Yamuna Kriti Cottages Yamunotri By OYO Rooms

There were bugs, mosquitoes, and spiders in the rooms, which was the one real downside. Otherwise, this was easily the best place we found in Yamnotri, with a fairly reasonable price and facilities like geysers and heaters. They even included a bonfire, and the owner hosted us himself and shared stories about the holy place.

The staff and owners were warm, polite, quick to help, and upbeat. They were also curious and keen to learn, which you don't often come across in places like this. We were travelling with doctors, including one who runs an NGO teaching CPR BLS. The whole staff and the owners took the training late at night after the guests had gone to bed. At this altitude, paramedics and doctors can be hard to find, so I really appreciated their interest. The location is up a hill, about 0.5 kms from the start of the Yamunotri hike. They also showed us nearby temples and other significant places: a shani temple believed to be India's first, another temple right across from it with no History, and Sheetkaleen Yamunotri Temple, where Yamunotri mata is brought during the cold winters. We had delicious hot food served buffet-style, and their tea was especially refreshing. If you're visiting Yamunotri, I'd recommend staying in Kharsali rather than Barkot.

The rooms were just okay, but the staff were really friendly and helpful. The food tasted great, and they arranged an evening walk to a nearby village where they showed us the local temple.

The food was good and the staff polite. It's an average hotel, though, and given the area, I couldn't expect much more.