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The journey from Rishikesh to Gangotri is a spiritual and beautiful road trip in the Indian Himalayas. You will move from the yoga hubs of the foothills to the birthplace of the holy River Ganges also known as Bhagirathi. This route goes through dramatic river gorges, emerald valleys and apple orchards.
The road distance from Rishikesh to Gangotri is 268 kilometers. It takes around 8 to 10 hours to drive. Because this is a winding hill terrain you need to plan your trip
Here is everything you need to know about the routes, transport modes, road conditions and important travel guidelines for Gangotri.
1. The Core Route Map
The best path from Rishikesh to Gangotri follows NH-94 to Chamba then merges into NH-108 all the way to the temple shrine at Gangotri.
Rishikesh ➔ Narendranagar ➔ Chamba ➔ Uttarkashi ➔ Bhatwari ➔ Harsil ➔ Gangotri
Route Breakdown:
The distance from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi is 170 kilometers and takes about 5-6 hours. Thanks to the Char Dham All-Weather Road project this part of the road is smooth and wide. You will pass by towns like Narendranagar and Chamba where you can stop for breakfast or lunch at dhabas.
The distance from Uttarkashi to Gangotri is 100 kilometers and takes around 3-4 hours. After crossing Uttarkashi the road gets steeper and narrower as you enter rocky river gorges. The last 30 kilometers will take you through the Harsil Valley, which is full of dense cedar forests and apple orchards. This is a place to stop for afternoon tea.
2. Best Modes of Transport to Reach Gangotri
Option A: Private Taxi or Self-Drive (Best for Comfort and Groups)
You can hire a taxi like an Innova, Bolero or Dzire from the official Rishikesh Taxi Stand or local travel agencies. This gives you the freedom to stop for photos and manage your breaks.
The cost of hiring a taxi from Rishikesh to Gangotri can range from ₹10,000 to ₹14,000 depending on the type of vehicle.
If you plan to drive your car or a rental make sure you have experience driving on steep hairpin roads and sharing narrow roads with big buses.
Option B: Shared Jeeps and Local Buses (The Budget Method)
If you are traveling alone or on a budget the local mountain transit system is an option. However you need to start early.
There are daily buses from the Rishikesh Yatra Bus Stand to Gangotri, which depart between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
If you miss these buses you can take a shared jeep or bus from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi stay overnight in Uttarkashi and then take another shared jeep to Gangotri the next morning. This breaks the 10-hour drive into two parts.
3. Important. Regulations for Gangotri Yatra
You need to register yourself with the Uttarakhand Government before starting your journey to Gangotri. This registration is free. Can be done online or at biometric centers in Rishikesh.
There is a ban on driving at night between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM on the Char Dham highways due to landslide hazards and poor visibility. Make sure you reach your destination before it gets dark.
Gangotri is at an altitude of 11,200 feet so it is a good idea to spend a night in Uttarkashi or Harsil to get used to the altitude. This can help prevent altitude sickness.
Make sure your vehicles tank is full at Uttarkashi as there may be limited fuel options after that.
4. Best Time to Plan Your Journey to Gangotri
The road to Gangotri opens in April or early May and closes in mid-November.
The best time to visit Gangotri is from May to June, when the weather’s clear and warm but it can be crowded.
From July to August the monsoon rains can cause landslides and travel delays so it is better to avoid this time.
The best time for photography and smooth travel is from September, to October, when the weather’s clear and there are fewer crowds.