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HAR KI DUN TREK
- Region - Uttarakhand
- Base Camp - Sankri
- Duration 7 days
- Altitute 3566M
- Stay Rooms/Tents
- Difficulty Moderate+
Detail itinenary
From Dehradun we will drive to Sankri via Mussoorie. We will stop for lunch en route. This is an enjoyable drive initially along the Yamuna and towards the latter part along the beautiful Tons river. There are very beautiful pine forest sections along the drive today. Upon reaching Sankri we will check into the scenically located Campsite. Sankri is paradise on earth and we will take an evening stroll in this beautiful hamlet to get our muscles charged for the trek to come. Overnight stay at Sankri
After breakfast, we drive to Taluka, a quaint village boasting a few shops and two government guest houses. This marks the starting point of our trek, where we set foot on a stony path.
The air in Taluka carries the refreshing scent of cedar trees, creating an invigorating atmosphere. During the winter season or periods of heavy rainfall, the road to Taluka may become impassable due to streams running across it, necessitating an 8 km walk to reach the village.
Our journey takes us along the banks of the spirited Supin River, shaded by walnut, pine, and cedar trees, making for a delightful walk. In autumn, we often stumble upon scattered walnuts on the ground. It's crucial to be wary of "bichchu ghas," or scorpion grass, as even a slight touch can result in a stinging sensation lasting for about half an hour. This herb, interestingly, is also used in local cuisine.
Passing villagers frequently exchange greetings as we trek further. As we ascend on the true left, the village of Datmer comes into view, characterized by a series of terraced farms where vibrant red Cholai flourishes during the late monsoon to early autumn.
Our path meanders over several streams that eventually merge with the Supin River. After a few hours of trekking, we spot the village of Gangad across the river on our left. In the forested areas of this region, you may even encounter a yellow-throated marten. Edible seabuckthorn fruits, with their orange hue, often hang in clusters from the trees. Known as 'leh berries,' these juicy and tangy fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C.
Continuing our trek, we finally reach the secluded campsite nestled at Puani Garat, where we can rest and rejuvenate after our eventful journey.Our day begins with a trek to Osla village, perched about a hundred meters above the Supin River on a sloping spur. The initial path to Osla is the steepest part of the entire journey, taking around 30-40 minutes to conquer. Osla's surroundings are adorned with terraced farms, each season painting them in a different hue. During late monsoon, the red Cholai (Amaranth) farms create a mesmerizing sight.
Cholai is a nutritional powerhouse and a local favorite, alongside a variety of kidney beans grown in the area. Osla stands as the last village on the path to Har ki Dun. Beyond Osla, the trail gradually ascends, crossing fields with the river visible far below. Along the way, we encounter a temple to the right, and we pass through fields of vibrant flowers like orchids, fleece flowers, and sunflowers.
This leg of the journey is relatively short, allowing us to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the upcoming days. We can take a break and soak in the sun at the picturesque Kalkatidhar campsite. The restriction on camping at Har Ki Dun has positively impacted the trek, offering greater comfort while preserving the natural beauty of the area.
The day’s trek can be considered to be rather long as we today visit Har Ki Dun and Marinda Tal, a small lake formation due to the obstructing boulder across the river stream, which lies 2 KM further ahead of Har Ki Dun. As we start the trek, at a short distance a hidden and roaring waterfall is encountered with a small tea shop beside the waterfall.
The ascending path offers stunning views above the confluence of the Supin and Ruinsara rivers. From here, you can admire the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara Valley, notably Black Peak, the highest in the area. To the north, the Har Ki Dun valley unfolds in the distance, with a clear view of the Forest hut. Continuing higher on the right of the river, you enter a final stretch through a beautiful forest. Emerging from the woods, you arrive at Har Ki Dun’s main camping area, nestled beside a babbling stream. This panoramic spot sits at the junction of two valleys, one originating from Jaundhar Glacier and the other beyond Hata Glacier, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Higher up towards the North we can spot the Forest Rest House, while the wood crafted GMVN guest house lies further up in the distance. The Har ki Dun peak stands tall right in front of us behind the Forest Rest House. Towards its left, Hata peak which is usually snow-covered can be seen. The minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered Himalayan birch trees Bhojpatra separates us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes up all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. The paper-like bark of these trees was used in ancient times to write religious scriptures.
The vast open meadows following the course of the Supin River can be explored. Further ahead of the meadows one can walk among the forests of Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan birch) or get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar glacier and Swargarohini peak, for which we will have to head upwards the Har Ki Dun valley, towards the Swargaroini peak in the eastern direction.
We can choose to relax and soak in the environment for some time or we can continue our trek to Marinda Tal, in the north, just 2-3 km away from Har ki Dun. The trail is gradually ascending here. It is a small lake formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river which flows down from the base of the Borasu Pass.
After our short visit to Marinda Tal we make our return journey back to Kalkatidhar. We take the same route and it becomes much easier as its all downhill from here. We reach back by early evening and rest at the campsite.
The return trip to Osla offers a leisurely stroll. Along the way, we enjoy a panoramic view of the trail leading back to Osla, with the valley gradually descending towards Taluka. This descent occurs around the bend of the ridge where the two streams, flowing from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara, merge. A short distance before this confluence, we catch sight of a trail to our left, indicated by a bridge crossing over the stream.
This trail connects with the path to Ruinsara Lake but is seldom chosen by trekkers. Upon reaching Osla, there's the opportunity to explore the village, engage in conversations with the locals, and immerse oneself in the Garhwali culture. Continuing our journey, we return to our previous campsite at Puani Garat, where we can relax and soak in the warmth of the sun.
ABOUT THE TREK
At GIO we simply love this trek!! If you have seen the movie ‘Lord of the Rings’ and appreciated the landscape and always wanted to be there, then this is your opportunity. You don’t need to spend pot loads and go all the way to New Zealand, the trek to Har-ki-Dun will provide you with all the sights you are looking for and more! There are endless lush green meadows, wild alpine flower gardens, scraggy mountains, towering snow-capped peaks, glaciers and gushing streams & waterfalls that seem to spring from nowhere. To top it all it this valley has a very interesting, unique, old and time tested culture very different to any other mountain or plains region. Our guides ensure that we get a very up close experience of this culture as this is one of the highlights of this trek.
SKETCH ITINERARY
Day 01: Dehradun to Sankri (Drive/190 km/ 8 Hours)
Day 02: Sankri to Puani Garat (2,500 m) (10 Km Trek/5 to 6 Hours)
Day 03: Puani Garat to Boslo (3,300 m) (10 Km Trek/5 to 6 Hours)
Day 04: Boslo to Har ki Dun & Marinda Tal, return to Boslo (17 km trek/7-8 hours)
Day 05: Boslo to Puani Garat (2,500 m) (10 km trek/4 Hours)
Day 06: Puani Garat to Sankri (10 km trek/4-5 Hours)
Day 07: Sankri to Dehradun: (Drive/190 km/ 8 Hours)
Detail itinenary
From Dehradun we will drive to Sankri via Mussoorie. We will stop for lunch en route. This is an enjoyable drive initially along the Yamuna and towards the latter part along the beautiful Tons river. There are very beautiful pine forest sections along the drive today. Upon reaching Sankri we will check into the scenically located Campsite. Sankri is paradise on earth and we will take an evening stroll in this beautiful hamlet to get our muscles charged for the trek to come. Overnight stay at Sankri
After breakfast, we drive to Taluka, a quaint village boasting a few shops and two government guest houses. This marks the starting point of our trek, where we set foot on a stony path.
The air in Taluka carries the refreshing scent of cedar trees, creating an invigorating atmosphere. During the winter season or periods of heavy rainfall, the road to Taluka may become impassable due to streams running across it, necessitating an 8 km walk to reach the village.
Our journey takes us along the banks of the spirited Supin River, shaded by walnut, pine, and cedar trees, making for a delightful walk. In autumn, we often stumble upon scattered walnuts on the ground. It's crucial to be wary of "bichchu ghas," or scorpion grass, as even a slight touch can result in a stinging sensation lasting for about half an hour. This herb, interestingly, is also used in local cuisine.
Passing villagers frequently exchange greetings as we trek further. As we ascend on the true left, the village of Datmer comes into view, characterized by a series of terraced farms where vibrant red Cholai flourishes during the late monsoon to early autumn.
Our path meanders over several streams that eventually merge with the Supin River. After a few hours of trekking, we spot the village of Gangad across the river on our left. In the forested areas of this region, you may even encounter a yellow-throated marten. Edible seabuckthorn fruits, with their orange hue, often hang in clusters from the trees. Known as 'leh berries,' these juicy and tangy fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C.
Continuing our trek, we finally reach the secluded campsite nestled at Puani Garat, where we can rest and rejuvenate after our eventful journey.Our day begins with a trek to Osla village, perched about a hundred meters above the Supin River on a sloping spur. The initial path to Osla is the steepest part of the entire journey, taking around 30-40 minutes to conquer. Osla's surroundings are adorned with terraced farms, each season painting them in a different hue. During late monsoon, the red Cholai (Amaranth) farms create a mesmerizing sight.
Cholai is a nutritional powerhouse and a local favorite, alongside a variety of kidney beans grown in the area. Osla stands as the last village on the path to Har ki Dun. Beyond Osla, the trail gradually ascends, crossing fields with the river visible far below. Along the way, we encounter a temple to the right, and we pass through fields of vibrant flowers like orchids, fleece flowers, and sunflowers.
This leg of the journey is relatively short, allowing us to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the upcoming days. We can take a break and soak in the sun at the picturesque Kalkatidhar campsite. The restriction on camping at Har Ki Dun has positively impacted the trek, offering greater comfort while preserving the natural beauty of the area.
The day’s trek can be considered to be rather long as we today visit Har Ki Dun and Marinda Tal, a small lake formation due to the obstructing boulder across the river stream, which lies 2 KM further ahead of Har Ki Dun. As we start the trek, at a short distance a hidden and roaring waterfall is encountered with a small tea shop beside the waterfall.
The ascending path offers stunning views above the confluence of the Supin and Ruinsara rivers. From here, you can admire the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara Valley, notably Black Peak, the highest in the area. To the north, the Har Ki Dun valley unfolds in the distance, with a clear view of the Forest hut. Continuing higher on the right of the river, you enter a final stretch through a beautiful forest. Emerging from the woods, you arrive at Har Ki Dun’s main camping area, nestled beside a babbling stream. This panoramic spot sits at the junction of two valleys, one originating from Jaundhar Glacier and the other beyond Hata Glacier, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Higher up towards the North we can spot the Forest Rest House, while the wood crafted GMVN guest house lies further up in the distance. The Har ki Dun peak stands tall right in front of us behind the Forest Rest House. Towards its left, Hata peak which is usually snow-covered can be seen. The minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered Himalayan birch trees Bhojpatra separates us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes up all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. The paper-like bark of these trees was used in ancient times to write religious scriptures.
The vast open meadows following the course of the Supin River can be explored. Further ahead of the meadows one can walk among the forests of Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan birch) or get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar glacier and Swargarohini peak, for which we will have to head upwards the Har Ki Dun valley, towards the Swargaroini peak in the eastern direction.
We can choose to relax and soak in the environment for some time or we can continue our trek to Marinda Tal, in the north, just 2-3 km away from Har ki Dun. The trail is gradually ascending here. It is a small lake formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river which flows down from the base of the Borasu Pass.
After our short visit to Marinda Tal we make our return journey back to Kalkatidhar. We take the same route and it becomes much easier as its all downhill from here. We reach back by early evening and rest at the campsite.
The return trip to Osla offers a leisurely stroll. Along the way, we enjoy a panoramic view of the trail leading back to Osla, with the valley gradually descending towards Taluka. This descent occurs around the bend of the ridge where the two streams, flowing from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara, merge. A short distance before this confluence, we catch sight of a trail to our left, indicated by a bridge crossing over the stream.
This trail connects with the path to Ruinsara Lake but is seldom chosen by trekkers. Upon reaching Osla, there's the opportunity to explore the village, engage in conversations with the locals, and immerse oneself in the Garhwali culture. Continuing our journey, we return to our previous campsite at Puani Garat, where we can relax and soak in the warmth of the sun.
PRICE INCLUSIONS
- Transport service from Dehradun to Dehradun in a Tempo Traveler
- Accommodation for 6 Nights on triple sharing: 2 Nights in a Hotel & 4 Nights Camping. (Additional cost of Rs. 2800 for double and Rs. 5500 for single occupancy)
- Meals from Day 1 Dinner to Day 7 Breakfast will be served. Veg Meals with Egg options can be served. Jain meals can be arranged on request.
- Certified Trek Leader, Cook and Support Staff
- Camping Equipment including tents, kitchen & dining tents, toilet tents etc
- Gaiters, Microspikes, when needed
- Forest Permits
- Medical Kit
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- Personal Luggage Offload charges. This can be arranged at Rs. 1800 per bag of 10 kg maximum
- Any meals/services not mentioned above
- Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
- Bottled water, alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
- Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
- Insurance
- GST 5%
Departure Dates
Departure Dates
Reviews
Price per person
13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500 13500 13,500
Group size
PAYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS
- All payments for the trips, transfers, porterage, etc. should be made in full before the trip starts.
- Cancellation Policy: In the event that you need to cancel your booking due to any avoidable or unavoidable circumstances:
- We must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive the request in writing. Any cancellation sent on a Sunday or any National Holiday(s), will be considered on the next official working day.
- Payment for this trip will not be adjusted towards any future trip(s)
- In the event of any cancellation(s) after trip commencement, there will be no refunds and any costs incurred due to this cancellation will be borne by you.
- Irrespective of when a trip is booked, the above condition will hold true
- Cancellation charges will be as follows
- >45 Days: Full refund (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 30-45 Days: 75% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- 15-30 Days: 50% of trip cost will be refunded (after deducting any expenses that have been incurred for hotel bookings, transport, etc.)
- <15 Days: No refund
VITAL INFORMATION
WEATHER DETAILS
This snow trek is organized between Dec & mid-March when the region has had good snowfall. Contrary to the popular belief winters is a good time to be in the mountains if one is equipped properly. Most locals inhabiting higher reaches of the mountains don’t mind the problems associated with snowfall and seem to have a good time during these months. Also there are lots of local festivals in these months. In these months weather is generally clear most of the days. Day time is normally pleasantly warm with one getting to enjoy sitting out in the sun. Temperature would be around 12-17 °C. Evenings are quite cold and one would need to be inside a tent/room or sitting outside next to fire with proper winter clothes. The evening temperatures will be around – 3 to 5 °C. Nights can be very cold with temperatures in the range of – 8 to 0 °C.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications.
LIST OF ESSENTIALS
It is very important for this adventure trip that you need to be equipped properly and with a bit of back up. Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags.
- T-shirts (Full) – 2/3
- Warm shirt/light micro fleece pullover/full sleeve T shirt
- Trekking Pants (water resistant/repellent & having inside lining for extra warmth) - 2
- Windproof/water resistant outer shell (jacket) of good quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) with a proper hood
- Down jacket with min 600 fill power rating
- Thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woollen cap (Balaclava)
- Inner fleece gloves
- Outer water proof gloves
- Thick woollen socks & regular socks (4 – 5 pairs)
- Scarf/muffler (optional)
- Comfortable waterproof (Goretex) Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole and high ankles are recommended)
- Camp shoes (these can be easy to slip in sneakers/sport shoes)
- Gaiters
- Raincoat / Poncho
- Small light weight towel
- Insulated water bottle & hydration pack (optional)
- Cap / floppy hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
- Sun glasses with UV protection and ability to cut the glare (imp when traversing through snow)
- Sturdy walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
- Personal toiletries
- Book, if you like reading
- Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
- Carry rain cover for your bags
- Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
- Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
- …LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE
Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.
NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS (DELHI – DEHRADUN – DELHI)
For travel to Dehradun/Haridwar/Haridwar, one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Air India, Jet Airways, GoAir & Spice Jet. Train travel is highly recommended with enough options being there. For train details, you could log on to www.indianrail.gov.in and for online railway ticket bookings you could log on to www.irctc.co.in.
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 300 - 800 per person. These buses depart from Delhi ISBT every 30 mins to 1 hr or so and take about 4/5 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
OUR TREKKING CODE
We are mountain lovers and have pledged to bring no harm to them in our pursuit of running organised wilderness travel in the Himalayas and seek your assistance too in this regard. We are more than convinced that one can have more fun on a trip if we go about it in a way that no harm is caused to the ecology. In this regard we have a set of guidelines that we adhere to based on the tenets of 'Leave No Trace' & 'Tread Light' policies. These guidelines are very simple and emphasise on travelling in small groups, better planning, understanding impact of camping, proper waste disposal, respecting local cultures, sensitivity towards wildlife and so on. We have a complete section on our trekking code in the 'GIO trekking Manual'. This manual will be couriered to you once you confirm a trip with us.
ACCLIMATISATION & HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
This is one of the most important aspects of traveling in the high Himalayas and cannot be ignored or set aside. Acclimatization basically means our body adjusting to lower levels of oxygen (rarefied air) & reduced air pressure as me move up. In case one does not acclimatize properly there are chances of the person facing extreme discomfort and this can be fatal in extreme cases. While there is no set route to getting properly acclimatized there are general precautions and steps that one can take to initiate good acclimatization. Our trekking guides will assist you with these steps and also once you book a trip with us the 'GIO Trekking Manual' which will cover this aspect extensively will be couriered to you. This is sure to help you enjoy the trek in very good shape.
SELECTING THE RIGHT TREK & TRAINING FOR IT
Most important thing is to select the right trek keeping in mind your experience or inexperience, health, objectives & ability. Our senior team people can assist you with this, so when contacting us do mention if you need guidance on this front also refer to our trek grading system mentioned below. Once the right trek is selected comes your preparation. Once you have booked a trip with us we will courier the 'GIO Trekking Manual' to you which will have a complete practice drill explained in detail.
TREK GRADING SYSTEM
We have broadly classified our treks as below:
Easy: These treks are 3 to 5 days long and involve walking for about 3/4 hrs daily. The trail on such treks is well defined but not always flat. These are great for families and first-timers
Moderate: On these treks, one is not required to trek for more than 5/6 hrs a day. Also the terrain is not too difficult. These treks are normally a week or so long. For these treks, prior trekking experience is not necessary. Very rarely on these treks would one camp at altitudes higher than 3800m. These treks are great for first-timers or for veterans wanting to go on a trail which is relatively less demanding
Moderate+: These are moderate treks with mostly one difficult day. These trails are fine for fit beginners also.
Vigorous: On these treks one can be required to trek continuously for more than a week through remote areas and at times trekking for more than 7 hrs a day. On most of these treks one has to cross passes or areas which are snow-covered and involve camping at an altitude of more than 4000m. Fit people with some kind of hiking experience & a spirit of adventure can contemplate going on these trails.
Strenuous: These treks apart from having continuous trekking stretches are at places technical and might require assistance from trip leader/guide and other staff people. All these treks have rest days in between. Also, all of them involve crossing passes or areas having an altitude of more than 4500m. First-timers are discouraged from walking such routes.
Expedition Style: These involve long walks at high altitudes at times around 6000m. Camping can also be well over the snow line and on glaciers at times. Safety ropes, ice axes, and crampons might be required on these treks. These treks are not technically very difficult but are considerably challenging. Previous vigorous/strenuous trekking experience is required.
DISCLAIMER
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure the safety of its clients. However, in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants would be required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.
Recognised by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as an Approved Adventure Tour Operator
Contact Us
GIO Adventures Pvt. LtdDehradun - Uttarakhand
- +91-7895979211
- info@gio.in