Ghangaria, Chamoli · Uttarakhand
Hemkund Sahib
A high-altitude gurudwara beside a glacial lake at 4,329 m, reached by a steep 6 km climb from Ghangaria.
Hemkund Sahib is a moderate pilgrimage in Ghangaria, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, reaching 4,329 m. The best time to go is July to September. Plan 5 to 6 days on the ground from Dehradun / Rishikesh and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Hemkund Sahib
The one thing not to miss
Hemkund Sahib
The gurudwara beside a glacial lake ringed by seven peaks, a steep 6 km above Ghangaria.
- 2Lokpal Lakshman templeA small shrine on the lake shore.
- 3Brahma KamalThe rare high-altitude flower blooms on the upper slopes in the rains.
- 4Valley of FlowersA separate day walk from the same base, Ghangaria.
A sample plan: 5 days
Day 1
Rishikesh to Joshimath or Govindghat
A full day's drive up the Alaknanda.
Day 2
Govindghat to Ghangaria
Jeep to Pulna, then about 10 km on foot or by pony.
Day 3
Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back
A steep 6 km each way; start at dawn and be down by early afternoon.
Day 4
Ghangaria to Govindghat
Walk down and drive to Joshimath.
Day 5
Joshimath to Rishikesh
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
A Sikh pilgrimage at extraordinary altitude, usually paired with the Valley of Flowers.
Why not
Only open roughly June to early October, and the climb is genuinely steep.
Before you go
- Permits
- No separate permit; the Valley of Flowers check post covers the area.
- Guide
- Not needed — the trail is paved and busy.
- Safety
- Altitude hits hard at 4,300 m. Start early, go slow, descend if you feel unwell.
- Phone & internet
- None above Ghangaria.
Altitude
Hemkund Sahib reaches 4,329 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Chamoli, Gopeshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Hemkund Sahib
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 4,329 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 38 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
11 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
- A walking stick Long flights of steps and a steep path; a stick saves the knees on the way down. Sold at the start of the trail too.
Health and sun
10 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,329 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNo separate permit; the Valley of Flowers check post covers the area.
- Your yatra registration, printed or on your phoneRegistration is checked on the Char Dham and Hemkund routes. Do it on the Uttarakhand tourism website before you leave home.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone above Ghangaria.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Hill roads here are prone to landslides in the monsoon. Start early and check road status before you set out.
By road
From
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 275 km
- Drive time
- 10–11 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Karnaprayag
- Chamoli
- Joshimath
- Govindghat
From Govindghat a shared jeep goes to Pulna; the walk to Ghangaria starts there.
Live directions from RishikeshFrom
Joshimath
- Distance
- about 20 km
- Drive time
- about 45 minutes
- Joshimath
- Govindghat
Buses and shared taxis. Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. Buses on the Badrinath route stop at Govindghat.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun / Rishikesh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Hemkund Sahib yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Hemkund Sahib: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Hemkund Sahib?
The best months for Hemkund Sahib are July to September. June and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Hemkund Sahib?
Hemkund Sahib is rated moderate. The trek is about 38 km in total, starting at 1,800 m and reaching 4,329 m.
How many days do you need for Hemkund Sahib?
Plan 5 to 6 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun / Rishikesh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Hemkund Sahib cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹15,000 for 6 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun / Rishikesh.
How do you reach Hemkund Sahib?
By road: from Rishikesh it is about 275 km, 10–11 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Govindghat); from Joshimath it is about 20 km, about 45 minutes (Joshimath → Govindghat). Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. Buses on the Badrinath route stop at Govindghat. The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Hemkund Sahib?
Permits: No separate permit; the Valley of Flowers check post covers the area. Guide: Not needed — the trail is paved and busy.
Is Hemkund Sahib suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is possible with care. It is busy in season. Altitude hits hard at 4,300 m. Start early, go slow, descend if you feel unwell.
What should you pack for Hemkund Sahib?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Hemkund Sahib?
None above Ghangaria.
Will I get altitude sickness at Hemkund Sahib?
Hemkund Sahib reaches 4,329 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Hemkund Sahib?
Hemkund Sahib is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with small children, older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,329 m. Also keep in mind: Only open roughly June to early October, and the climb is genuinely steep.
Close to Hemkund Sahib
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Valley of Flowersabout 3 km
- Auliabout 19 km