Har ki Dun: A trek to the Valley of Gods!!

Any trekking adventure is incomplete without some thrill, natural beauty of lakes, rivers, mountains, amazing weather, dense forests, and many other factors. If I say all this you will get in one trek. Yes, the trekking adventure won’t be incomplete because Har ki Dun trek has all the things mentioned above. It is also known as the “Valley of Gods”.

Har ki Dun is perched at an elevation of 3500m above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The valley is nestled in the heart of the Govind Ballabh Wildlife Sanctuary. With serene views, amazing campsites, tranquil rivers, and vibrant aura Har ki Dun trek is a must-do adventure in Uttarakhand. The trek is an easy to moderate trek and perfectly suitable for beginners and experienced trekkers.

Important points about the trek:

1. Duration: 6-7 days
2. Distance: 47 km
3. Altitude: 3500m
4. Best time: Round the year (except monsoons)
5. Grade: Easy to moderate
6. Base camp: Sankri Village

The trek starts from Dehradun and further moves to the basecamp Sankri village. Sankri is a small picturesque village that also serves as a basecamp to so many other treks. The views of the snow-capped Himalayas, people of the village are very warm and welcoming. The trek passes from so many hamlets like Osla, Taluka, Seema, etc. Har ki Dun offers a chance to explore the lifestyle and culture of the villages. 

Staying at beautiful campsites on the trek is another adventure. Staying in tents near tranquil rivers, dense forests, lush meadows, along with the snow-capped Himalayas will be mesmerizing. The trail passes by lush meadows, exotic variety of flora & fauna, dense forest of oak & pines, scenic landscapes of mother nature.

Har ki Dun trek offers captivating views of Swargarohini-I, II, & III, Bandarpunch, and Kala Nag peaks of the Himalayas. As the valley is nestled in the wildlife sanctuary you can spot Himalayan birds & animals like black bears, Barasingha, wild boars, snow leopards, Himalayan monal, bearded vulture, etc.

According to mythology, Mahabharta characters have a great influence on the valley. It is believed that Yudhisthir went to heaven with a dog from Swargarohini peak and choose Har ki Dun valley as a path to reach the peak. You will hear a lot of stories of the ancient era fr0m the locals.

Reasons to do Har ki Dun Trek:

• There will be no chance of getting high altitude sickness because of the forest area all around.
• Exploration of the villages comes during the trek and get a chance to know the old era stories of Indian mythology.
• The trail is a bit moderate but it is a perfect trek for beginners.
• Get a chance to see the beautiful landscapes of nature, ravishing views of the Himalayas, dense forests, amazing serene beauty of nature, and an insight of Garhwali culture and heritage.
• Experience snow in the winter season and magical views of the valley when it covers in pristine white snow and looks like a wonderland.
• Discover and feast your eyes by lush meadows, wildflowers, and blooming colors of nature.

The best place to do photography and capture some amazing shots of nature.

Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Har ki Dun is from April to June and from September to December. In summers, see the lush beauty of the valley and green surroundings with sunny soothing weather. In the winter season, the region gets covered with pristine white fresh snow and offers a great experience of snow trekking. Monsoon season is not a great time to visit Har ki Dun due to heavy rainfall and the trail becomes risky and dangerous. 

Things to carry for Har ki Dun trek:

• Poncho
• Rain Coat or Umbrella
• Backpack
• Rain Cover
• Floaters
• Trekking Shoes
• 3 Pairs of Tees and Track Pants
• 3 Pair of Socks
• One Heavy Jacket (Down Feather preferable)
• Full Sleeve Sweater
• Fleece Jacket
• Sun Cap
• One Scarf
• Light towel
• Lip Balm
• Cold Cream & Sun Screen (SPF 40+)
• Water Bottle 1 Lt
• Headlamp or torch with fresh pair of batteries
• Personal Toilet Kit and toilet paper
• Personal Medicine Kit
• Dark Sunglasses

How to reach?
Har ki Dun trek starts from Dehradun. Dehradun is well-connected to all the major cities like Delhi. The basecamp Sankri village is 200km from Dehradun.
By air: Take a direct flight from Delhi to Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun. Then take a bus or taxi to reach Sankri village.
By rail: Take a direct train from Delhi to Dehradun railway station. Then take a taxi or bus to reach Sankri.
By road: There are a lot of buses available from Delhi to Dehradun.

Har ki Dun trek is a wonderful adventure to do in the winter season. If you are a snow lover then you should visit this place as it looks like a snowy wonderland. Har ki Dun is truly a paradise for adventure seekers, snow lovers, and nature lovers. Plan a week-long trip and experience the best of nature.
Live. Travel. Explore!!