Gangotri is amongst the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and situated in the lap of the mighty Himalayas in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The place is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. People from all over the country visit Gangotri to seek the blessings of Goddess Ganga. Gangotri witnesses’ a high number of tourists during the summer season from April to June, when the climatic conditions are favorable. Gangotri Temple remains open from April to October when the weather remains cool and pleasant during this season. However, in the monsoon season, frequent rainfall can cause road blockages that make the tour to Gangotri difficult. Here is detailed information about the best time to visit Gangotri to seek blessings at the temple and plan a hassle-free tour.
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Summers | April to June | 20°c – 30°c |
Monsoon | July to Sep | 2°c – 10°c |
Winter | Oct to March | 1°c – 8°c |
When & Where to Visit in Gangotri
Summer Season in Gangotri: April to June
The summer season starts in April and lasts till June. The climatic conditions remain pleasant and comfortable, making the tour memorable. The summer season is the best time to visit Gangotri and seek blessings at the temple of Goddess Ganga. The temperature ranges from 20°C to 30°C, which is favorable for sightseeing. It is the best season to visit attractions like Gangotri Temple, Dayara Bugyal, and Dodital.
Why visit in the summers?
Summers open the doors for the yatra in Gangotri Dham along with the Char Dham Yatra. The temperature remains balmy which allows darshan and sightseeing to be enjoyable.
Things to do in Gangotri in the summers:
- Kalindi Khal Trek
- Auden Col Trek
- Take a dip in Tapovan Hot Springs
- Hike to Dayara Bugyal
- Visit Surya Kund
- Nature Walk
- Helicopter ride
- Camping
- Religious Expedition
Tip:
- To avoid severe tan, apply sunscreens before going outside. Also, carry a hat and sunglasses.
- Book accommodation in advance as it is peak season.
- Carry light woolens as in the evening, the temperature dips.
- Pack prescribed as well as basic medicines with you.
Monsoon Season in Gangotri: July and September
Monsoon season in Gangotri starts in July and ends in September. The place receives moderate to heavy rainfall during this season which makes pilgrimage or sightseeing tours difficult. The road blockages and landslides during the monsoon season increase, which hinders the traveling plan. It is advisable to keep extra days while traveling to Gangotri in the monsoon. The temperature ranges between 2°C to 10°C in the monsoon season.
Why visit Monsoon?
If you love rain, you can plan a visit to Gangotri Dham during the monsoon. However, the rainy season is not considered a good time as the region becomes slippery and has chances of a landslide. However, you can get amazing deals and discounts on hotel accommodation this season.
Things to do in Gangotri in the monsoon:
- Nature Walk
- Hike to Dayara Bugyal
- Take a dip in Tapovan Hot Springs
- Visit Surya Kund
Tip:
- Do not go outside during the extreme rain, as it may cause danger.
- Carry an umbrella and poncho with you.
- Pack medicines and a first aid kit.
- Check weather and road conditions before starting your journey by road.
Winter Season in Gangotri: October to March
The winter season starts in October and ends in March. The temperature during this season drops down to 1°C. The weather goes freezing cold and the place receives heavy snowfall. It is a good time to visit the place, but it is best to get Gangotri weather information before visiting to have a smooth journey. The temple remains open for October and November. After that, the temple will close as the region will become inaccessible in winters due to heavy snowfall.
Why visit in Winter?
Winters in Gangotri are extreme and receive heavy snow showers. However, you can enjoy the snowfall during your Gangotri visit. Adventure enthusiasts love this season as it allows several snow activities.
Things to do in Gangotri in winters:
- Trek to Gaumukh.
- Trek to Kedartal.
- Trek to Nelong Valley.
- Visit Gangotri National Park.
- Partake in snow activities.
- Enjoy camping.
Tip:
- During winters, the Gangotri Temple closing ceremony takes place that is attended by a large number of pilgrims. So it is advisable to book your stay in well-advance to save yourself from last-minute hassle.
- The nighttime and early morning temperatures remain very cold, so it is advisable to carry heavy woolens.
- Carry layers of clothes for your ease.
- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen to avoid tanning and sunburn.
Carry a first-aid kit along with prescribed medicines and regular medications such as for fever, cough, cold, and headache.
Cities of Uttarakhand
- Bageshwar
- Barkot
- Bhimtal
- Chamba
- Chamoli
- Champawat
- Doonagiri
- Gaurikund
- Gopeshwar
- Guptakashi
- Haldwani
- Hanuman Chatti
- Har ki Doon
- Joshimath
- Karanprayag
- Khirsu
- Kotdwara
- Nandaprayag
- Naukuchiatal
- Pauri
- Pithoagarh
- Rudraprayag
- Rudrapur
- Sattal
- Tehri
- Uttarkashi
- Yamkeshwar
- Corbett
- Chopta
- Devprayag
- Gangotri
- Hemkund
- Mukteshwar
- Ranikhet
- Valley of Flower
- Yamunotri
- Dhanaulti
- Almora
- Badrinath
- Kedarnath
- Lansdowne
- Kausani
- Dehradun
- Haridwar
- Auli
- Nainital
- Mussoorie
- Rishikesh