• 1 Week trek
• Camping
• Easy Grade Treks in Himalayas
• Easy Snow Treks
• Fall Treks
• Family friendly
• Garhwal Treks
• Spring Treks
• Summer Treks
• Uttarakhand

Har Ki Dun Trek (camping variant):

Below is your complete guide to the Har Ki Dun Trek 2024 in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand.

• Fixed group departure tours to Har Ki Dun spring-summer on 19th May 2024, starting from Dehradun (7 days).
• Private or customised tours for your friends and family as per your preferred dates. The trek fee will remain the same as listed if you are a group of 10 to 12 trekkers.
• We also have the Har Ki Dun homestay variant of this trekking trail for those who like to stay in the village homestays and eat like the locals.

About the trek:

Har Ki Dun Trek is probably the finest river valley trail in India and has never lost its charm to trekkers around the globe. There are many reasons for stating so, though the beauty of the valley in itself is the primary attraction. The change of colours in each season makes this route a year-round choice for nature lovers (except for those monsoon months).

Gentle hike through this wide fertile valley, remote villages enroute, culture and hospitality of the people you can’t miss. It is indeed a lovely walk to the Har Ki Dun valley with fascinating views of Jaundhar glacier and surrounding Swargarohini group of peaks. The  views of Swargarohini group, Bandarpunch range and Black peak (Kalanag) are pretty descent to mention modestly.

The walk culminates to a glacier carved spectacular valley, as if an amphitheatre ringed up by high spurs of rocky mountains. The sunrise and sunset at Har Ki Dun needs special mention. Early snow during November and ample amount of residual snow during spring makes this trek a compelling choice. Further exploration towards Marinda Tal/Jaundar glacier will surely ignite the adrenaline in your adventurous mind.

Due to the above facts, this trail is a must to visit for experienced hikers. The easy trail with gentle gradient makes it comfortable to beginners. No wonder that coupled with these two factors it is one of the most popular trek in Indian Himalayas.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri – 200 Km by car – 9/10 hours. Lodge
Day 2: Sankri to Taluka – 11 Km by car – 1 hour – Trek from Taluka to Chilurgad via Gangar – 10 Km – 5 hours. Camp
Day 3: Trek to Simatra via Osla/Seema – 11 Km – 6 hours. Camp
Day 4: Trek to Har Ki Dun, Exploration around Har Ki Dun and return to Simatra – 12 Km – 7/8 hours. Camp
Day 5: Trek down to Chilurgad via Osla village – 5/6 hours. Camp
Day 6: Trek to Taluka – 10 Km – 4 hours, by car Sankri – 1 hour. Lodge.
Day 7: Drive to Dehradun – 200 Km – 9/10 hours.

Important notes on the itinerary and the tour programme:

• You need to reach on your own to Dehradun on Day 1 morning (latest by 7 am) or the previous night. Return to Dehradun on Day 7 evening (by 7 pm).  Arrange your tickets for inward journey and return from Dehradun accordingly. We will arrange transport to reach Sankri and return although cost is NOT included in the TREK FEE.
• Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant, DED) is
• Last ATM is at Mori, 25 Km before Sankri but don’t depend till you reach  here. Withdraw cash well in advance either in Dehradun,  Naugaon or Purola.
• Only BSNL and Vodafone network  work at trek base Sankri, that too very limited connections. Make a phone call back to home from Mori while reaching Sankri. After Sankri there is no presence of network.

Altitude and distance profile graph for Har Ki Dun trek:

From the below graph you will get an idea of the gradient of the trail. Though the trail length is longer than the usual Easy grade treks but the elevation is gentle as we will be following the river valley.

Location:

Har Ki Dun valley is on the far western flank of Garhwal in Uttarkashi district (Purola subdivision), Uttarakhand.  The trek route lies entirely within the buffer and core region of Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. This catchment area is a major source of Yamuna through its largest tributary Tons river.  To note, Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Nallah form meandering Tamosa river, near Osla village. Tamosa flowing beside Taluka and below the village Sankri unites with Supin near Jakhol. Supin and Rupin combined at Netwar forms the Tons river.

Camping ban at Har Ki Dun

As per Uttarakhand High Court order ( Petition No. : 123/2014 ) , one can not camp on alpine and sub-alpine meadows/grasslands, locally called “Bugyal.  Therefore forest department has revoked the permit to camp at Har Ki Dun effective from September’18. Starting from Oct’18, our highest camp is at Simatra after climbing Kalkatti Dhar. From Simatra we visit Har Ki Dun and return to camp for a day trip.

Best time to choose Har Ki Dun trek?

Har Ki Dun trail is truly an year around trek, apart from monsoon season of July/August when it not convenient to trek. Every season has something to offer, which is special on its own.

Note: As of 2019, Forest department is not issuing permit on this trail from December to February. Starting from December 2016, this is enforced considering the corridor of winter migration for wildlife overlapping the trail. At present no permit is given for winter Har Ki Dun trek from December to February.

As said above, this trek is still pretty beautiful in all the permitted seasons. If you are looking for snow, Spring (March/April) is ideal. Amount of residual snow depends on the actual snowfall during winter months though you can be sure to get some or ample amount of residual snow in spring. See more pictures of snow in 2019 update at the bottom of the page.

From May onward during the summer time, the valley turns into green, bright and luminous. Blue Pine, Deodar (Himalayan Cedar), Kharsu (Oak), Spruce, Silver Fir and Birch trees are lush and glossy green. Due to the heat glaciers melt faster and pour more water to the tributaries on Tons river. Day time temperatures are warm to pleasant and nights are cooler. If you don’t like cold atmosphere, certainly this is the season to choose.

After monsoon is over by end of August, the valley remains lush green throughout   September. As the fall approaches, slowly the grass turns into pale yellow. Maple, Chestnut, Walnut and other deciduous tree species take the autumn leaf foliage. The surrounding transformed into spectacular yellow, orange and bronze hue. Not only foliage but an early snow fall chance during late autumn is another basis that you choose this season.

As you see, it is up to you to choose the best suitable time to trek in this beautiful valley. Its a beautiful route all around the year.

Interior villages, native people and culture during Har Ki Dun trek:

In recent days it is not common on Himalayas that you need to walk a full day to reach the last village on a trail from nearest motorable road. The trail starting from Taluka village extends the opportunity to see interior villages like Gangad, Powani and finally Osla. Neatly wooden crafted houses and dress of the local people resemble the neighbouring Kinnauri culture of Himachal Pradesh. Parents who are keen to initiate hiking and outdoor experience to kids on the Himalayas, this route is indeed a chart topper. If you are more keen on this type of interaction, check our Har Ki Dun in Gangar and Osla homestay.

Osla temple and legends of Pandavas:

Starting in 1980’s some books/reports  referred the temple at Osla village as “Duryodhana” temple. Even till date on most websites it is portrayed that Mahabharata character Duryodhana is worshipped here. The proposition is indeed interesting but this may not be the case. This is a Someshwar temple and an adoration of Lord Shiva. Till date a festival along with a two week long Mela (a village fair) is organised during monsoon in month of Sawan worshipping the idol/Doli. The Doli moves from one village to another, seasonally.

Also few websites point the trail as the legendary path taken by the Pandavas to the heaven. Swargarohini peaks don’t have any connection to Swargarohini glacier, a.k.a Satopanth Swargarohini trek route which starts from Badrinath and far away from this region.

Har Ki Dun trek temperature range:

Summer (May/June): Day time weather remains warm, specially if it is sunny and scorching and can go as high as 25/30°C. Night/early morning temp at Har Ki Dun can be around 10°C to 5°C.

Fall/Autumn (Oct/Nov) or Spring (Mar/Apr): From October temperature starts cooling down. At Har Ki Dun temperature can plummet to freezing in the night/early morning. Be prepared for 0°C. Expect similar temperatures if you trek during spring.

Winter (Dec/Feb): In Dec the daytime temp remains cool and nights are cold. Night temp at Sankri, Seema and Har Ki Dun can be around 2°, -2° and -5°/-10° C.

What type of clothing should I bring for this trek?

It is important to carry proper clothing on this trek. Three layers of clothing are recommended at the campsite in the early morning or evening while you are outside your tent.

1. Base layer (moisture-wicking layer; use synthetic and avoid cotton): A quick-dry base layer (dry-fit t-shirt, half or full sleeves) & trekking pants (synthetic, preferably quick-dry, and some wind- or water-proof material is useful)
2. Mid layer (warm clothing): Usually a warm jacket (synthetic, hollow fibre, fleece, or down jacket, etc.), but you may use combinations of layers as well (e.g., a light jacket + hoodies + a sweater or a thermal, which you may already have with you).
3. Outer layer (weatherproofing): a windproof and waterproof jacket with a hood is best, or a poncho or raincoat.

Note that we don’t have any gear renting facilities, although at some bases, you may get a few on the spot. You may read our opinion on whether should you buy or rent your trekking gear to get a broader understanding.

Check a comprehensive List of things to carry in a himalayan trek or download the PDF. Also read how to choose right trekking gear before purchasing any gear.

Access to Har Ki Dun trek base Sankri:

We may arrange a pickup  from Dehradun to Sankri and return. This will be on a cost to cost basis and shared by the availing team members. You pay directly to the driver, sharing equally.  The fare is ₹ 6000 for a Tata Sumo, one way and can accommodate 5 to 6 people. Whereas a Tempo Traveller charges ₹ 900 (10 to 12 seats) one way. Approximately, ₹ 2000 per person when you avail both ways. This cost is not included in the TREK FEE.

Or else you may reach Sankri independently and join us here. Here is a road map with major points en route to Sankri.

Updates from Har Ki Dun trek Spring/Summer , March to May 2019:

Finally spring has arrived on mountains. As you may know by this time that, last winter was harsh, accompanied with consistent snowfall. This area is westernmost part of Uttarakhand, bordering Himachal, and receives more snowfall than other similar routes. Frequent snowfall took place as late as beginning of March. We hope that the trail will open by mid of April, after some snow slogging and you will get residual snow at Har Ki Dun, as late as May.

Here is our first team of the season reaching till Kalkatti Dhar on 22nd March’19.

From mid April teams have started reaching Har Ki Dun comfortably. Below are the most recent pictures from our teams. We are hopeful that  you will get scattered snow as late as mid/later half of May.

Why treks with HT?

Duration	7D/6N
Grade	Easy
Physicality	5.5/10
Highest Point	3500 m/11500 ft
Trail Length	50 Km
Expertise:	10 years on ground experience
Support staff:	Qualified local & office staff
Group size:	Small groups up to 15
Insurance:	Travel insured trek and tour itinerary
Easy Bookings:	25% Booking Deposit