Har-Ki-Dun is one of the most attractive among Uttarakhand’s trekking destinations in the Western Himalayas. The valley of Har-Ki-Dun is located at the base of Fateh Parvat, at an elevation of 11,768 feet. A joy for trekkers, both in summer and winter, this valley is accessible through “Govind National Park” known for its rich variety of flora and fauna. The trek is age-old and steeped in legends. The mountains of Garhwal come with dramatic formations and diverse geographic regions. Streams of crystal-clear rivers formed by the melting of glaciers, lush green meadows, hamlets, pine forests and rugged terrain form the varied topography of this region. But it is perhaps the mythological aspect of the Har-Ki-Dun trek that makes this onerous journey more special. Owing to its isolation, this area is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. It would be a heavenly experience to trek along the “Valley of Gods”, and follow the trail once beaten by Pandavas on their way to the heavens via Swargarohini, the mountain that dominates the Har-Ki-Dun valley. So how closer you come to heavens is quite impossible to say, but the panorama of the gorgeous settings amid the snow-clad peaks would be no less than a divine experience. This is the only valley from where you can see Godly Peaks like Swargarohini- I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak, all together. You can also see the beautiful Ruinsara Peaks from here. There is a chance to see the various species of birds and mammals growing in this region. You can also see a number of langoors near Puani Garaat. Har-Ki-Dun trek is heaven for nature lovers, adventure seekers and also shutterbugs.
Best Time to Visit: Har-Ki-Dun Trek is best for all the year to visit. Best time to visit Har-Ki-Dun is in summers (April-June) and winters (October-December). Best time to trek on Snow to Har-Ki-Dun is from January to March.
Drive to Sankri from Dehradun is an enchanting hill drive of 9-10 hours stretching over 188 Km ride via Mussoorie, Damta, Naugaon, Purola, Mori and Naitwar. Sankri is our base camp. It is a small but pretty and quiet village in the Uttarkashi district of Uttrakhand and the last road head to Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. You will go across beautiful valleys and forest cover throughout the journey. Stay will be in the Guest House/Camp/Home Stay on a sharing basis. The trail will commence the next morning at 07:00 AM with a healthy breakfast and a brief session of Har-Ki-Dun trek by Trekkaro team. Transport will be arranged at an additional cost from Dehradun Railway station to Sankri at 06:30 AM. Cost of the cab – Rs. 5,500/- per vehicle.
The trek begins from Taluka followed by a 10 Km trek to Puani Garaat which takes about 6 hours to reach there. After an initial trek to a valley along River Supin, you follow a path that would be interspersed with forests and bridges. No music can ever come close to what is at play here. Another hour of the trek and you reach a bridge on a tributary of Supin river. You’ll find a camping ground as you cross this bridge. After some more climbing, walking and crossing few more bridges, you’d reach Gangaad, a hamlet with few inhabitants. Green vegetation, wild orchids and majestic views of the impressive peaks would highlight, and at the same time, soothe this arduous trek. Overnight stay at Puani Garaat.
The day begins with a short trek along the river that takes you to Osla, a small village about 8,500 ft. above sea level; this village has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architecture of this temple is a miracle in itself. You may spend some time here and explore the village before moving on. There is one STD also in Osla but phone connectivity depends entirely on the weather. As you begin your trek from Osla, you would find steep terrain as well as level grounds. You’d have crossed two streams, with the second one having a wooden bridge for trekkers to walk over it. Subsequently, as you proceed ahead of a mountain bend, a series of grasslands would follow. Some of these have been used for cultivation at some point in time. With incline increasing gradually, you would find several huge boulders and tracts of grass. After crossing two more meadows, just below the valley over Supin, you’ll find a wooden bridge that leads you to the grasslands of Dev Thach, Bali Pass, and Ruinsara River. Walking past the wheat fields, you move to the inhabited areas as your trail ascends over the confluence of Ruinsara and Supin. From this vantage point, you will see the majestic views of Black Peak and Bandarpoonch. By the evening, you would reach your campsite Kalkatiyadhaar which takes about 6 hours.
The trek from Kalkatiyadhaar to Har-ki-Dun is 5 Km where you’d gain an elevation of 2,812 ft. On your right, you come across the pastures of Dev Thach, just where the two rivers meet. From this point, the valley bifurcates into two, with Har-Ki-Dun on the left and Ruinsara Taal, Bali Pass on the right. On your way, you could now have a glance at the peak of Har-Ki-Dun and Hata Peak. The grasslands and pine forests would give way to a small waterfall, and from here, a steep climbing for minutes would lead you to level land, with patches of snow becoming more and more prominent all along your path. Some more climbing would take you to a forest stretch with a gradual incline. Once you reach Har-Ki-Dun after crossing a wooden bridge, you’d see the valley dividing into two by a rivulet. The valley towards your left is going to Maninda Taal and Borasu Pass and the other; to Jaundar Glacier. This would include the proximate views of Swargarohini peaks and Jaundar Glacier. After spending some time at Har Ki Dun, we will return to Kalkatiyadhaar camp.
Trekking back to the village Puani Garaat would pass through Osla, this downhill trek would involve descending about 3,500 ft. in 5 hours. Wake up comfortably as the day is easy and start your 7 km of the trek after having breakfast. The mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas would always be encouraging and you would find several vantage points to capture the eternal charm of the snow-clad peaks. Camp at Puani Garaat.
Today you will be heading towards Taluka from where it all started approximately 10 km long trail counting about 5 hours. The trail is all the way along the river. Follow a path that would be interspersed with forests and bridges. The way back to Taluka is easy with consistent descents. After reaching Taluka then drive to Sankri, get settled in for an overnight stay in guest house/camp/homestay. Roam around this quiet village and learn some words of the local language, this is appreciated and often results in getting more out of the experience.
Depart from Sankri early in the morning, preferably before 07:00 AM since the journey takes 9-10 hours. Transport will be arranged at an additional cost from Sankri to Dehradun Railway Station at 07:00 AM. Cost of cab – Rs. 5,500/- per vehicle.
