Overview
Yamunotri has no road access to the temple — the 6-km trek from Janki Chatti is mandatory for all pilgrims. The goal is to get to Janki Chatti (2,650 m), which is connected by road to Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh. From Janki Chatti: walk, horse or palanquin to the temple.
| Origin | To Janki Chatti | Drive Time | Bus/Shared Taxi | Private Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar | ~200 km | 6–7 hrs | ₹200–₹450 | ₹4,000–₹6,500 |
| Rishikesh | ~188 km | 6 hrs | ₹200–₹400 | ₹3,800–₹6,200 |
| Delhi | ~375 km | 10–11 hrs | ₹500–₹800 | ₹8,000–₹12,000 |
| Dehradun | ~180 km | 5–6 hrs | ₹200–₹380 | ₹3,500–₹5,500 |
| Barkot | 13 km | 30–45 min | ₹50–₹100 | ₹300–₹500 |
| Uttarkashi | ~120 km | 3–4 hrs | ₹150–₹250 | ₹2,500–₹3,500 |
Planning
Route from Haridwar to Janki Chatti (200 km):
Haridwar → Rishikesh (25 km) → Narendra Nagar (50 km) → Chamba (90 km) → Dharasu Bend (135 km) → Barkot (168 km) → Hanuman Chatti (177 km) → Janki Chatti (181 km). Key stop: Barkot (1,220 m) is the best overnight base — 13 km before Janki Chatti. GMVN Barkot, ATM, medical clinic, good meals. Barkot is on the Tons river — a beautiful valley town.
Trek from Janki Chatti (the mandatory last leg):
From Janki Chatti: (1) On foot — 6 km, 641 m ascent, 2–3 hrs. (2) Horse/mule — ₹600–₹1,000 per person one way, booked at Janki Chatti horse stand. Horse rental is popular and well-organised. (3) Palanquin (palki/doli) — ₹1,500–₹3,000 one way, 4 bearers, carried in a chair. Better for elderly or those with mobility issues. Important: no helicopter, no road, no ropeway to Yamunotri temple.
Travel Tips
- Overnight at Barkot before the trek: Driving from Haridwar (200 km) and trekking 6 km to Yamunotri in the same day is exhausting. Stay overnight at Barkot, trek fresh the next morning. GMVN Barkot has good rooms. See hotels guide.
- Book horse/palanquin at Janki Chatti early: In peak May season, horse and palanquin services at Janki Chatti fill up by 8:00 AM. Arrive at Janki Chatti by 7:00–7:30 AM and immediately book your horse or confirm your walk. Do not assume availability on arrival — queue early.
- Barkot ATM — last cash point: Barkot has an SBI ATM — the last reliable ATM before Janki Chatti and Yamunotri. Carry ₹2,000–₹3,000 cash per person for horse fees, puja items, dharamshalas and meals.
Accommodation
- Barkot: GMVN (₹1,200–₹2,800), private hotels ₹700–₹2,500. Best base. ATM here.
- Janki Chatti: Basic guesthouses ₹400–₹1,000. Limited. For those wanting to start the trek at dawn.
- Yamunotri (at temple): Dharamshalas (free–₹200). Basic. First-come only.
FAQs
- How to reach Yamunotri from Haridwar?
- ~200 km to Janki Chatti, 6–7 hrs. Route: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Dharasu → Barkot → Janki Chatti. Then 6-km mandatory trek (2–3 hrs, 641 m ascent) or horse (₹600–₹1,000) or palanquin (₹1,500–₹3,000). Private taxi ₹4,000–₹6,500.
- Is there a helicopter to Yamunotri?
- No helicopter. 6-km trek from Janki Chatti is mandatory — on foot, horse or palanquin. Only Char Dham where all pilgrims must trek. Kedarnath has helicopter; Badrinath and Gangotri are road-accessible.
- What is the nearest railway station to Yamunotri?
- Dehradun Junction (~180 km, 5–6 hrs by taxi). Also Haridwar Junction (~200 km, 6–7 hrs). Best Delhi→Dehradun trains: Nanda Devi Express, Dehradun Shatabdi. From Dehradun: taxi to Barkot (₹3,500–₹5,500).