Hemkund Sahib, also known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib, is a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The ideal time to plan your visit to Hemkund Sahib, considering the weather and accessibility, is from late May to early October. This period aligns with the opening months of the Gurudwara which typically begins with the melting of snow. Hemkund Sahib is situated at a high altitude of about 4,633 meters (15,200 feet) above sea level, and the region is prone to heavy snowfalls which makes the helipad functional only during these warmer months. Before planning your trip, it is important to check the exact opening dates which vary each year according to Sikh tradition and the weather conditions.
The peak season for pilgrimages to Hemkund Sahib is between June and September, when the weather is predominantly sunny and pleasant during the day, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C. However, early mornings and nights can still be very cold, so visitors are advised to carry adequate warm clothing. It’s also the time when the valley is blooming with a variety of flowers, and the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located nearby, is open to tourists. Monsoon season falls between July and August, so it's wise to be prepared for intermittent rain which can cause travel delays. Helicopter services to Hemkund Sahib Helipad are highly weather-dependent, hence on days with poor visibility or heavy rainfall, flights may not operate. Therefore, the best window for helicopter travel would be the months of May, June, September, and early October when the skies are clearer.
