From the Tapi to the sources of the Yamuna and the Ganga: a practical plan for Surat families, with the long-distance leg to Delhi and a six-night road tour into the Uttarkashi hills.
Surat sits roughly 1,150 km from Delhi and around 1,400 km from the Yamunotri road head, so the yatra has two parts. The first is the long run north, which you book yourself by train or flight. The second is our six-night road tour from Delhi to Yamunotri and Gangotri, the two shrines where the Yamuna and the Ganga are worshipped as goddesses. We start the land tour wherever you arrive in Delhi, and bring you back there for the journey home.
Many families from Surat's diamond and textile trades travel in May, after the Gujarati new-year rush and before the monsoon, or in the Diwali-to-Navratri lull of late September and October. Both windows suit this trip. If you have more time, the same route continues to Kedarnath and Badrinath as the full Char Dham Yatra from Surat.
Surat – DelhiAbout 1,150 km
Land tour6N / 7D from Delhi
ShrinesYamunotri & Gangotri
Trek6 km at Yamunotri only
Night stopsHaridwar, Barkot, Uttarkashi
Best monthsMay–June, Sept–Oct
Getting from Surat to Delhi or Haridwar
Surat railway station lies on the busy Mumbai–Delhi trunk line, so trains to Delhi are frequent. Most take between 15 and 20 hours, which means boarding one evening and arriving the next afternoon or the morning after. Arriving in Delhi by mid-morning is ideal, because we can drive straight to Haridwar the same day.
Option
Approximate time
Best for
Train, Surat to Delhi
15–20 hours
Families and senior citizens; book sleeper or AC early
Flight, Surat to Delhi
About 2 hours
Short holidays; arrive by noon
Flight via Delhi to Dehradun
Half a day with a connection
Starts the tour at Jolly Grant, close to the hills
Train to Haridwar (where available)
Over a day
Check IRCTC for through services from Gujarat
Book return trains as soon as the reservation window opens. May and June trains from Delhi towards Gujarat fill fast. Plan your departure for the evening of day 7 or the morning after.
The price below is the land package from Delhi, per person for four people sharing one vehicle and rooms on twin or triple sharing. Your train or flight from Surat is not included, which lets you choose your own class and dates.
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
Gangotri Yamunotri, Delhi to Delhi
6N / 7D
₹14,500
₹21,000
₹31,500
Gangotri Yamunotri, Haridwar to Haridwar
5N / 6D
₹12,500
₹18,500
₹28,000
2027 estimates. The final quote depends on dates, hotel category and group size. Surat–Delhi tickets, pony or palki at Yamunotri and lunches are extra.
Two people travelling together pay more per head because the vehicle is shared by fewer travellers; families of six or more can use an Innova Crysta or a Tempo Traveller and pay about the same or less.
Day-wise plan: Delhi to Delhi, 6 nights / 7 days
Day 1
Delhi to Haridwar
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Your driver meets you at the Delhi station or airport after your journey from Surat. The highway runs past Meerut and Roorkee to Haridwar. If you arrive by late afternoon, walk to Har Ki Pauri for the evening Ganga aarti, a good way to begin after a long train ride.
Image space images/haridwar-ganga-aarti.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 2
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Drive via Dehradun and up to Mussoorie, then down past Kempty Falls to the Yamuna. The road follows the river north to Barkot. The air turns cool by evening, so keep a sweater handy.
Day 3
Yamunotri darshan
45 km drive + 6 km trekFull dayNight: Barkot
Drive to Janki Chatti and walk, ride or be carried up the 6 km path to Yamunotri. Cook a little rice in Surya Kund as prasad, pray at the Divya Shila and take darshan. Return to Barkot in the evening and rest your legs.
Day 4
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
An easy day over the hills into the Bhagirathi valley. Settle into Uttarkashi and visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The short drive leaves time to rest after the trek.
Day 5
Gangotri darshan
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Follow the Bhagirathi past the Gangnani hot spring and Harsil to Gangotri. Bathe at the ghat if you can bear the icy water, see Bhagirath Shila and take darshan of Ma Ganga. Many Surat families fill a small can of Gangajal here to carry home. Drive back to Uttarkashi.
Day 6
Uttarkashi to Haridwar
170 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar
Descend via Chamba, with a stop at a viewpoint over Tehri lake. Reach Haridwar by afternoon. You can shop for puja items and sweets near Har Ki Pauri.
Day 7
Haridwar to Delhi
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Tour ends
After breakfast drive back to Delhi. We drop you at the railway station or airport for your onward journey to Surat. An evening train or late flight works best.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
6 nights on twin or triple sharing (Haridwar 2, Barkot 2, Uttarkashi 2)
Breakfast and dinner daily; vegetarian food is the norm on this route
Private vehicle from Delhi back to Delhi with hill driver
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance
Pick-up and drop at Delhi station or airport
Help with the free yatra registration
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Train or flight between Surat and Delhi
Pony, palki or pithoo at Yamunotri
Lunch on Budget and Deluxe plans
Special puja
Extra nights due to landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Room rates around Barkot and Janki Chatti run roughly ₹1,500–4,500 a night, and in Uttarkashi ₹1,800–5,500, depending on category. See Yamunotri hotels and Gangotri hotels for areas and room types.
Tips for pilgrims from Surat
Gujarat's May heat and the Himalayan cold are worlds apart. Pack thermals, a jacket and woollen socks; see things to carry.
Pure vegetarian meals are easy to find all along the route; Jain food can be requested, though options are simpler in the hills.
About nine to ten days in total: up to two days for the train to Delhi and back, plus the 6-night, 7-day land tour. Flying cuts this to around eight days.
Does the price include train tickets from Surat?
No. The ₹14,500 per person estimate covers the land tour from Delhi. You book Surat–Delhi train or flight tickets yourself, so you control the class and timing.
Can the tour start from Haridwar instead of Delhi?
Yes. If you reach Haridwar directly, the 5-night, 6-day plan from Haridwar starts at about ₹12,500 per person.
Which is better for a Surat family, train or flight?
Trains are cheaper and comfortable for groups with elders; flights save a full day each way. Some families take the train up and fly back.
Is the Yamunotri trek hard for senior citizens?
It is 6 km each way and steep in places. Ponies and palkis are available, so most elders manage comfortably with a slow pace.
Is vegetarian food available?
Yes. The route is almost entirely vegetarian, and hotels serve simple North Indian meals. Request Jain food in advance.
