The Bhagirathi river flowing through the mountains at Gangotri (photo: Vishnu Prasad, Unsplash)

How to Reach Gangotri from Rishikesh, Dehradun & Uttarkashi

Gangotri is the Char Dham shrine of Goddess Ganga, at about 3,100 m on the Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi. It is reached by road, opens on Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Diwali, and is the base for the trek to Gaumukh, the glacier source of the Ganga.

Nearest railwayRishikesh · ≈ 270 km
Nearest airportJolly Grant · ≈ 280 km
By roadAll the way to Gangotri
StopoverUttarkashi or Harsil

Route to Gangotri at a glance

RishikeshStart early
Chambavia Narendranagar
Uttarkashi≈ 170 km
BhatwariBhagirathi valley
Harsil≈ 75 km
Gangotri≈ 25 km

Gangotri by bus

Rishikesh - Uttarkashi6-7 hrs
Uttarkashi - Gangotri3-4 hrs

In season, buses run from Rishikesh and Dehradun to Uttarkashi and Gangotri. Shared jeeps connect Uttarkashi, Harsil and Gangotri.

  • Break the journey at Uttarkashi on day one.

Gangotri by train

Rishikesh≈ 270 km
Dehradun≈ 280 km

Take a train to Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun, then continue by road.

  • Dehradun to Uttarkashi via Mussoorie is a scenic alternative.

Gangotri by air

Jolly Grant≈ 280 km
HelicopterSeasonal Char Dham packages

Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun is the nearest. Seasonal Char Dham helicopter packages also land near Harsil.

  • Book helicopters only through authorised operators.

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Near Gangotri Dham

Harsil≈ 20 km

Harsil

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