Harkidun Trek

SHORT ITINERARY:

• To begin with, leave Dehradun as early as possible. It is about an 8-10 hour journey, approximately 200 km, and opens up gorgeous sights of the countryside, as you head toward Sankri, which is the base for the Har Ki Dun Trek.

• Mussoorie, Kempty Falls, Nainbagh, Yamuna River, terraced fields, and the Shivalik foothills which later merge into bigger more rugged mountains in Uttarakhand, have also been incorporated into this drive.

• Once you arrive at Sankri, a quaint little village set at 6400 feet, make your way to a guesthouse or a homestay. After which, enjoy the calm atmosphere which helps one relax and get used to the high altitude before embarking upon the excursion.

• Winter is here! Relish a sumptuous feast and soak up the awe-inspiring views of the mountains around.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

The Har Ki Dun Trek’s first day starts with a scenic drive from Dehradun to Sankri, which is the base for the trek. The drive takes about 8 to 10 hours and covers a distance of approximately 200 km. The route consists of picturesque sceneries which also include the Yamuna River and towns like Mussoorie, Kempty Falls, and Nainbagh before finally arriving at Sankri village.

Trying to look up the changing scenery, even while driving, one gets to detail how the Shivalik foothills slowly give way to the twisting mountains in Uttarakhand. There are towering green hills that switch to desolate alpine regions. You will see a few snow-laden peaks, tiny settlements, and terrace farms on the way that give a sense of the beauty that comes with the trek.

When reaching Sankri, you will book into either a guest house or homestay simply to rest after a tedious travel. At this point, it is ideal for the body to adjust to the height which is 6400 ft, and rest before the trek. Have a good warm meal and enjoy a captivating view of the remote area of Sankri at dusk, which is the center point of Har Ki Dun’s aged-old beauty.



SHORT ITINERARY:

• A 30-45 minute scenic drive with patches of green hilly area, and farmland, and some people see snow-capped mountains along the way.

• Arrive at the picturesque hamlet of Taluka, settled at the foot of snow-capped hills, from where your trek starts.

• Walk across streams through thick plantations of oak and deodar forests and get mesmerized by the Kalanag and Swargarohini peaks that you can see in the vicinity while trekking.

• You will reach the majestic meadow at around 8,200 feet which is encircled by cliffs and draped in grass while tall mountains dominate the skyline.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

The Har Ki Dun Trek has its second day uphill when you extend your journey from Sankri to Taluka, which lies merely 12 km away. The ride is quite pleasant as one gets to see a lot of lush green vegetation and also some farming and villages in between. With the serpentine roads, the snow-capped peaks as well as the steep hills that surround the area come briefly into view. The area is a mix of calmness and beauty allowing every incoming visitor to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

Reaching Taluka will also introduce you to another lovely village that marks the beginning of your trek which is also the last destination for any vehicles. Taluka is a beautiful village strewn with typical houses, rich with alpine vegetation, and bounded by snow-peaked hills. From here, the trek starts through Har Ki Dun Trek with the route taking you across thickly wooded oak and deodar forests. One can hear the sound of the rushing water constantly because the trail follows the Supin River which flows along the route.

The distance between Puani Garaat and the athlete is about 6 – 7 km which is likely to take an estimated time of 4 – 5 hours depending on the efforts of the person in completion and the breaks taken by the individual. The trail steeply rises above the ground level passing through lush green trees with an aerial view of both Kalanag and Swargarohini mountains uphill. During the course, you will also find two to three small streams which add beauty to the trail. Surrounding the forests are several bird species and wildlife, making the area an excellent nature adventure.

Towards the late afternoon, you will get Puani Garaat, a beautiful meadow with an elevation of approximately 8200 feet, where you can either pitch a tent or overnight stay in a simple home stay. The exquisite location encircled by high summits and grassy wooded cliffs is perfect for unwinding. When night descends on the valley, grab a strong meal, and after a hard day’s work, star gaze as the clear skies prepare for tomorrow’s challenge.

SHORT ITINERARY: 

• A moderate morning walk will be pleasant for you as you make your way out of Puani Garaat and walk towards Simatra. The first part of the route is rather steep and then an easier section follows through the beautiful oak, pine, and rhododendron woods.

• This is particularly interesting because as you walk, not only do you get brilliant sights of the hills and the valleys but even the Supin River flows along with you during the walk which adds great value to the views.

• Osla is one such village, an ancient Garhwali settlement with charming wooden houses. Another attraction is the Duryodhana Temple in town, a temple of Duryodhana Kaurava which gives the visitors an idea of how the local people live and their belief system.

• Osla is a lovely little village located in the heart of green fields and streams in a valley. Pitch a tent or retire to a guesthouse for the night and think back about the day’s journey.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

On Day 3 of the Har Ki Dun Trek, you will shift from Puani Garaat to Simatra with several haltovers, including Osla village, which displays scenic beauty and cultural aspects. This day’s trek spans a fundamental distance of up to 12-14 km over six to seven hours subject to individual speed.

As one exits Puani Garaat, the trail begins with an extending first level steep and then comes a little gradual in the charm of matured oak, pine, and rhododendron forest. The chirping of birds and rustle of leaves along the track marks a very enjoyable moment. You will be mesmerized by the beautiful vistas of nearby hills, and you will not lose sight of the Supin River throughout your travel as it flows in the valley, which is a captivating beauty.

First and foremost, a place worth visiting is Osla, a quaint village that provides an insight into the customary Garhwali lifestyle. The inhabitants of the village follow a distinct type of wooden architecture, with regional houses constructed in the conventional form. Osla is also where the Duryodhana Temple is located, which is devoted to the Kaurava prince Duryodhana from the epic Mahabharata. It is a significant temple in culture and faith, and visiting the site gives an understanding of the locals’ faith and practices.

The next stop on the journey is towards Simatra, a more peaceful part of the valley. From here on, the path familiarizes itself with a bi-directional movement with some slopes and valleys along with green fields and a few streams here and there. It has been an interesting trekking expedition so far. In the daytime, the group comes across Simatra and has an option of using the campsite or a guesthouse for lodging. After a long and tiresome day of walking, there is no better place than the ‘valley of the world’ to fall asleep. Endure the evening with a hot meal because tomorrow it will bring some more adventure toward the Har Ki Dun Trek.

SHORT ITINERARY:

• Eat your meals with satisfaction and hike up to Har Ki Dun which is nearly 6-7 km from the Simatra. Such a journey takes about three to four hours and is mostly easy, through meadows, dense bushes, and jars of streams.

• When you arrive at Har Ki Dun do not forget to enjoy what you have climbed the whole way for. The very beautiful deep valley, with the polite surroundings of the Swargarohini range, and exquisite views from the top. The serene landscapes and the still waters of Har Ki Dun Lake beside many other locations make one of the best locations for any photography enthusiast.

• You may also opt to trek towards the Jaundhar Glacier and capture breathtaking views of glaciers and steep mountains.

• Rush back to Simatra after exploring the valley by noon. Experience the beauty en route on the return through Har Ki Dun and develop a campsite for the night.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

The fourth day of the Har Ki Dun trek is going to be dedicated to capturing memories in the gorgeous Har Ki Dun Valley. Simatra provides an excellent breakfast and prepares the tired little legs for conquering the short stretch of Har Ki Dun. The area is approximately 6-7 km away in a straight line. It distances the trekkers a hike of 3-4 hours, depending on how very quick or slow the trekkers move. A bigger proportion of this climbing distance is quite even and passes through several beautiful meadows, thick bushes, and timely streams with views of bare and beautiful hills.

When you reach Har Ki Dun, one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of the Himalayas will be staring back at you. The valley has plenty of life within it, additional beauties in the forms of the Swargarohini range and the deep waters of Har Ki Dun Lake. You can stroll around the valley and enjoy its peaceful surroundings, or move towards the Jaundhar Glacier for an astonishing view of the glaciers and the peaks around it. The unspoiled beauty of this place and the panoramic views of this region are a treat to the eye and must be captured in photographs by everyone visiting here.

After a short adjournment after the valley exploration, you will continue towards Simatra by around noon. The return trek is just as picturesque towards the distant valley of Simatra, where you will get to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature once again while camping out for the night. Have a hot drink and some food while thinking about the beautiful scenery that you have just experienced.

SHORT ITINERARY:

• Descend from Simatra and begin your day’s hike through the beautiful forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron since their shade will protect you from the sun at this time.

• Crossing more streams as they are typically present in this region and we hear the sound of water while walking making this whole experience a bit more tranquil.

• The trail takes you through alpine meadows making a promise of beautiful mountain views that are hidden by thick forests. Such natural beauty makes the whole trip memorable.

• After a 5-6 hours trek, Puani Garaat is where one finally gets to have their long painful journey end. One starts preparing a campsite for themselves which has a great view point over the mountains followed by a well-required rest.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

You will be retracing your steps to Puani Garaat from Simatra on the fifth day of the Marine Trek. The route constantly offers breathtaking views and gives one the chance to appreciate the region’s charms. The trek is around 10-12 kilometers long and would require an estimated duration of 5-6 hours.

The way begins with the descent from Simatra which takes you through pine, oak, and rhododendron forests. As you descend, the cool shade of these trees protects you from the sun’s assaults. You will traverse a few streams and small riverbeds, the gurgling water eases the sounds of nature. The path can be sometimes rough and narrow, challenging in some aspects, while all surrounding nature and environment make up for this.

Through the walk, you will walk past alpine meadows and be able to see some of the mountains that were previously concealed behind the thick forest cover. In the afternoon, you will reach Puani Garaat where you should be able to make camp for the night. Take in the sights of the area, with the high mountains at your back, and rest. After a long day of great views, have a hot dinner and go to sleep for the upcoming trip.

SHORT ITINERARY: 

• Start your retracing from Puani Garaat towards Taluka by covering around a distance of 12-14 km. The descent takes around 5-6 hours and has many views of the forest, rivers, and villages as well as beautiful scenery.

• Pass through cool Oaks, Pines, and Deodars that provide a mild temperature and a pleasant mountain breeze during the trek. A number of small riverbeds and streams are crossed in the valley.

• For a moment, pause at Taluka enjoy the quiet gaze amidst nature, and think of the trek. From here one moves on towards Sankri.

• Finish the trek with the last leg to Sankri where after staying in a guest house or a campsite, one can once again enjoy the beautiful views remaining the last one before falling back after the Har Ki Dun Trek.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

During Day 6 of the Har Ki Dun Trek, you will start to walk back to Sankri from Puani Garaat. The length of the trail is around 12-14 kilometers which should take about 5 to 6 hours, depending on how fast you walk and how many breaks you take. The end part of the trek provides a fresh view of the same features that you had previously seen, that is the mountains, rivers, forests, and the villages on this landscape.

You will be introduced to a mild slope and this will increase as you walk down through the dense forests that are known to comprise many different animals and breathe in the crisp air of the mountains. The shade from the oak, pine, and deodar trees slants and enhances the beauty of the surroundings. Because you will be stepping over many small riverbeds and small streams, it makes the experience refreshing. The beautiful meadows and terraced fields gradually come into sight as you head toward Taluka, the village from which you have set out for the trek.

Take a short break at Taluka before you resume your journey to Sankri on the last part of the trek. The trail has outstanding views of the landscape rounding the valleys and mountain summits, so you will have an exciting climax to the end of the trek. After reaching Sankri, you may opt to spend the night in any guesthouse or campsite depending on your needs. After the satisfying trek, you may take some time off and relax as you remember the day during your Har Ki Dun Trek.

SHORT ITINERARY:

• Hearty breakfast is followed by an understated, but nevertheless, challenging 200km drive from Sankri to Dehradun which is naturally going to take some 8-10 hours.

• The drive involves a panoramic view of amazing mountain-shaped zigzag roads, beautiful people, and their terraced agriculture or greener valleys blessed with breathtaking sights of the Shivalik Hills and thick green trees in the region.

• On the way down, Mussoorie and Nainbagh are the places to go to gain experience on the eventual shift from high mountains to the low hill ranges of Uttarakhand.

• The trek draws to a close upon your arrival in Dehradun. Reading about and picturing the magnificent terrain, the villages and their people, and the successful completion of the Har Ki Dun Trek are all delightful.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

To conclude your Har Ki Dun Trek, take a long but beautiful ride to Dehradun. After having an early breakfast in Sankri, the team will set out to cover the 200 km distance to Dehradun within 8-10 hours. Most people enjoy the drive as a time to sit back and cherish the memories of the great trek they have just completed and the cool atmosphere in the Himalayas.

The road leads you through curvy mountain roads, quaint villages, terraced farms, and green valleys. Through Nainbagh and Mussoorie, the hills gradually lose their height to the dense population of Uttarakhand. The scenery decreases in height from the high mountains to the base of the Shivalik Hills. Along the way, rivers and very dense forests can be seen

Although the drive will take some time, the landscapes change with time which makes the trip enjoyable. Also, after reaching Dehradun, the Har Ki Dun Trek comes to an end where you get to take memories of magnificent views, pretty villages, and the overall pride of accomplishing this beautiful trek in the Himalayas. You will be taken to the pre-arranged point in Dehradun from where you can proceed with the further journey or rest and contemplate on the wonderful trip.