Hemkund Sahib 2027: Opening Date, Trek, Registration & How to Reach

Introduction

Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib stands beside the glacial Hemkund lake in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, at about 4,632 m (15,200 ft), the highest gurdwara in the world. It is reached by a 6 km climb from Ghangaria (about 20 km on foot from Govindghat). The 2026 yatra ran from 23 May to 10 October 2026; the 2027 season is expected to open in late May 2027. Registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory and free.

I visited Hemkund Sahib in 2023 as a trekker and devotee. This guide brings together what I learned on the trail with the official facts for 2027: dates, the trek route, registration, the helicopter, weather and the history of the gurdwara.

Hemkund Sahib Quick Facts

Hemkund Sahib Opening & Closing Date 2026 and 2027

Hemkund Sahib is open for only about four and a half months a year. The rest of the time the lake freezes and the trail from Ghangaria lies under deep snow. Before each season, Army teams and volunteers (kar seva) clear the snow from the path so the doors can open.

Is Hemkund Sahib open now? The 2026 yatra ends on 10 October 2026. From then until the 2027 opening the gurdwara is closed and the trail above Ghangaria is not open to pilgrims.

History of Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund is described in the Dasam Granth, in the autobiographical Bachittar Natak, as the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated in a previous life, beside a lake surrounded by seven snow peaks. For centuries the exact spot was not known to Sikh pilgrims.

• 1930s: Sant Sohan Singh of Tehri Garhwal identified this lake as Hemkund, helped by the writings of Bhai Vir Singh.
• 1936: with Havildar Modan Singh of the survey department, he built a small stone gurdwara, about 3 m square, beside the lake.
• 1937: the Guru Granth Sahib was installed and the Nishan Sahib was raised. After Sant Sohan Singh died in 1939, Havildar Modan Singh served the shrine for the next 21 years.
• Mid-1960s onwards: after a visit by Major General Harkirat Singh, Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, the present gurdwara was designed and built, with architect Manmohan Singh Siali of the Military Engineering Services leading the work.

Today the shrine is managed by the Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, which also runs gurdwaras and langars for pilgrims along the route, including at Rishikesh, Joshimath, Govindghat and Ghangaria.

Significance: Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Hemkund Lake & Lakshman Temple

Guru Gobind Singh Ji: Sikhs believe the tenth Guru meditated here in his previous life, which makes Hemkund Sahib one of the most revered Sikh shrines.

Hemkund lake (Lokpal): the glacial lake behind the gurdwara is ringed by seven peaks, each with a Nishan Sahib. Many pilgrims take a dip in its ice-cold water and carry some home as a blessing. Mornings are usually clear; clouds often roll in by midday.

Lakshman Temple: a few steps from the gurdwara is the Lakshman (Lokpal) Temple. Hindus believe Lakshman, the brother of Lord Ram, meditated at this lake, so the place is sacred to both Sikhs and Hindus.

Hemkund Sahib Trek: Route, Distance & Difficulty

The trek is moderate to difficult. The path is a well-made stone trail, but the final climb from Ghangaria is steep and at high altitude.

The walk up to Ghangaria follows the Lakshman Ganga river through forest. Above Ghangaria the trail zig-zags up the mountainside past waterfalls and, early in the season, snow beside the path; in late summer you may see Brahma Kamal and blue poppies near the top.

How To Reach Hemkund Sahib

First reach Govindghat, the road head on the Badrinath highway, 20 km beyond Joshimath. There is no airport or railway station nearby.

By road: the route is Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat. Buses and shared taxis run from Haridwar and Rishikesh, usually starting early in the morning; many pilgrims break the journey at Srinagar or Joshimath.

By train: the nearest stations are Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) and Haridwar. From Delhi, trains such as the Vande Bharat (22457), Dehradun Shatabdi (12017) and Jan Shatabdi (12055) reach Haridwar in about 4 to 5 hours. Check current timings on IRCTC.

By air: fly to Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun, then take a taxi to Govindghat.

From Delhi by bus: take a bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Rishikesh or Haridwar, then continue by bus or taxi to Govindghat.

Hemkund Sahib Helicopter

A helicopter shuttle runs between Govindghat and Ghangaria during the yatra season. It saves the 14 km walk to Ghangaria, but not the final 6 km to Hemkund Sahib, which you still walk or do by pony or palki.

• Flight: about 13 km, under 10 minutes
• Fare: about ₹10,584 per person for a round trip including GST in 2026; fares are fixed by the Uttarakhand government each season
• Booking: only through the channel announced by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) for the season. Fake helicopter websites are common, so never pay through an unverified link.
• Weather: flights stop in rain and low cloud, so keep a spare day

Hemkund Sahib Registration

Registration is mandatory and free for every pilgrim, and your slip is checked at Govindghat and Ghangaria.

Online registration

1. Go to the official Uttarakhand Registration & Tourist Care portal or open the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
2. Create an account with your mobile number.
3. Add your trip: travel dates, number of people, and Hemkund Sahib as the destination.
4. Complete Aadhaar verification by OTP, or upload another photo ID.
5. Add an emergency contact and any medical details.
6. Download your registration slip with its QR code, and keep a printed or phone copy.

Offline registration

If you cannot register online, use the counters at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vikasnagar or Govindghat. Carry a valid photo ID and a passport-size photo. See also our Char Dham yatra registration guide.

Hemkund Sahib Weather & Best Time To Visit

Nights at Ghangaria are close to freezing even in summer, and the weather at the lake can change within minutes. Carry a rain jacket in every month.

Visiting the Gurdwara: Timing, Langar & Stay

• Start early: leave Ghangaria at first light (about 5 to 6 AM) so you reach the gurdwara by late morning, when the skies are usually clearer.
• Come down the same day: there is no overnight stay at Hemkund Sahib. Plan to start down by early afternoon so you are back in Ghangaria before dark.
• Langar: the gurdwara serves hot tea and khichdi to every pilgrim, which is very welcome at this altitude.
• Etiquette: cover your head, remove your shoes and keep your voice low inside the gurdwara.
• Where to stay: Ghangaria has the gurdwara (free lodging and langar), a GMVN tourist rest house, private hotels and tents. Govindghat also has a gurdwara and hotels.
• Pony and palki: available at Pulna and Ghangaria; see the rate table below.

Hemkund Sahib Pony, Palki & Porter Rates (October 2026)

Rates are fixed for each season by the Chamoli district administration and depend on the rider's weight. These are the approximate current rates per person, including the booking (arrangement) fee:

Hiring from the Ghangaria helipad costs about ₹200 more for a pony and ₹300 more for a porter. Ponies and palkis go up the same stone path from Ghangaria (the Uttarakhand Tourist Care portal lists palki and mule assistance for this stretch), but some riders still walk a short part near the top. Always hire at the official counter, take a receipt, and check the rate board, as rates can change from season to season.

Altitude Sickness & Safety

Hemkund Sahib is higher than any place most pilgrims have been, and the climb from Ghangaria gains about 1,500 m in one morning. Altitude sickness is common here.

• Spend at least one night at Ghangaria before going up.
• Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
• Warning signs: a strong headache, breathlessness at rest, vomiting or confusion. If they appear, go down at once; going down is the best treatment.
• If you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, consult your doctor before the trip, and consider the helicopter and a pony.
• Pack warm layers, a rain jacket, gloves, a cap, sturdy trekking shoes, a walking stick and basic medicines.

Places To Visit Near Hemkund Sahib

Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site, starts about 4 km from Ghangaria on a separate trail, so most pilgrims visit it the day before or after Hemkund Sahib. The park is open from 1 June to 31 October, with peak bloom from mid-July to mid-August. Read more: best time to visit the Valley of Flowers and how to reach the Valley of Flowers.

Badrinath Temple

Badrinath, one of the Char Dham, is just 24 km beyond Govindghat. If you are visiting Hemkund Sahib, see our Badrinath tour package or the Kedarnath Badrinath (Do Dham) package.

Mana Village

Mana, known as the first village of India, is 3 km beyond Badrinath, with Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa and Bheem Pul.

Joshimath and Auli

Joshimath, 20 km before Govindghat, is the usual night halt on the way, with the Narsingh Temple. Auli, known for its meadows and winter skiing, is about 15 km above Joshimath by road.

हेमकुंड साहिब: हिंदी में जानकारी

गुरुद्वारा श्री हेमकुंट साहिब उत्तराखंड के चमोली जिले में लगभग 4,632 मीटर (15,200 फीट) की ऊंचाई पर हेमकुंड झील के किनारे स्थित है और दुनिया का सबसे ऊंचा गुरुद्वारा है। यहां पहुंचने के लिए घांघरिया से लगभग 6 किमी की चढ़ाई करनी होती है। 2026 में यात्रा 23 मई से 10 अक्टूबर तक चली, और 2027 में यात्रा मई के अंत में शुरू होने की उम्मीद है।

हेमकुंड साहिब कब खुलता है?

हेमकुंड साहिब हर साल आमतौर पर मई के दूसरे पखवाड़े में खुलता है। 2026 में यात्रा 23 मई से 10 अक्टूबर तक चली। 2027 की तारीख की घोषणा गुरुद्वारा श्री हेमकुंट साहिब मैनेजमेंट ट्रस्ट करता है।

हेमकुंड साहिब की ऊंचाई कितनी है?

हेमकुंड साहिब लगभग 4,632 मीटर (15,200 फीट) की ऊंचाई पर है। यह दुनिया का सबसे ऊंचा गुरुद्वारा है।

हेमकुंड साहिब कैसे पहुंचें?

हरिद्वार या ऋषिकेश से सड़क द्वारा गोविंदघाट (लगभग 290 / 270 किमी) पहुंचें। वहां से 4 किमी टैक्सी से पुलना, फिर लगभग 10 किमी पैदल घांघरिया, और घांघरिया से 6 किमी की चढ़ाई करके हेमकुंड साहिब पहुंचते हैं।

क्या हेमकुंड साहिब के लिए रजिस्ट्रेशन जरूरी है?

हां, हर यात्री के लिए उत्तराखंड सरकार का रजिस्ट्रेशन जरूरी है और यह निःशुल्क है। आप उत्तराखंड सरकार के आधिकारिक रजिस्ट्रेशन एंड टूरिस्ट केयर पोर्टल पर या हरिद्वार, ऋषिकेश और गोविंदघाट के काउंटर पर रजिस्ट्रेशन कर सकते हैं।

हेमकुंड साहिब का इतिहास क्या है?

मान्यता है कि गुरु गोबिंद सिंह जी ने अपने पूर्व जन्म में यहां हेमकुंड झील के किनारे तपस्या की थी। 1930 के दशक में संत सोहन सिंह ने इस स्थान की पहचान की और 1936 में हवलदार मोदन सिंह के साथ यहां पहला छोटा गुरुद्वारा बनाया। वर्तमान गुरुद्वारा 1960 के दशक के मध्य से बनाया गया।

हेमकुंड साहिब जाने का सबसे अच्छा समय कौन सा है?

जून और सितंबर सबसे अच्छे महीने हैं। जुलाई-अगस्त में बारिश और भूस्खलन का खतरा रहता है। अक्टूबर के बाद से मई तक बर्फ के कारण यात्रा बंद रहती है।

Hemkund Sahib FAQs

Is Hemkund Sahib open now? When does it close in 2026?

The 2026 yatra opened on 23 May 2026 and ends on 10 October 2026, when the doors of Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib close for winter. From then until the 2027 opening the shrine and the trail above Ghangaria are closed because of snow.

When will Hemkund Sahib open in 2027?

The 2027 opening date has not been announced yet. Hemkund Sahib usually opens in the second half of May (23 May in 2026, 25 May in 2025), once the Army and volunteers have cleared the snow. The Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust announces the exact date in spring, and we update this page as soon as it does.

How far is Hemkund Sahib from Ghangaria and Govindghat?

Hemkund Sahib is about 6 km from Ghangaria, a steep climb of about 1,500 m. From Govindghat a shared taxi takes you 4 km to Pulna, then it is about 10 km on foot to Ghangaria. So the walk is about 16 km from Pulna, or about 20 km if you walk all the way from Govindghat.

How high is Hemkund Sahib?

Hemkund Sahib is at about 4,632 m (15,200 ft), which makes it the highest gurdwara in the world. Some sources, including the Survey of India figure quoted on Wikipedia, give about 4,572 m (15,000 ft).

Is registration required, and is it free?

Yes. Every pilgrim must register with the Uttarakhand government on the official Registration and Tourist Care portal or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, or at the counters in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Govindghat. Registration is free. Your registration slip is checked at Govindghat and Ghangaria.

Is there a helicopter to Hemkund Sahib, and how much does it cost?

A helicopter shuttle flies from Govindghat to Ghangaria only, about 13 km in under 10 minutes. The 2026 round-trip fare was about ₹10,584 per person including GST. From Ghangaria you still walk, or take a pony or palki, for the last 6 km. Book only through the channel the Uttarakhand government (UCADA) announces for the season, and beware of fake booking websites.

How many days do I need for Hemkund Sahib?

Plan 5 to 6 days from Haridwar or Rishikesh: one day by road to Govindghat or Joshimath, one day to walk up to Ghangaria, one day for Hemkund Sahib and back to Ghangaria, one day down to Govindghat, and one or two days back by road. Add a day if you also want to visit the Valley of Flowers.

Can I visit Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers on the same day?

It is not advisable. Both start from Ghangaria on separate trails: about 6 km steeply up to Hemkund Sahib and about 4 km to the Valley of Flowers. Most pilgrims give each its own day, which is also better for acclimatisation.

Can senior citizens and children go to Hemkund Sahib?

Yes, many elderly pilgrims go every year, often by pony, palki or the helicopter to Ghangaria. Because the shrine is at about 4,600 m, consult a doctor first, spend a night at Ghangaria before going up, and come down at once if anyone gets a strong headache, breathlessness or vomiting. We do not recommend taking very young children.

Can we stay at Hemkund Sahib at night?

No. There is no overnight stay at Hemkund Sahib. Pilgrims stay at Ghangaria (gurdwara, GMVN and private hotels) or at Govindghat, start the climb early in the morning and come back down to Ghangaria the same day.

Which month is best for Hemkund Sahib?

June and September are the best months. June has clear days and some snow near the top; September has clear skies after the monsoon and fewer crowds. July and August are the monsoon months, with rain and landslides on the road, although the flowers are at their best.

Is there a gurudwara near Kedarnath?

Hemkund Sahib is not near Kedarnath. It is in the Bhyundar valley near Badrinath, roughly 230 km by road from Sonprayag, the Kedarnath road head, via Rudraprayag and Joshimath. If you combine Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib, plan Hemkund Sahib as a separate leg of 3 to 4 days from Joshimath or Govindghat.

Which temple is near Hemkund Sahib?

The Lakshman Temple (Lokpal temple) stands beside the lake, a few steps from the gurdwara. It is dedicated to Lakshman, the brother of Lord Ram, who is believed to have meditated here.

Can Hindus visit Hemkund Sahib?

Yes. Hemkund Sahib is open to everyone, and the lake is sacred to both Sikhs and Hindus because of the Lakshman Temple. Cover your head inside the gurdwara and follow its customs.

How much does a pony or palki cost for Hemkund Sahib?

Approximate rates in October 2026, per person including the booking fee: pony from Pulna to Ghangaria about ₹1,900 to ₹2,500 one way; pony from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back about ₹2,500 to ₹3,100; dandi or palki from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back about ₹9,850 to ₹12,250, depending on weight. Rates are fixed each season by the Chamoli district administration, so hire at the official counter and check the rate board.

Is there a mobile network at Hemkund Sahib?

There is usually network at Govindghat and patchy network at Ghangaria. Above Ghangaria the signal is weak or absent and depends on the weather, so tell your family your plan before you start the climb.

What is the history of Hemkund Sahib?

Sant Sohan Singh identified the site in the 1930s, and with Havildar Modan Singh he built a small stone gurdwara here in 1936. The Guru Granth Sahib was installed in 1937. The present gurdwara was designed and built from the mid-1960s, after a visit by Major General Harkirat Singh, with architect Manmohan Singh Siali leading the work.

Sources: 2026 dates and pilgrim numbers from Gurdwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust announcements reported by Republic World and The CSR Journal; helicopter fare from ETV Bharat (2026); history from the Wikipedia article on Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib; registration from the Uttarakhand Tourist Care portal.