About Shri Hemkund Sahib
In the late nineteenth century, Sikhs began to search for Hemkund: a place, high in the Himalayan mountains, which their tenth Guru alluded to in the autobiographical Bachitra Natak.
The title of this work roughly translates as the 'wonderful drama'. It is included in a compilation of writings attributed to Shri Guru Gobind Singh, known as the Dasam Granth.
In poetic language, the above story about the Guru's previous birth is recounted in chapter six of Bachitra Natak.
In these verses, the Guru tells of his origins. He describes the place Hemkunt Parbat Sapat Sring, the "lake of ice" "mountain" adorned with "seven peaks", as the same place where King Pandu, the forefather of the five Pandava brothers of Mahabharata fame, practiced yoga. There, the Guru did intense meditation and austerities until he merged with God. Because his earthly parents had served God, God was pleased with them and gave a commandment that the Guru to be born to them. In the world he would carry out a mission to teach the true religion and rid people of evil ways. He was reluctant to leave his state of union with the creator, but God compelled him. In this way the Guru took birth into the world.
Picture & Content Source : Sikhnet.com
Day By Day Tour Plan
Day 1: Travel To Rudraprayag
The Yatra starts as you meet us at the designated spot(Nehru Place Metro Parking) at 21:30 Hrs where our Luxury Toyota Coaster Bus shall be waiting .
The pious yatra to Shri Hemkund Sahib starts as we drive to Hardwar.
At Hardwar, we briefly stop at a 4* hotel for breakfast.
We would also be having the facility to get fresh before we commence our further journey to Rudraprayag.
Upon arrival at Rudraprayag, check in at pre-booked hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay shall be at hotel in Rudraprayag.
Day 2 Drive To Govind Ghat
After breakfast, we would continue our drive to Govind Ghat, the gateway to Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra.
Upon arrival, check in at hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3 Govind Ghat to Ghangaria
After breakfast, our representative shall escort you to Ghangaria helipad from where you would board a 5 minutes shuttle helicopter flight to Ghangaria, the base camp for Shri Hemkund Sahib Yatra.
Fly to Ghangaria helipad.
(Please note that in case due to bad weather or technical reasons helicopter is not operating, our representative shall provide you Pony to go from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria.)
Upon arrival at Ghangaria, our local staff would receive you and assist you to hotel/camp for check-in.
You would be staying one complete day and night at Ghangaria (10,200 feet above sea level) in order to acclimatize with the altitude.
(Please note that due to being high altitude area, Ghagaria has very basic amenities. However, to make you feel comfortable, we provide electric blankets/hot water.)
Rest of the day shall be to take complete rest and acclimatize yourself with the altitude.
Overnight stay shall be at hotel/camp at Ghangaria
Day 4: Ghangaria – Shri Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria
After an early breakfast,leave for Shri Hemkund Sahib by Pony which would be arranged by our staff at Ghangaria.
You would be accompanied by a dedicated porter who would carrying your personal belongings (a small bag of 5-6 kg max), a First Aid Kit, packed lunch, 02 packaged drinking water bottles and a portable oxygen cylinder.
You would be awestruck by the natural beauty of Himalayas as you progress on this Yatra.
The route from Ghangaria to Shri Hemkund Sahib is paved with stones and there are tea shops on the way where the Yatris stopover to have a simmering hot cup of tea.
These shops are operated by the locals who also make Paranthas and Maggi for the Yatris.
Frequently the Yatris meet other Yatris on the way and greet others by saying “Wahe Guru ji”.The atmosphere is charged with divinity and you feel spiritually charged as the Yatra goes on.
On the way, you would be stopping briefly where our staff would provide you with Lunch.
After a journey of about 3.5 hours, you would reach Shri Hemkund Sahib.
The first glimpse of Shri Gurudwara Sahib ji is sure to heal you completely from the fatigue of the journey.
You may take a dip in the Sarovar and then go inside the Gurudwara Sahib ji for Guru Darshan.
By 2 pm, start your journey back to Ghangaria.
Upon arrival at Ghangaria back from Shri Hemkund Sahib, our staff would receive you and escort you to hotel/tents for hot tea and snacks.
After this, our staff would assist you to check in at hotel/tented accommodation at Ghangaria.
Relax for the rest of the day at Ghangaria.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Ghangaria.
Day 5: Ghangaria – Govind Ghat – Rudraprayag
5:30 am : Get up with a simmering hot cup of tea. Get fresh and after a light breakfast, our staff would escort you to helipad from where you would fly back to Gobind Ghat.
If the helicopter service is not operating at Ghangaria to Gobind Ghat, you would have to leave latest by 6:30 by Pony which would be provided to you by our staff.
Upon arrival at Gobind Ghat by Helicopter/By Pony, enjoy your brunch/lunch and leave for Rudraprayag. Upon arrival at Rudraprayag, check in at hotel/resort.
Dinner and overnight stay at Rudraprayag.
Per Person Cost : £ 750 / INR 65,000
The above cost is inclusive of GST
Q : What all is included in the package cost?
Ans : Please refer the section “What’s Included” below.
Q: What is not included in the package?
Ans: Anything that has not been mentioned in the inclusions is excluded from the package cost.
Q : Which Buses and helicopters are used for this tour? Are these safe ?
Ans : The buses used in these tours are state of the art luxury Toyota Coaster Buses. These are very comfortable and sturdy buses.The helicopters used for this Yatra are mostly Bell 407 or Euro copter B3 single engine helicopters. All these helicopters go through strict standards of quality control and are declared air worthy by the Aviation Department only when they meet all world level safety and security criterion. Further, these helicopters are flown by Ex-Indian Air Force Pilots/Ex-Army Pilots who have tons of experience in flying at this altitude and this area. Thus, you can be rest assured, these machines and their pilots are well equipped to fly you safely during this Yatra.
Q: Are there any restrictions in relation to passenger weight/ number of passengers?
Ans: There is a restriction of 80 Kgs per beyond which the helicopter operator may charge additional amount directly at the helipad @INR 150 per kg.
Q: I am over 80 Kg, does this mean that I cannot go on this Yatra?
Ans: No, this does not mean that you cannot go on this Yatra. It simply means that you may have to pay additional amount directly to the aviation partner or the excess weight over and above 80 kg.
Q: Do I need to go through a medical examination before the Yatra?
Ans: While there are no such statutory requirements, we suggest that you consult your doctor before deciding to embark upon this yatra as this Yatra involves going and staying in high altitude area. Particularly, those who have any recurring medical history related to pulmonary disorders or heart ailment are advised not to take up this Yatra. Those with joint pains also need to seek advice of your doctor(although not much walking shall be involved since we would be providing pony )
Q: Are there any specific things that one must carry along during the Yatra?
Ans: Since there is a restriction of carrying only one small bag for each Yatri in Helicopter, you must travel light. However, you must carry warm clothing, towel, raincoat and waterproof jacket. Wearing waterproof shoes is also suggested. Your porter shall be carrying an Umbrella as well which you do not need to carry with you.For more details you may write to us on info@waytoindia.com
Q: You have mentioned in the tour details above that due to weather disturbances, helicopter may not fly. Is that very frequent? How do you operate in such conditions?
Ans: Shri Hemkund Sahib is located in high altitude area where weather is most unpredictable. However, during the months of June and September the weather generally remains conducive to fly in this area.
• However, if there is bad weather and due to bad weather/technical difficulties/government restrictions the helicopter cannot fly from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria or Back: In such a scenario, we would be providing you with Pony.(if you are overweight, please share with us your weight well in advance before booking the tour, as arranging pony for those who are overweight might be challenging.
Q: What are the payment terms?
Ans: The payment terms are as below:
25% of the total amount: at the time of booking the tour.
50% of the total amount: Latest by 28th February 2019
25% of the total amount: 30 days in advance to travel date
(Kindly note that the bank transfer charges, if any shall have to be borne by the Yatris.Also note that in case Yatris decide to pay through PayPal or International Credit Card, a payment gateway charge of 5% + exchange difference over and above the cost of tour shall be applicable.The Yatris would be liable to pay only the amount shared with them in the quotation, any extra amount if realized shall be refunded back to Yatris.)
Q: What would be the cancellation terms if I as Yatri decide to cancel my program?
Ans: Kindly appreciate that the tour cancellations mean that the seat booked by you would remain vacant and would effect the program of the other Yatris .Hence, For bookings cancelled up to 28th February 2019, we would deduct only £250/INR 22,500 per person as cancellation charges and refund any amount in access to that if deposited by the Yatris.
For any cancellations beyond 28th February 2019, there would be no refund unless we are able to fulfill the seat vacated by the Yatri. To secure their refund, the Yatris can also refer any other Yatri who is willing to take their seat in which case the amount shall be refundable (all refunds, if any applicable would be after deducting the hadling charge of £ 250 per person).
Q: What facilities are availabile at Ghangaria Hotel/Camps
Ans: As shared above, the hotels & camps at Ghangaria are very basic, however, our team shall provide electrically heated blankets, hot water for bathing, packaged drinking water, dry fruits, biscuits etc. to take a good care of yours.
Q: Are there any ATM facilities available?
Ans: There is one ATM machine at Govind Ghat, however many a times it is not operational. There are no ATM Facilities available at Ghangaria or Shri Hemkund Sahib, hence it is advised that cash as required should be carried by you from Delhi.
Q: Which are other places of tourist places interest near Shri Hemkund Sahib? Can these places be included in this trip?
Ans: Other places of tourist interest in the area are Shri Badrinath Temple, Valley of Flowers, Joshimath and Auli.These places are not included in the trip generally, however, customized trip can be designed to include one or more of these places if you are travelling as a group. If you require this, write to us on info@waytoindia.com .
Q: What kind of food is made available to the Yatris during the tour?
Ans: Fresh vegetarian food is made available during the tour. Apart from this, dry fruits, canned/tetra pack juices/ fresh fruits, milk, cereals etc. is made available to the Guests during the tour.
Q: Can my tour be extended to other places in India?
Ans: Waytoindia specializes in tours across India. We can surely design your complete tour to India for which you may write to us on info@waytoindia.com .
• Seat in luxury Toyota Coaster Coach ex-New Delhi to Govind Ghat and back.
• Breakfast on Day 2 at 4* hotel in Haridwar/Rishikesh.Lunch on Day 6 at Haridwar on way back to Delhi.
• 02 Night stay Monal Resort, Rudraprayag with meals(breakfast/dinner as the case may be) at Rudraprayag on Day 1 & 5.
• Shuttle helicopter ticket Govindghat – Ghangaria – Govindghat (or Pony charges if helicopter service is not available)
• 03 Nights accommodation with all meals at Ghangaria or Govind Ghat as the case may be.
• 01 dedicated porter per person Ghangaria- Shri Hemkund-Ghangaria.
• Pony for Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib-Ghangaria
• 01 portable oxygen cylinder per person
• Tea & Snacks as per the tour plan.
• GST @5% is included in above cost.
(1) The costs include Aircraft Rental Crew Salaries, Maintenance, and Insurance, Fuel costs, Route Navigation Charges, Landing and parking Charges.
(2) FORCE MATURE : Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd. Or Helicopter Operator does not hold itself responsible for non-operation of charter for any unforeseen reason/s such as Bad Weather ,Poor Visibility , Non-Availability of clearances from ATC / Defense Authorities / Civil Administration.
(3) Due to any reasons if the flight cannot take off from the Originating station full amount after deducting handling charges @ £250/ INR 25,000/- per person will be refunded.
(4) We obtain the destination weather before departure, However, if due to sudden detention of weather en-route / destination, the aircraft can not land at the destination and has to return to Originating point or divert to some other airport, the actual flying time would be chargeable and balance if any payable / refundable (after deducting the flying costs on pro-rata basis and the handling charges of £ 250/INR 25,000 per person).
(5) Comfort Connections Pvt Ltd or the Operator shall not be responsible if any technical snag developed in the aircraft which can not be rectified within the time limit and effect the operation of flight.
(6) 100% Payment shall have to be deposited by the client before by cheque / DD in favour of M/s Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd as per the payment terms mentioned in the FAQs.
(7) In the event of cancellation of the tour by the Yatris, the cancellation charges as per FAQs above shall be deducted.
(8) Jurisdiction: All disputes shall be subject to exclusive jurisdiction of courts in New Delhi only.
(9) All disputes arising between the operator and the client or Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd and the client which cannot be mutually resolved, shall be referred to a sole arbitrator to be appointed by Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd, The decision of such an arbitrator shall be binding on the parties.
(10) If due to bad weather or technical reasons or any other reasons whatsoever, the helicopter cannot fly from any destination and the customers have to incur additional expenses on their boarding or lodging, neither operator not Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd shall be liable for the same and it would be entirely on the risk and peril of client to be borne by client directly.
(11) By booking your charter with Comfort Connections Pvt. Ltd., you are deemed to have accepted the above conditions of this charter. In case you do not agree to any of the conditions above, immediately share you concern with us failing which it would be deemed that the above conditions are acceptable to you.
We would be sharing exhaustive list of Dos and Don'ts before you book your tour and they shall be construed as a part of the terms and conditions which shall be deemed to be understood and accepted by the Yatris, if they book this tour.
Credits:
Created with an image by B V Ashok - "Govindghat"