Har ki dun trek is one of the most popular treks. This trek can be taken at any time of the year by all kind of travellers and it is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. The Har ki Dun trekking is embraced with soothing sights of water streams , small villages and deodar trees that will definitely enchant your soul with the pine smell.
It is said that a drummer had lost lost in the valley while playing nagara in search of Lord shiva and hence the name Har ki dun where Har means Lord Shiva and Dun means Sound. It is a 47 kms trek at and altitude of 11600 ft.
There are various travel organiser for Har ki dun with different facilities. Me along my 3 other friends planned this trek and booked it with Sar Outdoors. The trip is from Dehradun to Dehradun. But we took it from Mussoorie as we travelled to Mussoorie the previous day of the trek. It is a 6N7D trek and first and last day is majorly travel to base camp. Please note its a total No network Zone area and Morri is the last place where one gets network.
Day 1 we were picked from Mussoorie in a TT and we headed to Sankri base camp. The journey is of 8-9 hours long and view along the journey is just breathtaking. As you leave behind hustle bustle of Mussoorie one comes across a different beautiful environment with the water streams , pine trees, small villages , locals selling there produce and calm surrounding. Purola and Morri are stops for lunch. We stopped at Morri to have lunch and it was a simple local food - Red rice, Dal , Mirchi Chutney. Note dont expect any fancy foods through the trek but the local foods are very tasty. The lunch stop was near a water stream and one can sit and relax here or read a book or just sit and enjoy the breeze and sound of water flowing. Once lunch was done next stop was direct Sankri base camp. On the entire way there were kids playing Holi , randomly throwing colors as it is was Holi.We were allotted rooms in Nature View Himalayas Resort. The resort rooms were very good and cosy. Also the last comfort room before the trek starts.
People who wants to buy trek essentials can buy on this day itself either for rent or purchase , but ensure you go to the shop by 6-7pm as beyond this its very limited options available and shops close by 8pm here. Trekking pole, gloves, rain coat, warmers, shoes, caps all necessities things will be available at Sankri.
Day 2 we woke up to one of the most beautiful sunrise and view no one should miss. Once we finished breakfast we were picked from Sankri to Taluka which is the base for the Har ki dun Trek. Its a 1 hour journey via Jeep to this place covering 12 kms and ensure you sit on the Jeep roof because one cannot miss the amazing bumpy adventurous jeep ride to Taluka. The entire journey is memorable one, ensure you sit towards the view area , the roads are narrow and no roads are available, it is steep cliff edges , throughout the journey you see Buran trees , deodar & apline trees, pine trees, valleys , water streams and the deep heights...!!!
Once reached at Taluka the trek begins to next base camp Gangarh , first day of trek is of 9kms. The necessary instructions will be given and the trek begins, initially it will be flat land walking and later the actual trekking begins, long ascend then descend then vice versa. This day of trek is through greenery , forest kind of feel , birds chirping , fresh air, soothing sound of water flow, trees all around, nice shadow places for sleeping, perfect for a trek. This route is also the roads to other small villages like Dhatmir .You get shops in between not more than 2-3 to rest and have snacks. Ensure you keep hydrating yourself and the bottles can be refilled with the natural cold water flowing there. Have sufficient energy bars to keep up your energy. Packed lunch will be provided and the trek takes nearly 6-7 hrs. We reached around 4 pm to Gangarh where our camps were set up.
Be prepared that you wont hot water anywhere hereafter until return of this trek. If the group is small you might get hot water for drinking as the natural water is freaking cold. After evening snack, we left to explore the Gangarh village on our own. Gangarh village is a very old village with around 500 people residing. There are many cute childrens here , we spent nearly hours together playing and clicking there pictures. People here wove there own warm coats and its just amazing and expensive as well. As the night takes in the cold increases unbearably , ensure enough warm clothes and thermals are carried along or else its difficult to survive the cold temperature. There is snack shop as well near camp site. Buran and Blackberry(Amleej) juice is famous here, once must never miss on this. Nice place to spend time with friends , small bonfire was made to beat the cold, tasty hot food was prepared and served and we just enjoyed through the night and then retired to our camps. As night passes the cold increases extremely so wear sufficient warm clothes and good sleeping bag is given.
Day 3 we woke up early at 7am to start our trek at 8.30 am. It was a freaking cold weather and upon that brushing and washing face with cold water just numbs the skin. I just dropped the idea of washing face and used face wipes instead (carry this , it is very handy) You cant feel your hand once dipped in water. Forget about bathing through this trek time as you dont get this chance anywhere and i bet no one wants to bath in cold water. After breakfast we started off our journey to our next final base camp Kalkathidaar. This is around 15 kms moderate trek.
First stop is at Seema village which was the last village on this trek , we stopped by for tea and snacks. As we started off its a total open land trek not like previous day were it was cool and greenery all around. We came across a bridge , clicked few pics and then its uphill for 20-30 mins before a flat land walking. This trek is mainly at the edge of the mountains, crossing one mountain to other, you will get to see cattles going to there fields. Around 3 pm we reached our base camp Kalkathidhar. We were camped at a beautiful view place where we could see the snow capped Swargrohini peaks, the ruinsara trek range.
Since we reached early , we just walked around the camp site, sat across isolated place and enjoyed the view with chilling atmosphere. Around 5pm the previous batch as well came to camp site and were sharing there amazing experiences. We spent rest of evening enjoying in the campsite with others, enthusiast for next day trek.
Day 4 was the main trek day where we would go to Har ki dun. This day we didnt carry our backpacks, it was only essentials in a small bag. The trek is of 16 kms two way and we started off by 8.30 am. Initially it was looking easy but then it uphill most of the time, as you trek further the atmosphere is more cold but good view all around. Dense Snow capped mountains , tress and open fields were trek highlights. This day trek we were crossing via snow deposits , we saw good amount of snow all around as were reaching the peak.
Once we did the final uphill it was the most serene and beautiful view to look around. We witness Jaundhar Glacier which is the summit. Freaking cold water stream flowing , snow all around and then we made our way to the peak at 1 pm. The view from here cant be described but to be felt and experienced. Chill air with good amount of sun, many snow capped mountains and snow deposits at base. Other trek range peaks can be seen from here. There is a shiva temple on the peak as well which is the ultimate trek point. We spent nearly 2 hrs here enjoying the view, isolating from the hustle bustle , spending our me time disconnected from the world.
Once we spent good amount of time here, we started our trail back to campsite with heart full of happiness. The trek back will be little quick compared to trekking up. One wont get any snack point during return so next snack stop would be the campsite. Around 5 pm we reached back our campsite exhausted but with happy faces. We took rest for next day of return.
Day 5 is return from Kalkathidhar to Ganghar via Osala. We started our day at 9pm as it was trekking back it was not a tiring day. We trekked via Osala village which is the last village in the trek. Osala is a very old village almost 500+ years old. It is a small village and what attracts was the temple here which was beautifully architected. The design of the temple doors were just brilliant and perfect architecture. We spent some time here and then tekked back to Gangarh. By 1 pm we reached Gangarh within 3-4 hrs of time.
We reached early and had entire day left out, so we went to the village post lunch & nap for playing cricket. It was fun playing cricket with the kids there and we didnt know how time passed by. Rest of the night was spent playing Uno, movie , quality time with friends.
Day 6 was return to the base camp i.e Sankri via Taluka. We started from Gangarh by 8.30am , trailed back between the woods , fresh water streams, greenery all around, forest kind feel, peaceful environment. We reached Taluka by 1.30 pm and post that we were taken Jeep to base camp resort. We spent rest of the resting, reviving the memories and capturing the sankri beauty for the last day.
Day 7 was travel back to Dehradun from Sankri. We were picked by TT by 8am and almost entire journey all were napping due to tiredness and lack of sleep. We reached dehradun by 4pm which was the last day of the trek.
Things to carry for Trek:
Warm clothes, thermals, sunscreen lotion, lip balm, basic medicines, energy bars, toilet papers, mouth wash, gloves, water bottles, cap, moisturizer, socks, Power bank (As no electricity and network for the entire trek)
Tips:
Ensure you keep hydrating yourself, Do smart packing as you need to carry your own backpack, Carry sufficient Energy bars.