The first dham of the Char Dham circuit, on its own: a short road trip to Barkot, a 6 km walk up the Yamuna gorge to the Goddess's shrine, and a night in Mussoorie on the way back.
Yamunotri stands at 3,293 m in Uttarkashi district, close to where the Yamuna river rises from the glaciers of the Bandarpunch massif. The goddess Yamuna is revered as the daughter of Surya, the sun god, and the sister of Yama, the lord of death. Pilgrims believe that bathing in her waters protects the family from an untimely death, which is why many elders make this trip even if they never manage the other three dhams.
No road reaches the temple. The last motor point is Janki Chatti, 45 km beyond Barkot, and from there a paved path climbs about 6 km to the shrine. That walk is what makes Yamunotri special and also what makes people hesitate. This page explains exactly how the day works, what ponies and palkis cost, and how a three-night trip from Haridwar or Dehradun fits around it.
Most travellers combine Yamunotri with Gangotri in the Gangotri Yamunotri tour package, or include it in the full Char Dham Yatra. This standalone trip suits those who have done the other dhams, who live nearby, or who want a short pilgrimage over a long weekend.
Duration3 nights / 4 days
StartHaridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun
Altitude3,293 m
Trek6 km each way from Janki Chatti
Winter seatKharsali
Base townBarkot (2 nights)
What you see and do at Yamunotri
Surya Kund: a boiling-hot spring beside the temple. Pilgrims tie rice or potatoes in a cloth and dip them in the water; the cooked grains are taken home as prasad.
Divya Shila: a rock pillar worshipped before entering the temple.
The temple: the black marble idol of Goddess Yamuna sits beside a white idol of Ganga. Darshan lines are shortest early in the morning.
Janki Chatti: the trailhead village with tea stalls, pony stands and simple lodges.
Kharsali: across the river from Janki Chatti, where the goddess spends the winter months; the old Shani temple stands here too.
Image space images/yamunotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxYamunotri templeImage space images/yamunotri-trek.jpg 800 × 600 pxThe trekImage space images/haridwar-ganga-aarti.jpg 800 × 600 pxHaridwar
Yamunotri package price 2027
Per person, four travellers sharing one car and twin or triple rooms. The price covers hotels, breakfast and dinner, and the vehicle from pick-up to drop.
Package
Duration
Budget
Deluxe
Luxury
Yamunotri only from Haridwar / Dehradun
3N / 4D
₹8,500
₹12,000
₹18,000
Gangotri + Yamunotri from Haridwar
5N / 6D
₹12,500
₹18,500
₹28,000
Gangotri + Yamunotri from Delhi
6N / 7D
₹14,500
₹21,000
₹31,500
Estimated 2027 prices, starting from. The final quote depends on dates, hotel category and group size. Pony, palki and pithoo charges are paid locally.
Trek support costs at Janki Chatti
Option
Approximate cost
Good for
Walk
Free
Fit adults; 2.5–4 hours up
Pony
₹1,000–1,500 one way
Most elders and children
Palki (carried chair)
₹4,000–6,000
Those who cannot ride
Pithoo (basket porter)
Fixed on the spot
Small children, light elders
Rates are fixed by the local administration and change each season. Book only at the official counter at Janki Chatti and get a receipt.
3 nights / 4 days: day-wise plan
Day 1
Haridwar or Dehradun to Barkot
210 km from Haridwar · 140 km from Dehradun5–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Meet your driver in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun and climb to Mussoorie on the old hill road. After a stop near Kempty Falls the road descends to the Yamuna at Naugaon and follows it up to Barkot. Collect your yatra registration printouts, have an early dinner and sleep well.
Day 2
Barkot – Janki Chatti – Yamunotri – Barkot
45 km each way + 6 km trek each way10–11 hoursNight: Barkot
Set off by 5:30 am for the 45 km drive to Janki Chatti. Walk or ride up the narrow gorge, past waterfalls and tea stalls, to the temple. Prepare prasad in the Surya Kund, pray at the Divya Shila and take darshan. Descend after lunch and drive back to Barkot by evening.
Image space images/yamunotri-trek.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 3
Barkot to Mussoorie
About 130 km4–5 hoursNight: Mussoorie (or Dehradun)
A relaxed morning, then drive back down the Yamuna valley and up to Mussoorie. Walk Mall Road in the evening or take the cable car to Gun Hill for views of the peaks you have just come from. Those with an early train next day can stay in Dehradun instead.
Day 4
Mussoorie to Dehradun or Haridwar
35–90 km1.5–3 hoursNight: Tour ends
After breakfast, drive down to Dehradun railway station, Jolly Grant airport or Haridwar. If time allows, stop at the Sahastradhara springs or the Robber's Cave near Dehradun on the way.
3 nights on twin or triple sharing (Barkot 2, Mussoorie or Dehradun 1)
Breakfast and dinner daily; all meals on Luxury
Private vehicle with hill driver
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance
Pick-up and drop in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun
Registration help and phone/WhatsApp support
Not included
Pony, palki, pithoo
Travel to the start city
Lunch on Budget and Deluxe
Puja charges
Extra nights caused by landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Hotels in the Yamunotri area (Barkot, Janki Chatti and Kharsali) usually cost ₹1,500–4,500 a room per night. Barkot has the widest choice; Janki Chatti and Kharsali are simpler but save an hour each way on darshan day. Our Yamunotri hotels guide compares the three.
Trek tips for Yamunotri
Start walking by 7 am; afternoon showers make the stone path slippery.
The steepest part is the last 2 km below the temple. Take it slowly and drink water often.
Carry a small towel and a change of clothes if you plan to bathe at the hot springs.
Keep cash in small notes for tea, prasad and porters; there is no ATM on the trail.
Elders with heart or breathing problems should see a doctor before travel and prefer a palki.
Avoid July–August if you can: the Barkot road and the trail both see landslides.
Every pilgrim must hold the free yatra registration; see the registration guide. The temple usually opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes on Bhai Dooj; watch the opening dates for 2027. For clothing and medicines, use our packing list.
Short of time or unable to walk? The Gangotri Yamunotri helicopter yatra lands at Kharsali, cutting most of the road travel; the 6 km trail still has to be covered on foot, pony or palki.
How to book
Contact us on +91-99111 77951 (call or WhatsApp) or sales@goglobaltrip.com with dates and group size.
Pick a hotel level from the quote we send: Budget, Deluxe or Luxury.
Confirm with an advance; we block the hotel and car.
Complete the registration with our help.
Travel with your driver from day 1 to drop-off.
Yamunotri Yatra: FAQ
How long is the Yamunotri trek?
About 6 km each way from Janki Chatti. Most walkers take 2.5 to 4 hours up and less coming down. Ponies, palkis and pithoos are available at the start.
What does a Yamunotri yatra package cost?
An estimated ₹8,500 per person on Budget, ₹12,000 on Deluxe and ₹18,000 on Luxury, for 3 nights and 4 days with four travellers. Final prices depend on dates, hotels and group size.
Is there a helicopter to Yamunotri?
Helicopter charters land at Kharsali, near Janki Chatti, as part of the Gangotri Yamunotri helicopter yatra. You still cover the 6 km trail on foot, pony or palki.
Can I do Yamunotri in one day?
Not from Haridwar or Dehradun. The drive to Barkot alone takes most of a day, so you need at least two nights near the shrine.
Where does Goddess Yamuna live in winter?
At Kharsali village, across the river from Janki Chatti, where the deity is taken after the temple closes on Bhai Dooj.
