Barkot
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India • 30.80°N, 78.23°E
📖 About Barkot
- ✦Gateway town at 1,391m (4,563 ft) for Yamunotri pilgrimage 46 km away
- ✦Jumps from 13.8°C (56.8°F) in January to 27.5°C (81.5°F) in June
- ✦Hanuman Chatti trailhead 13 km away where 6 km Yamunotri trek begins
- ✦Heavy monsoon with 350 mm rain in July makes roads risky
At 1,391m (4,563 ft), this town serves as the overnight halt before the Yamunotri trek, 46 km further into the mountains. Most pilgrims reach Barkot by evening, sleep here, and start the drive to Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti the next morning. The town sits on the Mussoorie-Yamunotri highway, 100 km from Dehradun, and sees its biggest crowds between May and June when temple gates open. Temperatures stay comfortable - May peaks at 26.6°C (79.9°F) while January drops to -7.5°C (18.5°F) at night.
Originally a timber depot during British rule, Barkot now runs entirely on the Char Dham season. The Yamuna river flows 15 km below in the valley, and the drive from here to Hanuman Chatti cuts through dense deodar forests. The town has one main market street with dhabas, guest houses, medical shops, and a petrol pump - the last reliable fuel stop before Yamunotri. Local guides and porters wait near the market to hire themselves for the uphill trek starting from Hanuman Chatti.
Pilgrims headed to Yamunotri dominate the visitor profile - families, elderly groups, and solo trekkers. The town gets choked with traffic in peak season, and hot water supply becomes erratic when occupancy crosses 80%. ATMs run dry fast during May and June, so carry enough cash from Dehradun or Mussoorie.
🎯 Things to Do in Barkot
Hanuman Chatti sits 13 km ahead where the 6 km uphill trek to Yamunotri temple starts. The road from Barkot takes 45 minutes through pine forests with several viewpoints overlooking the Yamuna valley. Ponies and palanquins cost Rs 1,200-1,800 one way from Hanuman Chatti to the temple (confirm locally — rates vary by season). This drive gets jammed with vehicles during May and June, so start before 6 AM to avoid 2-hour waits at narrow sections.
This alpine meadow at 3,048m lies 28 km from Barkot via Raithal village. The 4 km trek from Raithal takes 3-4 hours through oak and rhododendron forests, opening into grasslands with Himalayan peaks visible on clear days. Camping fees at Dayara range Rs 500-800 per tent (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The meadow stays snowbound December through March, and monsoon brings leeches in July and August.
This small cascade sits 3 km from town center on the road to Jarmola village. No entry fee applies, and you can drive or walk in 40 minutes. The waterfall runs strong during July to September when rainfall peaks at 350 mm, but slows to a trickle by March and April. Local families picnic here on weekends, and the spot has basic snack stalls but no toilet facilities.
Dunda sits 12 km uphill from Barkot at 2,200m elevation, reachable by a rough jeep track or 4-hour trek. The village has a small temple and terraced farms growing rajma and potatoes, with views of snow peaks in winter. Few tourists visit, so expect basic trail conditions and no food stalls - carry your own water and snacks. Mobile connectivity drops completely after 8 km from Barkot.
The main market road runs 500 metres with medical shops, trekking gear rentals, and dhabas serving dal-rice thalis for Rs 80-120. The State Bank ATM near the bus stand often runs out of cash during pilgrimage season, so withdraw extra before leaving Dehradun. Most shops accept UPI, but mobile internet slows down when too many pilgrims camp overnight. Stock up on energy bars, dry fruits, and glucose - prices double at Yamunotri base camps.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -7.5 | 13.8 | 56 | 55% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -8.2 | 15.9 | 56 | 56% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -4.4 | 19.7 | 68 | 58% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 1.2 | 23.0 | 54 | 54% |
| May | 🌤️ | 5.1 | 26.6 | 71 | 54% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 8.7 | 27.5 | 138 | 63% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 12.3 | 25.0 | 350 | 86% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 12.0 | 22.4 | 332 | 89% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 9.1 | 21.8 | 165 | 82% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 3.1 | 19.8 | 22 | 64% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | -0.4 | 17.2 | 12 | 52% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | -5.6 | 15.8 | 16 | 45% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Uttarkashi region, not exclusively Barkot. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Barkot
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack layers for temperature swings - daytime May highs reach 26.6°C (79.9°F) but January nights drop to -7.5°C (18.5°F). Carry a fleece jacket even in summer since Hanuman Chatti and Yamunotri stay 5-8°C cooler than Barkot.
Book hotels 20-30 days ahead for May and June when Yamunotri opens - rooms fill fast and rates jump 50-80% during peak pilgrimage weeks. Last-minute arrivals often end up in Dharamshalas with shared bathrooms.
The 100 km Dehradun-Barkot road stays open year-round, but monsoon landslides between July and September cause 4-6 hour delays. SUVs handle the route better than sedans, especially the final 30 km stretch with broken patches.
The State Bank ATM near the bus stand empties by afternoon during peak season - withdraw Rs 10,000-15,000 in Dehradun before heading up. Most hotels accept UPI and cards, but dhabas and pony-wallahs at Hanuman Chatti deal only in cash.
Most hotels cluster along the main highway near the bus stand with budget guesthouses from Rs 800-1,500 and mid-range options from Rs 2,000-3,500 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Dharamshalas run by temple trusts charge Rs 300-500 with shared facilities.
📍 More Places in Uttarkashi
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Barkot
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Barkot covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Barkot is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 1391 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.