Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, followed by the climb to the glacial lake of Hemkund Sahib: twelve days that join two great pilgrim traditions in the same Garhwal valleys.
Every summer, two streams of pilgrims travel the same highway beyond Joshimath. One is heading for Badrinath; the other turns off at Govindghat for Hemkund Sahib, the Sikh shrine set beside a high glacial lake ringed by seven peaks. Many families, Sikh and Hindu alike, want to see both, and the geography makes it simple: Govindghat lies only about 25 km short of Badrinath, so the Hemkund trek fits naturally after the Char Dham circuit.
This package follows our standard Char Dham route from Haridwar for the first eight days and then adds two nights at Ghangaria, the village at the head of the Bhyundar valley. From there you climb to Hemkund Sahib and return, before heading home via Joshimath. The Valley of Flowers also starts from Ghangaria; if you want it as well, see the Char Dham with Valley of Flowers plan, which adds one more day.
Duration11 nights / 12 days
Start & endHaridwar or Rishikesh
ShrinesFour dhams + Hemkund Sahib
TreksYamunotri 6 km, Kedarnath 16 km, Ghangaria & Hemkund
Hemkund seasonUsually late May / June – October
MealsBreakfast & dinner
Image space images/yamunotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxYamunotriImage space images/gangotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxGangotriImage space images/kedarnath.jpg 800 × 600 pxKedarnathImage space images/hemkund-sahib.jpg 800 × 600 pxHemkund Sahib
Char Dham with Hemkund Sahib: 2027 price
The estimate below is per person for four travellers sharing a private vehicle and twin or triple rooms on budget hotels. Deluxe hotels are available on the Char Dham stops; at Ghangaria all categories use the best available guest houses, as the village has only simple lodging.
Package
Duration
From, per person
Char Dham + Hemkund Sahib from Haridwar
11N / 12D
₹26,500
Char Dham only from Haridwar (for comparison)
9N / 10D
₹21,500
Char Dham + Valley of Flowers (includes Hemkund)
12N / 13D
₹28,500
2027 estimates. The final quote depends on dates, hotel category and group size. Pony, palki, pithoo and helicopter costs at Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Ghangaria are extra.
The Govindghat–Ghangaria helicopter, when it flies, costs about ₹4,500 one way per person (estimate, weather dependent) and is paid locally. Coming from Delhi? Add a night in Haridwar and a return day, as on our Char Dham package from Delhi.
Day-wise itinerary: 11 nights / 12 days
Day 1
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Leave Haridwar in the morning and climb through Dehradun to Mussoorie, where Kempty Falls makes a short roadside stop. The road then drops into the Yamuna valley. Reach Barkot by evening and rest for the first trek of the yatra.
Day 2
Yamunotri darshan
45 km drive + 6 km trek each wayFull dayNight: Barkot
Drive to Janki Chatti and walk, ride or take a palki up the 6 km path to Yamunotri. Pilgrims cook rice in the Surya Kund hot spring as prasad and pray at the Divya Shila before entering the temple. Walk down by afternoon and return to Barkot.
Day 3
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
A shorter drive across the ridge to the Bhagirathi valley. In Uttarkashi, visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple and stroll the riverside ghats. Early night before the Gangotri day.
Day 4
Gangotri darshan
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive past Gangnani's hot spring and the apple orchards of Harsil to Gangotri. After a dip in the icy Bhagirathi and darshan of Goddess Ganga, see Bhagirath Shila, where King Bhagirath is said to have prayed for the river's descent. Return to Uttarkashi by evening.
Day 5
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi / Sitapur
A long but scenic transfer via Chamba and the wide blue reservoir of Tehri lake to the Mandakini valley. Lunch is usually taken near Tilwara or Agastyamuni. Reach Guptkashi in the evening and repack a small bag for Kedarnath, leaving bulky luggage in the vehicle.
Day 6
Trek to Kedarnath
30 km drive + 16 km trek7–9 hours walkingNight: Kedarnath
Drive to Sonprayag, take the shared jeep to Gaurikund and start the climb. Ponies and palkis are available, or fly from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi if you hold IRCTC shuttle tickets. Attend the evening aarti at the temple.
Day 7
Kedarnath darshan, return to Guptkashi
16 km trek + 30 km driveFull dayNight: Guptkashi / Sitapur
Early darshan, then the Bhairavnath temple and Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi. Descend to Gaurikund and take the jeep to Sonprayag, where your driver is waiting. Drive back to Guptkashi to rest your legs, because two more trekking days lie ahead at Ghangaria.
Day 8
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross via Ukhimath and Chopta to Chamoli and drive up past Joshimath. You pass Govindghat on the way, where you will return tomorrow. Bathe in the Tapt Kund and attend the evening aarti at Badri Narayan.
Image space images/badrinath.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 9
Mana village, then Govindghat to Ghangaria
28 km drive + about 10 km trekFull dayNight: Ghangaria
Take early darshan, visit Mana village and Bhim Pul, then drive down to Govindghat. A local vehicle covers the first stretch towards Pulna, and from there the trail climbs about 10 km beside the Lakshman Ganga to Ghangaria. Ponies and porters are available, and the helicopter flies when weather allows.
Day 10
Hemkund Sahib
About 6 km each way6–8 hoursNight: Ghangaria
Start early on the steep stone path to Hemkund Sahib; most walkers take three to four hours up. Pay respects at the gurdwara, take karah prasad and, if you can bear the cold, a dip in the lake. Hindu pilgrims also visit the small Lakshman temple on the shore. Return to Ghangaria by mid-afternoon.
Image space images/hemkund-sahib.jpg 1200 × 675 px
Day 11
Ghangaria to Govindghat, drive to Joshimath
About 10 km trek + 25 km drive5–6 hoursNight: Joshimath
Walk back down to the roadhead and meet your vehicle at Govindghat. A short drive brings you to Joshimath for a warm shower and a well-earned rest. Visit the Narsingh temple, winter seat of Badrinath, if you have energy left.
Day 12
Joshimath to Haridwar
275 km9–10 hoursNight: Tour ends
Set off after an early breakfast and follow the Alaknanda past the Panch Prayag confluences to Devprayag and Rishikesh. This is the longest road day of the tour, so we keep stops short and lunch simple. You reach Haridwar by evening for onward travel or a final Ganga aarti.
Hemkund Sahib usually opens in late May or June and closes in October, a shorter window than the Char Dham. Plan this combination for June or September, avoiding the heaviest monsoon weeks.
Inclusions, exclusions and stays
Included
11 nights' accommodation on twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner daily
Private vehicle with hill driver, Haridwar to Haridwar
Fuel, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance
Help with the free Uttarakhand yatra registration
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Travel to Haridwar
Pony, palki, pithoo or helicopter at any trek
Sonprayag – Gaurikund jeep and Govindghat local vehicle
Special puja or VIP darshan
Lunch
Extra nights due to landslides or weather
Insurance and personal expenses
Night stop
Nights
Notes
Barkot
2
Base for Yamunotri
Uttarkashi
2
Base for Gangotri
Guptkashi / Sitapur
2
Before and after Kedarnath
Kedarnath
1
Basic rooms, tents or dorms
Badrinath
1
Town hotel near the temple
Ghangaria
2
Simple guest houses, no road access
Joshimath
1
Comfortable town hotel
Tips for Hemkund Sahib and the Char Dham
Fitness: this trip has four trekking days. Walk daily for a month before you go.
Altitude: Hemkund Sahib is well above 4,000 m. Climb slowly, drink water and turn back if you feel dizzy or breathless.
Weather: start the Hemkund climb early; clouds and rain usually build after noon.
Luggage: leave large bags in the vehicle at Govindghat and carry two nights' essentials to Ghangaria.
Registration: complete the free Char Dham registration; Hemkund Sahib has its own registration on the same Uttarakhand portal.
Packing: rain gear and warm layers are essential; see our things to carry.
Short of time? You can fly to Kedarnath using shuttle tickets from the IRCTC HeliYatra portal, saving a day, or reach Ghangaria by the Govindghat helicopter. Our Hemkund Sahib helicopter price guide explains how that service works.
Call or WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with your dates, group size and starting city.
Get a tailored plan with hotel options at each stop and a written estimate.
Pay an advance to block hotels, Ghangaria rooms and the vehicle.
Register every traveller for the yatra with our help.
Start from Haridwar with the same driver for all twelve days.
Char Dham with Hemkund Sahib: FAQ
How many days do I need for Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib?
11 nights and 12 days from Haridwar works well. From Delhi, add one night at the start and a day for the return.
What is the price of Char Dham with Hemkund Sahib?
From about ₹26,500 per person for a group of four on budget hotels, from Haridwar. This is a 2027 estimate; dates, hotels and group size change the final price.
When is Hemkund Sahib open?
Usually from late May or June until October. The dates are announced each year, so we confirm them before finalising your trip.
How hard is the Hemkund Sahib trek?
Govindghat to Ghangaria is a long but steady walk; Ghangaria to Hemkund is about 6 km and very steep. Ponies are available on both stretches.
Is there a helicopter to Hemkund Sahib?
A helicopter flies from Govindghat to Ghangaria in good weather, about ₹4,500 one way (estimate). The final climb from Ghangaria to the lake is on foot, pony or palki.
