand and are the holiest of towns all over India. Gangotri and Yamunotri are situated in the high-altitude Himalayan mountain ranges. Towering icy peaks and glaciers of the Himalayan Mountains offer breath-taking scenic beauty to both these sacred towns. Mighty Indian rivers originate here. River Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from Gangotri and River Yamuna has its origins at Yamunotri. Gangotri and Yamunotri are part of the famous Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. 

Gangotri and Yamunotri are easily accessible from major Indian cities. Delhi is the closest city to where you can visit Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is best to do the booking for Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra 2022 as it gets booked very fast. You can go via trains, car or airways up to Delhi and then visit these two holy places in Uttarakhand. You too can plan your Gangotri Yamunotri Do Dham Yatra in 2022 from Delhi. There are a few important points to know before you can plan your Gangotri Yamunotri trip in Uttarakhand. You will get to know such details as to how to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi, which is the best time to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri, how many days are needed for this trip, and such other bits of info.

What are the opening and closing dates for Gangotri and Yamunotri?

The opening date on which the kapat or gates of Gangotri Temple will be thrown open to the public is 3rd May 2022. The date coincides with the holy and auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. The gates of Yamunotri Temple also get opened on the same day i.e. 3rd May 2022.

The tentative closing day of Gangotri Temple is 25 October 2022. Yamunotri Temple will be closed for public darshan on 24 October 2022. These dates are tentative as of now, but soon they will be fixed by the Char Dham Temple Committee. The closing date generally falls on the second day of Diwali and it is also the time when winter starts in Uttarakhand.

How many days does it take to do Gangotri and Yamunotri Do Dham Yatra?

You can undertake the Gangotri Yamunotri Do Dham Yatra in 7 days. A week is enough for a tour of both Gangotri and Yamunotri. You will not only visit both these places but also visit many other places which fall on the route.

What is the cost of Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra?

The minimum cost of Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra starts from INR 15,000 per person. It depends on what kind of package that you choose. Luxury packages cost you more while Do Dham Yatra with a short duration costs less. If you go to Gangotri Yamunotri by Helicopter then it can cost you INR 70,000 per person.

How to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi?

If you know how to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi it becomes a very easy journey. You have to reach Haridwar because that is where the actual trip to Gangotri Yamunotri starts. You can reach Haridwar from Delhi by flight, bus, car, or train.

• Delhi to Haridwar: You can reach Haridwar directly by train, bus, or car from Delhi. If you take a flight from New Delhi, then you will have to land at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From here, you can drive to Haridwar in a taxi or bus.
• Haridwar to Barkot: You can drive from Haridwar to Barkot in a car. You can take the route that goes through Mussoorie and Dehradun. The drive covers 220 km and takes a 7-hour journey by road.
• Barkot > Yamunotri > Barkot: From Barkot you will drive to Hanuman Chatti. You will get jeeps from Hanuman Chatti to reach Janki Chatti. Otherwise, you will have to trek 8 km from Hanuman Chatti. Yamunotri Temple is 6 km from Janki Chatti. You can trek on foot, or take a pony, or palki as per your convenience. There is no motorable road from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri. After darshan at Yamunotri Temple, you will drive back to Barkot. Barkot to Hanuman Chatti is a 36 km drive. Hanuman Chatti to Janki Chatti is a drive of 9 km. Janki Chatti to Yamunotri is a 6 km walk.
• Barkot to Uttarkashi: Barkot to Uttarkashi is a drive of 100 km. You can cover this distance in 5 hours. 
• Uttarkashi > Gangotri > Uttarkashi: From Uttarkashi you can drive to Gangotri. It is a route of 100 km and takes 3 hours to reach Gangotri via Harsil. After Gangotri Darshan, you drive back to Uttarkashi.
• Uttarkashi to Rishikesh: From Uttarkashi, you will now drive back to Rishikesh or Haridwar. 
• Back to Delhi: Drive back to Delhi by car or bus.

What is the best time to visit Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi?

April to June and September to November is the best time to visit Gangotri and Yamunotri. The gates of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples are open at this time of the year. They are again closed for the winter season from November to April/May.

What is the weather condition like during Gangotri Yamunotri darshan?

During the summer season in Gangotri and Yamunotri, the climate is generally pleasant. Snow has started to melt and the mountain paths are free of snow. It may rain occasionally in the mountainous altitude of the Himalayas. From May to July weather remain pleasant. It may rain a little during July. But from September onwards, it starts to be a bit chilly at the night. 

What is the food like during Gangotri and Yamunotri Yatra?

During your trip to Gangotri and Yamunotri, you will get vegetarian food to eat. As these are holy places, non-veg food is generally not served by hotels and restaurants. Most food dishes are generally high-protein ones like rajma chawal, potato, and cauliflower sabzi, puri bhaji, lentils, salads, rotis. 

Can we visit Gangotri and Yamunotri by helicopter?

Yes. A helicopter is the fastest way to visit Gangotri and Yamunotri. Helicopter services operate to take you to Yamunotri and Gangotri from Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun. 

What is the cost of Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra by Helicopter?

For Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra by helicopter, the average cost per person can be INR 85000.

How many persons are allowed in a helicopter?

A maximum of 4 persons can travel in a helicopter. 

What is the route of Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra by helicopter?

Flying by helicopter is one way of knowing how to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi. A helicopter is the fastest mode of transport that is available from Dehradun. You can generally follow the route given below from Dehradun.

• Dehradun > Kharsali > Yamunotri
  From Dehradun, you fly to Kharsali. The travel time will be 45 minutes by helicopter. From Kharsali you trek to Yamunotri or take a palki. Arrive back at Kharsali after Yamunotri darshan.
• Kharsali > Harsil > Gangotri
  You will fly by helicopter from Kharsali to Harsil. From Harsil you can drive by taxi cab to Gangotri. Gangotri Temple is 24 km from Harsil Helipad and takes a 45-minute one-way ride to reach Gangotri Temple.
• Gangotri > Harsil
  After darshan at Gangotri, you will drive back to Harsil by car.
• Harsil > Sahastradhara
  After you arrive at Harsil helipad you will now fly back to Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun. 

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What to remember while flying through a helicopter on your Gangotri Yamunotri trip?

If you want to know how to reach Gangotri and Yamunotri from Delhi by helicopter, then it is also important for you to know a few good tips about going in a helicopter. These are shown below.

• Maximum weight of persons must not be 300 kgs.
• A person can only take a small bag that weighs 2 kg or less with him on a helicopter.
• Maximum weight of baggage must not exceed 5 kgs.
• There is room for only 4 persons + 1 helicopter pilot in a helicopter.

Which are the places that I can visit during Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra?

You will have a golden opportunity to visit many places of Uttarakhand during your Gangotri Yamunotri Yatra. These are:

• Haridwar: Har ki Pauri
• Mussoorie: Kempty Falls
• Yamuna River
• Bandarpoonch view from Barkot
• Yamunotri Temple
• Uttarkashi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Shakti Temple
• Prakateshwar Cave
• Harsil
• Bhagirathi River
• Gangotri Temple
• Suraj Kund