Hemkund Sahib Yatra Travel Guide – Complete Trekking Experience

The Spiritual Himalayan Pilgrimage

If you’re seeking spiritual solace wrapped in adventure and natural beauty, Hemkund Sahib Yatra in Uttarakhand is the perfect pilgrimage for you. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas, Hemkund Sahib is a revered Sikh shrine that sits at an altitude of 4,329 meters (14,200 ft), surrounded by snow-clad peaks and a serene glacial lake. The journey to Hemkund Sahib is not just about reaching a destination—it’s a powerful spiritual and physical experience.

Trek Overview

Starting Point: Rishikesh
Final Destination: Hemkund Sahib via Govindghat and Ghangharia
Trek Distance: ~15 km (Pulna to Hemkund Sahib)
Trek Duration: 2–3 Days
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time to Visit: June to September

Route Details: Rishikesh to Govindghat

Your journey typically begins from Rishikesh, a major town in Uttarakhand connected by road and rail to major cities. From Rishikesh, drive towards Govindghat, a small town near Joshimath in the Chamoli district.

Distance: ~275 km from Rishikesh
Driving Time: 10–12 hours
Route: Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Joshimath – Govindghat

Transport Options:

Buses (GMOU or Private)
Shared Taxis or Cabs
Private Vehicles (Paid parking available at Govindghat)

Where to Stay in Govindghat

Govindghat serves as the base for both Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers treks.

Stay Options:

Hotels & Homestays: Available in the main market area.
Gurudwara Sahib Govindghat:
- Rooms & halls on first-come, first-serve basis
- Free Langar (meals) for all visitors

Car Parking:

Paid parking available near the Gurudwara Sahib and along the main entry road to the trek.

Trek Begins: Govindghat to Ghangharia

Day 1 Trek Distance: 13 km

Govindghat to Pulna (4 km): Shared taxis (₹50 per person)
Pulna to Ghangharia (9 km): On foot, horse, palki

Pulna Checkpoint:

Hemkund Yatra Registration is mandatory before starting the trek.
Trekking Mode:
- On foot
- Mules/horses
- Palkis (palanquins)

Trek Duration: 5–7 hours depending on pace and trekking mode.

Terrain &Trail Highlights:

Trek through dense jungle trails, stone paths, and mountain villages like Bhayundar
Key halts: Jungle Chatti, small shops and dhabas for tea, Maggi, parathas, biscuits, chips, etc.
Follow the trail along the scenic Laxman Ganga River

You’ll reach Ghangharia Helipad area, the base village for both Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers.

Stay Options in Ghangharia:

Government rest houses (usually pre-booked)
Private hotels and homestays
Gurudwara Govind Dham with free Langar
Camping tents (₹3000–₹5000 per night)

Travel Tips:

Store excess luggage at cloakroom in Gurudwara or local shops
Carry cash – no ATM, weak/no mobile networks

Keep warm clothes, rain protection (poncho/raincoat), and essential medicines.

Day 2: Trek to Hemkund Sahib

Distance: 6 km (one way)
Start Early: Most start between 3–5 AM as no overnight stay is allowed at Hemkund Sahib.

Time Taken: 5–7 hours (uphill and return)

Trail Features:

Steep climb with multiple switchbacks
2 glacier crossings
Iron bridges over water streams
Final ascent includes two paths:
- Stairway route
- Steep regular rocky trail

At the Top: Hemkund Sahib & Surroundings

Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara: A serene white shrine with powerful spiritual vibrations
Situated near the glacial Hemkund Sarovar
Surrounded by seven snow-clad peaks
Langar Hall: Free hot meals
Hemkund Sarovar: Glacial lake for ritual bath and collecting holy water

Lokpal Laxman Temple: Symbolizes Laxman’s meditation as per Hindu beliefs

Sacred Activities:

Take a dip in the icy Hemkund Sarovar
Collect holy water from the Gurudwara premises

This place holds great significance for both Sikhs and Hindus.

Return Options:

Descend to Ghangharia the same day (mandatory)
Stay in Ghangharia for another night or continue descending to Govindghat the next day.

Alternate Option: Trek to Valley of Flowers National Park the next day from Ghangharia.

Note: Both Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers fall under the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (Chamoli, Uttarakhand). The common base for both is Ghangharia.

Essential Hemkund Sahib Yatra Travel Tips

Category	Tip
Best Time to Visit	Mid-June to early October
Fitness Requirement	Moderate to High – Prepare with cardio & walking
Cash	Carry sufficient cash – no ATMs or UPI after Govindghat
Mobile Network	Poor to no signal after Pulna
Essentials	Warm clothes, rain gear, trekking shoes, first aid
Luggage	Store extra bags at cloakroom in Govindghat/Ghangharia
Respect	Follow local customs, maintain cleanliness, no littering

Traxplorers’ Hemkund Sahib Yatra Experience – June 2025

After 15 years of waiting, we—Traxplorers—finally fulfilled our dream of doing the Hemkund Sahib Yatra in June 2025. The journey turned out to be as spiritually enriching as it was physically challenging. We reached Govindghat by our own car and parked it at the designated paid parking facility (₹600 valid for the full trek duration). For our stay, we booked a private room at the Govindghat Gurudwara Sahib for ₹1100 per night and enjoyed wholesome free meals in the Langar Hall.

Day 1: Govindghat to Ghangharia

Our trek began at 7 AM with a shared taxi ride to Pulna (₹50 per person). From there, we hiked the 9 km trail to Ghangharia, reaching by 1 PM. The route was scenic—lush greenery, river views, jungle stretches, and villages like Bhayundar made the trail lively. We stayed the night at Gurudwara Govind Dham.

Day 2: Ghangharia to Hemkund Sahib

We started our climb at 3 AM, noticing many yatris already on the move—even as early as 1 AM. Since the Gurudwara cloakroom opened only at 4 AM, we left our extra luggage in a nearby shop’s cloakroom (₹100 per bag). It was pitch dark—no streetlights—so we relied on torchlight until dawn.

The 6 km climb to Hemkund Sahib was steep and tough. The weather changed constantly—mist, sudden rain, clouds, and drizzles made the trek more difficult but visually rewarding. We passed glacier points, crossed iron bridges, and chose the final stairway route to the top.

It started pouring heavily just as we reached Hemkund Sahib. Despite wearing ponchos, we were drenched, and the freezing winds made it even harder. But the sight of the serene Hemkund Sarovar surrounded by seven majestic snow-clad peaks, and the peaceful chants of “Waheguru” from the Darbar Sahib, made every step worth it. This trek was a deeply emotional and spiritual experience—especially fulfilling as we completed it together as a family with our daughter.

Final Thoughts

The Hemkund Sahib trek is a soulful blend of devotion and Himalayan adventure. From the starting point at Govindghat, through the lush trail of Ghangharia, to the sacred Gurudwara at Hemkund, every step of this yatra is filled with divine energy, natural beauty, and spiritual elevation. Whether you are a pilgrim or a trekking enthusiast, this yatra will test your spirit and reward you with peace, humility, and unforgettable views.

Hemkund Sahib Yatra Travel Guide – Complete Trekking Experience