When to visit›Uttarakhand›Yamunotri›December
Yamunotri in December: mostly shut — here's what's open
Closed in December.
Yamunotri is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. Cold days around -1°C, nights near -12°C, almost no snow. Nights drop to -12°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.
Yamunotri is closed in December
Yamunotri Temple closes November to April. Best May–June or September–October.
What the weather actually does
10-year average · YamunotriCold days around -1°C, nights near -12°C, almost no snow. Nights drop to -12°C — pack properly for them.
Before you book December
Conditions specific to Yamunotri this month.
Plan around this
Yamunotri Closed
⚠️ Yamunotri is closed November–April. The 6 km trek from Janki Chatti is only open May–October (weather permitting). Register your yatra online before travel.
What a day in Yamunotri looks like
The things most people actually do here, by time of day.
Morning
- Janki Chatti to Yamunotri temple trek3h · strenuous
- Yamunotri Temple darshan and puja1h 30m · easy
- Surya Kund hot spring (88°C) ritual1h · easy
Afternoon
- Divya Shila sacred rock circumambulation30m · easy
- Kharsali village Shani Temple visit1h 30m · moderate
Evening
- Barkot market and evening walk1h 30m · easy
About 9h of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
What a December trip costs · 2 days, total for two
Budget
₹3,402 for two
- Stay · 1n₹490
- Food₹1,560
- Local + entry₹1,100
- Buffer₹252
Mid-range
₹8,398 for two
- Stay · 1n₹1,176
- Food₹3,600
- Local + entry₹3,000
- Buffer₹622
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 Yamunotri. How we price this
Getting to Yamunotri
Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.
Rishikesh → Janki Chatti
bus · 7h
₹300
1 way / person
Dehradun → Janki Chatti
cab · 5h
₹3,000
1 way / person
Cheapest listed route is Rishikesh → Janki Chatti by bus. Return for two works out to about ₹1,200 — so a whole trip lands near ₹4,602 for two, travel included.
Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Yamunotri's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.
Every month, scored
What you’ll actually do in Yamunotri
Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.
- Yamunotri Temple darshan
- Surya Kund hot spring (88°C)
- Divya Shila sacred rock
- Janki Chatti to Yamunotri trek (6km)
- Kharsali village (Shani Temple)
- Hanuman Chatti confluence
- Dodi Tal lake trek nearby
- Barkot base camp & markets
Within reach: Gangotri · Uttarkashi · Barkot · Rishikesh.
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 Yamunotri?
No — Yamunotri is closed in December. Yamunotri Temple closes November to April. Best May–June or September–October.
How much does a trip to Yamunotri cost in December?
A typical 2-day trip for two costs from ₹3,402 (budget) to ₹8,398 (mid-range), excluding travel to Yamunotri. Seasonally adjusted for December.
When is the best time to visit Yamunotri?
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.
What is there to do in Yamunotri?
Yamunotri Temple darshan. Surya Kund hot spring (88°C). Divya Shila sacred rock. Janki Chatti to Yamunotri trek (6km). Kharsali village (Shani Temple). Hanuman Chatti confluence. Dehradun is the nearest railhead, 172 km away.
Is Yamunotri open in December?
Yamunotri Temple closes November to April. Best May–June or September–October.
Part of a longer route
Most people visit Yamunotri 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?
Yamunotri in December, priced for your group, dawn-starts built in — about 40 seconds.