Valley of flowers is at an altitude of 11000 feet to 12000 feet, and Hemkund Sahib is at 14000 feet. Therefore we find different variety at these places. There are few variety of flowers found at both places, but some very rare and beautiful flowers are found at Hemkund Sahib only. That’s why people who are visiting Valley of flowers should also visit Hemkund Sahib on their trip. I have seen both places hundreds of times at different times of the year. There is a beautiful lake at the Hemkund Sahib. The word “kund” in the Hemkund Sahib literally means a lake. There are some very rare flowers found on the bank of the lake and on the way to the Hemkund Sahib.
The trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib.
It is a 6 km continuous uphill steep trek, but well paved. You can hire ponies or porters from Ghangaria to reach. If you have good stamina you can trek as well. While coming back you can walk down and no need to hire anything.
The trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib is quite steep and you can see the trek to Valley of flower in the background.
The major difference between Hemkund Sahib and Valley of flowers is that the valley is surrounded by high hills and you walk between them, while the trek to Hemkund Sahib gives you a bird eye view of the valley. You can see this in the below pictures.
Following are the some of the pictures of the flowers taken at Hemkund Sahib by us.
Following are some of the flowers found near Hemkund Sahib
Why should one visit Hemkund Sahib along with the Valley of flowers?
Hemkund Sahib has lot of flowers which we cant find even in the valley of flowers. For more information you can visit. Whether Hemkund should be part of Valley of Flowers trek. The valley of flowers trip is incomplete without Hemkund.
Yes, Hemkund Sahib is a must visit on the trip to valley of flowers.
Aconitum violaceum, Blue Poppy, Rhodiola imbricata, Saussurea simpsoniana, Saussurea gossypiphora, Corydalis meifolia are some of the flowers found in the Hemkund Sahib.