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Yamunotri Trek Overview
Quick Facts of Yamunotri Trek
Maximum altitude: 3293 metres above sea level
Grade: Soft trek
Duration: 2 nights / 3 days
Trekking distance: 12 kilometres both way
Trail type: Easy to moderate
Rail head: Rishikesh is the nearest rail headto the Yamunotri trek
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Snow Season: October to March
Service from: April
Base camp: Jankichatti
Best season: May-June, September- November
Region: Garhwal
Who can participate: Kids below 10 years andSenior citizens above 65 years should reconsider participating in Yamunotri trek.
Detailed Itinerary Yamunotri Trek
Dehradun to Jankichatti Base Camp
- Your trekking adventure towards Yamunotri will commence with your arrival at Dehradun.
- From the railway station or the airport, your representative will pick you up to take you on a scenic road trip to reach Jankichatti.
- Jankichatti is the base camp for the Yamunotri trek and it takes roughly around 6-7 hours to reach there from Dehradun.
- But fret not, this swirling road trip will involve some scenic sights of ample greenery, clear skies and not to forget, the towering peaks of the Himalayas!
- After reaching Jankichatti, indulge yourself with piping hot dinner and comfortable accommodation for an overnight stay.
Janki Chatti to Yamontri and back to Jankichatti
- After relishing a wholesome breakfast, the Yamunotri trek will commence which is around 6 kilometres one way.
- The estimated total time to reach the top after ascending is roughly around 2-3 hours.
- Along the way, there would be ample amenities available like rest-stops, tea stalls, water refilling points and benches to catch your breath for a while.
- By noon, you will arrive at the main Yamunotri temple and at the sacred temple itself, lunch will be served.
- After taking in the panoramic views of the majestic mountains, you will begin your Yamunotri glacier trek back to the base camp.
Time to return home
- The last day of this surreal Yamunotri glacier trek will begin with a scrumptious breakfast and if time permits, exploring the quaint little town of Jankichatti could be on the cards as well.
- At the end of the day, you will be boarding a vehicle to reach Dehradun.
- After reaching there, all the trekkers and adventure seekers will disperse their own ways.
What to Pack For Yamunotri Trek?
Essentials:
Hiking shoes: It is advisable to wear proper hiking / trekking shoes on treks like Yamunotri glacier trek because sports shoes and sneakers tend to get slippery on such surfaces. On the other hand, hiking shoes not only provide good grip but they also offer good protection from external elements like the weather or stones for that matter.
Woollens: It is essentially to carry every kind of winter gear imaginable like woollen cap, socks, mittens and scarf. Moreover, don’t forget to carry fleece jackets and warmers as well because it tends to get very cold on this trek, especially during the night when the cold breezes take over the mountains.
Although the trek leader and the rest of the crew carry a medical kit, it is advisable to carry your own personalised first aid / medical kit as well.
Others:
Rain cover: Rain cover for your belongings like a rucksack and rain gears for yourselves are a must on this trek. If it rains, you don’t want your stuff to get drenched apart from getting wet yourselves.
Walking stick: A good walking stick can come in really handy while undertaking treks like Yamunotri glacier trek because it helps in maintaining stability while traversing over rough surfaces.
Know Before You Go Yamunotri Trek
By Air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is the closest airport to Yamunotri which is situated at a distance of 210 kilometres. From there, you can easily get a taxi or a bus to reach Yamunotri.
By Rail: Rishikesh and Dehradun are the nearest railway stations to Yamunotri as the former is around 200kms away while the latter is 175kms away from Yamunotri. It is a good thing that both Dehradun and Rishikesh are very well connected to all the major cities of India. Trains to Dehradun and Rishikesh are frequent as well and from then on, you can easily board a taxi or a bus to reach Yamunotri.
By road: Yamunotri isn’t directly connected by motorable roads but the base camp Jankichatti is. It is very well connected by motorable roads by all the major Uttarakhand cities including Dehradun and Rishikesh. If you’re travelling from Rishikesh, buses are available for this route from ISBT Kashmiri Gate.
Even though the Yamunotri trek difficulty level is believed to be easy to moderate, it is still advisable for trekkers to work on their overall endurance before coming for this trek. This way, you will get less fatigued and you can enjoy the overall experience even more! Here are some more tips to keep in mind:
- It is advisable to carry warm clothing for this trek as it can get windy and chilly, especially during the night.
- Although the trek isn’t that difficult to undertake, if you’re pregnant or have underlying health concerns, it is advisable to get a green flag from your doctor before joining this adventure.
- Carry your own personal medical / first aid kit with essential supplies like medicines, band-aids and ointments.
- To keep your belongings safe, it is advisable to carry a good backpack of roughly around 30-40 litres.
- Wear a comfortable yet sturdy pair of hiking shoes as they can make a major difference in making your overall experience less tedious and more enjoyable.
- To maintain the sanctity and the cleanliness of such a holy place, please don’t litter around on the Yamunotri trek route. Carry a spare packet to throw away all your trash and dump the waste in proper dustbins.
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FAQs of Yamunotri Trek
How difficult is the Yamunotri trek?
The Yamunotri trek difficulty level is relatively easy as compared to other treks in the same region. However, since it is still a 12 km trek on the second day, it is advisable to all the trekkers to work on their endurance a little. And if you have any underlying health concerns, it is advisable to get a green flag from your doctor first.
What is the Yamunotri trek timing?
The whole trip lasts for 2 nights and 3 days but the actual trek to Yamunotri starts and ends on the second day itself. It will involve trekking for 12 kilometres both ways. The ascent roughly takes about 2-3 hours to cover 6 kilometres to reach the main temple. After reaching the temple and having lunch there itself, the descent will commence which will also take around 2-3 hours.
What is the best time to do Yamunotri trek?
The summer months of May and June are considered to be the best months to undertake trek to Yamunotri. This time around, the climate is more on the pleasant side, rather than being extreme. If you don’t manage to make it during this time bracket, you can also undertake this trek during the post monsoon months of September and October. Avoid going for this trek during the rains and the winters because the weather might not be that favourable.
What is the starting point of Yamunotri trek?
Jankichatti is the base camp for the trek to Yamunotri and from here onwards, the main temple is a 6 kilometre trek away.
How long is the Yamunotri trek?
From the base camp Jankichatti, the main Yamunotri trek route is roughly around 6 kilometres one way. The whole trek lasts for around 12 kilometres and involves one full day of tedious trekking.
What is Yamunotri trek famous for?
Apart from offering the majestic views of the Garhwali Himalayas, Yamunotri trek is majorly famous for the spiritual significance it holds. The main Yamunotri temple is believed to be the source of the Yamuna river – one of the holiest and important rivers of India. It is also a part of the char dham sites and is believed to be the first place to visit in the Char dham circuit.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir