Dehradun
Har Ki Dun trek is believed to be the route that had been traversed by the Pandavas when they were on their journey to heaven. Undoubtedly, the divine beauty of the ‘Valley of Gods’ reinstates one’s faith that this route shall lead one towards heaven. Har Ki Dun Valley is situated in Govind past Vihar National Park, at a height of 11,675 ft. In the bosom of the mighty Himalayas, lies the Har Ki Dun cradle-shaped valley blooming with flora and fauna, untouched by the urban civilization. The Har Ki Dun trek is a goldmine for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and lovers of photography.
The enchanting vista is complemented by Har Ki Dun weather which is perfect for both summer and winter treks. It offers to be a lovely destination for a summer holiday thus it is Har Ki Dun's best time for the trek. At the same time, it also is a perfect trek in winters if you have your eyes on a snow trek. The entire Har Ki Dun valley remains sheathed under a blanket of snow from December to April. Trekkers create the most memorable moments as they get to have a bonfire under the starlit night sky and discover the vibrant flora and fauna of the Valley of Gods.
Har Ki Dun Trek detaches one from the entire world and leads them on the path to connect with their soul. It is the perfect destination to relax, rejuvenate, and rediscover oneself. It is one of the best treks in Uttrakhand and therefore, makes it quite popular among enthusiastic trekkers. Har Ki Dun with its exotic scenic beauty and comfortable trek experience ensured by our expert guides shall be one of the best trekking choices that you will make!
Har Ki Dun is famous under the name of ‘Valley of Gods’. However, it has another literal meaning behind its name which is derived from local folklore. According to the folklore, a Dhaki (Drummer) while playing his Nagara (a drum) had got lost in the valley while searching Lord Someshwara (A form of Lord Shiva). ‘Har’ is often related to Lord Shiva. Thus, the valley received its name ‘Har Ki Dun’ which stands for ‘The sound of Shiva’ or ‘The Sound of God’. Here 'Dun' means sound. Thus, this is how the valley has its roots with the divine association.
Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri
Distance covered: Drive 197 km
All enthusiastic trekkers collect at Dehradun, a city with its own charm. Along with our well-trained guides and everyone ready for the journey ahead, we start our journey and drive towards what shall be the starting point of our trek – Sankri. The journey is full of mesmerizing views of the mountains and we shall often witness the Tons river that will run parallel to us as we move towards our destination.
Sankri is located in the Govind Pasu Vihar National Park at an altitude of 1950mts. It surprises one with its picturesque beauty and quite well-to-do facilities. Thus, after a 10-11 hour long drive, amidst which we shall make a few stops for lunch and refreshment we finally arrive at the secluded and calm village of Sankri.
On reaching Sankri, we shall check into the pre-booked hotel/ resort. A delicious dinner shall be served and everyone can relax from the tiring full day journey, as well as prepare themselves for the trek that shall follow the next day. If one feels like it, they can explore the Sankri village and interact with the locals. They can take a short tour of the village and its small markets. They can explore the indigenous crafts, home-grown eatables, and other native things Sankri has to offer.
The trek leader briefs us about what the course of the journey shall be for the next day. After this, we can tuck ourselves in our cozy beds to rest and prepare for the exciting journey which shall follow.
Day 2: Sankri to Taluka and Trek from Taluka to Ganghad
We wake up to a breath-taking sunrise at Sankri. This is definitely a sight one shouldn’t miss. It is best witnessed with the morning tea or coffee, as the sunrise hits the snow-peaked Swargrohini. Today is the day all the trekkers shall hit the road and embark upon an adventure. They are provided with a healthy and energizing breakfast. Everyone is expected to ensure they have a good supply of water bottles and a few energy-fuelling snacks that shall keep them hydrated and energized along the way.
We shall drive from Sankri to Taluka before we embark upon our trekking journey. On our way to Taluka, we get to experience more of the pine forests and meadows. Our drive comes to a stop at Taluka. Taluka is where the actual trek begins as everyone ascends towards Ganghad which is at a height of 2560mts. On our adventure, we get to cross the Tons river and move through Dhatmir village. One gets to experience the Himalayan flora and if lucky, we might spot Boars, Barking Deer, and other animals native to the region. Osla is where we have our campsite and once we reach our destination, we shall retire to our respective tents and relax. The evening shall be lively and entertaining as we will have a bonfire and sit and share tales under the clear starlit night sky. The experience is blissful due to the fresh and positive atmosphere of the campsite that lies amidst raw natural beauty. We will have a sumptuous dinner amidst this lovely ambiance and then retire to our beds, as the next day's trek shall be way more energy-consuming and adventurous.
Day 3: Ganghad to Kalkatidhar
Distance covered: 15 km
Today we shall trek to the main campsite which we all have been eager to set foot on since we set out on our journey to Har Ki Dun. The trek is an 11km terrain. As we start walking with our guides leaving the beautiful Osla village behind, we shall delve deeper into the lush green vegetation of the Himalayan region. We will walk through the meadows adorned by orchids and shall be able to view the lovely mountains enveloping the valley.
Day 4: Kalkatidhar to Jandhar Glacier to Kalkatidhar
Distance covered: 15 km
The sunrise at the Har Ki Dun valley looks astounding as the sun comes up from behind the mighty mountains and fills the valley up with the morning light. We shall have our breakfast amidst this natural ambiance and then prepare ourselves to embark further into the Uttrakhand trekking experience. One becomes quite familiar by now, with the Har Ki Dun trekking routine, and has well acclimatized to the Har Ki Dun weather. Thus, all prepared and belly –filled we embark upon our Har Ki Dun trekking trail once again.
Today, we shall be traversing almost 15kms from the campsite and back. We will visit the Jaundhar Glacier. The Jaundhar glacier is the summit of the Har Ki Dun valley trek and it is quite a huge glacier. The trail is grassy and snowy if you tend to trek in winters. On our way to Jaundhar glacier, we may witness a beautiful snowy trail in winter which makes the trek to Har Ki Dun one of the best treks in Uttrakhand. We spend a wonderful time trekking and exploring the region, clicking pictures, and doing a variety of activities or nothing at all (if that is what you please) but just taking in the natural beauty of the Har Dun valley has to offer. We then trek back to our campsite at Har Ki Dun and rest for the night after an exhausting but fulfilling day.
Day 5: Trek from Kalkatidhar to Osla
Distance covered: 11 km
Today’s trek shall take almost the entire day. However, the trek shall be easy because we will be traversing downhill. As we descend downhill, we shall cross a few villages on our way. The landscape and sceneries we will witness, seem to be right out of a painting. Har Ki Dun Valley Trek fuels your imagination and creative senses. It is one of the best treks to take up if you wish to take a break in life and simply be one with the source.
We reach Osla physically tired but mentally and emotionally fresher than we have ever been. We re-energize with a lovely dinner and it is advised to ensure that you are well hydrated after the entire trekking experience. We finally, rest the night at Osla as the next day we shall embark upon our final Har Ki Dun trek.
Day 6: Trek from Osla to Sankri
Distance Covered: 26 km
We spent a very relaxing night at the quiet village of Osla and today we shall hit the trail descending back to Sankri village. The journey is easy as we go downhill and experience the Himalayan beauty throughout the Har Ki Dun trek. On reaching Sankri, we can finally call it a day. Make sure you indulge yourself in the local cuisine and head out to explore the village of Sankri. You are at one of the best trekking destinations of Uttrakhand and it would be a shame to not familiarize yourself with the local lifestyle and all the exotic things the place has to offer.
People who were strangers earlier have now created some unforgettable bonds on this lovely Har Ki Dun trek experience. Others have to combat their fears and everyone has made little achievements on this amazing adventure. The Har Ki Dun trek is sure to be an enriching experience that adds so much value to your life.
Day 7: Sankri to Dehradun (Departure)
We check out of Sankri and hit the road to Dehradun. We shall drive and reach Dehradun by late evening. The wonderful trekking adventure of Har Ki Dun thus comes to a wonderful end and all the travelers depart to their respective destinations from here on.
If the user wishes to cancel any booking due to any reason whatsoever, the same shall be only valid if SAR OUTDOORS is notified of the cancellation in writing on its official address or via e-mail, at least 15 days before the commencement of the trip or adventure activity. Any refund due to the user, natural calamity, road blocks will be subject to cancellation charges by SAR OUTDOORS...Read More