Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of 11,000 ft (3,400 m) that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.

Understand

Joshimath, in the Garhwal Himalayas, is also known as Jyotirmath. It is on route from Haridwar and Rishikesh to the Hindu sacred shrine of Badrinath. It is also the junction for people visiting Auli, one of the best skiing spots in India.

Get in

The drive from the valley is very scenic and runs along the Ganges and its tributaries.

By bus

• 1 G.M.O.U. Ltd. The private bus stand to book buses back into the valley. Leaving for Rishikesh (₹550) and Haridwar (₹600) at 4AM and 6AM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Badrinath & Govindghat. The stand for mostly taxis and a few buses heading to these places. Shared taxi to Badrinath: ₹150. Bus to Govindghat (for Ghangaria): ₹45. (updated Sep 2023)

The bus service operated by Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, a Government company starts from Tapovan, a town in the outskirts of the city. Online bookings for this has not been started for this route yet but you can purchase bus passes to avail all government buses in Uttrakhand at the official website. Private buses can be booked at the counters in bus stands eventhough some companies allow online bookings through travel booking websites like Redbus and MakeMyTrip.

Buses leave from Rishikesh (₹580/550 gov/pvt) at 5–5:30AM but you should be the 30 min before, seats are limited, or from Haridwar at 4:30AM. The last bus leaves by around 7AM. The journey takes 8 to 11 hours depending on the condition of the road and where you start.

See

• 1 Bhavishya Kedar Temple. As per local belief, present-day Kedarnath will disappear along with Badrinath and re-appear in Bhavishya Kedar temple at Joshimath. This temple has small shivling 
• 2 Narsinh Temple. This is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu in Narsinh Avtar and the main temple of Joshimath. It has an idol of Lord Narsinh, which is considered established by Shankaracharya 
• 3 Shanakaracharya Math. This is the Math established by Adi Shankaracharya in North India. It has a temple of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi, and a sacred cave where Adi Shankaracharya supposedly undertook tapasya. 
• 4 Jyotirmath Temple, Upper Bazar. 6AM-7:30PM. An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta. Free. (updated Dec 2023)
• Tapovan, Rajpur Rd. According to legend, Guru Dronacharya did penance here. It has natural hot springs and a nice view of the river Dhauliganga. 
• Interpretation Center of Bio-Cultural Diversity., Lata Village (25 kilometers upstream along the Dhouli Ganga river on Niti-Malari highway). The center showcases the bio-cultural diversity of the Nanda Devi National Park region. It has a museum as well as a souvenir shop. 

Do

• Cable car ride to Auli
• Day Hike to Gorson meadows
• Trek to Kuari Pass and Curzon Trail
• Trek to Nanda Devi National Park

There are some trekking companies in town in case you need further information.

Sleep

• 1 Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib. They are very welcoming. Free accommodation and food, donation of ₹50-75/night recommended. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 GMVN Tourist Rest House (Nargingh), ☏ +91 9568006668. Dorm/room ₹500/2,000. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 GMVN Jyotir Tourist Complex, ☏ +91 9568006667. Dorm/room ₹400/1,700. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

• Auli – One of India's best ski resorts, just south.
• Badrinath – 50 km north, a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat with the most important of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers.
• Ghangaria – South of Badrinath, it's the gateway to the Hemkunt pilgrimage site and the Valley of Flowers.
• Kedarnath – Relatively close, considering you are already in this area. It is one of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers, at 3,400 m, which you need to hike at least 16 km to.