Best Cottage Hotel in Gangotri, Uttarkashi 2026: An Honest Guide for Pilgrims, Trekkers & Families

1. Why Accommodation Matters More in Gangotri Than Anywhere Else

Gangotri is not an ordinary destination. At 3,415 metres above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this sacred town sits at the edge of a world where altitude, temperature, terrain, and spirit converge in ways that are both exhilarating and demanding.

By the time most pilgrims and trekkers arrive in Gangotri, they have already travelled for 12 to 18 hours from major cities — navigating mountain roads that wind through steep gorges, dramatic river crossings, and high-altitude passes. The body is tired, oxygen levels are lower than at home, and the cold — even in May — bites harder than most visitors expect.

In this context, where you sleep in Gangotri is not just a matter of comfort. It is a matter of recovery, health, and how much you actually experience on your visit. A cold, damp room at altitude can bring on illness fast. Poor food at high elevation drains energy you need for temple visits, ghats, kunds, and treks. A location too far from the temple means missing the pre-dawn aarti that pilgrims travel thousands of kilometres to attend.

This is precisely why choosing the best cottage hotel in Gangotri deserves careful thought — and why this honest guide exists.

Whether you are a first-time pilgrim completing the Char Dham Yatra, a seasoned trekker using Gangotri as a base for Gaumukh or Kedartal, or a family navigating the sacred landscape with elders and children in tow, the guide ahead is written honestly — with no fluff and no hidden agenda — to help you make the right choice.

🏡 Devdaar Cottage Gangotri — 200m from Gangotri Temple | Rooms from ₹2,400/night
📞 +91-9389875155 | 🌐 devdaarcottage.com

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2. What to Look for in a Gangotri Cottage Hotel in 2026

The hospitality landscape in Gangotri is unlike that of a regular tourist destination. The town is remote, the pilgrimage season is short (roughly May to November), and the logistical challenges of running a hotel at 3,400+ metres mean that standards vary enormously from property to property.

Here are the six factors that genuinely matter when selecting accommodation in Gangotri:

1. Distance from Gangotri Temple

The Gangotri Temple holds its most significant rituals in the early morning — the pre-dawn Pratah Puja begins around 6 AM, and the Ganga Aarti at sunset is a must-witness event. If your hotel is more than a 5-minute walk from the temple, you risk missing these timings, especially if you are elderly, travelling with children, or feeling the effects of altitude.

The ideal hotel in Gangotri is within walking distance of the temple — ideally 200–500 metres.

2. Hot Water — Always

This may seem obvious, but in Gangotri it is anything but guaranteed. Mountain temperatures drop dramatically after sunset — even in June, nights can hover around 5–8°C. In October, temperatures at night can touch -2°C. A hotel that cannot reliably supply 24-hour hot water is not fit for purpose at this altitude.

Always confirm hot water availability before booking, and always ask whether it is supplied by a solar system (unreliable in cloudy weather) or an electric geyser (more consistent).

3. Quality of Bedding and Room Insulation

Many budget properties in Gangotri provide thin blankets and poorly insulated rooms. At 3,400+ metres, cold at night is not just uncomfortable — it actively depletes your body’s energy and can worsen altitude sickness. Look for thick quilts, proper mattresses, and windows that seal fully.

4. Food Quality — Sattvic, Fresh, and Nutritious

Gangotri is a sacred town. The vast majority of pilgrims and most trekkers expect — and prefer — pure vegetarian (sattvic) food that aligns with the sanctity of the destination. Beyond the spiritual preference, the right food at altitude genuinely supports acclimatisation: warm, light, nutritious meals help the body adjust far better than rich or processed food.

A good Gangotri hotel should offer fresh, home-cooked, sattvic meals as part of or alongside the room rate.

5. Local Knowledge and Pilgrim Support

A hotel run by local Garhwali families who actually know the Gangotri valley is worth infinitely more than a purely commercial property. The right hosts will tell you about that day’s aarti timing, advise on weather conditions on the Gaumukh trail, connect you with a trustworthy priest for personalised puja, and warn you about road conditions on your onward journey.

This local knowledge is a genuine amenity — and it cannot be quantified in a star rating.

6. Value for Money — Honest Pricing

Gangotri during peak season (May–June and September–October) sees high demand and some hotels exploit this with inflated rates and hidden charges. The best cottage hotels in Gangotri offer clear, honest pricing — what you see is what you pay — with no pressure to take overpriced packages.

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3. Types of Accommodation Available in Gangotri

Understanding the accommodation landscape in Gangotri helps set realistic expectations:

Type	Description	Ideal For	Price Range
Dharamshalas	Religious trusts run free or very low-cost pilgrim shelters	Solo budget pilgrims	Free–₹300/night
Budget Guesthouses	Basic rooms, shared bathrooms, minimal facilities	Solo backpackers	₹500–1,200/night
Cottage Hotels	Family-run cottages with clean rooms, hot water, meals	Pilgrims, families, trekkers	₹1,500–4,500/night
GMVN Rest Houses	Government-run tourist bungalows, basic but reliable	Group pilgrimages	₹1,000–2,500/night
Tented Camps	Seasonal camps near the trek routes	Trekkers, adventure travellers	₹800–2,000/night
Luxury Hotels	Limited options; near Harsil or en route	Premium travellers	₹5,000–15,000/night

For the overwhelming majority of pilgrims, trekkers, and families visiting Gangotri, cottage hotels represent the ideal sweet spot — offering the comfort, warmth, food, and personal attention that a dharamshala cannot provide, at a price that remains accessible and fair.

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4. The Honest Checklist: 10 Things Every Gangotri Hotel Must Have

Use this checklist when evaluating any hotel in Gangotri before booking:

#	Must-Have	Why It Matters
1	Within 500m of Gangotri Temple	Pre-dawn puja, aarti, kund visits require short walking distance
2	24-hour electric hot water geyser	Solar is unreliable; electric is consistent even in cold/cloudy weather
3	Thick quilts + proper mattresses	Cold nights at 3,400m demand serious warmth
4	Attached or clean shared bathrooms	Basic hygiene standard; confirm cleanliness policy
5	Fresh sattvic meals on premises	Nutrition at altitude supports acclimatisation
6	Local host with Gangotri knowledge	Genuine guidance on temple, trails, priests, and conditions
7	Vehicle parking available	Most pilgrims drive; secure parking is essential
8	Safe for solo women & elderly	Security, ground-floor options, respectful environment
9	Transparent, fixed pricing	No hidden charges; rate confirmed at booking
10	Advance booking accepted	Peak season availability; confirms the property is professionally managed

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5. Gangotri Accommodation: What Nobody Tells You

After years of hosting pilgrims and trekkers at Devdaar Cottage Gangotri, we have noticed several things that travel websites rarely mention. Consider these honest realities before you arrive:

The Cold Surprises Almost Everyone

Even in late May and early June, Gangotri nights are significantly colder than most Indian plains-dwellers anticipate. First-time visitors frequently underestimate this. The right hotel provides genuinely warm bedding — not just a sheet and a thin blanket.

Room Availability Disappears Fast Around Festivals

The Akshaya Tritiya temple opening (May), Ganga Dussehra (June), and the Navratri period (September–October) see a massive surge in pilgrims. On these days and the days immediately around them, every decent property in Gangotri is full. Booking 2–4 weeks in advance during festival periods is not cautious — it is essential.

The Best Rooms Go to Those Who Call Directly

Online travel agencies (OTAs) often display limited inventory and add service charges. The best way to book accommodation in Gangotri — particularly at family-run cottages — is by calling directly. You get the best rate, can confirm specific requirements (ground-floor room, extra blankets, meal preferences), and build a relationship with your hosts before you arrive.

Location Matters More Than Stars or Ratings

In Gangotri, a property 1 km from the temple rated 4 stars on an OTA can feel far more inconvenient than an unrated family cottage 200 metres from the temple gate. Distance in cold mountain terrain — especially for elderly pilgrims or those affected by altitude — is a far more relevant metric than online ratings.

Food From Unfamiliar Sources at Altitude Can Cause Problems

Not all restaurants and dhabas in Gangotri maintain consistent hygiene standards, especially during the high-season rush. Eating fresh, home-cooked food at your accommodation is always safer than eating at unknown roadside stalls — particularly when your digestive system is already adjusting to the altitude.

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6. Devdaar Cottage Gangotri: Our Honest Self-Review

We believe that a property’s own assessment of itself should be honest — including its limitations. Here is our straightforward self-review of Devdaar Cottage Gangotri:

What We Are Genuinely Good At

✅ Location is unbeatable. We are 200 metres from the Gangotri Temple — that is a 3-minute walk. Our guests reach the pre-dawn aarti easily, visit Gauri Kund and Surya Kund without fatigue, and return to their rooms between rituals. This location cannot be replicated elsewhere in Gangotri.

✅ Hot water is always available. We operate electric geysers — not solar panels — ensuring consistent hot water regardless of weather. After a cold trek or a pre-dawn ritual bath in the Bhagirathi, this matters more than anything else.

✅ Our food is genuinely home-cooked and sattvic. Our kitchen has been preparing fresh, pure vegetarian meals for pilgrims and trekkers for years. We use seasonal ingredients, cook without onion or garlic, and maintain strict hygiene. Many guests tell us the food at Devdaar Cottage was the best they had on their entire Char Dham journey.

✅ We are local — and that knowledge is real. Our team was born and raised in the Gangotri valley. We know the temple priests by name, we monitor trail conditions daily, and we maintain direct contacts with the Forest Department, local guides, and SDRF rescue teams. This is not customer service — it is genuine local care.

✅ Our pricing is clear and honest. ₹2,400 for a single room. ₹3,300 for a triple room. ₹4,200 for a family room. No hidden charges. No “peak season surcharges” that appear at check-in. What you are quoted is what you pay.

✅ We take solo women and elderly guests seriously. Ground-floor rooms are available on request for elderly guests or those with mobility concerns. We maintain a consistently safe, respectful environment and have never had a security incident involving a guest.

What We Are Honest About

🔶 We are not a luxury resort. Devdaar Cottage is a clean, well-maintained, warm, and comfortable family cottage hotel. We do not have a swimming pool, a spa, a conference room, or a rooftop restaurant. What we have is exactly what the Gangotri pilgrimage and trekking experience demands: simplicity, warmth, and genuine hospitality at one of the most sacred addresses in India.

🔶 Advance booking is required in peak season. We are a popular property with limited rooms. If you plan to visit during Ganga Dussehra, Navratri, or the opening/closing weeks of the Gangotri Temple, please book well in advance. We cannot guarantee same-day availability during these periods.

🔶 We are at altitude. Like every property in Gangotri, Devdaar Cottage sits at 3,415 metres. Guests with serious heart conditions, severe respiratory issues, or a history of acute mountain sickness should consult their doctor before visiting Gangotri — regardless of where they stay.

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7. Who Stays at Devdaar Cottage — And Why

Over the years, our guests have come from across India and around the world. Here is what brings them to us and what brings them back:

Char Dham Pilgrims

The Char Dham Yatra — visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — is among the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. For pilgrims making this journey, Gangotri is the second stop, and the accommodation here sets the tone for the rest of the journey.

Char Dham pilgrims choose Devdaar Cottage for our proximity to the temple (morning puja is never missed), our sattvic kitchen (no risk of impure food breaking their pilgrimage vows), and our gentle, unhurried hospitality that mirrors the devotional nature of their journey.

Gaumukh & Tapovan Trekkers

Serious trekkers using Gangotri as a base for the Gaumukh Yatra, Tapovan Trek, Kedartal, or other high-altitude trails have specific needs: early starts, packed nutrition, reliable hot water, secure luggage storage while on trail, and trusted guide connections.

Devdaar Cottage has become a preferred base for this community because we understand trekking logistics, maintain relationships with certified local guides, and can process permit enquiries. Our pre-trek breakfast is specifically designed for the energy demands of high-altitude walking.

Families on Char Dham Yatra

Families — especially those with elderly members, young children, or both — need accommodation that balances the accessibility needs of different generations. Our family room (4-bed, ₹4,200/night) is specifically designed for multi-generational groups, with space, warmth, and ground-floor access options that make the Gangotri experience comfortable for everyone.

Solo Women Pilgrims & Travellers

Gangotri sees a significant number of solo women travellers — pilgrims, yogis, writers, and solo trekkers. Devdaar Cottage has built a strong reputation among this community for being genuinely safe, respectful, and welcoming. Our female guests consistently note in feedback that they felt completely at ease throughout their stay.

Spiritual Retreat Seekers

Beyond pilgrims and trekkers, Gangotri attracts a growing community of people seeking quiet, contemplative time in one of the most spiritually charged environments on Earth. Writers, meditators, yoga practitioners, and those going through personal transitions find in Devdaar Cottage a calm, clean, unpretentious base that supports inner work without distraction.

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8. Room Guide: Every Option at Devdaar Cottage in 2026

🛏️ Single Room — ₹2,400 per night

Perfect for: Solo pilgrims, solo trekkers, couples on pilgrimage

Our most popular room for individual travellers. Clean, warm, and carefully maintained, the Single Room at Devdaar Cottage provides everything needed for a restful night at altitude — quality bedding, hot water, and a window that looks out onto the Devdaar cedar canopy that gives our cottage its name.

Room Features:

• Comfortable double/single bed with quality mattress
• Heavy quilts and extra blankets on request
• Attached or clean shared bathroom (confirmed at booking)
• 24-hour hot water electric geyser
• Window view of Devdaar forest
• Daily housekeeping

Rate: ₹2,400 / night
👉 Book Single Room

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🛏️ Triple 3-Bed Room — ₹3,300 per night

Perfect for: Small families, trekking groups of 3, friends on pilgrimage

Our triple room is designed for groups of three, with three well-arranged single beds and enough space to lay out trek gear without the cramped feeling common in mountain accommodation. The attached private bathroom with round-the-clock hot water makes mornings manageable even when all three guests want to be ready for the pre-dawn aarti.

Room Features:

• Three single beds with quality bedding
• Attached private bathroom
• 24-hour electric hot water
• Mountain or forest view
• Ample storage for luggage and trek gear
• Daily housekeeping

Rate: ₹3,300 / night
👉 Book Triple Room

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🛏️ Family Room 4-Bed — ₹4,200 per night

Perfect for: Families with children, multi-generational pilgrimages, groups of 4

Our flagship accommodation — the Family Room at Devdaar Cottage is the most spacious and complete option available near the Gangotri Temple. With four beds, generous floor area, a full private bathroom, and the option for ground-floor placement, this room is designed for the reality of family travel: the needs of grandparents, parents, and children all met in one warm, comfortable space.

Room Features:

• Four beds with premium bedding and heavy quilts
• Attached private bathroom — full-size with 24-hour hot water
• Ground-floor option available on request (for elderly/mobility needs)
• Largest room category — ample space for family luggage
• Sitting area for family meals and conversation
• Priority housekeeping
• Dedicated check-in guidance for pilgrimage route and temple timings

Rate: ₹4,200 / night
👉 Book Family Room

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Room Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Single Room	Triple Room	Family Room
Rate/Night	₹2,400	₹3,300	₹4,200
Adults	2	3	4
Children	1	1	2
Bathroom	Attached/Shared	Attached Private	Attached Private
Hot Water	24-hr Electric	24-hr Electric	24-hr Electric
Best For	Solo / Couple	Friends / Small Family	Full Family / Group
Ground Floor Option	On request	On request	Priority
Book Online	Book	Book	Book

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9. What’s Included in Your Stay at Devdaar Cottage

Meals

Our in-house kitchen operates on the principles of sattvic cooking — pure vegetarian, no onion, no garlic, no meat — in keeping with the pilgrimage traditions of Gangotri. Every meal is prepared fresh daily by our experienced local cooks.

Breakfast (included with room or available separately):
Warm paratha with aloo sabzi, poha, upma, seasonal fruits, fresh chai, herbal Himalayan teas

Lunch:
Dal, two sabzis, steamed rice, fresh roti, salad, raita, pickle

Dinner:
Dal tadka or dal makhani, two sabzis, rice, fresh roti, seasonal dessert on festival days

Special Pilgrim Thali (on request):
Traditional Garhwali thali with locally sourced ingredients — perfect for Ganga Dussehra, Navratri, and Akshaya Tritiya

Note: Our kitchen is completely sattvic. We do not serve non-vegetarian food, eggs, alcohol, or onion/garlic under any circumstances.

Pilgrimage Support Services

• Temple Timing Updates: Daily notification of aarti times, special puja schedules, and festival events at the Gangotri Temple
• Priest Connections: On request, we connect guests with trusted Semwal Brahmin priests for personalised pujas at the temple, Gauri Kund, and Surya Kund
• Char Dham Route Guidance: Onward route planning for Kedarnath and Badrinath, including road conditions and transport options
• Trek Arrangements: Certified local guide connections for Gaumukh, Tapovan, Kedartal, and other trails; permit assistance

Practical Amenities

• Vehicle Parking: Secure designated parking for private vehicles — essential as Gangotri has limited street parking
• Luggage Storage: Secure luggage storage during day excursions or while on multi-day treks
• First Aid: Basic first aid kit on premises; staff trained in altitude sickness recognition and initial response
• Emergency Support: Direct contacts with Forest Department, local police, and SDRF mountain rescue maintained by our team

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10. Location Advantage: Why 200 Metres Makes All the Difference

Devdaar Cottage sits at NH 34, Gangotri, Uttarakhand 249136 — just 200 metres from the Gangotri Temple entrance.

In Gangotri, this 200 metres is worth more than any star rating:

Pre-Dawn Puja — Never Missed

The most spiritually powerful time at Gangotri Temple is the Pratah (morning) Puja at 6 AM. Many pilgrims travel for days to attend this. From Devdaar Cottage, it is a 3-minute walk — in the dark, in the cold, over familiar ground. Guests at hotels further from the temple regularly miss the morning puja simply because the distance feels too far at 5:30 AM in freezing mountain air.

Ganga Aarti at Sunset — Your Front Row

The evening Sandhya Aarti at the Gangotri Temple ghats — held as the setting sun paints the snowcapped peaks gold — is one of the most moving experiences in all of India. Being 200 metres from the temple means our guests stroll down, attend the full aarti, and walk back in minutes. No rushing, no missing the finale.

Gauri Kund & Surya Kund — On Your Morning Walk

Both Gauri Kund and Surya Kund — Gangotri’s sacred ritual pools — are within the temple complex, 200–400 metres from Devdaar Cottage. Morning ablutions, flower offerings, and pre-darshan rituals at the kunds fit naturally into a Devdaar Cottage morning without any logistics.

Gaumukh Trailhead — Walk from Our Door

The Gaumukh trek begins at the Forest Department Check Post in Gangotri town — approximately a 5-minute walk from Devdaar Cottage. Early-morning trek starts (essential for reaching Bhojbasa comfortably) are completely practical from our location.

Google Maps Location

📍 Find Devdaar Cottage on Google Maps

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11. How to Book Your Room at Devdaar Cottage Gangotri

We offer three easy ways to book:

Method 1: Call or WhatsApp (Fastest — Recommended)

Calling us directly is the quickest way to confirm availability, get personalised advice on room selection, and lock in your dates. Our team responds immediately during reception hours.

📞 +91-9389875155
Available: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM IST, 7 days a week

Method 2: Book Online

Use our website booking system to check availability and confirm your room directly — no third-party fees, no OTA markups.

🌐 devdaarcottage.com/check-availability-2

Method 3: Email

For group bookings, special requirements, or detailed itinerary consultation:

📧 devdaarcottage@gmail.com

Booking Tips

• Book 2–4 weeks in advance for festival periods (Ganga Dussehra, Navratri, Akshaya Tritiya, Diwali closing week)
• Mention specific needs at booking: ground-floor room, extra blankets, early check-in, meal preferences, priest/guide requirements
• Confirm your arrival time so we can prepare your room and have a warm welcome ready
• Season: We are open from Akshaya Tritiya (May) to Diwali (November) — the full Gangotri Temple pilgrimage season

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12. Gangotri Travel Planning: Key Facts for 2026

Getting to Gangotri

Route	Distance	Approx. Time
Delhi → Rishikesh → Uttarkashi → Gangotri	~500 km	14–16 hours by road
Dehradun → Uttarkashi → Gangotri	~250 km	8–9 hours by road
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Gangotri	~280 km	9–10 hours
Rishikesh → Gangotri (direct bus/taxi)	~250 km	8 hours

Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (best connected for Gangotri)
Road: NH 34 connects directly to Gangotri — Devdaar Cottage is on NH 34

Gangotri Temple 2026 Opening & Closing Dates

Event	2026 Date
Temple Opening (Akshaya Tritiya)	Check Uttarakhand Tourism official portal
Ganga Dussehra	June 2026
Temple Closing (Diwali)	October/November 2026

Note: Exact opening and closing dates are announced by the temple committee before each season. Always verify the current year’s dates before travel.

👉 Uttarakhand Tourism Official Portal for confirmed 2026 temple dates

Char Dham Trip Card (Mandatory for Private Vehicles)

If you are travelling to Gangotri in a private vehicle, the Uttarakhand government requires a Char Dham Trip Card (Green Card) for vehicle entry on the Char Dham route. Register your vehicle at:

👉 greencard.uk.gov.in

Biometric Registration

All Char Dham pilgrims must complete biometric registration before beginning the yatra. This can be done at designated centres in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Uttarkashi.

👉 Char Dham Registration Portal

Best Time to Visit Gangotri in 2026

Period	Conditions	Recommendation
May–June	Temple freshly open, spiritual energy high, moderate temperatures	✅ Best for first-time pilgrims
Ganga Dussehra (June)	Most sacred festival, maximum devotional energy	✅ Most spiritually significant
July–August	Monsoon — landslide risk on mountain roads	⚠️ Travel with caution
September–October	Post-monsoon clarity, autumn colours, fewer crowds	✅ Most beautiful visually
November (closing)	Magical closing ceremony, but closing weather	⚠️ For experienced mountain travellers

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13. Frequently Asked Questions

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14. Final Verdict: The Best Cottage Hotel in Gangotri 2026

After years of welcoming pilgrims from across India and the world, trekkers who push their bodies to extraordinary limits, and families who carry the weight of devotion across generations — we have come to understand something fundamental about what the best hotel in Gangotri truly means.

It is not about thread counts or swimming pools. It is not about Instagram aesthetics or fancy breakfast spreads. In Gangotri, the best accommodation is the one that gets out of the way of your experience — that takes care of everything so that you can be fully present in one of the most sacred and magnificent places on Earth.

It is the hotel where you wake without alarm at 5:30 AM, step into a hot shower, eat a warm meal, walk 200 metres to the temple in time for the morning puja, feel the cold spray of the Bhagirathi on your face at Surya Kund, take darshan of Goddess Ganga, and return to a warm room with the feeling that everything in your life — for this moment — is exactly as it should be.

That is what Devdaar Cottage Gangotri has always set out to be. And in 2026, with every lesson learned from every guest who has trusted us with their most sacred journey, we are more committed to that mission than ever.

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🏡 Book Your Stay — Devdaar Cottage Gangotri

📍 NH 34, Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand — 249136
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +91-9389875155
📧 Email: devdaarcottage@gmail.com
🌐 Book Online: devdaarcottage.com
🗓️ Season Open: Akshaya Tritiya (May) to Diwali (November)
⏰ Reception Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM IST, Daily
🛏️ Rooms From: ₹2,400 / night