One of the highest shrines of India, this is most revered
among Sikh community of India. The sacred Gurudwara is situated at the height
of 4320m where most of the year is filled with thick snow and for eight months
Hemkund is inaccessible. Here according to legend Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
and last Guru unified with God after a long meditation.. after reading guru’s
autobiography two disciples Sant Sohan Singh and Havildar Mohan Singh
rediscover the place.
Govindghat is 15km trek from Govindghat. The base camp of
the trek is in Rishikesh and takes 6 days to complete. Undoubtedly the trek is
scenic and passes through several small villages and holy places like
Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Srinagar, Pipalkoti, Joshimath and finally reach
Govindghat from where continues trek starts to Hemkund. The trek from
Govindghat passes through beautiful Valley Of Flowers that preserve some of the
rarest alpine flowers. The trek also pass through thick forests of pine and
rhododendron. Walking to a tougher path while Lakshman Ganga accompanies all
the way. The last 5km is very steep path to Ghangaria, which is a base camp for
Hemkund.
Hemkund Lake is in high altitude and climate mostly at sub
zero temperature and inconsistent. The best place to visit the place is during
July to September when weather condition is little bit tolerable. This is also
the time when alpine flowers are in bloom. One should take care of appropriate
clothes and accessory before venturing to one of the toughest trek in
Uttarakhand. Pair of good trekking shoes, raincoats, heavy warm clothes and
other necessary items should be carried.
Trekking Itinerary
Day 01: Rishikesh/Joshimath (290kms/10hrs)
After visiting bank of Ganga and few ashrams head on to
Joshimath, a hill station 290km away from Rishikesh takes around 10 hrs to
reach. Joshimath is a quiet hill town that embellished with temples and
nature’s beauty. Overnight stay at GMVN tourist rest house.
Day 02: Joshimath/Govindghat/Ghangaria
Drive from Govindghat takes around 1 hour. Govindghat is
located at the confluence of Lakshman Ganga and Alaknanda rivers. The place is
also known as Vishnuprayag. After having lunch, 14 km trek to Ghangaria, the
main base camp for Hemkund Sahib. Overnight stay at GMVN guest house.
Day 03: Ghangaria/Hemkund Sahib/Ghangaria
The last stretch to Hemkund from Ghangaria covers around
2km. A beautiful cone shaped Gurudwara is the sacred shrine of Sikh community.
The ice-blue lake in Hemkund is the place where most of the pilgrims take bath
irrespective of adverse conditions. Return to Ghangria from rest of the day.
Day 04: Ghangaria/Valley of Flowers/Ghangaria
From Ghangaria you can also trek to valley Of Flowers that
is 4km from the town and takes around 2 hours. Experience the beauty of nature
where alpine flowers mesmerize you. There is no place to stay in or around
Valley Of Flowers. Return back to Ghangaria for overnight stay.
Day 05: Ghangaria/Govindghat/Joshimath
Return back to Govindghat. Lunch at Govindghat and drive
back to Joshimath by coach or by car. Stay at Joshimath for the rest of the
day.
Day 06: Joshimath/Rishikesh (290kms/10hrs)
Return back to Rishikesh.
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