9 Awesome Things To Do In Gangotri That’ll Keep You Excited

23 Mar 2023

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Cover Image Credit: Wikipedia

Gangotri is mostly preferred by the devotees seeking a peaceful time in the abode of God. Besides this fact, the destination is ideal for all types of travellers, including families, friends, couples, and solo travelers. The best time to visit different notable places in Gangotri is between the months of April and November. There’s a lot that can be discovered and tried out in this beautiful town of Uttarakhand. There are various things to do in Gangotri that are worth getting indulged in, as they’ll not only make your trip productive but will also give you an insight of the culture and tradition of this town!

9 Fun Things To Do In Gangotri

Check out these 9 things to do in Gangotri and add them in your itinerary for a memorable journey with your family or friends and make your trip into a mesmerizing one:

1. Gangotri Temple – Take Goddess Ganga’s Blessings

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Gangotri Temple is located in the picturesque town of Gangotri. This temple is devoted to the Goddess Ganga and was erected in the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa – a Gurkha Commander. The revered temple and its surroundings provide an attractive view of the breathtaking Himalayan Mountains and the ever so beautiful River Ganga.

Visiting Gangotri Temple is one of the unique things to do in Gangotri. Also, it is one of the four revered Dhams in the state of Uttarakhand. Hundreds of thousands of devotees from all over the world visit the magnificent temple every year to seek the blessings from Goddess Ganga.

Location: Gangotri, Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand.
Timings: All Days – 6:15 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Entry: No Entry Fee.

Must Read: 17 Best Places To Visit In Gangotri That’ll Leave You Awestruck

Uttarakhand Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

2. Kalindi Khal – Trek Your Heart Out

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Kalindi Khal is considered as one of the most adventurous places for things to do in Gangotri with full of daredevil willingness. This challenging trek is located in the lap of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of 6000 meters, the energetic walk up to this sky touching peak is pleased by the delightful views. The trek begins from Gangotri and ends with a visit to the holy temple in the Badrinath Valley. To enjoy this trek to the fullest, it is best to visit here during the months from July to August. This trekking in Kalindi Khal is among the top things to do in Gangotri as its peaceful ambience makes way for a once in a lifetime experience.

The main attraction to the Kalindi Khal Trek is the rolling alpine meadows, series of gushing streams, lush green valleys with an untouched backdrop of the rolled Himalayan peaks and glaciers.

Best Time To Visit: July to August

3. Gangotri National Park – Enjoy The Natural Environs

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Add Gangotri National Park to your itinerary as no visit to Gangotri would be complete without a visit to this National Park. Indeed, Gangotri National Park is also known as Govind National Park as the virgin beauty of this national sanctuary fascinates numerous hundreds of botanists and the nature lovers every year. This place is also the home to a number of medicinal plants which are used to make the life-saving drugs besides the wild animals like white leopards and several other exotic wildlife, flora, and fauna.

Location: Gaumukh Pedestrian Way, Post Taknaur Range, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
Distance: 1.5 km from Gangotri
Timings: The national park is open on all days

4. Gaumukh – For Adventurous Trekking

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Gaumukh – Tapovan Trek is one of the best things to go to Gangotri hill station which is an admired Hindu pilgrimage site and also a well-known trekking destination. It takes around 3 days to visit Gaumukh from Gangotri that is located at a height of 13,200 feet and is considered to be the second-largest glacier of the Indian subcontinent. Gaumukh is one of the most enjoyable treks in India as the views from this place will leave you awestruck and transport you to the delightful world of glaciers, ice, and majestic views.

Distance: 19 km from Gangotri
Best Time To Trek: The 3-day trail to Gaumukh is open to the pilgrims and trekkers during the months from May to October

5. Maneri – Fishing And More

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Maneri is channelling the water of the Ganga River across an 8 kilometres stretch. This dam is situated at Tiloth and provides an amazing 92 kilometres drive from Gangotri, enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. Also, you can enjoy fishing in the catchment area for the Himalayan trouts, and grill them over the live-fire while you stay there. Listing the things to do in Gangotri Uttarakhand, Maneri is one such tourist destination where the landscape is fantastic and mesmerizing.

Location: Maneri is just 83 kilometres away from Gangotri by road

6. Dharali – Strolling Amidst Orchards

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Dharali, located at an altitude of 648 meters above the sea level and is popular for its apple orchards and red bean cultivation. It is believed that the Bhagirathi meditated at this place to get the River Ganga out of heaven to flow into the earth. So, Lord Shiva’s deity is there in an ancient temple in this village. Visiting this place to your top things to do in Gangotri would be like there is no better place to stretch your tired feet and enjoy some fresh air due to the lofty trees of pine and deodar surrounding the place.

Location: 20 km from Gangotri

7. Nelong Valley – Witness The Wildlife

Image Credit: pundirraman for Pixabay

The Nelong valley is located inside the Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of around 11,000 feet, this valley has a mountain desert landscape similar to the Lahaul-Spiti and Leh-Ladakh. The main attractions to this place are the Garstang Galion wooden bridge, the Lal Devta Temple, the panoramic view of the Tibetan Plateau, wildlife species like snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, and musk deer.

Location: 25 km from Bhaironghati
Distance: 34 km from Gangotri
Best Time To Visit: May to November

8. Uttarkashi – For Spiritual Cleansing

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Uttarkashi is located at a distance of around 100 kilometers from the town of Gangotri and is one of the most visited cities because of its religious significance. Completely untouched by industrialism, except to the streamline presence, the town is like no place you have ever spent your time in. Also, there are a large number of lakes and temples lying in this region. It is apparently advised that you should visit Uttarkashi only if you’re truly ready to revamp yourself, inside out.

9. Dodi Tal – Enjoy Multiple Activities

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Doli Tal is home to the popular Himalayan trouts and this shiny lake is located at 3204 meters from the Sea level. It has little log cabins distributed around the lake for camping, resting, trekking, and fishing purposes. But, you need to take permit for fishing from the Divisional Forest Officer, Uttarkashi. And, if you are thinking of other things to do in Gangotri, then trek 16 kilometres to Dodi Tal via Agoda and Kalyani.

Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India.
Things To Do: Camping, Resting, Trekking and Fishing.

Further Read: Top 44 Amazing Places To Visit In Uttarakhand

The list of things to do in Gangotri is endless and the activities mentioned above are some of the most prominent ones that you should definitely make a part of your travel plan. So, don’t wait and start packing for your Uttrakhand trip and don’t forget to explore the picturesque town of Gangotri.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Gangotri

What should we do in Gangotri?

The following are the top things to do in Gangotri - Visit temples including Gangotri Temple, trek to Kalindi Khal or Gaumukh, explore exotic ambiance of Gangotri National Park, enjoy fishing at Maneri, etc.

Can we go to Gangotri by car?

Gangotri can be reached only by road, that is, either by bus, or privately operated jeeps and SUVs. The journey from Rishikesh to Gangotri takes nearly 12 hours. You can take a halt at Uttarkashi, if you want, before reaching Gangotri.

Is it safe to visit Gangotri during Covid times?

You need to follow all the mandatory travel guidelines mentioned by the authorities to ensure a safe travel experience. Complete both doses of vaccination before planning your visit and get an RT PCR test done as you may have to produce it at the entry and exit points. Maintain social distancing and remain masked while stepping out. Avoid visiting crowded places and gatherings. Keep sanitizing your hands regularly after touching surfaces.

How far is Gangotri from Rishikesh?

Gangotri is 244 km away from Rishikesh, if you are planning to go by road. But the aerial distance between Gangotri and Rishikesh is 119 km.

Can I go trekking in Gaumukh?

Gaumukh– Tapovan Trek is one of the most enjoyable treks in India as the views from this place will leave you awestruck and transport you to a delighted world of the glaciers, ice, and majestic views.

Is Nelong valley open in winter?

The best time to visit Nelong Valley is from May to November and it remains closed during wintertime.

Which is the easiest way to reach Gangotri?

The easiest way to reach Gangotri is through the train. The closest railway station to Gangotri is located in Rishikesh. Both places are located at a distance of 250 kilometres. You can either board a bus to Gangotri or hire a taxi from Rishikesh to your destination.

Why is Gangotri Glacier melting so fast?

As the temperature is going to rise, these glaciers melt fast due to their small sizes and the water produced from them flows down and seeps into the crevasses of the Gangotri glacier, causing it to melt from the bottom.