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Gartang Gali

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About

Gartang Gali is a historical place known for its serene beauty and calmness. Its mesmerising charm captivates both visitors and historians from afar. Located near Nellong Valley, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, this site features a 136-meter-long wooden bridge hanging from a cliffside next to the Jadh Ganga river. The gurgling sound of the Jadh Ganga river can be easily heard from a distance, which later merges with the pious Bhagirathi River. The Gartang Gali trek distance is around 2.5 km, which is full of adventure and natural beauty.

A Historical Place

Situated at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet, Gartang Gali is located in Uttarkashi, near Nelong Valley. Uttarkashi to Gartang Gali distance is around 90 km and is easily accessible by road. Visitors can also reach the place from Harshil, which is just 20 km away. It takes around 1 hour to travel from Harshil to Gartang Gali.

The trail to this historical place starts from the Lanka Bridge. Due to its historical significance, visitors are required to obtain permission from the Forest Department Check Post. Historically, the site was used for trade between India and Tibet. However, it was closed permanently after the Sino-Indian War in 1962.

Reopen

After a complete restoration, Gartang Gali was reopened for tourists in 2021. The newly constructed Gartang Gali staircase is made of Devdar wood. The length of the staircase is 136 meters, and the width of each step is 1.9 meters. With a step height of 0.75 meters, the staircase also includes a wooden railing. The stairs are visually appealing and provide a unique experience to walk on them. At some places along the trek, the rocks are so close that visitors have to slouch to pass through.

Gartang Gali Trek

To access Gartang Gali, visitors need to trek a total distance of 2.5 km, which commences from Lanka Bridge. The trail to Gartang Gali is surrounded by mountains and dense forest, which leads to the impressive long wooden staircase. The trek is considered easy and suitable for people of all age groups.

Gartang Gali Timing

Gartang Gali is open throughout the week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Entry permission is allowed until 3:00 pm, and all visitors must return by 5:00 pm.

Entry Fee

Visitors are required to pay a fee to access Gartang Gali. The Gartang Gali permit fees vary for Indian and Foreign Citizens.

Indian Citizens	INR 226
Foreign Nationals	INR 841

History of Gartang Gali

Earlier, Tibetan traders used to travel to India by this route called Silk Road Trade route between India and Tibet. Various traders from Tibet travelled to India during January and exchanged woollen clothes for items like oil, salt, sugar and others. However, such practices were stopped after the Sino-India War in 1962, and since then, the route has been permanently closed. Originally, the route was carved, which seems next to impossible back then without any advanced machinery.

Parking Fee

As such, there is no parking facility, and visitors can park their vehicles roadside. Visitors are not required to pay any fees to park their vehicles.

Accommodation

For overnight stays, the only option at the site is the GMVN Forest Guest House. For other options, visitors can explore Harshil, which is about 19 km away.

Important Tips for Travellers

Visitors must show their valid photo identification proof at the check post to obtain a permit.
Direct transportation is limited; it is recommended to book a taxi.
Apart from the GMVN Forest Guest House, the site does not offer lodging facilities.
Carry sufficient cash, as ATM's near the site are unavailable.
Avoid visiting during the monsoon season, i.e. from July to August.
In the static case, visitors are not allowed to walk in groups.
Leaning from the railing towards the valley is not allowed.
Any kind of inflammable material is not allowed during trekking.
Sitting in one place and jumping around the stairs is not allowed.

Nearby Attraction

You can explore some popular places near Gartang Gali Uttarkashi, like: -
- Bhaironghati (around 4 km)
- Gangotri Temple (around 10 km)
- Harshil Valley (around 20 km)
- Kedartal.
- Nelong Valley.
- Mukhwa Village.

How to Reach

By Road : - Dehradun to Gartang Gali distance is around 235 km and 90 km from Uttarkashi. It can be accessed easily by road using a bus, a shared taxi, a cab, or a bike.

UTC Bus: Uttarakhand roadways operates a few buses daily from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand to Uttarkashi, which departs at 5:30 am. From Uttarkashi, you can take a shared taxi to Harshil and then another shared taxi to Gartang Gali.
Alternative route: Take a bus to Gangotri from Haridwar and Rishikesh and get down at Lanka Bridge, the starting point of Gartang Gali trek.
Personal Vehicle: You can also reach the destination using your own car or bike.

By Rail : - The nearest railway stations are Dehradun Railway Station and Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station, both offer good connectivity from major cities. From either station, taxis and buses are available to reach the destination.

By Air : - The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 259 km away. Visitors can take a taxi from the airport or travel to Rishikesh for other transport options.