Why people go
At about 4,160 m, one of the highest gurdwaras in the world, beside a lake ringed by peaks. Pilgrims walk from Govindghat via Ghangaria, the same base as the Valley of Flowers. It opens only from about late May to early October.
Getting there
- Nearest airports: Pithorgarh Airport (NNS), about 137 km, Chandigarh (IXC), about 270 km in a straight line. Check which have flights from your city.
- Nearest major railway station: Dehradun railway station (DDN), about 157 km. Smaller stations may be closer.
- Base: our Kedarnath and Badrinath guide covers where to stay and how to get there.
Tips before you go
- Registration on the Uttarakhand Tourist Care portal is compulsory.
- Ghangaria to Hemkund is a steep 6 km climb; start early and come down by early afternoon.
- Carry warm clothes: it can snow even in June.
Visiting from abroad?
Everyone is welcome. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and follow the queue rules. OCI and foreign passport holders: carry your passport.
Official information: Uttarakhand yatra registration.
Other shrines nearby
- Badrinath, Chamoli district (about 12 km)
- Tungnath, Rudraprayag district (about 44 km)
- Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district (about 52 km)
- Jageshwar Dham, Almora district (about 120 km)
- Neelkanth Mahadev, near Rishikesh (about 140 km)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hemkund Sahib?
How do I reach Hemkund Sahib?
What is the best time to visit Hemkund Sahib?
Can non-Hindus or foreigners visit Hemkund Sahib?
How we chose: real demand, from monthly Google searches in India (Semrush, India database, monthly Google searches, checked 21 Oct 2026), plus the circuits families actually travel. Locations: Wikidata (CC0) and Wikipedia. Airports and stations are the nearest on our own lists, measured in a straight line, so check flights and road times. We do not list timings or fees because they change; check with the temple. Checked 21 Oct 2026.
More: Wikipedia