Har Ki Dun Trek

About Har Ki Dun

Har ki dun is the most beautiful valley in western Himalayas. It seems like a cradle shaped valley situated at the height of 3566 meter. Trek is open in both season summer and winter. Har ki dun valley is the part of Govind National Park – Known for its flora and fauna. Trail pass from alpine meadows, Mountain ridges, Glacier Basins, Pine forest and some ancient villages. Morinda Tal or Maninda Tal is the most popular spot of this beautiful valley.

People say that Pandav followed the same trail when they were forced to live in forest. View of the mountain range from the top is so amazing. This is the only trek from where you can see Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Black peak all together. Ruinsara peaks are also visible from here.

Trek along the Supin river and Har ki Dun valley. Flora and fauna is so amazing on this trail, you can find few langoor families on the trail near to Puani Garaat. You can find Black bears, wild boars and Barasingha when you move inside the Govind National Park. If you are lucky then you can get a chance to see Golden eagles and massive Himalayan Griffins also. Some beautiful and Colourful birds also live here.

Har ki Dun valley is well connected with ancient time and people are started living here for 3000 year ago. Most of the family’s livelihood based on farming and they grow rajma, Potato and Rice. People have one unique skill and which is weaving and they weave their own woolen cloths, coats and other material.

Location

Har ki Dun valley lies in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Har ki Dun valley is the part of Garhwal Himalayas and situated in side Govind National park.

Distance

Trek distance is 27 km from Sankri village. Sankri is situated is just 200 km from Dehradun. Shared taxi is available for sankri and take just Rs.1100/- only

How to Reach

There is one direct bus that goes from Dehradun to Sankri village (via Barkot - Purola - Netwar route). It leaves Dehradun at 5:30 am and reaches Sari by about 4:00/ 4:30 pm.

if you are traveling from Delhi by any overnight trains, you won't be able to catch the bus.

For that, take Shatabdi (on previous day), reach Dehradun at night, stay at hotel/ Station Retiring room and go to the bus stand by 4:30 AM.

Otherwise, two options - Either hire a Bolero/ Max or go via shared jeep.

For share jeep, try Dehradun - Purola jeep/ bus or Dehradun - Mussoorie, Mussoorie - Naugaon, Naugaon - Purola, Purola - Sankri. You need to change shared jeep at least thrice if not four times, you should be able to reach Sankri by 4:30/ 5:00pm.

Maximum Altitude

The highest altitude of trail is 11,700 feet.

Level of Trek

Trek falls in moderate category and best for beginners.

Region

Har ki Dun valley comes in Garhwal Himalayas.

Duration

7 Nights / 8 Days

Activity

Trekking: Trekking is one of the way to reach Triund and beginners can easily conquer it.

Photography: Capture the 360° view of Himalayas from the top of Triund.

Camping: Stay under the stars, you can stay in the guest house but camping is more famous.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Sankri

Distance: 220 KMs (Dehradun to sankri)

Altitude: Sankri (6400 ft)

Time Take: 10 hours approx. (Dehradun to Sankri)

Trekking level: Easy

Assemble at Dehradun station at 6:30 am. Start the journey to sankri either by sumo or any other vehicle. It is going to be a long drive but enjoyable too. Our journey will pass from Kempty Fall, Mussoorie and also appreciate the view of Tons River. Stop for breakfast near Mussoorie. Feel the fresh air of mountains that can make your mood fresh. Pass a small village with the name is "Purolo" and also pass so many pine trees. When we pass mori we will go closer to sankri and also get the glimpse of Supin River where Tons and a Glacial stream meet and make Supin. The last patch of 22 km will go from Govind National Park. Arrive Sankri in the late evening. BSNL network work here to keep in touch with your family.

Day 02: Sankri to Osla via Taluka

Distance: 12 km Drive and 14 km Trek

Altitude: 8400 feet

Time Take: 7 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Break the ice, start connecting with other trekkers, and see the beauty of Sankri village. After breakfast, get ready for the first day of trekking journey. First, we drive till taluka which is 12 km away from Sankri Village. Check your bags before leaving sankri village, check your water bottle as they need to be fill and take some energy bars from the village shop. Our today’s campsite is at the height of 2560 meter from the sea level. While trekking you will cross some small villages like Siyan Gad and Dhatmir Village. Both the villages connected with a bridge. We will cross ton river and reach Osla by the late evening. First day of the trek always little tough for trekkers, a bonfire and snacks can fill some energy in you to enjoy the night under the beautiful stars. Enjoy hot and freshly cooked dinner before going to sleep.

Day 03: Osla to Har ki Dun

Distance: 11 km Trek

Altitude: 11700 feet

Time Take: 6 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Today, trek to Har ki Dun Valley. Har ki dun valley is situated at the height of 3558 meter and 14 km way from our campsite. Valley looks beautiful as you can find greenery everywhere. Valley is surrounded by high mountain peaks.

Day 04: Har ki dun to Jaundhar Glacier and back to Camp

Distance: 15 km Trek

Altitude: 12200 feet

Time Take: 7 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

A first sight can make you fall in love with this valley and the beauty of valley can’t allow you to leave the place. So, a rest day at Har Ki Dun is highly recommended. Swaragrohini-1 peak is situated above the vast ground and that plain ground is full of alpine flowers. The ground has something to see and you can cover this in 1 or 2 hours. Move toward Swaragrohini-1 peak to explore Jaundhar Glacier. After 40 to 50 minutes of trek you can see the vast expanse of snow covered land. Move little closer to glacier by passing few ridges, there you can find Jaundhar basin and glacier. Jaundhar glacier situated between two pillar peaks. Back to camp after spending time there. Enjoy dinner at Har ki Dun Campsite and click some night pictures.

Day 05: Har Ki Dun to Osla

Distance: 11 km Trek

Altitude: 8400 feet

Time Take: 7 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Follow the same trail to back to Osla, the difference you can find is chirping of birds, Himalayan Wildlife and the sky. Capture the best of your creation to make your trip memorable.

Day 06: Osla to Sankri

Distance: 14 km Trek & 12 km Drive

Altitude: 6400 feet

Time Take: 7-8 hours approx.

Trekking level: Easy

Today, trek is so easy as you just need to descent to Taluka then drive to sankri. Enjoy the trail as you will get the best view of sunrise with chirping sound of birds. Everybody look for hot water bucket to take bath and this is very common.

Day 7: Sankri to Dehradun

Distance: 220 KMs (Dehradun to sankri)

Altitude: Sankri (6400 ft)

Time Take: 10 hours approx. (Dehradun to Sankri)

Trekking level: Easy

After breakfast move towards Dehradun, now everybody plan their next trip because Har ki Dun valley is enough to make fall anyone in love with mother nature.

How to make yourself fit

In terms of difficulty, the Triund trek is classified one of the easy treks in Indian Himalayas.

Cardiovascular endurance

You will cover distance of approx 18 km in these 2 days. You will trek up to an altitude of 10,632 feet. The secret to covering this distance comfortably lies in building your cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. On the very first day people trek without any pain but on the second day they feel pain and apply pain relief spray, to avoid all this start jogging before 1 week of your trek (this is only for Triund. Start slow and increase your pace every day. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too.

Strength

Strength is another area which should be there in you. You need to build strength in your muscles and in your core body. Do some squats to strengthen your leg muscles and you can do 3 sets of squats and also do few crunches.

Flexibility

Flexibility is required to conquer this trek as some of the patches are little steeper. For this, you can do some stretching exercises – stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek.

Working out indoors

If you can't go out and jog because of time and other reasons then follow this video and make yourself fit.

What to Pack for this trek

Basic necessities

Trekking Shoes: Trek has some steep patches so we suggest you to take trekking shoes to make trekking easier for you. Regular Sport shoes is not suggestible from our side.
Backpack (30-40 liters): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Carry rain cover for backpack is essential

Clothing

Three Warm Layers (in Winters): The trail is covered with snow in the winter so take 2 fleece and one good quality winter jacket .
Two Trek Pants: Take two trek pant, one to use and keep other as spare. Take inner trek pant and use as a inner liners to keep warm in winters.
Three Collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirt that prevent sun burn on the neck and on arms. Carry 3 t-shirt at least.
Thermals: Carrying thermals is all up to participants, as the capacity to bear cold is different from participant to participant but we suggest you to take as safety. Mandatory in winters (upper and bottom both).

Accessories

Sunglass: Sunglasses is mandatory to carry as the sky is so clear in mountains and UV rays come direct without any filter
Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves for winters which is water resistant
Sun cap: It is required to cover your head
Woolen cap: Carry in winters
Socks: Two pair of cotton socks as we prefer to change daily. Carry 1 pair of woolen socks in winters
Headlamps: carry with spare batteries
Trekking pole: Trail become difficult in winters because of snow. so, we suggest you to take it

Other

Toiletries: Sunscreen, Moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste
Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. we insist you to carry it because some of the people more concern about hygiene factor.
Water bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter
Plastic covers: Carry 1 big poly bag as a inner layer of your backpack and keep few small poly bags to keep your wet cloths.