Major city · India
Joshimathज्योतिर्मठ
Spend 2 days in Joshimath: one day for temples and local sights, a second for a short trek or cable‑car ride to Auli.
Joshimath sits at 11 000 ft in the Garhwal Himalayas, serving as a gateway to Badrinath and Auli. Its main attractions are temples and easy mountain outings, which fit comfortably into a two‑day stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Jul–Aug
- avoid Dec–Feb (heavy snow, road closures)
- Airport
- DED
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Joshimath112 ▾
- Police112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Joshimath, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch mountain weather, road closures, and keep small cash for remote shops.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (≈ 2 h drive to Joshimath).
- Getting aroundBuses from Rishikesh/Haridwar (₹550 (≈ US$7)‑₹600 (≈ US$7), 4‑5 am departure, 8‑11 h ride) and local shared taxis (₹150 (≈ US$2) to Badrinath).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi to Badrinath₹150 (≈ US$2)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Rishikesh₹550–₹580 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedDormitory (GMVN), a night, per person₹400 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (GMVN), a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPrivate room (GMVN), a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹900 (≈ US$11) · Mid ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · High ₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (≈ 2 h drive to Joshimath)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Joshimath: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
17 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
16 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
2 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses from Rishikesh/Haridwar (₹550‑₹600, 4‑5 am departure, 8‑11 h ride) and local shared taxis (₹150 to Badrinath). Within town walk or auto‑rickshaw.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Auli (cable‑car)
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min round trip
Taxi or shared jeep 30 min
Cable‑car runs May–Oct; ticket ₹500‑₹700.
Badrinath
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h
Bus/taxi 50 km (31 mi), about 2 hBus/taxi 31 mi (50 km), about 2 h
Shared taxi ₹150; bus ₹200–₹300.
Ghangaria (Valley of Flowers gateway)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 4 h
Bus to Govindghat (₹45 (≈ under US$1)) then trek 3 h
Permit ₹150 (Indians) or ₹600 (foreigners); best mid‑July to mid‑Aug.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib
Free dormitory, donation ₹50‑75/night
GMVN Tourist Rest House (Nargingh)
Dorm ₹500, private room ₹2,000
GMVN Jyotir Tourist Complex
Dorm ₹400, private room ₹1,700
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory (GMVN)2 × 2 nights × ₹600 | ₹2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹1,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Bus Rishikesh → Joshimath (one way)2 × ₹580 · check | ₹1,160 |
| Cable‑car to Auli (round trip)2 × ₹600 · check | ₹1,200 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,316 |
| Trip total≈ ₹3,619 per person per day, bed included | ₹14,476≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Shared taxi to Badrinath | ₹150 (≈ US$2) |
| Bus from Rishikesh | ₹550–₹580 (≈ US$7) |
| Auli cable‑car ticket | ₹500–₹700 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Meal at local dhaba | ₹120–₹250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be blocked by landslides in monsoon; check local reports.
- Altitude may cause mild sickness; hydrate and ascend slowly.
- Last bus from the valley leaves around 7 am; plan overnight stay if arriving late.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
Pocket card
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Joshimathज्योतिर्मठ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इसे यहाँ ले जाइएTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
Embassy
US consulate in Delhi; Indian embassy in New Delhi (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rishikesh → Joshimath bus: about ₹580 (≈ US$7), 8–11 h (check)
- Taxi Joshimath → Badrinath: ≈ ₹150, 2 h
- Cable‑car Auli round trip: ₹600 (≈ US$7), 30 min each way (check)
Say or show
- माफ़ कीजिए — Excuse me / Sorry (maaf kijiye)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- यह कितने का है? — How much is this? (yah kitne ka hai?)
- पानी मिल सकता है? — Can I have water? (paani mil sakta hai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Joshimath. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jul–Aug · avoid Dec–Feb (heavy snow, road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Badrinath for pilgrimage focus.
- Combine Auli ski‑season visit with Joshimath base.
Sources
Ask about Joshimath
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