Are you in the mood and dare to take up the tremendous spiritual trail towards the Himalayas? Come to Hemkund Sahib – one of the most sacred destinations for pilgrims in India is waiting for you. Located at 4632 mt above sea level, this holy place is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhism. Thousands of devotees and adventurers trek to Hemkund Sahib every year to seek blessings and take the marvel of natural beauty.
Traveling to Hemkund Sahib needs proper planning; otherwise, the journey seems slightly daunting. Your journey can be safe, comfortable, and spiritually uplifting if certain things are implemented. Crossing this range with its numerous peaks is challenging for the first-time traveler or even an experienced trekker; therefore, this Hemkund Sahib travel guide will help you overcome all the barriers.
This travel guide will help you to understand everything about the Hemkund Sahib trip in the year 2025. In this article, you will learn when the best time to visit is, how to get there, trekking guides, and accommodations, among other significant aspects of the spiritual heart of the Himalayas.
What is the Spiritual Significance of Hemkund Sahib?
Hemkund Sahib or Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib is an essential place of worship for the Sikhs. It is known as the highest gurudwara in the world as it is situated in Hemis at a height above 14000 ft. Despite this being wholly located in the Himalayan region, it does not make any difference to the devotees who visit this place in large numbers to bow to the omnipresent divine power. One of the populated worship destinations for Sikhs, Hemkund Sahib, is necessary about the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.
For people and visitors to this region, the gurudwara and the surrounding area are highly holy because, according to the writings in the Bachitar Natak, which is a sacred book in the Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singh is believed to have meditated in his past birth near this Hemkund Sahib. Nevertheless, according to Guru Gobind Singh, it is referred to as a “lake of ice” and a “mountain of seven peaks.” However, the place remained undetected until the 1930s, and the construction of the gurudwara did not begin before 1968. Hemkund Sahib, located at the base of the geography of the state Uttarakhand, is one of the few religious places that have seen only rising traffic since its opening.
When will Hemkund Sahib Open and Close for Visitors in 2025?
Hemkund Sahib is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas, in the State of Uttarakhand, and owing to its harsh climates with heavy snowfall, it remains closed during winter. The journey to Hemkund Sahib starts from June to November, and for the remaining six months, the gurudwara and its path remain under snow. Hemkund Sahib is 6 km away from Ghangaria through rugged terrain, and the road includes a strenuous climb up the hills.
The times when Hemkund Sahib will open and close in 2025 are as follows:
Hemkund Sahib Opening Date 2025 25th May 2025
Hemkund Sahib Closing Date 2025 10th October 2025
How Many Days Are Needed to Trek Hemkund Sahib?
The Hemkund Sahib can be accessed through a trek starting from the town of Govindghat in Uttarakhand; the trail is approximately four days long with a distance of 40 kilometers.
What is the Medical Fitness Required for the Hemkund Sahib Trek?
To reach Hemkund Sahib, you must walk a few kilometers in the high-altitude of Uttarakhand within a couple of days, walking on rugged terrain; therefore, your legs might feel the strain.
Therefore, anyone interested in undertaking the Hemkund Sahib Trek should train before exercising, emphasizing cardiovascular and stretching exercises. This means that the Hemkund Sahib Trek is also accompanied by altitude issues; it is advised to spend a couple of days adjusting to the weather conditions of the region to prevent the onset of health complications.
What is the Best Time to Visit Hemkund Sahib?
Since Hemkund Sahib is accessible only from May to October, there are only a few choices of months to be there. Therefore, the preferred time to visit Hemkund Sahib is from April to June and throughout the months of September and October because it is best suited to have a tour of the Uttarakhand state of India. The state has its monsoon in July and August, and therefore, there are always many incidents of floods and landslides, and it is best to avoid visiting the state at that time.
What are the Popular Attractions & Places to Visit in and around Hemkund Sahib?
1. Hemkund Sahib: Despite being essential for Sikhs, Hinduism is affiliated with this high-altitude lake nestles near the famous Hemkund Sahib. This beautiful lake is situated in the lap of the snowy Himalayas and is ideal for nature lovers who wish to meditate. It is also called Lokpal Lake locally and comprises the small streams of Himaganga.
2. Lakshman Temple: Adjoining Hemkund Sahib is situated in Lakshman Temple, where Lakshman, the brother of Ram, is worshipped. Located in the Tehsil of Nathdwara, it is a holy town for Hindus and is devoted to the god Lakshman, who is said to have a place of penance after killing the son of the demon King Ravana.
3. The Valley of Flowers: Here, you can witness over 80 types of flowers blooming at the time of flowering, which blooms in the valley at Hemkund Sahib trip in Uttarakhand. Located near the Gurudwara, the Valley of Flowers is another attraction that is truly enjoyable to visit.
Hemkund Sahib Helicopter Service
For those who may find trekking hectic, a helicopter service is available from Govindghat to Ghangaria, which reduces the distance one needs to trek.
Pricing, Availability, and Booking Process
Helicopter service fees from Govindghat to Ghangaria are INR 3,000 to 5000 per person, depending on the season. The helicopter service can be directly booked online through the websites https://heliyatra.irctc.co.in/ and
https://www.himalayanheli.com, or else one can contact the various travel agents available at Govindghat. It is advisable to make arrangements in advance as it becomes difficult to get a space all year round, mainly when pilgrimage activities are most common. Many travelers take helicopter rides to visit the place, and they state that it presents a bird’ s-eye view of the mountains and is simply marvelous.
Hemkund Sahib Yatra Registration Guide
So, to undertake the Yatra, you must complete a registration form for the trek.
Mode of Hemkund Sahib Registration
Registration for Hemkund Sahib is available both online and offline. Registration through the official Uttarakhand government website is possible through https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Here, one has to get a few details of himself/herself registered with a valid photo ID pass.
Mode of Verification
Upon registration, you must authenticate your documents online or at the registration center in Govindghat. It is always recommended to take an ID and a medical certificate to prove that one has been checked out for any disability to partake in the trek. Using the internet made registration very easy, although it is always wise to ensure that you have all the documents handy at some time.
Hemkund Sahib Ropeway
A new ropeway from Govindghat to Ghangaria is being planned, which will make the trip to Hemkund Sahib quite convenient. It is not functional until now, but it will be an added advantage to pilgrims who do not intend to walk. You can update yourself about the latest regarding the ropeway project through the official website of the Uttarakhand government. The detailed project report (DRP) for the ropeway has been prepared, and the projected expenses for constructing the ropeway are approximately Rs. 700 crores.
Sri Hemkund Sahib Trekking
Hemkund Sahib is the most significant site to visit. It lies over 19 km from Ghangaria, but it is steeply climbed. It starts at Govindghat, a small town with an altitude of around 1818 meters above sea level, and passes through some of the most exotic terrains of the Himalayas. There are two main treks, one of which is Govindghat to Ghangaria, and the second is Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib.
Govindghat to Ghangaria
Trekking, as a rule, is performed in two stages. The first segment is from Govindghat Gurudwara to Ghangaria, having a distance of about 14 km. It may, at times, be a relatively difficult journey, but it is not impossible; the path’s terrain is both tarred and off-road. On the way, you get through the most attractive village, Pulna, which is the final village of the trail. It is a relatively small district, but the Pulna locals are kind-hearted and provide food and water for the trekkers who pass through their village. Many small waterfalls can be seen on this part of the trek, and beside you flows the Alaknanda River, the sound you can enjoy during the journey through the green forest.
Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib
It is time to go to the subsequent trial after a small halt at the village of Ghangaria, which serves as the starting point for both Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. The trekking distance from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib is approximately 6 Km. Though the trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund is a bit more rigorous than the previous one, it is comparatively shorter. You climb to alpine terrains with mountains full of snow towards the sky. When you wake up, the green trees turn into the boldly made rugged landscape with wildflowers included in the view. Two blue poppies can be found only in this area.
Finally, after overcoming this, you come across the beautiful Hemkund Lake, surrounded by seven snow-covered mountains. The stunning structure of the Gurudwara is echoed on the water body, bringing a calm and divine feeling amidst the sublime beauty of nature.
What are the Accommodation Facilities for Travellers at Hemkund Sahib?
Accommodation can be arranged at hotels in the nearby towns of Badrinath and Joshimath for travelers visiting Hemkund Sahib. It offers options in different types of hotels, including cheap, standard, and luxurious hotels, and thus, depending on the client’s budget and needs, one can book accordingly. There are reasonable fares, delicious meals, basic websites, and the stunning scenery of mountains, so you can find some appropriate accommodation near Hemkund Sahib.
How to Reach Hemkund Sahib?
By Road: Situated in the Chamoli district of Uttrakhand, Hemkund Sahib can be approached until the cars run up to Govindghat, where a cab facility is available. From there, it will take a total trek of 19 km to reach Hemkund Sahib.
By Rail: The Rishikesh railway station is the nearest railway station, 260 km from Govindghat, and visitors have to hire a taxi straight up to the temple. It is further 19 km by trekking from the town to Hemkund Sahib. Rishikesh Railway Station is conveniently connected to other regions and has trains from Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, Mumbai, Surat, Kota, Jaipur, Ambala, Jammu, etc.
By air: The nearest airport is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport, which is about 276 kilometers away from Govindghat, where vehicle rental services are easily available to reach Hemkund Sahib. Further from the town, one must travel another 19 km to Hemkund Sahib. It is easily accessible from other parts of the country, and several services are available at the airports in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Goa, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Allahabad, Lucknow, Pune, and Kolkata.
Final Words
Traveling to Hemkund Sahib is challenging and requires proper planning in advance. For every traveler, however, it is essential that you strictly adhere to every detail to have a fruitful adventure. However, the feeling and journey are enchanting when visiting this holy place. The tranquility, the serenity, and the spiritual aspect of the environment you will experience will be with you all the time, even after you have left the place.
