Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi, which stands for ‘Uttar’(North) Kashi, is the Kashi of the North and also goes by the name Shivnagri or Saumya Kashi. Known for its pleasant weather and religiously inclined people, Uttarkashi located in the state of Uttarakhand stands at an elevation of 1158m above sea level. It is famous for various temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Durga. It also has famous pilgrimages like Char Dham, Har ki Doon, and Dayara Bugyal. Staying true to its name, Uttarkashi is the city of Gods, with innumerable temples and ashrams with one of the oldest shrines is the Vishwanath Temple. Apart from that, Kuteti Devi Temple and Bhairav Temple are some other temples that devotees visit during their trip. Most tourists visit Uttarkashi during the festivals and Magh Mela to witness the vibrant and cultural side of Uttarkashi. The best way to explore the city is on foot because the attractions are in the vicinity so most people prefer walking and exploring what the city has to offer.

Uttarkashi Geography

With an average elevation of 1165m above sea level, Uttarkashi, located in Uttarakhand is mostly a hill with variations in seasons and climate, the place produces a wide range of vegetation. It is also home to a large variety of medicinal plants. It is a holy town not very far from Rishikesh. Located in the state of Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi has several temples and ashrams that make it a hotspot for religiously inclined tourists. Not only is Uttarkashi famous for its ancient temples but also its adventure activities like camping, trekking, mountaineering. Due to its location, it is a perfect place for adventure enthusiasts and mountaineers because it also houses the very famous Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Plan My Package Recommends: Places to Visit in Uttarkashi

Kedartal

Situated at an elevation of 4912 m above sea level, Kedartal is popularly known as Shiva’s Lake which is a remarkable glacial lake. Kedartal lake has been formed due to the melting of the Kedar glacier and thus gave birth to the Kedar Ganga river which happens to be an important tributary of the river Bhagirathi. Kedartal trek is popular among tourists in the state of Uttarakhand. Since there is no place to stay, trekkers usually take all the equipment and set up camps over there. The lake is a see-through because of its sheer clarity and clean water, making it an experience of a lifetime. If you wish to do the Kedartal trek, then the months of May, June, September, and October are the most suitable ones. Tourists full of enthusiasm come looking for some mind-blowing adventure as Kedar Tal trek is a pretty big deal among adventure enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.

Maneri Dam

Maneri Dam situated on the Bhagirathi River is about 16km from Uttarkashi district. The dam, 39 meters long and 127 meters wide also has a beautiful lake called the Maneri Lake. Tourists enjoy boating in this lake while admiring the majestic mountains. Maneri Dam is the center of attraction of the region and sees a lot of tourists during their visit to Uttarkashi, round the year. The most enjoyable months to visit the dam are between October to May. The nearest city from Uttarkashi is Dehradun so it's easily accessible from there and there are several public means of transport from Uttarkashi to Maneri Dam.

Nelong Valley

Nelong Valley, having opened for tourists in the year 2015 has become a hotspot for adventure enthusiasts. The valley has an uncanny resemblance to Ladakh as it has climates and landscapes similar to that of Ladakh, Lahaul, and Spiti. The valley falls in the Gangotri National Park and because of this tourists are not allowed to spend the night within 25km between Bhairavghati and Nelong. Wildlife species such as deer, Himalayan sheep, leopards, etc can be spotted. Earlier, Nelong Valley was an Indo-China trade route because of which relics of infrastructures can be found such as the Gartang Galion wooden bridge and Lal Devta Temple. Located 115 km from the city of Uttarkashi, Nelong Valley is open for tourists from the months between May to November.

Gartang Gali

Gartang Gali is near Bhairav Valley made of wooden tracks by cutting steep rocks and has been closed for a long time but now it has been re-opened for tourists. About 90 km from Uttarkashi, this wooden bridge used to be a trade route where things like jaggery, wool, cotton were traded and was also used by the army personnel to monitor the border area. Gartang Gali is around 150 years old and there is a belief that it was built by the Pathans of Peshawar after the Indo-China war, this place was closed, due to lack of maintenance and eventually became dilapidated but now it has been opened for tourists again. This wooden bridge is a historic bridge located at 11000 feet in the Nelong Valley, Uttarkashi district.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Located on the banks of the Bhagirathi river, about 167 km from Uttarkashi and 150km from Rishikesh, is one of the holiest and ancient temples called the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there is a common belief that the temple was built by sage Parshuram. Inside the temple is Lord Shiva in deep meditation and also a Shivalingam which is 56 cm in height. Apart from that, on the outer chamber of the temple is the image of meditating Gopi Devi and sage Markendeya. Lord Shiva, who is the most prominent deity of this temple is worshipped the entire day by devotees who come from far-off places just to seek blessings from their deities. In the vicinity of the Kashi Vishwanath temple is the Shakti temple which stands for the Goddess of Strength.
Darshan's timings are from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Being an important halt for Char Dham Yatra, Kashi Vishwanath Temple has a traditional and Himalayan style architecture.

Places near Uttarkashi

Gangotri Glacier (approx 69.1Km from Uttarkashi)

Located 100 km from Uttarkashi, the Gangotri glacier is famous among pilgrims who come to seek blessings from the river Ganga but also take a few steps further towards the Gangotri Glacier, just 19km away, which is also a popular trekking destination. Gangotri Glacier is a merger of a few other glaciers. Tourists wanting to trek have to take permission to enter Gangotri National Park, from where the trek commences. This glacier is the mouth from which the holy Ganga emerged and the Bhagirathi river is fed by the melting of the Gangotri Glacier. Scenic beauty, alluring charm of the mountains, breathtaking views, and tranquility is beyond words can explain

Dayara Bugyal (approx 40km from Uttarkashi)

At 3048 m above sea level, is the astounding view of the mountains and valleys at Dayara Bugyal. The place receives heavy rainfall during winters and that makes it the favorite destination for skiers. Nature lovers and photographers are in for a treat as the entire route is filled with beautiful flowers, valleys that will make you want to capture the moment. Dayara Bugyal is popular for trekking and is believed to be one of the most beautiful treks. The place gets covered with snow and sparkles like little pieces of diamonds surrounding the valley and is a good place to trek. Since the trek is not very difficult, it can be done by both beginners and experts. The trek campsite is extremely beautiful and will leave you awestruck by its mesmerizing beauty.

Kedarkantha (approx 41.6 Km from Uttarkashi)

Located 3800 m above sea level, Kedarkantha is a place where trekkers and nature lovers are in for a treat. Not only Kedarkantha is popular for trekking but also for its beautiful landscape providing a mesmerizing view of the Garhwal peak covered with snow. This popular trekking destination, with all its charm and beauty, is just 310km from Uttarkashi. Not very far from Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, is a summit full of adventure and thrill and a perfect place for trekking for beginners. It is a 5-day trek, covering a distance of about 20km with short distances that have to be covered each day, making it the most suitable trek for first-timers. The trail passes through dense oak forests and rhododendron trees.

Best Time to Visit Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi in Summers

With maximum temperatures rising to 30℃ and the minimum temperature dropping to 15℃, summers in Uttarkashi remain cool and pleasant. Most people prefer visiting Uttarkashi in the summer months. The summer season in Uttarkashi occupies the month of April, May, June. The days are warm and nights are cold in Uttarkashi during summer.

Uttarkashi in Monsoon

Uttarkashi witnesses a good amount of rainfall during the monsoon season from July till September. Though the rain-washed land here looks extremely beautiful in different shades of green yet there are instances of landslides, so it is advised to avoid going during the monsoon season to be safe.

Uttarkashi in Winters

With maximum temperatures rising to 24℃ and minimum temperatures dropping to 0℃, Uttarkashi remains cool during the winter months starting from October to February. Thus, the best time to visit Uttarkashi is between March to November, when the weather is pleasant and the cool breeze refreshes your mind. Know More

How to Reach Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi by Air

Located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport from Uttarkashi. Flights from several major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai fly to Dehradun Airport. The distance from Jolly Grant Airport to Uttarkashi is approximately 168 km from Delhi. Local transports, cabs, and taxis are available.

Uttarkashi by Train

The nearest railway station to Uttarkashi is the Rishikesh railway station about 143km away from Uttarkashi. Rishikesh has a well-connected rail network with major cities of India. Several taxis are available from the railway station.

Uttarkashi by Road

Uttarkashi is well accessible by road. People can travel to Uttarkashi via NH 108. Also, buses from ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi are available to Uttarkashi.

Gangotri: The distance from Gangotri to Uttarkashi is 100 km.

Kedarnath: The distance from Kedarnath to Uttarkashi is 310 km.

Rishikesh: The distance from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi is 171 km.

Places to Stay in Uttarkashi

Shikhar Nature Resort

Shikhar Nature Resort, 5km from Uttarkashi is a luxurious resort, situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi Ganga. There are 22 rooms with tent-like designs, providing you with a lavish stay at such an exotic location. With all the amenities one can ask for, Shikhar Nature Resort has lush greenery and a serene environment that makes you want to extend your vacation.

Char Dham Camp

If you are one of those tourists who like to explore and experiment during your trip, then Char Dham Camp, located 15km from Uttarkashi is something you shouldn’t miss out on. The camp may look like an ordinary tent from outside but it provides comfort and mouth-watering food that you wouldn’t imagine getting in a tent. These tents are attached to a washroom with cold and hot running water. After a long hectic journey, one can also go for a massage by an expert.

Shiv Parivar Resort

The resort is close to Uttarkashi pass and faces the river Ganges, Shiv Parivar Resort, with unmatched accommodation provides you fully furnished rooms with artistic interiors and modern facilities in the room. The resort has multiple cuisines from Indian, Chinese, and Continental offering mouth-watering food, that will leave you craving for more. Know More

Places to Eat in Uttarkashi

Shiv Parivar Resort

Shiv Parivar Resort, with its in-house restaurant, offers a multi-cuisine restaurant with delicious and mouthwatering food. The cuisine includes Indian, Chinese, and Continental, since it’s a resort, you can plan your stay here.

Cafe 18

If you are in Uttarkashi and are craving your favorite food which of course is pizza then take your bag and go straight to Cafe 18 and fill your tummy with the cheesy delight of pizza topped with fresh veggies.