Yamunotri opens the Char Dham Yatra — the shrine of the Yamuna at 3,293 m, reached by a ~6 km steep trek from Janki Chatti through a narrowing gorge. It is the yatra’s most physically lopsided dham: a serious climb for what is, architecturally, a small shrine — and pilgrims love it exactly for that. Checked 01 October 2026.
The facts
| Item | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,293 m | Reported (standard figure) |
| Trek | ~6 km from Janki Chatti, steep | Reported |
| Timings | Reported ~6 AM–12 PM, 2–8 PM; aartis ~6 AM / 12 PM / 7 PM | Unconfirmed — no official page found |
| 2026 opening | 19 April (Akshaya Tritiya) | Reported (ET) |
| 2027 expectation | On/around 8 May (Akshaya Tritiya 2027) | Expected |
| Winter seat | Kharsali | Verified — official source |
| Assist options | Palki, pony, porter; weight-based rates | Reported — check prepaid-counter board |
The trek, honestly
The climb is constant and the last stretch narrows; mules and palkis share the path with walkers. Most pilgrims complete it in 3–5 hours up, less down. The reward stack at the top: the temple, the Divya Shila (the rock pillar devotees touch before darshan), and the Surya Kund hot spring where rice and potatoes cook in boiling water to take home as prasad. The trek guide has the pacing detail; the altitude-health guide explains why “it’s only 6 km” is the wrong way to size it.
Darshan notes
Reported timings give a morning and an evening block with a midday pause — no official committee page could be found, so confirm at Janki Chatti the evening before. The temple’s opening follows the kapat calendar: 19 April 2026, expected around 8 May 2027.
With elders
This is the dham where palki and pony matter most. Rates circulate in guides (weight- and season-based) but the prepaid counter’s official board is the authority — negotiate nothing outside it. The seniors guide bundles the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Yamunotri trek?
~6 km from Janki Chatti, steep — 3–5 hours up for most walkers.
What are the timings?
Reported 6–12 and 2–8 with three aartis — unconfirmed; no official source exists.
Is there a shortcut?
No vehicle goes to the temple; palki/pony/porter are the assist options on the same path.
