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Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flowers · Ardas Above the Clouds

The high-altitude gurudwara at 4,632 m and the UNESCO Valley of Flowers from Ghangaria

4.8356 reviews
5 Nights / 6 Days(5N/6D)
India, Uttarakhand
challenging pace
Great for friends, family, solo

Destinations: Rishikesh → Joshimath → Govindghat → Ghangaria → Hemkund Sahib → Valley of Flowers → Badrinath

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Overview

About this Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flowers trip

Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib stands beside a glacial lake at about 4,632 m, ringed by seven peaks, where Guru Gobind Singh Ji is believed to have meditated in a previous life. It is one of the highest gurudwaras in the world and is open only from late May to early October. This six-day yatra drives from Rishikesh up the Alaknanda valley to Govindghat, then treks about 10 km to Ghangaria, the base village. From there you climb 6 km to Hemkund Sahib for ardas, karah prasad and langar, and visit the Lokpal Lakshman temple on the lake shore. A full day is set aside for the Valley of Flowers National Park — at its best from mid-July to mid-August — before returning via Badrinath. Ponies, palkis and the Govindghat–Ghangaria helicopter can be arranged for those who cannot walk the whole way.

Rishikesh to Govindghat, trek to Ghangaria, Hemkund Sahib ardas and a day in the Valley of Flowers.

Duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Stay: Basic guesthouses (Ghangaria) and standard hotels
Transport: Tempo Traveller or SUV on mountain roads; trek on foot from Pulna
Best time: Late May to early October; July–August for Valley of Flowers blooms (monsoon — expect rain and occasional landslides); June and September for clearer skies
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why trek with our team

Mandatory Uttarakhand yatra registration handled for every member
Three nights in Ghangaria, so Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers each get a full day
Experienced trek leader with first-aid and oxygen cylinder
Pony, palki or helicopter booking support (own expense)
Optional Badrinath darshan on the way back
Small groups with a sensible acclimatisation pace

Trip highlights

Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib & glacial lake
Lokpal Lakshman temple
Valley of Flowers National Park (UNESCO)
Trek along the Pushpawati and Lakshman Ganga
Panch Prayag confluences on the drive
Badrinath temple (optional)

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flowers

6 days, planned end to end

D1
- Early start from Rishikesh (approx. 9–10 hrs, 255 km)
- Devprayag confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda
- Rudraprayag and Nandprayag en route
- Overnight in Joshimath (Jyotirmath)
D2
- Drive to Govindghat (approx. 1 hr) and on to Pulna road-head
- Trek approx. 10 km along the Lakshman Ganga to Ghangaria (5–7 hrs)
- Ponies or helicopter available for those who prefer
- Langar at Gurudwara Ghangaria; overnight in a guesthouse
D3
- Start by 6 a.m. for the steep 6 km climb (approx. 1,100 m gain)
- Ardas, kirtan and karah prasad at Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib
- Hot khichdi and tea at the langar; visit Lokpal Lakshman temple
- Descend to Ghangaria by early afternoon — overnight stay at Hemkund is not allowed
D4
- Register at the forest check-post (entry from 7 a.m.)
- Walk 4–6 km into the valley along the Pushpawati river
- Look for blue poppy, cobra lily, primulas and brahma kamal (season dependent)
- Exit by 5 p.m. as required; overnight in Ghangaria
D5
- Trek down to Pulna and drive to Govindghat
- Optional drive to Badrinath (approx. 1 hr) for darshan and Tapt Kund
- Mana village, the last village before Tibet, if time permits
- Overnight in Joshimath or Badrinath
D6
- Early departure down the Alaknanda valley
- Lunch stop at Srinagar (Garhwal)
- Arrive Rishikesh by evening
- Drop at Rishikesh / Haridwar railway station

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

2 nights in Joshimath/Badrinath (standard hotel) and 3 nights in Ghangaria (guesthouse), twin/triple sharing
Daily breakfast and dinner
Tempo Traveller / SUV Rishikesh–Govindghat–Rishikesh
Uttarakhand yatra registration
Trek leader with first-aid kit and oxygen
Valley of Flowers entry permit

Not included

Ponies, palki, porters and helicopter tickets
Lunches and snacks on the trail
Badrinath puja charges
Travel insurance
Personal expenses

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

Basic guesthouses (Ghangaria) and standard hotels

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Tempo Traveller or SUV on mountain roads; trek on foot from Pulna

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Rishikesh → Joshimath · Govindghat → Ghangaria trek · Hemkund Sahib · Valley of Flowers · Ghangaria → Badrinath → Joshimath · Joshimath → Rishikesh

Route

Route map

9 stops from start to finish

RishikeshStart
2DevprayagStop 2
3JoshimathStop 3
4GovindghatStop 4
5GhangariaStop 5
6Hemkund SahibStop 6
7Valley of FlowersStop 7
8BadrinathStop 8
RishikeshFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

Late May to early October; July–August for Valley of Flowers blooms (monsoon — expect rain and occasional landslides); June and September for clearer skies

Things to carry

Head covering (patka, rumal or scarf) for the gurudwara
Good trekking shoes with grip and a rain jacket/poncho
Warm layers — Hemkund is near freezing even in summer
Walking stick, torch and personal medicines (Diamox only on doctor's advice)
Original photo ID and yatra registration printout
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a reusable water bottle

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is registration mandatory?

Yes. All Hemkund Sahib pilgrims must register on the Uttarakhand Tourism yatra portal, and Valley of Flowers visitors need a forest entry permit at Ghangaria. We handle both.

How difficult is the trek?

The Pulna–Ghangaria section is about 10 km of steady climbing on a stone path. The Hemkund climb is steeper, gaining about 1,100 m in 6 km at high altitude. You should be able to walk 5–6 hours a day; ponies and palkis are available.

Can we stay overnight at Hemkund Sahib?

No. Because of the altitude, overnight stays are not allowed. Pilgrims must start back from Hemkund by about 1:30–2 p.m.

When do the flowers bloom?

The Valley of Flowers is open from 1 June to 31 October. Peak bloom is usually mid-July to mid-August, which is also monsoon. June has snow patches and early flowers; September has fewer flowers but clearer views.

Is the helicopter reliable?

The Govindghat–Ghangaria helicopter runs only in clear weather and is often cancelled in monsoon. Treat it as a bonus, not a plan.

Reviews

What travellers say

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4.8

356 traveller ratings

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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