moderate
Yamunotri
Uttarakhand · Garhwal · 3,293m🚗 SUV required to Janki Chatti — then 6km trek on foot/pony
👨👩👧 Family: high — requires trek, altitude, no vehicle access to temple
1/5
April
Why 1/5? Temple may open late April (Akshaya Tritiya). 2-12°C. Trail clearing. Early pilgrims if road opens. Snowpatches remain.
The least visited Char Dham — a 6km trek to the source of the Yamuna with hot springs where pilgrims cook rice in muslin cloth.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2-2 days
Budget
budget
Kids Rating
Not suitable
✗ Young children✗ Those needing reliable phone signal✗ Those needing reliable infrastructure
⚠ Infrastructure reality check
•Only basic medical (PHC) — serious cases need referral
•BSNL only — limited signal, no 4G data
•Signal drops to zero in many areas
•Difficult last-mile access
•Moderate altitude (3,293m) — acclimatization needed
Data verified: April 2026 · Scores based on weather, road access, crowd levels, infrastructure, safety conditions · Kids ratings factor in: medical access, ATM availability, phone signal, altitude, road safety
📶
Network
BSNL
BSNL only at Janki Chatti — very patchy. NO signal on trek route or at temple
🏥
Medical
PHC at Janki Chatti — first aid only. Barkot CHC — 36km. Dehradun — 230km for serious cases
🚗
Road
Mountain road to Janki Chatti — narrow, landslide-prone. Then 6km trek
🛡️
Safety
2/5
Why Special
Yamunotri is the westernmost Char Dham and the origin of the Yamuna river. The temple is only accessible via a 6km uphill trek from Janki Chatti (or by pony/palki). Surya Kund hot spring near the temple is so hot that pilgrims cook rice and potatoes in it as prasad. Being the least commercialized Char Dham, it retains an authentic, raw spiritual energy.
Who Should Think Twice
⚠Young children
⚠Those needing reliable phone signal
⚠Those needing reliable infrastructure
Infrastructure concerns
Only basic medical (PHC) — serious cases need referral
BSNL only — limited signal, no 4G data
Signal drops to zero in many areas
Difficult last-mile access
Moderate altitude (3,293m) — acclimatization needed
pilgrimageChar Dhamtrekhot-springsremote
Festivals & Events
Yamuna Chhath
AprApril (Chaitra Shukla Shashthi)
Devoted worship of the river Yamuna on her sacred day with offerings, aarti, and ritual bathing at the source.
religious
Yamunotri Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya)
MayEarly May (Akshaya Tritiya)
The temple doors open for the Char Dham season with rituals at the hot springs and the sacred Divya Shila; pilgrims cook rice in the thermal water as prasad.
religious
Infrastructure Reality
📶
Network Coverage
BSNL
BSNL only at Janki Chatti — very patchy. NO signal on trek route or at temple
WiFi: Not available
🏥
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: PHC at Janki Chatti — first aid only. Barkot CHC — 36km. Dehradun — 230km for serious cases
Ambulance: Temple committee pony/stretcher. No motorized ambulance on trek
Police: Janki Chatti outpost — seasonal
🚗
Getting There
Dehradun — 230km, 9hr to Janki Chatti. Barkot — 50km, 2.5hr
Roads: Mountain road to Janki Chatti — narrow, landslide-prone. Then 6km trek
Public transport: Buses from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Hanuman Chatti. Shared taxis to Janki Chatti. Palki/pony for trek
⛽
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Barkot — 36km
Fill up at Barkot. No fuel beyond
Budget stay: 200-500/night — basic dharamshalas at Janki Chatti
Mid-range: 800-2000/night — GMVN rest house at Janki Chatti
Helpline: 100, 1077 (UK disaster)
Where to Stay
Best for Families
Stay at Janki Chatti — skip trek if kids are young
Best for Backpackers
Dharamshalas at Janki Chatti
Best for Peace & Quiet
Entire area is peaceful
Avoid
Trek is steep — not suitable for elderly or very young children without pony
Off-season: Closed Nov-Apr/nightPeak: ₹400-2000/night
dharamshalaguesthouseGMVN
Daily Budget Reality
🎒
Budget
₹950Stay₹400
Food₹250
Transport₹200
Activities₹100
per person per day
🏨
Mid-range
₹2,800Stay₹1,500
Food₹500
Transport₹500
Activities₹300
per person per day
✨
Luxury
₹5,100Stay₹3,000
Food₹800
Transport₹800
Activities₹500
per person per day
💡 Very basic infrastructure. Pony/palki hire ₹500-2000 for trek. Closed Nov-Apr.
Crowd Intelligence
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Quiet Moderate Peak
⚠ Avoid weekends — crowded with day-trippers
Best days: Mon-Wed
First Char Dham shrine. 6km trek from Janki Chatti. Open May-Nov. Peak rush in May-Jun opening weeks. Less crowded than Kedarnath but trail is narrow — queues form.
Food & Dining
🥬
Vegetarian
all vegetarian
👨👩👧
Family Dining
basic dhabas at Janki Chatti
Cuisine: Very basic vegetarian — dal-rice, maggi
Extremely limited. Carry your own snacks and water. Maggi and chai at trail stops.
How to Reach
Airport
Jolly Grant, Dehradun — 285km
Rail
Rishikesh — 260km
Ready to book?
We don't sell bookings. Check these trusted platforms.