When to visit›Uttarakhand›Gangotri›December
Gangotri in December: mostly shut — here's what's open
Closed in December.
Gangotri is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. Cold days around 4°C, nights near -5°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -5°C — pack properly for them. Stays run about 30% below the usual rate this month.
The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in June, 6 months away.
Gangotri is closed in December
Gangotri Temple closes November to April due to heavy snow. Best May–June or Sept–Oct.
What the weather actually does
10-year average · GangotriCold days around 4°C, nights near -5°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -5°C — pack properly for them.
Before you book December
Conditions specific to Gangotri this month.
Plan around this
Gangotri Closed
⚠️ Gangotri Temple closes on Diwali (October/November) and reopens in May. The Gaumukh Glacier trek requires a forest permit — apply at the Gangotri forest department.
What a day in Gangotri looks like
The things most people actually do here, by time of day.
Morning
- Gangotri Temple morning abhishek puja1h 30m · easy
- Gaumukh Glacier trek (18km return)7h · strenuous
- Tapovan alpine meadow at 4463m4h · strenuous
Afternoon
- Harsil village and apple orchards walk2h · easy
- Surya Kund hot spring visit1h · easy
Evening
- Bhagirathi River aarti ceremony1h · easy
About 16h 30m of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
What a December trip costs · 3 days, total for two
Budget
₹5,368 for two
- Stay · 2n₹980
- Food₹2,340
- Local + entry₹1,650
- Buffer₹398
Mid-range
₹13,232 for two
- Stay · 2n₹2,352
- Food₹5,400
- Local + entry₹4,500
- Buffer₹980
December multiplier already applied (0.70× on stays). Covers stay with GST, food, local transport, entry & activities, 8% buffer for two people sharing one room — the same figures the planner opens on. Excludes travel to Gangotri. How we price this
Getting to Gangotri
Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.
Rishikesh → Gangotri
bus · 9h
₹350
1 way / person
Uttarkashi → Gangotri
cab · 4h
₹2,500
1 way / person
Cheapest listed route is Rishikesh → Gangotri by bus. Return for two works out to about ₹1,400 — so a whole trip lands near ₹6,768 for two, travel included.
Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Gangotri's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.
Every month, scored
What you’ll actually do in Gangotri
Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.
- Gaumukh Glacier trek (18km one-way)
- Tapovan meadow at 4,463m
- Bhagirathi River aarti
- Surya Kund hot spring
- Kedar Tal Lake trek (22km)
- Harsil village detour (apple orchards)
- Dharali orchards walk
Not in December: Gangotri Temple (May–November).
Within reach: Gaumukh Glacier · Tapovan Meadow · Yamunotri · Uttarkashi.
Packing for December
- Thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap — nights drop below freezing.
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen: the sun is harsh at altitude even when it is cold.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and slip-on footwear — shoes come off at every temple.
December questions, answered
Is December a good time to visit Gangotri?
No — Gangotri is closed in December. Gangotri Temple closes November to April due to heavy snow. Best May–June or Sept–Oct.
How much does a trip to Gangotri cost in December?
A typical 3-day trip for two costs from ₹5,368 (budget) to ₹13,232 (mid-range), excluding travel to Gangotri. Seasonally adjusted for December.
When is the best time to visit Gangotri?
The best months are October, June, May. From December: The next season opens in May, 5 months away. It reopens in May, 5 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in June, 6 months away.
What is there to do in Gangotri?
Gaumukh Glacier trek (18km one-way). Tapovan meadow at 4,463m. Bhagirathi River aarti. Surya Kund hot spring. Kedar Tal Lake trek (22km). Harsil village detour (apple orchards). Rishikesh is the nearest railhead, 248 km away.
Is Gangotri open in December?
Gangotri Temple closes November to April due to heavy snow. Best May–June or Sept–Oct.
Part of a longer route
Most people visit Gangotri as one stop of several.
Nearby, same trip
Elsewhere in India in December
Instead in season this month, from Tourisma's ranking of all 238 destinations for December.
- North Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹16,618 for two, 4 days
- Rann of Kutch · Gujarat · from ₹5,335 for two, 2 days
- Konark Sun Temple · Odisha · from ₹4,708 for two, 2 days
- Kohima · Nagaland · from ₹5,530 for two, 2 days
- South Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹11,734 for two, 4 days
- Pelling · Sikkim · from ₹4,514 for two, 2 days
- Gangtok · Sikkim · from ₹9,916 for two, 3 days
- Kisama (Hornbill Festival) · Nagaland · from ₹7,593 for two, 2 days
Want this as a real plan?
Gangotri in December, priced for your group, dawn-starts built in — about 40 seconds.