Travel Tips For Hemkund Sahib Yatra Tour

The time has come very near when you can travel to Hemkund Sahib. But as it is situated high in the Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand, you should consider some things before you leave. High-altitude terrain, snow-covered roads, and mountain valleys will add scenic beauty to this Hemkund Sahib Yatra. But it will also add some challenges on the way. Some travel tips will come in very handy on your Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour.

About Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib or Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Ji is a famous Sikh pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. It is situated very high in the Himalayan mountain ranges. Its altitude is 4160 meters or 13650 feet. This makes this gurudwara one of the highest-situated gurudwaras in the world. There is a lake near the gurudwara which is called Hemkund and it is a glacial lake whose waters are cold. Seven snow-clad mountain peaks surround Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.

When to go

The best travel tips for Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour is to decide when to go and what is the ideal time. The ideal time to go on this Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour is from May to October. This is the time when the snow has started to melt away and roads leading to the gurudwara are cleared.

How to reach

You can go on the Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour via a trek from Govindghat. There is a 13 km road from Govindghat to Ghangaria village which is on steep roads. The 6 km road from Ghangaria up to Hemkund Sahib is steeper. The road is made up of stone slabs. This path will lead you to the gurudwara. You can drive on motorable roads from Rishikesh to Govindghat.Rishikesh is the closest railway station to Hemkund Sahib. You can come by flight to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and drive to Govindghat.

Travel tips before the Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour

Some travel tips for Hemkund Sahib Yatra Tour can come in very handy when you are traveling to Hemkund Sahib. You should remember that this trek will be on high-altitude mountain terrain and is not easy to do.

Packing essentials

• Woolen clothes and thermals
• Trekking shoes
• Extra pair of socks
• Rain gear
• First aid kit, glucose packets, cotton swabs, ointment, sprays
• Medicine and pills for body aches, vomiting, allergies
• Food (Dry fruits, biscuits, groundnuts, snacks, toffees)
• Torchlight or flashlight

Ways of trekking

You can trek in several ways on this Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour.

• Trekking by foot
• Ride on mules and horses which are led by porters. You will get these at Govindghat and Govind Dham.
• Take palanquins which are carried by 4 porters. These are available at Govindghat and Govind Dham.
• Carry small children in baskets, carried by porters. These are available at Govindghat and Govind Dham.

What to expect during the Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour

• Frequent rain or drizzles is common on this trek
• You will have to cross a glacier on this trek. Be extremely cautious while stepping and walking on the glacier. Use the footpath wherever possible.
• Stay with your group and don’t get far from them. You can mark the tea shops and snack shops on the way and tell group members to meet at these places.
• You will experience very weak mobile signals. Use STD or PCO booths.
• Your fellow trekkers may need help and you may also need help. So be helpful to them.
• You will come across small tea or snack stalls on this trek. These shops also serve Maggi noodles, potato chips, wafers, soups, etc.

Important travel tips for Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour

• Always carry cash with you. You will not find any ATMs after Joshimath. Some may not even work properly.
• Don’t carry heavy luggage with you. Stay light and carry food packets in your pockets. Buy a rucksack.
• Stay on the footpath and don’t stray too far from it.
• Walk slowly and conserve your energy. Don’t run or walk fast.
• Take small breaks in between. Rest your body, but do not take rest for too long else you will feel exhausted.
• Avoid aerated drinks and drink juices or water.
• Don’t take shortcuts, unless you know the route too well.
• Don’t touch the flowers or plants on the way. You might trigger an allergic reaction.
• Take the mobile number, or photograph the porter with you. You may get lost from the porter. You can then easily track him through his photograph or mobile.
• Do not litter and throw trash on the route.
• Enjoy the trek and the surrounding scenery. Laugh out loud and crack jokes to make the trek more enjoyable.

Conclusion

It is no doubt that the Hemkund Sahib trek can be one of the best experiences of your lifetime. But you should do this trek with all preparation and be cautious on this trek. It is not easy and a slight mistake or miscalculation could cost you. But if you have taken care of all the necessary things, then you will enjoy trekking to Hemkund Sahib very much.

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