The short answer
When to go to Yamunotri
The best windows are May and June, when the shrine is open and the weather is most settled, and late September to October, when the monsoon has eased and crowds thin. April is cold, July and August bring landslides and slippery trails, and from about Diwali to the following spring the shrine is closed by snow. For older travellers, the autumn weeks are quieter, but nights are very cold and the closing date is fixed, so build in margin.
Month by month
Yamunotri weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | — | — | Snowbound; shrine shut, goddess at Kharsali | |
| February | — | — | — | Deep winter; trail and shrine closed to pilgrims | |
| March | — | — | — | Still under snow; shrine not yet open | |
| April | — | — | — | Shrine reopens at Akshaya Tritiya (Apr/May); very cold | |
| May | — | — | — | Shrine open and trail clear; busiest, book early | |
| June | — | — | — | Settled weather before the monsoon; heavy pilgrim traffic | |
| July | — | — | — | Monsoon: landslides on the valley road and slippery trail | |
| August | — | — | — | Peak monsoon; road closures are common | |
| September | — | — | — | Rain eases and skies clear; check road conditions | |
| October | — | — | — | Crisp, quieter and cold; shrine closes after Diwali | |
| November | — | — | — | Shrine closes around Yama Dwitiya, after Diwali | |
| December | — | — | — | Winter closure; heavy snow |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Yamunotri seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: May and June
- May: Shrine open and trail clear; busiest, book early
- June: Settled weather before the monsoon; heavy pilgrim traffic
Good, with small trade-offs: September and October
- September: Rain eases and skies clear; check road conditions
- October: Crisp, quieter and cold; shrine closes after Diwali
Possible, with planning: April
- April: Shrine reopens at Akshaya Tritiya (Apr/May); very cold
Best avoided with parents or children: July and August
- July: Monsoon: landslides on the valley road and slippery trail
- August: Peak monsoon; road closures are common
Closed or largely inaccessible: January, February, March, November and December
- January: Snowbound; shrine shut, goddess at Kharsali
- February: Deep winter; trail and shrine closed to pilgrims
- March: Still under snow; shrine not yet open
- November: Shrine closes around Yama Dwitiya, after Diwali
- December: Winter closure; heavy snow
Useful answers
Best time to visit Yamunotri: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Yamunotri?
May and June are the best months to visit Yamunotri, with September and October also good. The best windows are May and June, when the shrine is open and the weather is most settled, and late September to October, when the monsoon has eased and crowds thin. April is cold, July and August bring landslides and slippery trails, and from about Diwali to the following spring the shrine is closed by snow. For older travellers, the autumn weeks are quieter, but nights are very cold and the closing date is fixed, so build in margin.
Which months should I avoid in Yamunotri with elderly parents?
July, August, January, February, March, November and December are the months to avoid with older travellers. Snowbound; shrine shut, goddess at Kharsali Deep winter; trail and shrine closed to pilgrims