Gangotri Weather 2026 — Month-wise Guide
Temperature, snowfall, rainfall and best visiting windows at the source of the Ganges
Gangotri, perched at 3,415 metres in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, is the most accessible of the four Char Dhams — you can drive all the way to the temple without any trekking. But "accessible" doesn't mean easy. The weather at this altitude is highly variable, and the 100km road from Uttarkashi to Gangotri is one of the most dramatically weather-affected roads in Uttarakhand. A sunny morning can turn into a hailstorm by afternoon, and monsoon rains in July–August close the road for days at a stretch.
May–June and September–October offer the clearest skies and best road conditions. May especially is spectacular — the Bhagirathi peaks behind the temple are snow-covered and visible in full morning light. October brings autumn colours to the surrounding forests, making the drive from Uttarkashi particularly beautiful. Avoid July and August due to monsoon landslides.
Month-by-Month Weather at Gangotri
| Month | Temperature | Snow | Rain | Visit? | What to Wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 0°C to 10°C | Heavy above Gangotri | Low | ⚠️ Opens Apr 19 — icy roads possible, very cold nights | Heavy wool, thermals, snow boots, balaclava |
| May | 7°C to 17°C | Melting on approach road | Low–Medium | ✅ Best time — clear skies, Bhagirathi peaks visible | Fleece + windproof jacket + warm cap |
| June | 10°C to 20°C | None on route | Medium | ✅ Peak season — crowds are high, weather is ideal | Layers + rain poncho + medium jacket |
| July | 11°C to 19°C | None | Heavy (monsoon) | ⚠️ Landslides common on Uttarkashi–Gangotri road | Full waterproof gear, rubber sole shoes |
| August | 11°C to 18°C | None | Very heavy | ⚠️ Avoid — high landslide risk, roads often blocked | Full rain gear, extra warm change of clothes |
| September | 7°C to 16°C | None on route | Light | ✅ Excellent — fewer pilgrims, crystal-clear views of glaciers | Fleece + medium jacket + layers |
| October | 2°C to 10°C | Upper peaks | Very low | ✅ Beautiful autumn light, Gangotri glacier best visible | Heavy jacket + thermals + wool hat + gloves |
| November | −5°C to 2°C | Heavy at temple | Very low | ⚠️ Temple closes Oct–Nov — not advisable for most pilgrims | Full winter expedition gear |
The Gangotri Glacier — A Weather Note
Gaumukh, the snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the technical source of the Ganges, lies 18km further upstream from the temple. If you plan to trek to Gaumukh (a separate day-trek), weather planning is even more critical — the glacier trek involves crossing moraines and camping overnight, and is only safe in May–June and September–October. Gaumukh trek requires a Forest Department permit and should not be attempted during or after rain.
Road Conditions by Season
The Uttarkashi–Gangotri road (about 100km) runs alongside the Bhagirathi River and is prone to landslides between mileposts 30–70. In dry months (May, June, September, October), the road is generally fine. In monsoon (July–August), rockfalls and road wash-outs are common. SDRF maintains road-clearing machinery, but delays of 4–12 hours are not unusual. All Shiv Ganga Travels vehicles carry satphone contact and our drivers are trained for emergency rerouting.
Planning a Gangotri Yatra in 2026?
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Last verified: August 22, 2026 · Sources: Shiv Ganga Travels route records, IMD regional data, Uttarakhand Tourism
These figures are recorded by Shiv Ganga Travels on the route and are published under CC BY 4.0 — free to quote, republish or cite with attribution to Shiv Ganga Travels, Haridwar and a link to this page. If a figure looks wrong, tell us on +91-7817996730 and we will re-check it.