A spiritual Dehradun to Yamunotri trip with outstanding perks of heart-warming scenic views and positive energies of the temple is something you should experience. Considering the sacredness of this Hindu place, every year lakhs of devotees commence on this challenging trip to high altitude region. If you are a true devotee, then you must squeeze some time and plan the Yatra to this holy place, Yamunotri. To guide you about the Yatra, here we are going to share all the important details like the best time to visit, modes of transportation and en route attractions.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to travel to Yamunotri Dham is in the peak summer season. Considering the cold climate of the Garhwal region, you should plan the trip in May or June. At this time, the temperature in Himalayan surroundings is comparatively higher and bearable. Besides the summer, you can think of visiting in October or November as well.
Why is Yamunotri a Famous Site?
- This holy site enshrines the Maa Yamuna as the deity. In Hinduism, Yamuna Ji is considered a pious river.
- It is part of the Char Dham Yatra, and so devotees try to embark on this Yatra at least once in a lifetime.
- This beautiful temple is dedicated to the origin of the river Yamuna.
- To experience spirituality, every person must embark on this journey with faith and devotion toward the Goddess.
Where is Yamunotri Located
- This sacred shrine is located at 3,225 m. altitude in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- Further, it is located in the Uttarkashi district of the northern state of Uttarakhand.
- The easiest mode to arrive at this pilgrimage is by planning the journey to Dehradun, Haridwar, or Rishikesh. Thereafter, you can proceed either with a rental taxi or helicopter ride.
- The taxis can make you reach up to Jankichatti.
- From Jankichatti onwards, Yamunotri temple is 6 Km away, and this distance is covered by trekking.
Distance from Dehradun to Yamunotri
- The actual distance between the state capital, Dehradun and Yamunotri Teerth, is about 171 Km.
- If you travel by taxi, then it would take about 6 to 7 hours to reach there.
- Whereas, if you choose a helicopter ride over the road journey, then you will reach there within 50 minutes of flying.
Route Map
Dehradun → Mussoorie → Barkot → Janki Chatti → Yamunotri (trek)
Dehradun to Yamunotri Route with Distance per Destination
| Route | Distance (km) |
| Dehradun to Mussoorie | 35 |
| Mussoorie to Barkot | 93 |
| Barkot to Janki Chatti | 45 |
| Janki Chatti to Yamunotri Temple | 5 (trek) |
Suggested Package
How to Reach
By Taxi
- The most pocket-friendly way to travel from Dehradun is through renting a vehicle.
- You can easily get a taxi to Yamunotri from Dehradun.
- It will take you till the Jankichatti via a beautiful hamlet Barkot, which is about 6 Km distant from the destination.
- On the way, you will witness the surreal beauty of Himalayan valleys and mountains.
By Train
- The railway mode is accessible only up to the plains of Uttarakhand.
- You can plan a train journey from your home to either Dehradun or Haridwar and Rishikesh.
- From there onwards, you have to switch to either a road journey or an air journey by Helicopter.
- If there are senior citizens in your tour group, then it’s recommended to choose train mode.
By Helicopter
- To the devotees who are looking for the most time saving mode to travel, a helicopter is the ideal choice.
- You can book the helicopter ride online before 2-3 months of the scheduled date.
- Your trip will begin from the Sahastradhara helipad of Dehradun.
- The helipad, which is closest to the Yamunotri temple, is Kharsali Helipad.
- After you land in Kharsali, then further distance can be covered by rental cab only.
Attractions in Yamunotri
There are several touristy hotspots that you must visit here:
Yamunotri Temple
This is the primary spot of your tour. This 19th century temple pays homage to the Goddess Yamuna, enshrined as a black marble idol here. Enjoy Aartis, rhythmic chanting, and several Darshan rituals. Moreover, devotees get to enjoy dense mountains and snow-clad peaks here.
Surya Kund
This is a hot water spring which offers water near boiling point. The very fact that it stays hot despite being surrounded by uber cold Himalayas made this Kund a divine occurrence. The devotees take advantage of its hot temperatures and use it to cook Prasad (rice and potatoes).
Divya Shila
It’s a ritual for devotees to pray to this holy rock before entering the temple. You’ll often find pilgrims touching it or offering flowers to it before they enter the temple. It’s widely believe that it has divine presence.
Champasar Glacier
This is the real origin of the Yamuna River. However, marred by tough terrains, it stays inaccessible to the devotees. Only seasoned trekkers and sages can make it to the glacier. But journey up ‘till here is so worth it!
Nearby Attractions
Gangotri Dham
- A nearby spiritual attraction is Gangotri Dham, the temple of Maa Ganga.
- This holy place is also among the Char Dham temples.
- The distance between Yamunotri temple and Gangotri Dham is about 222 Km.
- To reach Gangotri, you should go to Uttarkashi from Barkot and then proceed to the final destination.
Saptarishi Kund
- Saptarishi Kund is a beautiful glacial lake that is known as the origin of the river Yamuna.
- Devotees who are interested in exploring this high-altitude lake, have to trek to reach there from the basecamp Jankichatti.
- If you commence on this trek, you will get stunned by looking at the mesmerising beauty of interior Uttarakhand.
Hanuman Chatti
- It is a small lovely place, where there is a confluence of Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna river.
- From Hanuman Chatti, there are hiking trails to several Himalayan Summits.
- It is only a few kilometers back from Jankichatti.
Barkot
- On the Dehradun to Yamunotri route, Barkot is placed at a distance of 45 km from the temple.
- This is an ideal Himalayan hamlet reflecting the authentic culture and traditions of the Garhwal region.
- Moreover, you can enjoy a comfortable homestay, Garhwali food, and scenic views of Himalayan peaks.
Conclusion
If you are planning a pilgrimage from Dehradun to Yamunotri, then you can find all the required details here in this blog. As you know, Yamunotri is a Hindu pilgrimage site, so it’s an ideal place to take a pause from hectic life and experience the true divinity. What you should check before planning the Yatra is the opening and closing dates of Yamunotri temple. We hope that you will find this piece of content useful and embark on a sacred journey to this holy land.
FAQs
Q1. Can I access Yamunotri by car?
Ans. The last point to Yamunotri temple up ’till which you can travel by car is Janaki Chatti. After that, there lies a trek of 6 km.
Q2. Is Yamunotri trek difficult?
Ans. Yamunotri trek is considered moderately difficult as the trek path includes a few steep stretches. You can also hire pony/Palki to ease the journey.
Q3. How much time does it take to reach Yamunotri from Dehradun?
Ans. It takes 10 to 12 hours, including trekking time, to reach the sacred temple. If you take a heli ride, you can cover the trip in 40-45 minutes.
Q4. How much does a Yamunotri trip cost?
Ans. The Yamunotri trip from Dehradun costs around INR 2,500 – INR 5,500. If you take a helicopter flight from Sahastradhara helipad, the trip might cost above INR 20,000.
Q5. What is the helicopter ticket price to Yamunotri?
Ans. The ticket cost in the range of INR 20,000 – INR 25,000.
Q6. What can we eat at Yamunotri?
Ans. Expect pure vegetarian meals like roti, dal, and rice. You can avail them at local eateries.
Q7. What’s the best time for Yamunotri Yatra?
Ans. The months of May, June, September, and October mark as the excellent time for the pilgrimage. The weather during these periods offer pleasant weather and bearable cold.
Q8. Can I take a bus to Yamunotri?
Ans. There are no direct buses from Dehradun. You can take a bus from Dehradun to Barkot first and then to Hanuman Chatti, followed by Janaki Chatti.
Q10. Where can I stay at Yamunotri?
Ans. You can find decent lodging at Janaki Chatti, such as mid-range hotels, guesthouses, cottages, and GMVN guesthouses.
Suggested to Read
