Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, built beside a small glacial lake ringed by snow peaks. The gurdwara is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, and the site is mentioned in the Dasam Granth. The lake was known locally as Lokpal long before it became a major Sikh shrine, and a small Hindu temple to Lakshman still stands on its bank. Sources quote the altitude anywhere from about 4,160 m to 4,570 m; 4,329 m is the figure most guides use.
There is no road to the shrine. You drive to Govindghat on the Rishikesh to Badrinath highway, then cover about 13 km to Ghangaria, partly by shared taxi to Pulna and the rest on foot, by pony or by palanquin. A helicopter flies the Govindghat to Ghangaria stretch in season, weather permitting. From Ghangaria a stone-paved path climbs about 6 km and roughly 1,100 m to the gurdwara. Overnight stay at the shrine itself is not allowed, so almost everyone sleeps at Ghangaria and goes up and down in a day.
The season is short. The path is snowbound from roughly October to April, pilgrims arrive in late May after the winter repairs, and the 2026 season was announced to run from 23 May to 10 October. About 150,000 pilgrims are believed to come in a typical season, and a study of them found nearly a third developed acute mountain sickness. That is the honest framing for this guide: it is a rewarding but demanding day, and the pacing, rest and altitude advice matter more here than any sightseeing list.
The same route also serves the Valley of Flowers National Park, which has its own Raahzo guide, and sits on the road to Badrinath, which has one too. Plan for registration before you leave, a spare day for landslide delays on the highway, and warm clothing even in summer.
Before you plan
Hemkund Sahib at a glance
- Best months
- Late May to June and September to…Late May to June and September to early October. July and August bring monsoon rain and landslide risk; the shrine is closed from about mid October to May.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 days from Govindghat2 to 3 days from Govindghat (one to reach Ghangaria, one for Hemkund Sahib, an optional rest day); allow extra days for the road from Rishikesh
- Airport
- Jolly Grant Airport, DehradunJolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED), the nearest major airport; the road to Govindghat is a long day, roughly 10 to 12 hours depending on traffic and landslides
- Railway station
- Yog Nagri RishikeshYog Nagri Rishikesh (YNRK) and Haridwar Junction (HW) are the usual railheads, about 275 km from Govindghat by road
- Getting around
- Car or shared taxi to GovindghatCar or shared taxi to Govindghat, shared taxi to Pulna, then walk, pony or palanquin to Ghangaria; seasonal helicopter Govindghat to Ghangaria; the final 6 km to the shrine is on foot, pony or palanquin
- Daily budget
- Varies widely: gurdwara sarais and…Varies widely: gurdwara sarais and langar are free or donation-based, lodges are basic, and ponies, palanquins and helicopters are priced by operators; confirm costs locally
- Senior comfort
- Demanding: thin airDemanding: thin air, a steep paved climb and cold nights; manageable with pony or palanquin, a helicopter hop, slow pacing and a doctor's advice beforehand
- Language
- Hindi and Garhwali locallyHindi and Garhwali locally; Punjabi widely heard from pilgrims; English understood at some lodges and registration points
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Hemkund Sahib: June, September. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Hemkund Sahib itinerary
One good day
1 day at Hemkund Sahib
This assumes you are already sleeping at Ghangaria, since there is no practical way to do the whole route from Govindghat in a day. Start at first light with breakfast and water, and climb the 6 km paved path at a slow, steady pace, resting at the tea stops. Pilgrims are expected to be back down by dusk and overnight stay at the shrine is not allowed, so aim to start the descent by about 2 pm. Spend the time at the top at the gurdwara and the lake, sit through some kirtan, take langar if offered, and look in at the Lakshman Lokpal temple on the shore.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days at Hemkund Sahib
After registration and security checks, reach Govindghat and cover the 13 km to Ghangaria. Take a shared taxi for the first stretch to Pulna, then walk, ride a pony or hire a palanquin; a helicopter is the fastest option when it is running. Check in early, drink plenty of water and rest. The altitude at Ghangaria is about 3,050 m, high enough to feel on the first night.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days at Hemkund Sahib
Travel to Govindghat, then walk, ride or fly to Ghangaria. Settle in, keep the afternoon free and sleep early. The point of this day is to let your body begin acclimatising before the climb.
Day-by-day plan →
