Har Ki Dun TrekKing
Valley of Pandavas
Considered one of the best hikes that the country can offer, the Har Ki Dun trekking is an adventurous trip to one to the most mesmerizing valleys in the western Himalayas. Nestled in the middle of a valley below the Har Ki Dun summit, it is a trekking treat in both summer and winter.
Govind National Park. This path takes us through a plethora of landscapes including green fields, glaciers, earliest villages, mountainous forests and residual ridges.
- Mind you, this hike also takes you through a mystic journey. It is said the Pandavas had taken the same path while ascending to heaven through the Swargarohini, the mountain that towers over the valley. Apart from the Ruinsara peaks visible from the valley, it has to be the only trek which gives you’re a review CWC a verve
- the views of Bandapunch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini I, II, III together making it unique.
Speaking of valleys, you must wonder which river made this ridge. The answer is River Supin that is indigenous to these parts of Uttarakhand. The trek is incredibly beautiful, albeit not an easy one. The most beautiful part of Har ki dun trekking is the landscape view, which we get during the trek.
- 1. This makes it uncommon for humans to trek here often, which allows animals and birds to thrive in this area. If you’re lucky, you should be able to see swamp deer, black Utilityyour the gfvfbears and wild boars. While you near PuaniGaraat, you can catch glimpses of languor families. But the winner has to be the colorful Himalayan Monal that guggvgis very coCr
- 2. Erbmmon in these forests, which also is the State Bird of Uttarakhand.
This har ki dun trekking also lets you explore one of the oldest parts of the countryside. Well, India itself is quite ancient, but Har ki dun has some different & Interesting feelings.
B. the lifestyle obeying the people and villages here have prevailed over the centuries, imbibing the roots on which they were founded.
Day 1: Dehradun – Sankri
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 193 km
- Tip: get ready to make memories
Apart from Har Ki Dun trek, we have many more treks either already set up or planned in the future. But what remains common for some of these treks is the base camp, Sankri. It is a pretty little hamlet in Uttarakhand about 193 km from Dehradun. There are only about 250 houses in this village and the economy is dependant on dhabas and shops that cater to the trekkers that pass through. The village is beautiful, especially in the evenings, when you can see the Swargarohini from faraway and the Greater Himalayas basking in the setting sun.
We start from Dehradun Railway Station in the morning at 6.30 a.m. and take the route through Nainbagh, Naugoan, Purola, Jarmola, Mori Naitwar and finally Sankri.
Day 2: Sankri (6390 ft) to PuaniGaraat (8280 ft) via Taluka
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water from Sankari or refill from the natural sources on your way
We start from Sankri towards Taluka. Our trek starts from Taluka towards PuaniGaraat, which will be our overnight camp. There is a road that connects Sankri with Taluka for 12 kms that should take roughly about an hour to cover.
Taluka is a small village made of fairly modern homes as compared to the villages nearby like Osala, Gangarh, and Sankri which are almost 300 years old.
We take the trail adjacent to the guest house that descends down to the Supin river valley. Keeping the river on the right, we move through forests on the shepherd’s trail.
The walk is level and should take you along the river for the next 10 minutes. Upon reaching the cement bridge we keep walking further for another 10 minutes till we come upon the wooden bridge.
This route will take us uphill for the next 15 mins to a clearing next to the river. We can set up an emergency camp here if required to rest from the drive and the walking. Upon continuing the trek, for around 15 mins we should reach a point where a tributary joins the River Supin.
We then reach Datmir Village. Below the village, we have a wooden bridge that will help us cross the river. In a couple of minutes, we will reach a camping ground. This will lead us to the inner part of the valley leading two routes. One ascending and one going ahead. We will be taking the route straight ahead to reach our destination.
The trail now gets tricky as we are now in a landslide-prone area. We continue walking for 10 to 15 minutes to find a clearing built by the Shepherds to set up temporary shelters. The hike gets slightly difficult from here as you we alternate between uphill and level climbs.
After 10 minutes of climbing, we reach the first landslide-prone section of the valley. The next stage is to reach a wooden bridge across the River Supin after a walk of 20 minutes. We will not be using this bridge but instead will walk ahead until the trail turns steep and winding. This is going to take around 15 – 20 minutes to cover. The monsoons can make this train muddy, but the hike gets pretty level after a while. Just before we pick up on the trail, we approach a stream that is flowing down the hill beside you.
The trail now ascends into the forest. We hike for the next 40 minutes to come by the village called Gangarh. Upon reaching Gangarh we locate the dhaba by taking the diversion on the right next to a wooden bridge to camp overnight next to the dhaba.
Day 3: PuaniGaraat (8280 ft) to Kalkatiyadhar (8970 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 6-7 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 6 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail
We begin the day with a trek towards Osala Village. To do this we would have to simply cross the bridge ahead and walk alongside River Supin till we reach Osala. It is a small hamlet at a height of 8.5K ft above the sea level. We will be spending a little time here before moving on.
The trek from here is quite pleasant as the walk is quite level. It may get a little steep for a while, but that will be made up by the beautiful sight that is in store. We will be crossing two streams in a 30-minute walk. The second one has a wooden bridge running over it. After crossing the bridge and traversing around the mountain bend, we will be facing a sequence of meadows in the front. We need to walk for 15 more minutes which will bring us to some clearings.
From this point, we have a long walk of 90 minutes ahead of us that takes us through an eventful hike around mountain bends, cultivated lands, huge fields of boulders and knolls. Still ahead, there is a makeshift wooden bridge and above it is the Supin valley.
We will ignore this bridge and proceed forward to go on toward Har Ki Dun. While we ascend the hill we can view the convergence of Supin and Ruinsara below us, while looking at Mount Dhauladhar with all its snow-capped glory above.
Though the landscape around us is beautiful, the climb will get pretty steep from here onwards. Kalkatiyadhaar, at 8,956 ft. will be our next campsite. This flat land also has a view of Kalanag, Bandar pooch ranges in the distance.
Day 4: Kalkatiyadhaar (8970 ft) to Har-ki-dun (11500 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 5.5 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 5 km
- Tip: get ready to make memories
The convergence of the rivers divides the large valley into two parts. While we cross this area, the Dev Thach meadows will be flowing on our right. We would be ascending above 3000 metres for the first time at this point.
Among the divided valleys, the Har Ki Dun is on the left while Bali Pass goes to the right. Upon crossing the mountain bend the view of the Har Ki Dun peak is unveiled in front of you while its valley resides below. We will descend down through pine forests and meadows for another 4 km to reach the campsite. The hike soon levels out after about 20 minutes of walk.
The trail then has multiple streams and forests to cross. Most noticeably are the pine forests with the Rhododendrons growing alongside them. This adding on to the stream flowing down the mountain paints a very peaceful picture in mind. While the relaxation looms over you, pause for a while to breathe in the fragrance of cedar, pine, blue poppy and the fresh mist sprayed by the stream. After another 20 minutes, you will reach a waterfall.
We can use this space here for a rest stop. From this point, if you are traveling on this hike during the first part of the calendar year be prepared to be amazed as you will find snow in your path gradually increasing as you progress.
A level walk of 15 minutes should bring you to another wooden bridge. The next hike will be over rocks for 10 minutes to reach a camping ground ahead of a forest stretch. A 30-minute climb within this forest should bring you to the Forest Guest house huts on the left side of the valley. This will be visible over a small crest. The last 10-minute walk is fairly easy and exhilarating as you soak in the view from across the last bridge.
Cross River Supin towards the camping ground next to it to reach Har Ki Dun. The entire view is of the valley divided by a stream called Kamanasha that leads to two valleys. Taking the left one would bring you to ManindaTaal and Borasu Pass while the right one will take you to the Jaundar Glacier.
Day 5: Exploring the Har-ki-Dun campsite
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail.
After a whole day of har ki dun trekking over bridges, meadows, boulders, and woodlands it is only fair that we spend an entire day Har Ki Dun campsite. And considering the view of this valley, it is hard to argue that logic.
While the stream plays a beautiful tune with its waves, the mountains surrounding you form the auditorium on the set. Look out for the Swargarohini 1 peak which will be right in front of you. It will take you an entire hour to explore the campsite which is filled with alpine meadows
Hike to ManindaTaal (4 km, 3-4 hours)
Alternately, coming this far and not visiting ManindaTaal seems unfair. We continue on the meadows on the left towards Hata Peak i.e. we take the valley on the left. The route curves left as you reach a glacial lake that is ManindaTaal.
Hike to ManindaTaal (4 km, 3-4 hours)
If you still have it in you from the previous day’s exciting trek and are willing to go on for another 9 km, take the right valley towards Swargarohini I. This will bring you to a ground covered in snow.
On the left, you will find a snowy slope which you can use to snow slide before we proceed. Upon crossing the second ridge and 20 minutes uphill walk; you will reach the third hill. From here, after a steep climb, you would have made it to the fourth and the fifth ridge. Walking a few more miles will mark the end of the climb as the sixth ridge. The glacier is located between two pillar-like peaks.
Day 6: Har ki Dun (11500 ft) to PuaniGaraat (8280 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 11-12 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail.
We start the day early as we have a lot of ground to cover on the same route that we came on. We will first head back to Kalkatiyadhaar and then towards Osala. After a small rest stop at Osala, we will move to PuaniGaraat and camp there for the night.
Day 7: PuaniGaraat (82800 ft) to Taluka (8690 ft) and then drive to Sankri
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or carry from the natural source alongside the trail
We trek from PuaniGaraat to Taluka, which is around 13 kms hike. From Taluka we resume the four wheeler drive for the 12 kms to Sankri. You can also choose to hike the entire day to Sankri which can be exhausting but is doable as the trek is mostly descended and level walks.
We start the day early as we have a lot of ground to cover on the same route that we came on. We will first head back to Kalkatiyadhaar and then towards Osala. After a small rest stop at Osala, we will move to PuaniGaraat and camp there for the night.
Day 8: Drive from Sankri back to Dehradun
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 193 km
- Tip: left mountain and trail clean
A long day’s journey via Purola, Mussorie to Dehradun. We can guarantee you that, after completing your har ki dun trekking you will realize that you got the best trekking experience at best and lowest har ki dun trek cost
Fitness Tips for the Mountains:
The Mountaineer Fitness Plan starts with training both the Mind & Body. It’s a physically grueling task to trek a mountain, but the mindset wins it all in the end and the body will come to the rescue. Persistence consists of 50% you Mind & 50% your Body.
We at Discovery Hike believe that with our Mantra of SSS, you get in the right shape of mind and body before you come to trek with us. Whether you are a Beginner or a Pro. An adult or a teenager you follow this regiment for 30 days prior to your Trek, it will provide you the desired results.
What is the SSS, you ask? It is:
Stamina
Strength
Stretch
Stamina – You will need to particularly enhance your current stamina to a fiercer one to undertake any Trek. You will need spare 30 – 45 Daily for this activity and increase it based on the Trek.
You will need to start with walking 4 km & more gradually. Effectively your goal will be to walk for 4+km a day.
Once you have successfully completed walking, turn this into running/jogging for the same distance. Effectively your goal will be to run 4+ km a day
Strength – Working on Stamina is just restricted to your running. Strength is working on various parts of your body to compliment your Stamina. Upper Back, Lower Back, Core, Legs, Arms & more.
Upper Body – You will need to do Push-ups after you have done with your running exercise. You will need to make it 5 – 10 push-ups a day. Repeat the same in sets of 3 daily. Effectively your goal will be to reach 15 – 30 push-ups daily.
Lower Back – Perform a Plank starting with 30 seconds a Day. Add 10 – 15 seconds more daily to improve the strength you add to you core. Effectively your goal will be to perform a Plank for 3 – 5 minutes.
Arms – You can do lights lifts in the Gym. If not the gym, you can use a heavy book or object & move it towards your shoulder without losing form & repeat the same for both arms for about 30 times in sets of 3. Effectively your goal will be to perform 100 lifts in each arm.
Legs – You will have to start with squats of 5 – 10 in sets of 3. Alternatively, you can also do Wall sits-up of 5 – 10 in sets of 3. Effectively your goal will be to perform 15 – 30 squats/sit-ups.
Core – You will need start with crunches of 5 – 10 in sets of 3 and keep adding more towards by the day. This will build not just the core but your Lower back & Stamina too. Effectively your goal will be to reach 30 – 50 squats in a day.
Stretch – Probably the most neglected but the most crucial part of the exercise Stretching. This will enable all your muscles to stay intact & be activated rather than cramping. It will improve your performance in all activities you undertake. decrease your risk of injuries, help in your joints movements & enable your muscles to work at their best.
Shoulder stretches
Wrist stretches
Hamstring stretches
Calf stretches
Mental Health – The other 50% of your Training comes from Mental Wellness. This will surely help you when you are faced against the harness of nature to give you the strength required to overcome obstacles of any kind. The best mind that can achieve this is a calm mind. We recommend that you partake in Yoga for some Mental Rest & Relaxation.
Take slow, deep breaths. Or try other breathing exercises for relaxation
Soak in a warm bath
Listen to soothing music
Practice mindful meditation
Sleep early and Rise Early
Hope the above suggestions proved to be useless. These are merely guidelines to be in the right shape of Mental & Physical state. If you are already following a regiment that is suitable to your body, we suggest that you continue. This is for Beginners and Start-up kit for those who are about to undertake the Trek with us.
BMI CUTOFF
BMI for different trek grade conditions are different. If anyone above the cutoff will be considered as overweight and not be allowed to trek with us.
BMI cut off for high altitude trek
| 1. | BMI For easy trek | Not above 29 |
| 2. | BMI for moderate trek | Not above 28 |
| 3. | BMI for difficult trek | Not above 27 |
BP CUT OFF
BP cut off is different for different altitude. If BP is above our cutoff the trekker need to Decent down as soon as possible to the core base. Higher reading is dangerous.
Bp cut off for high altitude trek
| 1. | Systolic reading | Not more than 160 |
| 2. | Diastolic reading | Not more than 100 |
Hiking Shoes for Har Ki Dun Trek
Type: Since the terrain and difficulty in the har Ki Dun trekking vary, you will need to choose the right kind of grip and sole for the shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistant shoes with a deep, flexible sole for all kinds of terrain and weather you will face.
Importance: Your shoes protect your feet over the course of the Har Ki Dun Trek. Different terrains pose different threats and the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack for the Har Ki Dun Trek
Type: This purely depends on the kind of trek you are undertaking
- For Short Treks 1 – 3 Days duration – 15 litres to 20 litres
- For Long Treks 3 – 10 Days duration – 40 litres to 60 litres
Importance: Your backpack is as important as your shoes. Your backpack will be with you for the entire trek route and it contains all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the backpack and choose it according to the trek, your height & the comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is a 10 litres – 15 litresBackpack that you need to have with you on the trek for the Summit
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days of the Har Ki Dun trek when you just need your basic essentials with you.
Clothing for Har Ki Dun trek
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm-up to -10 degrees
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – You will only require 1 pair of this in the Winter, Summer is optional. It should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep your warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need a minimum of 2 pairs of Trekking Pants with you always. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides you maximum comfort to you and is durable.
Collared T-shirts – Carrying 2 – 3 pairs are normally recommended. The collar will help to keep the neck from being too exposed to the Sun and getting sunburnt.
Sun Caps – At high Altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool.
Woolen Caps – The nights get very cold in the Mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Waterproof Gloves:You will need water-proof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Trek. Keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly to give you the grip and firmness you need.
Trek Accessories
Trekking Pole: The Har Ki Dun Trek difficulty can be eased out by carrying one of our Trekking/Hiking poles and it saves almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope at high altitude regions. We make it mandatory to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our treks. You can hire a trekking pole from Discoveryhike
Head-lamp or Torch: A Head-Lamp is also mandatory for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places. In case, you are unable to procure a Head-lamp then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We request you carry all your toiletries and all other hygiene essentials yourself for the Har Ki Dun trek to avoid borrowing. The basic items needed for the Har ki Dun trek are toothpaste, toothbrush, lip balm, moisturizer, face-wash, toilet rolls and sanitary pads
Bottles and Boxes: We recommend you carry two 1 liter bottles to keep yourself hydrated throughout the har ki dun trekking route. For both convenience and hygiene, we suggest you carry your own lunch boxes to eat the food we provide.
Mandatory Documents to bring:
Carry these documents mentioned below and hand them over to the trek leader at the base camp. You need to bring one copy of the Disclaimer and one photocopy & Original copy of government photo ID.
You also need to bring the Medical certificate approval from the doctor that you are physically fit for high altitude point.
Risk and challenges are part of everyone’s lives; without taking risks and facing challenges one cannot aim to achieve what he wants to be. These challenges help inculcate in us, life skills needed to survive through tough situations. Discovery hike considers this our motto – to prepare an individual to face the risks of life, the challenges that come their way and how to overcome it.
Trekking, directly and indirectly, helps develop these qualities and also helps us with quick decision-making techniques according to circumstances. It helps you to learn the working of nature and the strong impact of the environment on one’s life,
It is most important to enlighten our trekkers that there are some risks and challenges that they may meet with on the Har ki Dun trekking route or any other circumstance in life.
However, these risks can be avoided or approached effectively if we are proactive. The discovery hike has made all arrangements and taken enough precautions to avoid any mishaps. Let’s discuss some common risks and challenges along with the Har ki Dun trek map and ways to avoid them.
How to get to the basecamp – Sankri
Delhi → Dehradun → Sankri
We start off the Har Ki Dun Trek from Sankri, a small village 196 kms away from Dehradun.
On Day 1, Discovery Hike transport departs from Dehradun station at 6.30am to Sankri. The fare of the mini-cab is Rs.5900 and this cab can accommodate 5 to 6 trekkers. The cost of the tempo traveler is Rs 9000 per vehicle. You are expected to arrive and contact the driver before the departure from Dehradun station to ensure that there is no inconvenience caused for other trekkers.
The journey to Sankri along the banks of the River Tons is a splendid drive. We would passing through the most famous and picturesque hill station of all times, the Mussoorie. Estimated time of arrival at Sankri is 6.30 pm.
How to get to Dehradun?
Option1.
Delhi –> Dehradun
Take the overnight train from Delhi train to get to Dehradun. The train 12205 Nandadevi express departs Delhi at 23.50 pm and reaches Dehradun by 5.40 am. You can wait at the station and call your driver.
Option2.
Delhi –> Dehradun
You can take the afternoon rail to Dehradun from Delhi. The 12055 DDN Jan Shatabdi leaves the Dehradun station at 15.20pm and reaches the previous night by 21.10pm.
Delhi –> Dehradun
If you cannot find a train, then take a bus. There are frequent busses that depart from ISBT Delhi AnandVihar Station. It is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. Please do note that if you leave around 7 pm from Delhi you will reach Dehradun by 6am in the morning.You can also book ticket online from Red bus app
Book your tickets way in advance so that you have enough time to make it to Dehradun without any delay for the pick-up, since the buses usually get delayed.
You can also book flights from Delhi to Jolly Grant. The distance between Jolly Grant and Dehradun is approximately 25 kms.
How to get back from Sankri to Dehradun
Sankri → Dehradun→ Delhi
The Har Ki Dun trek ends at Sankri. From Sankri, you’ll be retracing your route all the way to Dehradun. It takes 10-11 hours to drive back to Dehradun. Discovery hike organizes this transport for a fare of Rs.5,500 per cab. This is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid to the driver directly. If you are travelling to Delhi, you can choose to go back by Mussoorie Express (21.20) or Nanda Devi Express (23.30).You will reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm.
Getting back to the basecamp
The bus route from Dehradun to Sankri is pretty well knit. You can find buses leaving at 6.00 am, 7 am and 8 am respectively from the Dehradun Railway station.
In case you get to Dehradun late, you don’t have to worry. There’s a bus to Purola/Naugaon, from where you can get another bus to Sankri. By 12.00 noon is when the last bus leaves from Dehradun Railway Station. You can also plan a overnight stay at Purola late in case of any emergency.
Since the roads are pretty good around this area, hiring a taxi can also be recommended. You get to Mussoorie first, then through Kempty falls drive downwards to the Yamuna Bridge.
And by and by you will find the Yamuna on your left, up to Damta and then Naugaon. Make note to cross the Yamuna at Naugaon and drive further on to reach Purola. The whole journey is splendid with the river by your side and pine trees along the way.
In case you are hungry and want to grab a quick bite, you can do so at Purola. You then head towards Mori along the Tons River. The best part is you can spot the highest peak of Har ki Dun when you are 5 kms out of Purola.
Drive by the river Tons to Naitwar once you’re out of Mori. You will clearly see a road bifurcating along the river Supin on the right at Naitwar. This road should take you to Sankri in approximately an hour’s time.
Har Ki Dun TrekKing
Valley of Pandavas
Considered one of the best hikes that the country can offer, the Har Ki Dun trekking is an adventurous trip to one to the most mesmerizing valleys in the western Himalayas. Nestled in the middle of a valley below the Har Ki Dun summit, it is a trekking treat in both summer and winter.
Govind National Park. This path takes us through a plethora of landscapes including green fields, glaciers, earliest villages, mountainous forests and residual ridges.
- Mind you, this hike also takes you through a mystic journey. It is said the Pandavas had taken the same path while ascending to heaven through the Swargarohini, the mountain that towers over the valley. Apart from the Ruinsara peaks visible from the valley, it has to be the only trek which gives you’re a review CWC a verve
- the views of Bandapunch, Kalanag, and Swargarohini I, II, III together making it unique.
Speaking of valleys, you must wonder which river made this ridge. The answer is River Supin that is indigenous to these parts of Uttarakhand. The trek is incredibly beautiful, albeit not an easy one. The most beautiful part of Har ki dun trekking is the landscape view, which we get during the trek.
- 1. This makes it uncommon for humans to trek here often, which allows animals and birds to thrive in this area. If you’re lucky, you should be able to see swamp deer, black Utilityyour the gfvfbears and wild boars. While you near PuaniGaraat, you can catch glimpses of languor families. But the winner has to be the colorful Himalayan Monal that guggvgis very coCr
- 2. Erbmmon in these forests, which also is the State Bird of Uttarakhand.
This har ki dun trekking also lets you explore one of the oldest parts of the countryside. Well, India itself is quite ancient, but Har ki dun has some different & Interesting feelings.
B. the lifestyle obeying the people and villages here have prevailed over the centuries, imbibing the roots on which they were founded.
Day 1: Dehradun – Sankri
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 193 km
- Tip: get ready to make memories
Apart from Har Ki Dun trek, we have many more treks either already set up or planned in the future. But what remains common for some of these treks is the base camp, Sankri. It is a pretty little hamlet in Uttarakhand about 193 km from Dehradun. There are only about 250 houses in this village and the economy is dependant on dhabas and shops that cater to the trekkers that pass through. The village is beautiful, especially in the evenings, when you can see the Swargarohini from faraway and the Greater Himalayas basking in the setting sun.
We start from Dehradun Railway Station in the morning at 6.30 a.m. and take the route through Nainbagh, Naugoan, Purola, Jarmola, Mori Naitwar and finally Sankri.
Day 2: Sankri (6390 ft) to PuaniGaraat (8280 ft) via Taluka
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water from Sankari or refill from the natural sources on your way
We start from Sankri towards Taluka. Our trek starts from Taluka towards PuaniGaraat, which will be our overnight camp. There is a road that connects Sankri with Taluka for 12 kms that should take roughly about an hour to cover.
Taluka is a small village made of fairly modern homes as compared to the villages nearby like Osala, Gangarh, and Sankri which are almost 300 years old.
We take the trail adjacent to the guest house that descends down to the Supin river valley. Keeping the river on the right, we move through forests on the shepherd’s trail.
The walk is level and should take you along the river for the next 10 minutes. Upon reaching the cement bridge we keep walking further for another 10 minutes till we come upon the wooden bridge.
This route will take us uphill for the next 15 mins to a clearing next to the river. We can set up an emergency camp here if required to rest from the drive and the walking. Upon continuing the trek, for around 15 mins we should reach a point where a tributary joins the River Supin.
We then reach Datmir Village. Below the village, we have a wooden bridge that will help us cross the river. In a couple of minutes, we will reach a camping ground. This will lead us to the inner part of the valley leading two routes. One ascending and one going ahead. We will be taking the route straight ahead to reach our destination.
The trail now gets tricky as we are now in a landslide-prone area. We continue walking for 10 to 15 minutes to find a clearing built by the Shepherds to set up temporary shelters. The hike gets slightly difficult from here as you we alternate between uphill and level climbs.
After 10 minutes of climbing, we reach the first landslide-prone section of the valley. The next stage is to reach a wooden bridge across the River Supin after a walk of 20 minutes. We will not be using this bridge but instead will walk ahead until the trail turns steep and winding. This is going to take around 15 – 20 minutes to cover. The monsoons can make this train muddy, but the hike gets pretty level after a while. Just before we pick up on the trail, we approach a stream that is flowing down the hill beside you.
The trail now ascends into the forest. We hike for the next 40 minutes to come by the village called Gangarh. Upon reaching Gangarh we locate the dhaba by taking the diversion on the right next to a wooden bridge to camp overnight next to the dhaba.
Day 3: PuaniGaraat (8280 ft) to Kalkatiyadhar (8970 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 6-7 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 6 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail
We begin the day with a trek towards Osala Village. To do this we would have to simply cross the bridge ahead and walk alongside River Supin till we reach Osala. It is a small hamlet at a height of 8.5K ft above the sea level. We will be spending a little time here before moving on.
The trek from here is quite pleasant as the walk is quite level. It may get a little steep for a while, but that will be made up by the beautiful sight that is in store. We will be crossing two streams in a 30-minute walk. The second one has a wooden bridge running over it. After crossing the bridge and traversing around the mountain bend, we will be facing a sequence of meadows in the front. We need to walk for 15 more minutes which will bring us to some clearings.
From this point, we have a long walk of 90 minutes ahead of us that takes us through an eventful hike around mountain bends, cultivated lands, huge fields of boulders and knolls. Still ahead, there is a makeshift wooden bridge and above it is the Supin valley.
We will ignore this bridge and proceed forward to go on toward Har Ki Dun. While we ascend the hill we can view the convergence of Supin and Ruinsara below us, while looking at Mount Dhauladhar with all its snow-capped glory above.
Though the landscape around us is beautiful, the climb will get pretty steep from here onwards. Kalkatiyadhaar, at 8,956 ft. will be our next campsite. This flat land also has a view of Kalanag, Bandar pooch ranges in the distance.
Day 4: Kalkatiyadhaar (8970 ft) to Har-ki-dun (11500 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 5.5 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 5 km
- Tip: get ready to make memories
The convergence of the rivers divides the large valley into two parts. While we cross this area, the Dev Thach meadows will be flowing on our right. We would be ascending above 3000 metres for the first time at this point.
Among the divided valleys, the Har Ki Dun is on the left while Bali Pass goes to the right. Upon crossing the mountain bend the view of the Har Ki Dun peak is unveiled in front of you while its valley resides below. We will descend down through pine forests and meadows for another 4 km to reach the campsite. The hike soon levels out after about 20 minutes of walk.
The trail then has multiple streams and forests to cross. Most noticeably are the pine forests with the Rhododendrons growing alongside them. This adding on to the stream flowing down the mountain paints a very peaceful picture in mind. While the relaxation looms over you, pause for a while to breathe in the fragrance of cedar, pine, blue poppy and the fresh mist sprayed by the stream. After another 20 minutes, you will reach a waterfall.
We can use this space here for a rest stop. From this point, if you are traveling on this hike during the first part of the calendar year be prepared to be amazed as you will find snow in your path gradually increasing as you progress.
A level walk of 15 minutes should bring you to another wooden bridge. The next hike will be over rocks for 10 minutes to reach a camping ground ahead of a forest stretch. A 30-minute climb within this forest should bring you to the Forest Guest house huts on the left side of the valley. This will be visible over a small crest. The last 10-minute walk is fairly easy and exhilarating as you soak in the view from across the last bridge.
Cross River Supin towards the camping ground next to it to reach Har Ki Dun. The entire view is of the valley divided by a stream called Kamanasha that leads to two valleys. Taking the left one would bring you to ManindaTaal and Borasu Pass while the right one will take you to the Jaundar Glacier.
Day 5: Exploring the Har-ki-Dun campsite
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail.
After a whole day of har ki dun trekking over bridges, meadows, boulders, and woodlands it is only fair that we spend an entire day Har Ki Dun campsite. And considering the view of this valley, it is hard to argue that logic.
While the stream plays a beautiful tune with its waves, the mountains surrounding you form the auditorium on the set. Look out for the Swargarohini 1 peak which will be right in front of you. It will take you an entire hour to explore the campsite which is filled with alpine meadows
Hike to ManindaTaal (4 km, 3-4 hours)
Alternately, coming this far and not visiting ManindaTaal seems unfair. We continue on the meadows on the left towards Hata Peak i.e. we take the valley on the left. The route curves left as you reach a glacial lake that is ManindaTaal.
Hike to ManindaTaal (4 km, 3-4 hours)
If you still have it in you from the previous day’s exciting trek and are willing to go on for another 9 km, take the right valley towards Swargarohini I. This will bring you to a ground covered in snow.
On the left, you will find a snowy slope which you can use to snow slide before we proceed. Upon crossing the second ridge and 20 minutes uphill walk; you will reach the third hill. From here, after a steep climb, you would have made it to the fourth and the fifth ridge. Walking a few more miles will mark the end of the climb as the sixth ridge. The glacier is located between two pillar-like peaks.
Day 6: Har ki Dun (11500 ft) to PuaniGaraat (8280 ft)
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 11-12 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or refill from the natural source alongside the trail.
We start the day early as we have a lot of ground to cover on the same route that we came on. We will first head back to Kalkatiyadhaar and then towards Osala. After a small rest stop at Osala, we will move to PuaniGaraat and camp there for the night.
Day 7: PuaniGaraat (82800 ft) to Taluka (8690 ft) and then drive to Sankri
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 12.5 km
- Tip: carry sufficient water or carry from the natural source alongside the trail
We trek from PuaniGaraat to Taluka, which is around 13 kms hike. From Taluka we resume the four wheeler drive for the 12 kms to Sankri. You can also choose to hike the entire day to Sankri which can be exhausting but is doable as the trek is mostly descended and level walks.
We start the day early as we have a lot of ground to cover on the same route that we came on. We will first head back to Kalkatiyadhaar and then towards Osala. After a small rest stop at Osala, we will move to PuaniGaraat and camp there for the night.
Day 8: Drive from Sankri back to Dehradun
- Estimation time of completion: 8-9 hrs
- Estimation distance of Drive: 193 km
- Tip: left mountain and trail clean
A long day’s journey via Purola, Mussorie to Dehradun. We can guarantee you that, after completing your har ki dun trekking you will realize that you got the best trekking experience at best and lowest har ki dun trek cost
Fitness Tips for the Mountains:
The Mountaineer Fitness Plan starts with training both the Mind & Body. It’s a physically grueling task to trek a mountain, but the mindset wins it all in the end and the body will come to the rescue. Persistence consists of 50% you Mind & 50% your Body.
We at Discovery Hike believe that with our Mantra of SSS, you get in the right shape of mind and body before you come to trek with us. Whether you are a Beginner or a Pro. An adult or a teenager you follow this regiment for 30 days prior to your Trek, it will provide you the desired results.
What is the SSS, you ask? It is:
Stamina
Strength
Stretch
Stamina – You will need to particularly enhance your current stamina to a fiercer one to undertake any Trek. You will need spare 30 – 45 Daily for this activity and increase it based on the Trek.
You will need to start with walking 4 km & more gradually. Effectively your goal will be to walk for 4+km a day.
Once you have successfully completed walking, turn this into running/jogging for the same distance. Effectively your goal will be to run 4+ km a day
Strength – Working on Stamina is just restricted to your running. Strength is working on various parts of your body to compliment your Stamina. Upper Back, Lower Back, Core, Legs, Arms & more.
Upper Body – You will need to do Push-ups after you have done with your running exercise. You will need to make it 5 – 10 push-ups a day. Repeat the same in sets of 3 daily. Effectively your goal will be to reach 15 – 30 push-ups daily.
Lower Back – Perform a Plank starting with 30 seconds a Day. Add 10 – 15 seconds more daily to improve the strength you add to you core. Effectively your goal will be to perform a Plank for 3 – 5 minutes.
Arms – You can do lights lifts in the Gym. If not the gym, you can use a heavy book or object & move it towards your shoulder without losing form & repeat the same for both arms for about 30 times in sets of 3. Effectively your goal will be to perform 100 lifts in each arm.
Legs – You will have to start with squats of 5 – 10 in sets of 3. Alternatively, you can also do Wall sits-up of 5 – 10 in sets of 3. Effectively your goal will be to perform 15 – 30 squats/sit-ups.
Core – You will need start with crunches of 5 – 10 in sets of 3 and keep adding more towards by the day. This will build not just the core but your Lower back & Stamina too. Effectively your goal will be to reach 30 – 50 squats in a day.
Stretch – Probably the most neglected but the most crucial part of the exercise Stretching. This will enable all your muscles to stay intact & be activated rather than cramping. It will improve your performance in all activities you undertake. decrease your risk of injuries, help in your joints movements & enable your muscles to work at their best.
Shoulder stretches
Wrist stretches
Hamstring stretches
Calf stretches
Mental Health – The other 50% of your Training comes from Mental Wellness. This will surely help you when you are faced against the harness of nature to give you the strength required to overcome obstacles of any kind. The best mind that can achieve this is a calm mind. We recommend that you partake in Yoga for some Mental Rest & Relaxation.
Take slow, deep breaths. Or try other breathing exercises for relaxation
Soak in a warm bath
Listen to soothing music
Practice mindful meditation
Sleep early and Rise Early
Hope the above suggestions proved to be useless. These are merely guidelines to be in the right shape of Mental & Physical state. If you are already following a regiment that is suitable to your body, we suggest that you continue. This is for Beginners and Start-up kit for those who are about to undertake the Trek with us.
BMI CUTOFF
BMI for different trek grade conditions are different. If anyone above the cutoff will be considered as overweight and not be allowed to trek with us.
BMI cut off for high altitude trek
| 1. | BMI For easy trek | Not above 29 |
| 2. | BMI for moderate trek | Not above 28 |
| 3. | BMI for difficult trek | Not above 27 |
BP CUT OFF
BP cut off is different for different altitude. If BP is above our cutoff the trekker need to Decent down as soon as possible to the core base. Higher reading is dangerous.
Bp cut off for high altitude trek
| 1. | Systolic reading | Not more than 160 |
| 2. | Diastolic reading | Not more than 100 |
Hiking Shoes for Har Ki Dun Trek
Type: Since the terrain and difficulty in the har Ki Dun trekking vary, you will need to choose the right kind of grip and sole for the shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistant shoes with a deep, flexible sole for all kinds of terrain and weather you will face.
Importance: Your shoes protect your feet over the course of the Har Ki Dun Trek. Different terrains pose different threats and the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack for the Har Ki Dun Trek
Type: This purely depends on the kind of trek you are undertaking
- For Short Treks 1 – 3 Days duration – 15 litres to 20 litres
- For Long Treks 3 – 10 Days duration – 40 litres to 60 litres
Importance: Your backpack is as important as your shoes. Your backpack will be with you for the entire trek route and it contains all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the backpack and choose it according to the trek, your height & the comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is a 10 litres – 15 litresBackpack that you need to have with you on the trek for the Summit
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days of the Har Ki Dun trek when you just need your basic essentials with you.
Clothing for Har Ki Dun trek
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm-up to -10 degrees
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – You will only require 1 pair of this in the Winter, Summer is optional. It should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep your warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need a minimum of 2 pairs of Trekking Pants with you always. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides you maximum comfort to you and is durable.
Collared T-shirts – Carrying 2 – 3 pairs are normally recommended. The collar will help to keep the neck from being too exposed to the Sun and getting sunburnt.
Sun Caps – At high Altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool.
Woolen Caps – The nights get very cold in the Mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Waterproof Gloves:You will need water-proof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Trek. Keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly to give you the grip and firmness you need.
Trek Accessories
Trekking Pole: The Har Ki Dun Trek difficulty can be eased out by carrying one of our Trekking/Hiking poles and it saves almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope at high altitude regions. We make it mandatory to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our treks. You can hire a trekking pole from Discoveryhike
Head-lamp or Torch: A Head-Lamp is also mandatory for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places. In case, you are unable to procure a Head-lamp then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We request you carry all your toiletries and all other hygiene essentials yourself for the Har Ki Dun trek to avoid borrowing. The basic items needed for the Har ki Dun trek are toothpaste, toothbrush, lip balm, moisturizer, face-wash, toilet rolls and sanitary pads
Bottles and Boxes: We recommend you carry two 1 liter bottles to keep yourself hydrated throughout the har ki dun trekking route. For both convenience and hygiene, we suggest you carry your own lunch boxes to eat the food we provide.
Mandatory Documents to bring:
Carry these documents mentioned below and hand them over to the trek leader at the base camp. You need to bring one copy of the Disclaimer and one photocopy & Original copy of government photo ID.
You also need to bring the Medical certificate approval from the doctor that you are physically fit for high altitude point.
Risk and challenges are part of everyone’s lives; without taking risks and facing challenges one cannot aim to achieve what he wants to be. These challenges help inculcate in us, life skills needed to survive through tough situations. Discovery hike considers this our motto – to prepare an individual to face the risks of life, the challenges that come their way and how to overcome it.
Trekking, directly and indirectly, helps develop these qualities and also helps us with quick decision-making techniques according to circumstances. It helps you to learn the working of nature and the strong impact of the environment on one’s life,
It is most important to enlighten our trekkers that there are some risks and challenges that they may meet with on the Har ki Dun trekking route or any other circumstance in life.
However, these risks can be avoided or approached effectively if we are proactive. The discovery hike has made all arrangements and taken enough precautions to avoid any mishaps. Let’s discuss some common risks and challenges along with the Har ki Dun trek map and ways to avoid them.
How to get to the basecamp – Sankri
Delhi → Dehradun → Sankri
We start off the Har Ki Dun Trek from Sankri, a small village 196 kms away from Dehradun.
On Day 1, Discovery Hike transport departs from Dehradun station at 6.30am to Sankri. The fare of the mini-cab is Rs.5900 and this cab can accommodate 5 to 6 trekkers. The cost of the tempo traveler is Rs 9000 per vehicle. You are expected to arrive and contact the driver before the departure from Dehradun station to ensure that there is no inconvenience caused for other trekkers.
The journey to Sankri along the banks of the River Tons is a splendid drive. We would passing through the most famous and picturesque hill station of all times, the Mussoorie. Estimated time of arrival at Sankri is 6.30 pm.
How to get to Dehradun?
Option1.
Delhi –> Dehradun
Take the overnight train from Delhi train to get to Dehradun. The train 12205 Nandadevi express departs Delhi at 23.50 pm and reaches Dehradun by 5.40 am. You can wait at the station and call your driver.
Option2.
Delhi –> Dehradun
You can take the afternoon rail to Dehradun from Delhi. The 12055 DDN Jan Shatabdi leaves the Dehradun station at 15.20pm and reaches the previous night by 21.10pm.
Delhi –> Dehradun
If you cannot find a train, then take a bus. There are frequent busses that depart from ISBT Delhi AnandVihar Station. It is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. Please do note that if you leave around 7 pm from Delhi you will reach Dehradun by 6am in the morning.You can also book ticket online from Red bus app
Book your tickets way in advance so that you have enough time to make it to Dehradun without any delay for the pick-up, since the buses usually get delayed.
You can also book flights from Delhi to Jolly Grant. The distance between Jolly Grant and Dehradun is approximately 25 kms.
How to get back from Sankri to Dehradun
Sankri → Dehradun→ Delhi
The Har Ki Dun trek ends at Sankri. From Sankri, you’ll be retracing your route all the way to Dehradun. It takes 10-11 hours to drive back to Dehradun. Discovery hike organizes this transport for a fare of Rs.5,500 per cab. This is to be shared amongst trekkers and paid to the driver directly. If you are travelling to Delhi, you can choose to go back by Mussoorie Express (21.20) or Nanda Devi Express (23.30).You will reach Dehradun by 6.00 pm.
Getting back to the basecamp
The bus route from Dehradun to Sankri is pretty well knit. You can find buses leaving at 6.00 am, 7 am and 8 am respectively from the Dehradun Railway station.
In case you get to Dehradun late, you don’t have to worry. There’s a bus to Purola/Naugaon, from where you can get another bus to Sankri. By 12.00 noon is when the last bus leaves from Dehradun Railway Station. You can also plan a overnight stay at Purola late in case of any emergency.
Since the roads are pretty good around this area, hiring a taxi can also be recommended. You get to Mussoorie first, then through Kempty falls drive downwards to the Yamuna Bridge.
And by and by you will find the Yamuna on your left, up to Damta and then Naugaon. Make note to cross the Yamuna at Naugaon and drive further on to reach Purola. The whole journey is splendid with the river by your side and pine trees along the way.
In case you are hungry and want to grab a quick bite, you can do so at Purola. You then head towards Mori along the Tons River. The best part is you can spot the highest peak of Har ki Dun when you are 5 kms out of Purola.
Drive by the river Tons to Naitwar once you’re out of Mori. You will clearly see a road bifurcating along the river Supin on the right at Naitwar. This road should take you to Sankri in approximately an hour’s time.