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Voykit pocket guide · India
Uttarkashi
उत्तारकाशी
Spend 2 days for town sights, add 3‑4 days for a Dayara Bugyal trek; skip if only passing through.
Uttarkashi is a small Himalayan town in Uttarakhand, known for its temples, ghats and as a gateway to treks like Dayara Bugyal and Dodital. A short stay covers the religious sites; longer stays are needed for trekking.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- उत्तारकाशी
- Best months
- Feb–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon)
- Stay
- 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 ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · High ₹2,000+ 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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Tea (chai) at a café | ₹30–₹50 |
| Meal (vegetarian thali) | ₹150–₹300 |
| Taxi per km | ₹15–₹20 |
| Bus ticket Dehradun → Uttarkashi | ₹800–₹900 |
| Entry to local temples | Free or small donation |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DED · Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- Taxi or bus ~5 h to Uttarkashi
Typical fares
- Dehradun → Uttarkashi bus
- about ₹850 one‑way (check)
- Taxi town centre → bus station
- ≈ ₹200 (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
Town is walkable; hire a taxi or scooter for nearby sites. Public buses connect to trekking trailheads.
See and do
Known for
- Vishwanath Temple
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Bhairav Temple
- Dayara Bugyal trek
- Dodital lake
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dayara Bugyal | Bus to Raithal basecamp (≈11 km (6.8 mi)), then trek 22 km (14 mi) round‑tripBus to Raithal basecamp (≈6.8 mi (11 km)), then trek 14 mi (22 km) round‑trip | 3–4 days trek, start from Uttarkashi |
| Dodital (Dodi Tal) lake | Taxi or bus 11 km (6.8 mi) from town to Agoda Village, then short hikeTaxi or bus 6.8 mi (11 km) from town to Agoda Village, then short hike | ≈2 h total |
| Gaumukh (Gangotri Glacier snout) | Taxi to Gangotri (≈18 km (11 mi)), then trekTaxi to Gangotri (≈11 mi (18 km)), then trek | ≈5 h round trip |
| Sattal (Sat Tal) lakes | Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi) north of townTaxi 3.1 mi (5 km) north of town | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Near Uttarkashi Bus Station
- Most guesthouses within 5 min walk of town centre
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the bathroom? | 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
- Limited night transport; plan return before dark
- Altitude can cause shortness of breath; acclimatise
- Roads may be closed in heavy rain (monsoon)
Uttarkashi is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on altitude effects, road closures in monsoon, and secure belongings in crowded spots.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Uttarkashi yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Vishwanath Temple
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Bhairav Temple
- Dayara Bugyal trek
- Dodital lake
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Uttarkashi: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Uttarkashi, revision 5337318 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5337318
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Uttarkashiउत्तारकाशी
कृपया इस पते पर ले चलें
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- All services112
US consulate in Delhi; Indian passport holders need visa – see /india/visa-requirements
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/uttarkashi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.