How about a mix of ancient culture and adventure. Sounds exciting!
That’s what Har ki Dun trek is all about. It’s one of the oldest treks in India. It's located in the heart of Govind Ballabh Pant National Park in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand.
Har Ki Dun translates to the valley of God. It’s filled with mythological stories. It's said that Pandavas went to heaven via this valley as it leads to gates to heaven.
Har ki Dun is full of ancient temples and houses, beautiful and panoramic views, the sound of water gushing through the rocks, chirping birds, luscious greenery, alpine forests, vast meadows, snow-clad trails, and wild blossoming flowers fill the valley.
The total length of the trek is 7 days. It starts from Dehradun, and you will come across villages of Sankri, Taluka, Gangad, and Osla where villagers live and see local farming, mules, and local sheep. The trek has a rustic and village feel as it's untouched by civilization, it has old rocky terrain and trails, wooden bridge crossings over Supin River, and clear water passing below it. The soft flowing river stream will always accompany you during the trek. Plus the locals are very warm and welcoming in nature.
There is an ancient temple at Osla built by Duryodhana which dates to 2000 plus years. When you go after the winters you will find the melting snow, ice-shaped stones, browns, and greens getting unearthed and coming to life.
In this trek, apart from Har Ki Dun valley, you will witness jaw-dropping scenic views of mountains like the Swargarohini Peak (which is said to be the mystical stairway to heaven), Hata Peak, and Black Peak amongst others You will cross Kalkatiyadhar which is a vast mass of meadows and have a panorama and cinematic view to cool your eyes.
The best part of the Har Ki Dun trek can be explored both in summer and post-rain. In early summers you will witness snowy trails and peaks, and post rains get mesmerized by the flourishing greens.
Difficulty Level
Har Ki Dun trek is good for everyone including a complete beginner. It has a moderate difficulty level as this is a lengthy trek, starting from 6,600 ft up to 11,800 ft.
Har Ki Dun Distance
The total distance is 54 km from Taluka village to Har Ki Dun and return. On average, the trek will be around 8-10 km every day.
Best time to visit Har Ki Dun
The best part of the Kar Ki Dun trek is that it’s open for eight months of the year.
March - April (spring season): the weather will be pleasant. The snow on the mountains and peaks will start melting and paint them with patches of browns and greens. It will be warm during the day at 12-150 C and temperatures drop during the night making it a bit cold.
May- June (summer season): the temperature will be pleasant and warmer than spring. You may experience early monsoon showers in June.
The trek closes in July- August months during heavy rains.
September - December: It has luscious greens after the rains, the rivers are full-flowing, and ample alpine vegetation. The temperature will be warm during the day and chiller at night.
You may also witness early snowfalls at the end of November or December and have snow-covered trails.
Included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Trekking permits
- Trekking equipment
- Safety equipment
- Services of an expert Trek Leader
Excluded
- Food during transit
- Porter or mule for carrying personal luggage
- Stay on the last day
- Personal expenses & goods of any kind
- Anything apart from inclusions
- Unscheduled stay due to unfavourable conditions
- Cost Escalation due to ‘Force Majeure’ and evacuation charges
Tour Plan
Day 1
Drive from Dehradun to Sankri
By 07.00 AM, our group will gather at the pickup location near Railway Station Dehradun. Later, we'll travel to Sankri (185 Kilometers, 7 Hour Drive). Midway, we'll pass via Mori, Nainbagh, Purola, Kempty Falls, and Mussoorie. By the evening, we'll be in Sankri. Dinner will be served followed by a night stay at Sankri.
Day 2
Drive from Sankri to Taluka & trek to Pauni Gharat
Our Trek Leader briefly introduces you to today's trek. After having breakfast we are going to continue our thrilling journey from Sankri to Taluka, there are a few things you should know before setting out on your journey. We will trek from Taluka to Pauni Gharat. The distance between these two points is about 9 kilometres.
Day 3
Trek from Pauni Gharat to Kalkatiyadhar
Pauni Gharat is a campsite near Gangad village. From Pauni Gharat, we will move forward to the Kalkatiyadhar campsite. The trek goes through lush green forests and breathtaking views of snowy peaks from close quarters.
Day 4
Trek from Kalkatiyadhar to Har Ki Dun & back
Kalkatiyadhar to Har Ki Dun is a relatively short trek of 4.5 Km. You can also go up to Jaundhar Glacier. We'll reach our destination by afternoon then we will be back at Kalkatiyadhar campsite. Packed lunch will be served on the way. Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in the tents.
Day 5
Trek from Kalkatiyadhar to Pauni Gharat
After finishing our breakfast we will head down from Kalkatiyadhar to Pauni Gharat. We can also visit Osla village on the way. Osla is an untouched and ancient village. Then we will further descend to Pauni Gharat campsite.
Day 6
Trek from Pauni Gharat to Sankri via Taluka
Today we will trek down from Pauni Gharat to Taluka. On the way, we will cross Gangad village. Har Ki Dun trek provides us numerous chances to experience ancient villages, local traditions, and outstanding views at many stops along the way. From Taluka to Sankri is an offroad drive which will definitely make you feel an adrenaline rush.
Day 7
Drive from Sankri to Dehradun
After finishing our breakfast in the morning we will return back to Dehradun. It takes nearly 7 hours to travel from Sankri to Dehradun (187 km). Midway you can also visit the Lakhamandal group of temples.
Basecamp
Sankri, a small village and trekking hub in Uttarakhand, is situated at 6,360 feet above sea level. Sankri provides a number of routes through which trekkers may explore a variety of landscapes and vistas in the Himalayas. Kedarkantha, Phulara Ridge, Pushtara Bugyal, Har Ki Dun, and Bharadsar Lake are some of them. Sankri is 187 kilometres from Dehradun. To reach Dehradun, one may take a train, bus, or flight. It is connected to all major cities and towns. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport. Shared taxis and buses are available from Railway Station Dehradun to Sankri.
Things To Pack
The Essentials: A Good pair of solid trekking shoes are must, A well-made backpack with lots of pockets can be very useful. Keep hoodies and woollen Jackets and make a layer. It will keep you warm throughout the trek.
Note: If you don't have a good pair of trekking shoes or you forget to bring one, Tripotude will provide you with that on rent with other essentials as well.
You can carry a toilet kit for personal hygiene. Don't purchase large toilet paper rolls. For a trek like Har Ki Dun, the smallest size roll is more than sufficient.
Personal Medical Kit
- You can keep combiflam to cure muscle pain.
- ORS treats dehydration caused by diarrhoea.
- Eno will help you to cure acidity, indigestion, flatulence and nausea.
- If you have a fever while trekking you can take paracetamol.
Disclaimer: Avoid taking any medication without asking your Trek Leader.
Required Documents: Government-issued photo identification card, both original and copy.
Fitness and Safety
If you are someone who loves trekking and exploring the outdoors, then you must know how important it is to stay fit. A challenging trek can take a toll on your body and leave you feeling sore and exhausted. However, with the right preparation, you can make sure that your body is ready for the journey ahead. With a little bit of pre-planning and some simple exercises at home, you can get ready for the trek in no time. Here is how you can stay fit for trekking.
- Try to complete the 5 km run in 45 minutes when you start.
- You can reduce your running time by gradually increasing your speed.
- If you are 45 years or older, try to run 5 km in 50 minutes.
- If you can't run, try stair-climbing or cycling.
- Do calf, hamstring, and quadriceps exercises.
- 3 sets and 10 repetitions of squats, lunges, and calf raises.
- Pranayama is for effective breathing.
FAQ
Har Ki Dun is a hanging valley in the Indian Himalayan region of Garhwal. It is well-known for its natural beauty and ancient culture. The valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains like Swargarohini, Hata Peak, Bakra Top and Kalanag; it is home to many rare and endangered species. Har Ki Dun is a fusion of ancient temples & houses, beautiful & panoramic views, luscious greenery, alpine forests and snow-clad trails.
The best time to visit Har Ki Dun valley is during the spring, summer and autumn seasons. The weather is pleasant during these times. The views are also said to be more beautiful as the leaves on the trees change their colours.
The cost of Har Ki Dun trek varies depending on the time of year and the number of people in your group. The average cost for a group of four people is around Rs. 11,000/per trekker, this includes the cost of transportation to and fro Dehradun, trek leader, guide, support staff, permits, mule/porters, and equipment.
The Har ki Dun Trek is a beautiful and challenging trek that takes you through the picturesque town of Purola and the valleys of the river Yamuna and Tons. Your journey covers Dehradun, Mussoorie, Kempty Falls, Sankri, Taluka, Gangad and Osla.
Har Ki Dun valley is situated at a height of 11,800 feet. You can further go up to Jaundhar Glacier and Marinda Tal. The elevation of Jaundhar Glacier is 14,000 feet and Marinda Tal is at 13,000 feet.
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