Introduction
Trekking in Uttarakhand is abundant, but the Har ki Dun trip stands out as an unusual adventure that offers a unique opportunity to see parts of the Himalayas that have yet to be fully explored. Har ki Dun, located in India’s Govind Ballabh Pant National Park at an elevation of 3,566 metres, is known as the “Valley of Gods” because of its distinctive cradle-shaped rock structure. Visibility of significant mountains such as Bandarpunch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini is excellent from the valley floor.
The Har ki Dun trek is a 7-8 day excursion that begins in Sankri and follows ancient mountain trails through pristine alpine terrain.
About the Har ki Dun
The trip, known by a variety of popular names like Hari ki Dhun and Har ki Doon, draws thrill-seekers from all over India. It’s the best way to get a glimpse at the stunning landscapes of the Himalayas without actually going there. The Yamuna River System has its origins in this valley, which is part of the Uttarkashi district.
The closest airport and train station to the offbeat trip to Har ki Dun in Uttarakhand are both in the city of Dehradun. From Dehradun, Sankri—the starting site of the Har ki Dun trek—is about a 10-hour journey. The next stop is at Pauni Garaat, and the way there passes through Taluka, a quiet village rich in Kumauni traditions.
The trail continues from Puani Garaat to Kalkattiyadhar. Getting to Har ki Dun from Kalkattiyadhar requires a journey of about 5 hours due to the distance of about 10 kilometres. On the way back to Dehradun, you’ll pass via the Himalayan village of Osla en route to Sankri.
Locations Worth Seeing on the Har ki Dun Trek
Along your journey, you will visit the following locations:
Foremost, the Govind National Park
The total land area of the Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is 958 square kilometres. The catchment area for the primary tributary of the River Yamuna includes the valleys of Rupin and Supin, which are located here. It has varied vegetation because of its location in the tropics, the temperate zone, and the alps. It is possible to see more than 20 different kinds of mammals and 100 different kinds of birds thanks to the presence of Himalayan cedar, rhododendron, Himalayan yew, beech, Himalayan spruce, and spikenard.
Taluka village
Getting to the town of Taluka from Sankri is a near 10 mile journey. A collection of wooden cottages welcomes guests for overnight stays and meals at low prices in this picturesque village. Taluka is a great place to rest and get a feel for the local culture of the Himalayan villages you’ve been passing through with its roaring river and never-ending chatter about the area.
Temple of Someshwar Mahadev
There are celebrations and fairs held regularly at the Someshwar Mahadev temple in Sankri. The temple’s Pahadi-style building features intricately carved Deodar woodwork. During your visit to this Pandava-era temple, be sure to bring your camera so you can capture the stunning views of the Swargarohini peaks.
Getting to
The distance between Sankri‘s base and Dehradun is around 220 kilometres. Listed here are the most reliable routes to get you to the starting point of the Har ki Dun hike.
Dehradun is easily accessible by air via the Jolly Grant Airport, with direct flights to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, etc. You can take a taxi or a bus to Sankri from the airport. The trip to Sankri takes around 10 hours by car.
The train terminal in Dehradun has excellent connections to the rest of the country. From Delhi, the trip to Dehradun is an overnight one. It is possible to reach Sankri from the train station by taking a taxi or a bus.
You may easily reach Dehradun by car. Dehradun is easily accessible by bus or taxi from Delhi and other major Indian towns such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chandigarh, Shimla, Amritsar, etc.
The Ideal Time to Hike Har ki Dun
Har ki Dun is best hikes in the months of April through June and September through December. However, 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. The weather has been perfect, with blue skies and sunny days that have made the trip enjoyable. It could get as cold as -1 degrees Celsius at night, so pack accordingly.
Monsoon
Do not schedule your expedition for the monsoons. Landslides are a constant threat on the route, and traffic is still backed up on the roadways.
Winter
The valley of Har Ki Dun is particularly beautiful during the winter. During the winter months, snowfall is common in this area. However, difficulties arise during the journey because of a lack of suitable lodgings. Pack your warmest coats, shirts, pants, thermals, rain gear, and so forth. This is when you may expect temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celsius.
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