Darshan Routes
Dham 1 of 4 · Day 2 of our journey

Yamunotri

The first dham in the customary order, and the only one we reached on foot. The trek was much steeper than we expected.

First-hand journey: April 2026

Page last updated

A paved path with walkers climbing into a narrow valley toward snow-capped peaks, beside a round sign reading “Jai Shri Yamune”.
On the climb toward Yamunotri.

Why pilgrims come here

Our experience

We did thisFirst-hand experience, April 2026

We stayed at Barkot, left early and reached Janki Chatti in the morning. The two of us walked; both our children went by pitthu.

At the top we had darshan at the temple, visited the hot-water kund and Surya Kund, and did a puja with a priest we knew. Our rice was cooked as prasad in the hot spring. We collected Yamuna water. The natural river water was extremely cold. Then we walked back down to Janki Chatti and returned to Barkot for a second night.

Read it in context: day 2 of our itinerary.

The Yamunotri temple and surrounding buildings on the riverbank below dark, snow-streaked mountains.
The temple complex at Yamunotri.
Boulders and a small cascade in a rocky riverbed below steep cliffs, with pilgrims gathered along the banks.
Outside the temple area at Yamunotri.

Getting there

We did thisFirst-hand experience, April 2026

How we did it

We based ourselves at Barkot for two nights and drove to Janki Chatti, where the trek begins.

The trek is about 6 km each way. It took us about 3 hours uphill (approximate).

Ponies, palkis (palanquins) and pitthus (porters who carry a person in a basket) were all in use on the path.

Walkers and a pony rider pass under a covered, green-roofed section of the trek.
Ponies and walkers share the covered sections of the trek.

What surprised us

We did thisFirst-hand experience, April 2026

  • How steep it was: considerably steeper than we had expected.
  • How crowded the path became, with ponies and palkis sharing narrow sections with walkers.
  • The animal waste and dust on the path.
  • How hard the descent was on our knees.
  • The contrast between the steaming kund and the freezing river water.

With children

What to carry

Rituals and experiences we took part in

These are what our family chose to do in April 2026, not requirements. Practices vary, and your priest or temple staff are the right people to ask.

  • Darshan at Yamunotri TempleOur main darshan of the day, after the climb.
  • Puja with a known priestArranged with a priest we already knew.
  • Rice cooked as prasad at Surya KundCooked in the hot spring water.
  • Collecting Yamuna waterWe carried containers up for this.

Things that change and must be verified

See the complete 10-day itinerary