Is there any direct bus to Joshimath from Rishikesh?

I inquired with GMOU Ltd., and I was told there is only one bus at 6 a.m.

I forgot to book an advance ticket one day before and reached Rishikesh bus depot (approx. 100 meters from Chandrabhaga Bridge) at 5:30 a.m. The bus for Joshimath was parked there but no seats.

What to do?

Because I have done earlier tours within Uttarakhand Mountains by motorbike I have an idea of how to reach Joshimath from Rishikesh. There were buses parked for Karanprayag and Rudraprayag. Karanprayag bus was full, but the bus for Rudraprayag was having seats. I enter into the bus and had a seat. 6:25 am bus left the bus depot for Joshimath and stopped at a petrol pump in Rishikesh for diesel. 72 liters were filled. Price of diesel in Rishikesh is 52.59 rupees.

Anyways, as the journey started the conductor of the bus started collecting bus fares. Rishikesh to Rudraprayag bus fare – Rs. 185. The best about the journey by bus is one can talk with the co-passengers who most probably will be a stranger but maybe can enhance knowledge about places to see.

The bus stopped for a few seconds. A Khatti Meethi Goli wala was inside the bus. Good to have if you are vomiting or have a tendency to vomit during bus travel or mountain journey – He was marketing. Though I do not vomit but still I purchased a packet of Khatti Meethi Goli – Rs. 5. Tasty it was.

At 8:30 the bus reached Devprayag. The bus driver conveyed the message to passengers that the bus will stop for a few minutes, and one can go outside the bus to have breakfast or tea. I went outside and had one aaloo paratha with dahi (curd) and chole – Rs. 15 the cost.

At 9:00 am bus re-started its journey and by 10:15 am we reached Srinagar, 11 at Dhari Devi Temple, and by 11:30 am we were at Rudraprayag.

Now the question was – How to reach Joshimath from Rudraprayag?

A police check post was there and a policeman standing. I inquire. I was directed toward a bus that was leaving for Karanprayag. Upon the query I was told by the conductor of the bus – it is full.

What to do?

There were jeeps parked (with the yellow number plate) and I inquire one jeep driver. A seat was available and we toward Karanprayag.

At 11:55 am the jeep left Rudraprayag and at 1 pm we reached Karanprayag. Rudraprayag to Karanprayag jeep fare – Rs. 50. Again at Karanprayag jeeps were available and so was the seat. At 2:00 pm we reached Chamoli. Karanprayag to Chamoli – Rs. 50 jeep fare.

At Chamoli, there was no bus or jeep available though a few jeeps parked. No jeep driver was ready for Joshimath because they said while returning they won’t get passengers from Joshimath. Anyways, I thought of waiting and watching. I had a samosa with kabuli – Rs. 15.

A jeep driver was ready but was charging Rs. 100 per passenger. I was ready to pay because if not I have to stay in Chamoli that night and only the next morning I may get a jeep and that will cost too – The hotel room cost.

There were few students standing and were ready to pay Rs. 100 per passenger. At 3:05 pm the jeep started its journey and at 4:50 pm we reached Joshimath.

Conclusion: If there is no direct bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath still one can reach by bus, or by jeep and the total bus and jeep fare from Rishikesh to Joshimath will be Rs. 385 a little costly in comparison with a direct bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath.

Road condition though at a few places specially landslide areas were damaged but in general – Good.

The driving of the drivers was good too or maybe I was lucky to be in the bus and jeep with good drivers.

Total 10 hours approx. travel time from Rishikesh to Joshimath by bus and jeep including waiting time.

Sharing jeeps are much faster than buses. The capacity of passengers may be one of the reasons. I prefer the front seat.