Key hubs
Hemkund Sahib airport and railway station
- Airport
- Jolly 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 Rishikesh (YNRK) and Haridwar Junction (HW) are the usual railheads, about 275 km from Govindghat by road
- Getting around
- Car 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
How to reach Hemkund Sahib by air
The nearest major airport is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (DED). From there the road to Govindghat is a long day, about 10 to 12 hours depending on traffic and landslides, and most travellers break the journey at Rishikesh, Srinagar or Joshimath.
How to reach Hemkund Sahib by train
The usual railheads are Yog Nagri Rishikesh (YNRK) and Haridwar Junction (HW), about 275 km from Govindghat by road. There is no railway beyond Rishikesh, so the rest of the journey is by road.
How to reach Hemkund Sahib by road
Govindghat lies on the Rishikesh to Badrinath highway (NH58), about 22 km beyond Joshimath. Landslides and closures are common in the monsoon, so carry a spare day and check road advisories before each stage.
Getting around Hemkund Sahib
From Govindghat, shared taxis go to Pulna, then the trail to Ghangaria is on foot, by pony or palanquin, or by seasonal helicopter. From Ghangaria, a paved path of about 6 km climbs to Hemkund Sahib on foot, pony or palanquin.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Hemkund Sahib
- See a doctor before you travel. Hemkund Sahib is above 4,000 m, and the road and trail are far from hospitals. Carry regular medicines and tell your group about any heart or lung conditions.
- Carry layers, a rain poncho, sturdy shoes with good grip, a torch and warm socks. Rooms at Ghangaria are cold and mostly unheated.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.