Circuit · Uttarakhand
Gangotri valley
Harsil's orchards, Dayara's meadows and the glacier source of the Ganga.
- Places
- 4
- Altitude
- 2,300–4,912 m
- Fly / train to
- Dehradun
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,700
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- ❄︎Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Best for most places here: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Each place here needs 3–7 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Dayara Bugyal
Rolling alpine meadows at 3,600 m with a gentle gradient — the friendliest high-altitude trek in Garhwal.
Gaumukh & Tapovan
Walk to the source of the Ganga, then climb to the Tapovan meadows beneath Shivling.
Harsil
A Bhagirathi-side village of apple orchards and deodar forest, once called 'Mini Switzerland'.
Kedartal
A steep, boulder-strewn climb from Gangotri to an emerald glacial lake under Thalay Sagar.
What to pack for Gangotri valley
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Sun cap or hat
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- Insect repellent
- Power bank
- Light travel tripod
- Spare memory card and camera battery
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
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Where to stay
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Pickups & drivers
No drivers listed for this circuit yet. Drive here? List your cab.
Gangotri valley: questions people ask
Which places are in the Gangotri valley circuit?
The Gangotri valley circuit in Uttarakhand covers Dayara Bugyal, Gaumukh & Tapovan, Harsil and Kedartal. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Gangotri valley?
April to June and September and October suit most places in Gangotri valley. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Gangotri valley?
Travel to Dehradun, then continue by road.
How much does a Gangotri valley trip cost per day?
About ₹2,700 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Gangotri valley, and which is the highest?
Harsil is the easiest (easy). Kedartal is the highest at 4,912 m.