You may find a wide variety of treks in Uttarakhand, but the Har ki Dun walk stands out as an unusual excursion that offers a great chance to see parts of the Himalayas that have not yet been explored. Har ki Dun, also known as the Valley of Gods, is a cradle-shaped formation in Govind Ballabh Pant National Park that sits at an elevation of 3,566 metres. Bandarpunch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini are just a few of the mountains that can be seen in their entirety from the valley’s vantage point.
The 7-8 day journey to Har ki Dun begins in Sankri and follows pathways carved out of the Himalayas over millennia, through lush alpine vegetation.
Har ki Dun, a mountain vista
The walk attracts adventurers from all across the country due to its widespread fame and many different names, including Hari ki Dhun and Har ki Doon. In order to get a glimpse of the flawless landscapes of the Himalayas, here is the perfect place to hide. Uttarkashi district is home to this valley, which is a major watershed for the Yamuna River.
Har ki Dun trek is a unique trekking destination in Uttarakhand, with convenient access to both airports and train stations in the nearby city of Dehradun. From Dehradun, the starting point of the Har ki Dun hike is around ten hours away in Sankri. The next stop is in Puani Garaat, and the journey there passes through Taluka, a quiet village rich in Kumauni traditions.
After leaving Puani Garaat, hikers head in the direction of Kalkattiyadhar. The distance between Kalkattiyadhar and Har ki Dun is around 10 kilometres, and it takes about 5 hours to reach the destination. On the way back to Dehradun, you’ll pass via the Himalayan village of Osla en route to Sankri.
Overview:
- The Uttarakhand Area
- The typical length of a trek is between 7 and 8 days
- Ease/Moderate Challenge
- Maximum Altitude: 4,000 metres/13,000 feet; Total Distance: 27 miles/43 kilometres
- The trail is a round one (Sankri – Har ki Dun – Sankri)
- Sankri is the base camp
- Best Time to Trek: Whenever the weather is nice, which is pretty much always. from December till April, snowfall is common in this area
Tourist Attractions on the Har ki Dun Trail
Locations visited during your hike include those listed below.
Govind National Park
The Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is a 958-square-kilometre protected area. The catchment area for the primary tributary of the River Yamuna includes the valleys of Rupin and Supin, which are located here. It has a wide range of plant life because of its location at the intersection of subtropical and temperate and alpine climate zones. Over 20 species of mammals and 100 species of birds may be found in this region, which is rich in Himalayan cedar, rhododendron, Himalayan yew, beech, Himalayan spruce, and spikenard.
Taluka locality
The distance from Sankri to Taluka village is around 9 miles. Tourists can stay in one of the cosy wooden homes in this picturesque village and have a home-cooked meal for very little money. Taluka is a great site to stop and learn about the culture of the distant Himalayan villages, with its roaring river and never-ending chats about the area.
Temple of Someshwar Mahadev
In Sankri, at the Someshwar Mahadev temple, people celebrate religious holidays and hold fairs regularly throughout the year. Deodar wood was used exclusively in the temple’s intricately carved Pahadi-style architecture. You can spend a few hours at the temple, which dates back to the time of the Pandavas, taking in the scenery of the Swargarohini mountains.
A Method for Attainment
About 220 kilometres separate the base camp in Sankri from Dehradun. The most reliable routes to the Har ki Dun hike are shown here.
Dehradun is easily accessible by air via the Jolly Grant Airport, with direct flights to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, etc. It is possible to take a taxi or a bus from the airport to Sankri. The trip from here to Sankri on the road takes about 10 hours.
In a Railcar
The Dehradun Terminal train station is conveniently located near numerous rail lines. The trip from Delhi to Dehradun is an overnight one. It is possible to reach Sankri from the train station via cab or bus.
Dehradun has excellent road connections. From Delhi and other places such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chandigarh, Shimla, Amritsar, etc., you can take a bus or hire a cab or taxi to get to Dehradun.
When to Go to Har ki Dun for the Best Weather
Har ki Dun is best hiked in the months of April through June and September through December. Nonetheless, you may only go snow trekking in the months of February and March. Time spent acclimating to the high elevations will pay dividends.
Summer
Throughout the summer, we had consistently mild temperatures. Clear, sunny weather has been keeping us comfortable on our travels. At night, temperatures can drop to as low as -1 degrees Celsius, so be sure to bring blankets.
Monsoon
Do not schedule your expedition for the monsoons. Landslides are a common occurrence along the path, and roads remain impassable.
Winter
The valley of Har Ki Dun is pristine throughout the winter months. During the winter months, snowfall is common in the area. In any case, there is a snag in the expedition: there is nowhere to stay. Pack your warmest coats, coats that can be used to protect you from the rain, fleece, thermals, etc. During this time, temperatures hover around -15°C (about 10°F).
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