Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib: Distance, Route, Time and Places to Visit

Hemkund sahib is at 4,329 meters into the altitude with seven snow peaks and a glacial lake. The path that brings you to it begins in Rishikesh and follows along the course of the river Alaknanda. Then passes by 5 holy confluences before the last trek ends. This article explains the Rishikesh Hemkund Sahib Uttarakhand distance by road, the road route, time to reach Hemkund Sahib from Rishikesh, the points you should visit, and how to book your cab for trip with CabBazar.

Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib Distance by Road

The road journey from Rishikesh ends at Govindghat which is the last reachable point by road. From there the journey is on foot as Hemkund Sahib trek begins.

• Rishikesh to Govindghat: approx 270 km
• From Govind Ghat to Ghangharia: The base camp of Gurudwara then trek 13 km by foot, pony or palki
• Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara: 6 Km of Steep climb
• Total: near about 290 KM(19 KM distance on trek)

The Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib Chamoli distance is only in the Chamoli district section after Karnaprayag, because both Govindghat and Ghangaria are in Chamoli district.

Haridwar to Hemkund Sahib Distance and Rishikesh Railway Station Starting Points

The numbers vary a little because most pilgrims reach by train at Haridwar or Rishikesh.

• Haridwar to Hemkund Sahib Uttarakhand Distance: 295 km to Govindghat and trek.
• Rishikesh railway station to Hemkund Sahib: 270 km (Govindghat)
• Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) to Rishikesh: approximately 20 km

As for you who look for the Hemkund Sahib distance from your place, the main thing to keep in mind is: first take the distance from your place to Rishikesh / Haridwar, then 270 km mountain road distance.

Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib Route and Map

The route follows NH 7 and then NH 58 (now widely signposted as part of the Char Dham corridor).

Rishikesh → Shivpuri → Kaudiyala → Devprayag → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Nandprayag → Chamoli → Pipalkoti → Joshimath → Govindghat

Open any Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib map and the line traces the Ganga upstream, then the Alaknanda all the way to Joshimath. After Joshimath, the road descends to Govindghat, where the Lakshman Ganga meets the Alaknanda.

Rishikesh to Hemkund Route Time by Car, Bus and Train

By car: From Rishikesh to Govindghat is a 9 - 10 hour drive with stops. You will reach Joshimath early in the afternoon and arrive at Govindghat in the evening with an early departure at 4:30 to 5:00 am.

By bus: State transport and private buses are available from Rishikesh ISBT to Joshimath and Badrinath. Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib bus schedules are mostly in the morning from 4:30 am to 7:00 am. Joshimath is 10 to 11 hours away from Rishikesh, after which you need to take a shared taxi/local transport to Govindghat. Bus ticket rates for Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib depend on your bus operator and season, so enquire at the bus counter for the day.

By train: No direct Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib train operates yet. Direct train will come to Rishikesh and Haridwar and the road journey begins from here. The Rishikesh to Karnaprayag railway line is being constructed and once open will shorten this trip significantly. Until then, a pre-booked cab saves the time lag of waiting for buses and shared jeeps.

Rishikesh to Govindghat Taxi Booking: One-Way and Round-Trip Cab Options

A private cab is the best option for this route. Family, elders, group books this to get a set pickup time, a driver who knows the hill roads and stop where they want.

One-way taxi booking: This cab is good for those travelling one way, like a return helicopter to Govindghat or a trip onward to Badrinath. Charges include the price for the one-way journey only, which helps keeping the costs down.

Round-trip cab booking: Best for the entire Hemkund pilgrimage, leaving at the same time as the pilgrims. The driver stays at Govindghat during the trek and then head back to Rishikesh or Haridwar at the end of the day with the travelers.

Rishikesh to Govindghat taxi fare for all new & repeat customers are always the lowest all round of the year. Lowest-price policy does not mean deals and discounts, travel coupons or sales. In fact, we don't even have a seasonal sale, we already offer the lowest rates

Book in Minutes

• WhatsApp booking: Booking a taxi on CabBazar through WhatsApp is as easy as sending us the pickup location, pickup date & number of passengers on the CabBazar WhatsApp number.
• Website booking: Select the Rishikesh to Hemkund cab, and select vehicle and make a confirmation.
• CabBazar mobile app: Download the app on the Play Store or App Store and get best offers and benefits for each booking, be it tracking the trip or quicker rebooking.
  

Rishikesh to Hemkund Places to Visit by Car

There are plenty of places to stop on this route. Below are some of the stops worth planning for:

• Devprayag: The sangam of the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda, where the river Ganga derives its name. Located about 70 km from Rishikesh.
• Srinagar (Garhwal): A historic hill town on the Alaknanda, that is perfect for a breakfast stop. Then the road to kedarnath starts from here.
• Karnaprayag and Nandprayag Two of the other sacred sangam points, which also have some peaceful temples on their banks.
• Joshimath: Winter gateway for Badrinath and an occasional stopover before Govindghat.
• Gurudwara Govind Ghat: First of the six Sikh shrines on the journey providing shelter and free kitchen food (langar) before you start the ascent.
• Ghangaria and Valley of flowers The Valley of Flowers National Park is only a 4 Km trek from Ghangaria. The Valley of flowers blooms between July and September.
• Badrinath: Roughly 25 km beyond Govindghat and can be conveniently doubled into a oneway taxi.

Rishikesh to Hemkund Places to Visit in One Day and in 2 Days

One-day plan: It is very hectic to cover Rishikesh to Hemkund Sahib in one day. If you start early morning then you can reach Govindghat by evening so most of the pilgrimage take a day for traveling and second day for trek.

Two-day plan: 1st Day- from Rishikesh /Haridwar to Govindghat stopping at Devprayag / Rudraprayag 2nd Day- Devprayag / Rudraprayag trek to Ghangharia and stay there overnight and the next day morning hike to Hemkund Sahib. A full pilgrimage with the day's return, lasts four to five days.

Best Time and Season for the Hemkund Sahib Yatra in 2026

It's open to pilgrims from late May/June until early October, when the snow returns. Dates vary slightly each year, as shown by the management trust's list. Check before you make a booking. June, September and early October are the best times to visit, while the Rishikesh-Joshimath route is closed due to heavy rain and potential mudslides in July and August.

Practical Tips Before the Journey

• Complete yatra registration through the official Uttarakhand tourism portal or the registration counters in Rishikesh.
• Carry warm layers, rain gear, a trekking stick and any regular medication.
• Keep cash handy, as network and ATMs thin out beyond Joshimath.
• Travellers with heart or breathing concerns should consult a doctor, given the altitude.
• Check live road status for Char Dham routes on the day of travel.

Plan the Hemkund Sahib Journey With CabBazar

A comfortable journey is the first step to a flawless Hemkund Sahib yatra. Get a Rishikesh to Hemkund taxi on WhatsApp, Website or the CabBazar app and go around with a cab service that is trusted by thousands of pilgrims.