Good Time
Yamunotri in June
Uttarakhand, India
June is peak Yamunotri — Char Dham traffic at maximum. The 6km trek from Janki Chatti is busy with pilgrims, ponies, and palanquin carriers. The hot springs (Surya Kund at 88°C, Gauri Kund for bathing at cooler temperature) are the unique feature. Pre-monsoon weather (5-18°C at the temple) is comfortable. The glacier above the temple (Saptrishi Kund, source of the Yamuna) is a challenging additional trek for the fit.
The June story
June peak Char Dham means the Yamunotri trail is a pilgrim highway. The 6km trek is crowded with devotees of all ages — grandmothers on ponies, children walking, sadhus barefoot. The infrastructure handles it: chai stalls every kilometre, medical posts, pony stands. The hot springs area near the temple is busy but still delivers: the sight of boiling water next to glacial stream, the communal rice-cooking, the bathing in Gauri Kund. The trek through the Yamuna gorge — the river below getting younger and louder as you climb — builds anticipation perfectly. The Saptrishi Kund trek (an additional 5km above the temple, reaching the Yamuna's actual glacial source at 4,421m) is for the seriously fit and requires a guide. June's pre-monsoon weather gives reliable trail conditions. Hotels at ₹1,000-3,000. The evening at Janki Chatti, after completing the day's pilgrimage, has a communal satisfaction that's hard to replicate.
Why June scores 4/5
Weather
Full season 10-22°C. Temple busy with Char Dham pilgrims. Trek trail in good condition. Hot springs popular. Book ponies.
Roads & Access
self drive: Possible to Janki Chatti. Then must trek. road condition: 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. from nearest city: Dehradun — 230km, 9hr to Janki Chatti. Barkot — 50km, 2.5hr. last km difficulty: extreme
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 2/5. rescue: SDRF Uttarakhand, ITBP — helicopter in extreme cases. helpline: 100, 1077 (UK disaster). ambulance: Temple committee pony/stretcher. No motorized ambulance on trek. police station: Janki Chatti outpost — seasonal. nearest hospital: PHC at Janki Chatti — first aid only. Barkot CHC — 36km. Dehradun — 230km for serious cases
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL only at Janki Chatti — very patchy. NO signal on trek route or at temple
Kids
Not ideal for kids — Pilgrimage significance for Hindu families
Elevation
3,293m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓Peak Char Dham pilgrims at maximum trail infrastructure
- ✓Saptrishi Kund adventurers wanting the Yamuna's actual glacial source
- ✓Gorge-trek enthusiasts in pre-monsoon conditions
- ✓Cultural observers watching mass pilgrimage logistics
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗Crowd-averse travellers — peak Char Dham traffic
- ✗Late-June visitors as monsoon approaches
- ✗Those needing quiet temple experience
- ✗Budget travellers — peak pricing
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0/5 | Temple closed. Extreme snow at 3,300m. Trail from Janki Chatti buried. Idol shifted to Kharsali for winter worship. |
| February | 0/5 | Temple closed, snowbound. Deepest snow of the year. Trail impassable. Village Kharsali hosts winter puja ceremonies. |
| March | 0/5 | Temple closed. Snow melting slowly at lower elevations. Trail still buried. Opening depends on weather — usually late April. |
| April | 1/5 | Temple may open late April (Akshaya Tritiya). 2-12°C. Trail clearing. Early pilgrims if road opens. Snowpatches remain. |
| May | 5/5 | Temple open, best weather 8-20°C. Char Dham season peak. 6km trek from Janki Chatti comfortable. Hot springs at temple. |
| Juneviewing | 4/5 | Full season 10-22°C. Temple busy with Char Dham pilgrims. Trek trail in good condition. Hot springs popular. Book ponies. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon rain makes 6km trek trail slippery and dangerous. Landslides block Janki Chatti road. River in spate. Risky. |
| August | 1/5 | Peak monsoon. Trek trail waterlogged. Multiple landslides on approach road. Temple accessible but journey dangerous. Avoid. |
| September | 3/5 | Monsoon clearing 6-16°C. Autumn trek window. Trail drying. Temple still open. Fewer pilgrims. Peaceful darshan. |
| October | 4/5 | Last month before closure 4-12°C. Temple closing ceremony (Yama Dwitiya). Autumn colors on trail. Final pilgrims. |
| November | 0/5 | Temple closed for winter. Idol shifted to Kharsali. Snow arriving. Trail shutting down. 6-month closure begins. |
| December | 0/5 | Temple closed. Deep snow. Trail buried. Janki Chatti base quiet. Winter worship continues at Kharsali village only. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Dehradun — 230km, 9hr to Janki Chatti. Barkot — 50km, 2.5hr. Roads: Mountain road to Janki Chatti — narrow, landslide-prone. Then 6km trek. Self-drive: Possible to Janki Chatti. Then must trek. Public transport: Buses from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Hanuman Chatti. Shared taxis to Janki Chatti. Palki/pony for trek. Last stretch: extreme
Elevation
3,293m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in June
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