A quaint Himalayan village, Kharsali is about 8 km from Yamunotri. Quiet and rustic, Kharsali offers a fine example of rural Uttarakhand with warm and smiling people and wooden and stone houses. Walk around and explore the village at your pace. 

Located around 10 km from Yamunotri, this glacial lake (at an altitude of 4,421 m) is fed by the Champasar Glacier, and is the actual source of the Yamuna river. While pilgrims offer their prayers at the more accessible Yamunotri temple at the foot of the mountain, the trek from the temple to the lake attracts professional mountaineers. It is an arduous trek but the sight of the emerald blue lake surrounded by frozen glaciers, is stunning. The lake is also said to be the source of the rare lotus Brahma Kamal. 

A hamlet that comes to life during the Char Dham Yatra season (May to October), Janki Chatti is popular for its natural splendour. It is around 6 km from Yamunotri Dham and is surrounded by high mountains on all sides. Earlier, the starting point of the trek to reach Yamunotri was Hanuman Chatti (around 13 km away), but now a motorable road can take you up to Janki Chatti.

Located at the confluence of  Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the serene hamlet of Hanuman Chatti is located around 13 km en route Yamunotri Dham. Nestled in the Himalayas and surrounded by dense forests, Hanuman Chatti (at an altitude at 2,400 m) makes for a refreshing stop. While devotees halt here to take the blessings of Lord Hanumana, for trekkers, this is a popular stop on way to Dodi Tal and other destinations.