Your own vehicle, a driver who knows every bend between Mussoorie and Gangotri, and the freedom to stop wherever the river looks good. Here is how the car-based yatra works and which vehicle suits your group.
Neither Yamunotri nor Gangotri has a railway or a regular airport nearby, and buses on the Uttarkashi roads are slow and crowded in season. A private car with a local driver is the most flexible way to do the trip. You leave when you are ready, stop for tea at a viewpoint, and on darshan days the car waits for you at Janki Chatti or the Gangotri parking until you return.
The route is a loop of roughly 770 km from Haridwar: up the Yamuna valley via Mussoorie to Barkot, a day trip to Janki Chatti for Yamunotri, across to Uttarkashi on the Bhagirathi, a day trip to Gangotri, and back down through Chamba. Much of it is narrow mountain road with steep drops, landslide zones and heavy traffic in May and June. That is why we only send drivers with years of hill experience, and why we do not offer self-drive.
This page focuses on the car itself: vehicle types, how many people each carries, daily driving times and what to expect on the road. For the full package overview see the Gangotri Yamunotri tour package.
Loop distanceAbout 770 km from Haridwar
Duration5N/6D (Haridwar) · 6N/7D (Delhi)
Longest dayHaridwar–Barkot, 7–8 hours
VehiclesDzire, Ertiga, Innova Crysta, Tempo
DriverExperienced hill driver
Pick-upHaridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun or Delhi
Choosing the right vehicle
Vehicle
Seats (excl. driver)
Luggage
Best for
Swift Dzire or similar sedan
Up to 4
2–3 medium bags
Couples and small families on a budget
Ertiga or similar MUV
Up to 6
3–4 bags (with roof carrier)
Families of 5–6
Innova Crysta
Up to 6–7
4–5 bags
Elders, comfort on long hill days
Tempo Traveller
12 or 17
Roof carrier for group luggage
Large families and groups
Image space images/innova-crysta.jpg 800 × 600 pxInnova CrystaImage space images/tempo-traveller.jpg 800 × 600 pxTempo Traveller
The Innova Crysta is the most requested car on these roads for good reason: high seating, strong suspension and enough room for elders to stretch out on long days. Sedans are fine on the tarmac but feel cramped after seven hours of bends. For a detailed look at the Crysta on the Char Dham roads, see Char Dham Yatra by Innova Crysta. Groups of 10 or more should read about the Tempo Traveller from Haridwar.
Price of the car yatra (2027)
Package prices below include hotels, breakfast and dinner, the vehicle, fuel, tolls, parking, permits and the driver's allowance. They are per person for four travellers sharing one car.
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
By car from Haridwar / Rishikesh / Dehradun
5N / 6D
₹12,500
₹18,500
₹28,000
By car from Delhi
6N / 7D
₹14,500
₹21,000
₹31,500
Estimated 2027 prices, starting from. The final quote depends on dates, hotel category, vehicle and group size. Groups of two pay more per head; larger groups in an Innova or Tempo pay about the same or less.
Car only, without hotels
Some pilgrims book their own hotels and want only the vehicle. We quote car-only hire for your exact dates. As a guide to scale, a six-day hill hire on the Do Dham route costs about ₹24,000 for a Dzire, ₹36,000 for an Innova Crysta and ₹48,000 for a Tempo Traveller, and the Gangotri Yamunotri loop is of a similar length. These figures include fuel, driver, tolls, parking and permits.
Driving plan from Haridwar, day by day
The times below are actual time in the car on a normal day, without long stops. Your driver will suggest an early start on days 1, 2 and 4.
Day 1
Haridwar – Mussoorie – Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
The first hour to Dehradun is plains driving; the climb to Mussoorie is a long series of hairpins with views over the Doon valley. Beyond Kempty Falls the road narrows and drops to the Yamuna. Expect slower going after Naugaon, where the valley road can be single-lane in places. Arrive at Barkot by late afternoon.
Day 2
Barkot – Janki Chatti and the Yamunotri walk
90 km round trip + 6 km trek each wayAbout 3 hours drivingNight: Barkot
The 45 km to Janki Chatti is narrow and busy in season, so leave by 5:30 am to find parking. The car stays at Janki Chatti while you walk, ride or take a palki to the temple, cook prasad at the Surya Kund and take darshan. The driver brings you back to Barkot after the descent.
Image space images/yamunotri-trek.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 3
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
A quieter road through forest over the ridge to the Bhagirathi. The surface is mixed, with a few rough patches after rain. You reach Uttarkashi by lunch, with time to visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Day 4
Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Uttarkashi
200 km round trip6–7 hours drivingNight: Uttarkashi
The road follows the Bhagirathi upstream past Maneri and Bhatwari, with known slide zones that your driver will cross carefully. Stop at Gangnani's hot spring and in Harsil's orchards. At Gangotri the car parks a short walk from the temple, so darshan needs no trek at all.
Image space images/gangotri.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 5
Uttarkashi to Haridwar
170 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
A wide, mostly smooth road via Chinyalisaur and Chamba with views of the Tehri lake. The last stretch through Rishikesh can be slow in the evening, so a Rishikesh stop is easiest around lunchtime.
Day 6
Drop
LocalAs neededNight: Tour ends
The car drops you at Haridwar or Rishikesh station, Jolly Grant airport or your hotel. Delhi drop can be added for the 230 km drive, or book the 6-night Delhi version from the start.
We plan each day so you are off the mountain roads before dark wherever possible. It means early starts, but it is one of the simplest safety steps on this route.
What the car package includes
Included
Private vehicle for all days, with an experienced hill driver
Fuel, tolls, parking, state permits and driver's food and stay
Motion sickness is common on the Mussoorie and Barkot bends. Eat light, sit in front if possible, and carry tablets.
Keep the yatra registration QR code on your phone and a printout; it is checked at points on the road. See registration.
Fuel stations thin out beyond Uttarkashi and Barkot; drivers fill up in advance, so do not be surprised by fuel stops.
Traffic jams near Janki Chatti and Gangotri are common in May and June; early starts avoid most of them.
July and August bring landslides and road closures. Read best time to visit before fixing dates.
Respect your driver's call on weather and road safety; he drives these roads every season.
Booking a car for the yatra
Tell us your group size and dates on +91-99111 77951 (call or WhatsApp).
Pick a vehicle and a hotel level, or ask for a car-only quote.
Confirm with an advance to block the vehicle and rooms.
Get driver details a day before departure.
Start the yatra from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun or Delhi.
Gangotri Yamunotri by car: FAQ
How many kilometres is the Gangotri Yamunotri car trip?
About 770 km from Haridwar and back, including the day trips to Janki Chatti and Gangotri. From Delhi, add roughly 460 km for the round trip to Haridwar.
Which car is best for the Gangotri Yamunotri yatra?
An Innova Crysta for families and elders, a Dzire or similar for budget trips of up to four, and a Tempo Traveller for groups of 10 or more.
What does the yatra by car cost?
Packages with hotels and meals start from an estimated ₹12,500 per person from Haridwar and ₹14,500 from Delhi, for four people. Final prices depend on dates, hotels, vehicle and group size.
Can I drive myself?
We do not offer self-drive. The Yamuna and Bhagirathi valley roads have narrow stretches and slide zones, and a local hill driver is far safer.
Can the car go up to Yamunotri temple?
No. The road ends at Janki Chatti, and the last 6 km is on foot, pony, palki or pithoo. At Gangotri the car parks close to the temple.
Do you offer car-only hire without hotels?
Yes. Share your dates and route, and we quote the vehicle with driver, fuel, tolls and permits.
Can the same car continue to Kedarnath and Badrinath?
