What a trek!
What breath-taking views and Experiences!
I could hardly believe that I was setting out without the next campsite in mind. But I do not live to regret, so I’ll share my celebrations. What Har Ki Dun Trek gave me was so alike bliss, that I’d burn my holidays to breathe those oxygen-filled pine forests again. And so should you. I’ll tell you what to do and what to skip. And yes, pack in a few packets of instant noodles because campers and noodles are best friends, Always.
Trekking is something really different from regular trips and it involves a lot of planning and preparation (if going on your own) physically and mentally before commencing the trek.
As one of the oldest and the most established treks in the Himalayas (est. 1956), Har ki Dun Trek is unlettered, uncorrupted scenic beauty. The 7-day trek starts from Taluka (12 kms from Sankri, connected by road) and stretches out for 56 kms to and fro. Each trekker has to sign a few disclosures to the forest department and pay the entry fee before setting off. This whole area comes under the Jurisdiction of Govind Pashu Vihar National park.
Sankri is the Base station for 14 other treks including Har ki dun trek.
A village of about 80-100 families dependent on Agriculture(Apple Orchards) and Tourism. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous wooden architecture.
All the treks start from here. A good place to make friends. If you’re planning to hit it off solo, or with friends
Best options to reach Sankri (Base station for Har ki Dun Trek) from Dehradun –
1) Get to Dehradun Bus Station and catch a state-run bus to either Purola or Sankri. The one for Purola leaves at 6:45 am, and to Sankri at 8 am.
2) Get a seat in a private bus just outside the Dehradun railway station, they usually start the seat bookings by 7.15am and within 15-30 min bus leaves dehradun.
3) Taxis are available for purola, from there get on a bus to sankri. 2 hour Journey from Purola.
4) Private Cabs are also available for Sankri and Taluka from Dehradun Railway Station
Any of the above options except private cab would set you back by Rs 300 – 400.
* *Dehradun is the capital city of Uttrakhand and is well connected to all major cities of India by Train, Bus and Air.
Pro tip –
1) Life is getting up an hour early and living an hour more. Start early from Dehradun.
2) Call your concerned and dear ones from Purola to tell them that you’re going back to the 18th Century. The signal strength of BSNL is good enough in Sankri. As you ascend the mountains, that telecom goes downhill.
3) As for people who feel nauseous on mountain roads, sniff a lemon/lime/orange peel. Citrus drives sickness away.
Things to Know about Har ki Dun Trek
1) Har ki Dun Trek is a great choice if you’re a beginner – Low Altitude – (3650mtrs). Multiple day treks are possible. Great if you want to get a taste of what’s the real deal is.
2) Travel light – Remember when you had to walk back home from the bus stop with that school bag. That bag surely didn’t feel that heavy when you started, right? Yeah, that was on a plain road, and the bus stop was 5 minutes away. Carry sachets instead of bottles.
3) Carry cash and toffees – No ATMs up there, You will find last ATM at Purola. Toffees’ for the village kids. It’s the least you can do.
4) Meds – Trekking, camping, cramps, and struggles are a gang. But sniffles, headaches, and rumbling bowels can be kept away. Also, mosquitos love us as much as we love chole-bhature, carry Odomos.
5) Rain Cover and Poncho – Weather is always unpredictable in mountains so Backpack Rain Cover and poncho are a must.
Sankri to Har ki Dun
This trek can be completed in 7 days but we took it to 9 days, because the air is cleaner and the Maggi is tastier, Not Really We took more days due to the bad weather and other Conditions.
Day 1 – Dehradun to Sankri – (186 Kms) Stay Overnight at GMVN Guest House.
Day 2 – Sankri – Taluka – Gangaad (12kms) approx 1 Hour Journey by Jeep and 7 Hour Trek to Gangaad
Day 3 – Gangaad – Leisure Day at Gangaad.
Day 4 – Gangaad – Kalkatiyadhar Campsite (7 – 8 Hours Trek)
Day 5 – Kalkatiyadhar Campsite – Rain, Rain Go away! Had to spent entire day inside tent.
Day 6 – Kalkatiyadhar – Har-ki-dun (4 – 5 Kms , 2 – 3 Hour Trek)
Day 7 – Har-ki-dun – Gangaad
Day 8 – Gangaad – Sankri – Purola
Day 9 – Purola – Dehradun
My Journey to Har ki Dun Trek with Iman & Romesh
Day1.
Anyhow, you’d reach Sankri within 6 pm by the above-mentioned transportation. You possibly wouldn’t want to go hotel-hunting now. Take your weary body to the GMVN Guest House . Its affordable has large rooms with 6 beds which can accommodate around 6 to 7 people in one room and has clean washrooms with running hot water.
Take in Sankri’s scenic beauty. Reach a mountain top, marvel the apple orchards below, and sip your Sangaria (though the local tea would be a better option)
Day 2.
Next morning, after a hearty breakfast in the hostel, be prepared for a bone-breaking ride. But there’s no going back now; start for Taluka on a jeep, It costs 50 Per Person.
Gangaad and other surrounding villages are known for their ornately decorated wooden houses, carved out of termite-resistant Deodar wood. They’re so organic, they almost camouflage! We even came across the famous ingenious mechanical grindstone that grinds flour using the momentum of the running stream water.
Once you’ve trekked till Gangaad, put out your tents, and enjoy the sunset. Maybe have a bonfire, toast marshmallows, and play with Village kids.
Although We stayed at Himalayan Homestay in Gangaad, Managed by Ramesh, a local guy, he also runs Government Post Office, Anybody wishes to send a memorable postcard to your loved ones, You can send it, Although it will reach after your return to home.
Day3.
Leisure Day at Gangaad – We Stayed an Extra day at Gangaad, to Explore the Village and Nearby places, to meet locals, and to have a cup of tea with them.
Day 4.
Not long after you start trekking, you’ll come across a water stream and two huts. Just ahead of them is a concrete bridge where the ‘Two roads diverged in a wood’ and you must take the one which goes straight ahead.
After a while, you’ll come across Village Osla on your left, Typical mountain hamlet, you can’t miss it. Leave that on your left and trek ahead. You’d see a GMVN Lodge on right and a temple. Make a quick prayer for your legs because from there the trek gets steeper, much steeper.
To say that this place is breathtaking would be an understatement. It’s calming to the eyes and reassuring to sore muscles.
The route along the nearby steel bridge after the Lodge bifurcates, one goes to Har ki Dun, and the other along the opposite bank of the river that goes to Ruinsara Lake.
And what do you get after that steep trek? Oh no, not a tea stall. That’s another couple of miles away. The familiar tarpaulin and the sweet smell of Maggi lures you, and you just cannot do with just one cup of tea. And you’d need it for the even steeper climb till Kalkatiyadhar Campsite, which is well above 3000 meters from sea level.
Day 5.
It’s absolute bliss to wake up to a rainy morning with fog all around and a bit of snowfall in upper mountains, But rains spell an absolute disaster on the day of our trek. We spent a day at Kalkatiyadhar campsite inside our tents because the clouds decided to descend on us. No bonfire, no wilderness gazing. Rains aren’t as much fun up in the mountains.
Day 6.
Next dawn brought a better day, with renewed vigour we set about for the final lap (5 to 6 km) of the trek to Har ki Dun.
The trek isn’t all that steep, now that you’re so close to the summit. The beautiful flowers paved the way for the characteristic panoramic view.
Just when you think it couldn’t get much better, you’re at Har ki Dun. The summit, the scenery, and the smiles!
With the gushing water stream on your right and nothing but majestic mountains to behold, you cannot help but feel insignificant. toil and the troubles seem tiny to the results. You wouldn’t want to take your eyes off the horizon but no one says no to coffee on a hill-top. We rested in a private lodge, the only lodge and recharged ourselves with some good grub. Lying on our backs, we star-gazed till sleep enveloped us in the pine-filled breeze.
Myth – It is Believed that the Pandav’s Eldest Brother Yudhisthir Ascend to heaven from Swargarohini Peak.
Places to Visit Around Har Ki Dun
- Ruinsara Taal – The Route Diverges in Osla for Ruinsara Taal.
- Maninda Taal – Maninda Taal is 1 – 2 hour journey from Har ki Dun Base.
- Jaundhar Glacier.
Imp. Things to Carry on Har ki Dun Trek
Backpack with Rain Cover, Water Bottle, Lock, Head Torch, Poncho, Military Knife, Eatables as per your Suitability, Camp, Sleeping Bag
Rest as per you Need and Comfort.