Uttarkashi to Gangotri: Distance, Route, Bus, Taxi & Stops
Gangotri Dham is about 95 km from our resort in Uttarkashi, roughly four hours on NH-34. Here is the route, how to get there without a car, where to stop and what to know about the road.
Uttarkashi to Gangotri at a glance
| Mode | Route | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own car / taxi | Uttarkashi – Maneri – Bhatwari – Gangnani – Harsil – Gangotri on NH-34 (about 95 km) | About 4 hours | Families, day trips, darshan |
| Shared jeep | From Uttarkashi bus stand, leaves when full, mostly early morning | 4–5 hours | Solo travellers, budget |
| Bus | Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses in yatra season | 5 hours or more | Budget travellers |
The route
From Uttarkashi the road follows the Bhagirathi upstream on NH-34. You pass the Maneri dam, Bhatwari and the hot springs at Gangnani (about 45 km), then climb to Sukki Top before dropping into the Harsil valley (about 73 km). From Harsil the road runs past Dharali, Lanka and Bhaironghati to Gangotri.
Our resort is at Bhareti Chungi on New Bypass Road, on the Rishikesh side of Uttarkashi, so you can leave for Gangotri early without first crossing the town traffic.
Stops worth making
Gangnani: a hot spring bath on the highway, about 1.5 hours out. See our Gangnani hot springs guide.
Harsil and Mukhba: apple orchards and the winter seat of Ganga. Read about Mukhba village or plan Uttarkashi to Harsil as its own trip.
Lanka bridge and Gartang Gali: the old wooden trade walkway on the cliff near Bhaironghati. See Gartang Gali.
Day trip or overnight?
You can do Gangotri and back in a day from Uttarkashi: about 8 hours of driving plus darshan. Leave by 6 am. If you want the evening aarti or are going on to the Gaumukh trek, stay a night at Gangotri or Harsil. Our guide to hotels near Gangotri compares the options.
Road tips
Drive the stretch beyond Gangnani in daylight. The road is narrow in places and slow behind yatra traffic.
July and August bring landslides. Check road status the evening before and keep a spare day in your plan.
Fuel up in Uttarkashi. Pumps are few further up.
The Gangotri temple opens around Akshaya Tritiya (April or May) and closes around Diwali. See Gangotri Dham for darshan timings and what to carry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Uttarkashi to Gangotri?
About 95 km by road on NH-34 from Shiv Parivar Resort in Uttarkashi, via Gangnani and Harsil.
How long does it take to reach Gangotri from Uttarkashi?
About 4 hours by car. Shared jeeps and buses take 4 to 5 hours or more with stops.
Can I do Gangotri as a day trip from Uttarkashi?
Yes. Leave by 6 am and you can be back by evening, with about 8 hours of driving in total plus time for darshan.
Is there a bus from Uttarkashi to Gangotri?
Yes, in yatra season Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses run from Uttarkashi bus stand, along with shared jeeps that leave early in the morning. Check current timings locally.
When is the Gangotri temple open?
From around Akshaya Tritiya in April or May until around Diwali in October or November. The road beyond Harsil can close in heavy snow in winter.