Hemkund Sahib

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 : Haridwar to Joshimath
Morning drive to Joshimath, about 235 km away. Joshimath is a town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of around 6150 feet, and is the starting point for a number of treks. The famous ski resort of Auli is accessible from here via a ropeway. Joshimath is a sacred place because of the ashram that Adi Shankaracharya, an avid Hindu saint, established. During winters, the idol from Badrinath temple is brought down and housed here. On arrival in the town in the evening, transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2 : Joshimath to Govindghat | Govindghat to Ghangaria
Post a delicious breakfast at the hotel, embark on a 22 km drive to Govindghat. The town, about 5997 feet above sea level, is where your Hemkund Sahib trek starts from. From here, hike to the picturesque village of Ghangaria, which is located at an elevation of approximately 10003 feet above sea level. You will travel for around 14 km, and the excursion takes 6-7 hours. The trek starts right after you cross the bridge over the crystal clear waters of the Alaknanda River. It is roughly a 13 km journey, and you encounter a gradual ascent throughout. Half of it involves walking parallel to the river, and halfway along it, you cross a bridge and move away from Alaknanda. As you reach near the village, you approach a flat meadow-type land, surrounded by conifer-covered mountains. On arrival in this beautiful place, check-in at the hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 3 : Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib | Hemkund Sahib to Ghangaria
Wake up early in the morning, and start your walking expedition to Hemkund Sahib. The 7 km long excursion starts with a gradual ascent through the Himalayas. On the way, you will see a pretty waterfall on your right side, where you may click pictures. After about two hours of trekking from here, you reach the point where the tree line ends, and the views start getting better after it. A little further from here, you reach a river gorge, across which the trail to the Valley of Flowers is visible. After walking for another hour, your elevation will be such that the oxygen levels will start reducing.

While hiking further up, take long breaks, which will allow you to catch your breath. Do not sit down as it makes getting up and walking again difficult. The Gurdwara is reached after another hour of grueling ascent, and the lake is just behind it. Explore the area and pay homage at this sacred spot. In the afternoon, hikes down the mountains on your way back to Ghangaria. As going down is easier, you will cover these 7 km in approximately five hours. On arrival in Ghangaria, check-in at the hotel and relax in the evening. End your day with a good night's sleep.

Day 4 : Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers | Valley of Flowers to Ghangaria
Begin your Valley of Flowers trek from the village, post stepping out of the hotel. Just after a kilometer, you will reach the entry gate of the Valley of Flowers National Park, where you will buy tickets. Inside, the trail is lined with colorful flowers of numerous species, which make the excursion extremely spellbinding. After a kilometer, you reach a pretty bridge across a stream, and all around you, towering mountains will be visible. By now, the well-laid out trail will have transformed into a narrow rocky path.

After trekking on a relatively flatter land, you will enter the magnificent valley. Before you arrive here, you will walk on another picturesque river crossing. From here you will be able to see four distinct vegetation zones of the Himalayas with ease. The lowest portions of the valley are covered with spruces, deodars and firs while the sections above them have lush grass and rhododendron shrubs. Lift up your eyes further and you will notice brown rocky slopes, which will always be covered with snow at their uppermost sections.

Explore the valley to the fullest, relax by the gushing river, take photos and breathe in the pleasing scent of the flowers. In the evening, hike down the mountains as you make your way back to Ghangaria. After arriving here, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 5 : Ghangaria to Govindghat | Govindghat to Joshimath
Morning after breakfast First, trek further down for approximately 14 km through the Himalayan Ranges, and reach Govindghat. From here, drive to Joshimath. On arrival in the town, transfer to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 6 : Joshimath to Haridwar
Relish a scrumptious breakfast and then drive to Haridwar, where you will reach the railway station to catch your train.

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