Avoid
Uttarkashi in December
Uttarakhand, India
December is winter Uttarkashi — 0-12°C, clear skies, the Bhagirathi at winter-low clarity. The Kashi Vishwanath temple in winter has its year-round devotees. NIM runs its winter mountaineering courses — serious climbers training on ice and snow. The town is quiet, functional, and honest. The mountains above are white, the valley is brown, and Uttarkashi is what it has been for centuries: a holy town at the gates of the Himalayas.
The December story
December is Uttarkashi at its core: cold, clear, quiet, holy. The Kashi Vishwanath temple's winter aarti — a handful of devotees, the Bhagirathi audible in the background, mountain cold in the air — is Uttarkashi's essence. NIM winter courses train the next generation of Indian mountaineers on ice and snow. The town market sells winter provisions: rajma, rice, dried fruit, wool. Hotels at ₹400-800 with room heaters. The Bhagirathi in December — low, clear, blue — is the prettiest version of a river that will become the Ganga. December Uttarkashi strips away the Char Dham circus and shows you why this town has been sacred for centuries: it sits at the gates of the Himalayas, and in December, the gates are quiet.
Why December scores 1/5
Weather
Cold winter -2 to 8°C. Most treks closed. Gangotri road shut. Town in winter mode. Mountaineering institute runs courses.
Roads & Access
self drive: Long mountain drive but road quality decent. road condition: NH108 mostly good but narrow mountain sections. Landslide-prone in monsoon. public transport: UPSRTC and private buses from Rishikesh and Dehradun. Shared taxis. from nearest city: Dehradun — 155km, 6hr. Rishikesh — 175km, 7hr. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF Uttarakhand — Uttarkashi unit (active during Char Dham). helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 1077 (UK disaster). ambulance: 108 ambulance available. police station: Uttarkashi Kotwali — town center. nearest hospital: District Hospital Uttarkashi — functional, basic surgeries. Dehradun for specialist care — 155km
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. 4G works in town. Drops beyond town towards Gangotri. BSNL most reliable on highway
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) — Riverside town with temple walks, Gateway to Gangotri — cultural experience, Nehru Mountaineering Institute is engaging, Apple orchards in season
Elevation
1,158m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Winter temple devotees wanting intimate Kashi Vishwanath aarti
- ✓NIM winter course participants and enthusiasts
- ✓Garhwal winter explorers wanting honest mountain experience
- ✓Budget travellers at annual-low rates
Who should think twice
- ✗Cold-averse travellers — 0°C mornings
- ✗Gangotri and Yamunotri pilgrims — temples closed
- ✗Those wanting active tourism beyond temple and NIM
- ✗Comfort seekers — basic winter facilities
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | Cold winter -2 to 8°C. Some snow on higher areas. Gangotri road closed. Nehru Mountaineering Institute active. Quiet town. |
| February | 1/5 | Peak winter cold -4 to 6°C. River Bhagirathi running low and clear. Mountaineering courses in session. Very few visitors. |
| March | 2/5 | Spring arriving 2-14°C. Snow melting. Gangotri road clearing. Vishwanath Temple pleasant. Pre-Char Dham preparations. |
| April | 3/5 | Spring 8-20°C. Char Dham transit season begins. Town buzzing as Gangotri gateway. Dayara Bugyal trek opening. |
| May | 5/5 | Best month 12-24°C. Perfect weather. Dayara Bugyal trek ideal. Dodital open. Char Dham pilgrims transit. All trails go. |
| June | 4/5 | Warm 16-28°C. Full trekking season. Dayara Bugyal, Dodital open. Char Dham pilgrims transit. Pre-monsoon building. |
| July | 1/5 | Monsoon. Bhagirathi in dangerous flood. Roads to Gangotri landslide-prone. 2013 disaster zone. Extremely risky. Avoid. |
| August | 1/5 | Peak monsoon. Multiple road closures. River in spate. Treks suspended. Landslides strand travelers. Do not visit. |
| September | 3/5 | Post-monsoon recovery 12-22°C. Rivers settling. Trails drying. Char Dham season resumes briefly. Green valleys. |
| October | 4/5 | Autumn 8-18°C. Clear crisp days. Dayara Bugyal golden. Gangotri Temple closing ceremony. Best photography month. |
| November | 2/5 | Winter approaching 2-12°C. Gangotri road closing. Town quieting down. Snow on higher peaks. Season winding down. |
| Decemberviewing | 1/5 | Cold winter -2 to 8°C. Most treks closed. Gangotri road shut. Town in winter mode. Mountaineering institute runs courses. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Dehradun — 155km, 6hr. Rishikesh — 175km, 7hr. Roads: NH108 mostly good but narrow mountain sections. Landslide-prone in monsoon. Self-drive: Long mountain drive but road quality decent. Public transport: UPSRTC and private buses from Rishikesh and Dehradun. Shared taxis. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
1,158m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in December
The Window — every Sunday
Best score this week, the honest skip, road intel, and what changed. Free. No spam.
One email per Sunday. Unsubscribe anytime.