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Voykit pocket guide · India
Gangotri
Spend 1–2 days in Gangotri for the temple and glacier trek; longer only for extended treks.
Gangotri is a Himalayan pilgrimage town at the source of the Ganges. The main attractions – the Gangotri Temple and the nearby glacier – can be visited in a day, but the surrounding treks (Gaumukh, Kedartal, Harsil) justify a second night.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Oct–May (snow or heavy monsoon)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,000–3,500 excl. bed · High ₹3,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- All services 112 · Police 100
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at dhaba (vegetarian) | ₹50–100 |
| Bottled mineral water (500 ml) | ₹20–30 |
| Budget hotel room (per night) | ₹500–800 |
| Shared taxi from Dehradun (one way) | ₹600–800 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DED · Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- 226 km (140 mi) by road140 mi (226 km) by road
- DEL · Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
- ≈ 250 km (155 mi) by road≈ 155 mi (250 km) by road
Typical fares
- Dehradun → Gangotri, shared taxi
- ≈ ₹1,200 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Roads from Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun; local buses and shared taxis to nearby villages; most sights require walking or short treks.
See and do
Known for
- Gangotri Temple (Chota Char Dham)
- Ganges Glacier (source of Bhagirathi)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gaumukh (glacier snout) | Trek 18 km (11 mi) from Gangotri, on foot or ponyTrek 11 mi (18 km) from Gangotri, on foot or pony | ≈ 5 h round‑trip |
| Kedartal lake | Trek 18 km (11 mi) via Harsil, local guide requiredTrek 11 mi (18 km) via Harsil, local guide required | ≈ 6 h round‑trip |
| Harsil (apple town) | Road 28 km (17 mi), shared taxi or busRoad 17 mi (28 km), shared taxi or bus | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Manisha
- Basic rooms, budget-friendly
- Prakriti The Retreat
- Modern hotel, formerly a tent resort
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजियेmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | यह कितने का है?yah kitne ka hai? |
| Where is the toilet? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- No non‑vegetarian food or alcohol is served in town (check local rules).
- Winter road closures possible; verify before travel (check).
- Altitude may cause mild altitude sickness; stay hydrated.
Generally safe for pilgrims; watch for altitude effects, road closures in winter, and limited medical facilities.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Gangotri yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gangotri Temple (Chota Char Dham)
- Ganges Glacier (source of Bhagirathi)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Official Char Dham website: badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/
- Wikivoyage: Gangotri, revision 5242480 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242480
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/gangotri). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.