Set amidst towering snow-capped mountains and lying beside a lake of pristine blue water, the Sikh shrine of Sri
Hemkund Sahib
looks, even to the not-particularly-pious, a place of almost
unbelievable beauty and peace. Seven peaks - known as the Sapt Sring-
surround the shrine, looming over lush green pastures. The lake's rocky
shores are covered with snow through most of the year, but when the
snows melt, the almost mythical yellow-green flower known as the Brahma
Kamal, the `Lotus of the Gods', blooms amidst the rocks. It's a place of
a rather wild and untamed beauty- and one of Sikhism's most important
shrines.
The tenth and penultimate guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji,
meditated for years in these mountains, finally leaving his earthly form
and uniting with the Almighty. Sri Hemkund Sahib, at a height of over 4,000 mt, is as such, a memorial to Guru Gobind Singh ji and a reminder of the saint's mission.
The star-shaped Gurudwara
Sri Hemkund Sahib is accessible only in the summer,
between June and October. The rest of the year, heavy snows make passage
impossible, and usually block off the trail leading up to the shrine.
Hemkund Sahib Tour Package (8 nights / 9 days)
Day 1: Arrival Haridwar
Transfer to your Hotel in Haridwar. Visit Har-ki-Pauri for Ganga Aarti in evening. Back to your hotel, Dinner and Night halt.
Day 2: Haridwar - Joshimath (276kms / 8hr)
Morning, drive straight to Joshimath enroute visit Deoprayag,
Rudraprayag and Karnprayag. On Arr. Joshimath, Check in Hotel. Overnight
stay.
Day 3: Joshimath - Govind Ghat (22kms drive) by heliceptor - Ghangaria (13kms / 4hr Trek)
Early morning, trek start from here to Hemkund Sahib. Return back to Ghangaria after Darshan. Overnight stay.
Day 4: Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria (5.5kms / 5hr each side)
Gangaria to Sri Hemkund Sahibji and back.
Gurudwara Hemkund Shaib : This imposing star-shaped
structure of stone and concrete masonry is one the shores of the lake.
An outlet behind the Gurudwara is source of the Lakshman Ganga.
Temple of Lord Lakshman : A small temple nearby, dedicated to Lord Lakshman.
Day 5: Ghangaria - Valley of Flower - Ghangaria (3kms / 3hr each side)
Valley of Flower was discovered by Frank Smith while on the Expedition
to Mt. Kamet. This picturesque Valley covered by rare species of flowers
and a wide variety of Butterflies, Musk Deer, Thar and serow are found
here. Back to Ghangaria.
Day 6: Gangaria -Govind ghat (by heliceptor)- Sri Badrinathji
Later drive to Badrinath, Check in Hotel. Visit Badrinath Temple for evening Aarti. Night halt at Badrinath.
Day 7: Sri Badrinathji - Rudraprayag
Sri Badrinathji to Rudraprayag. Halt at Monal Resort.
Day 8: Rudraprayag - Rishikesh - Haridwar (160kms / 5hr)
Early morning, Drive to Rishikesh. Visit Rishikesh Local Sight Seeing
and Temples. Later drive to Hardwar. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 9: Hardwar - Delhi (230kms / 6hr)
Morning, visit Hardwar Local Sight Seeing and Temples. Later drive back
to Delhi. On Arr. Delhi, transfer to Railway Station / Airport.
