Har Ki Dun Trek

The first day begins with a 10 hour drive from Dehradun to Sankri. You are expected to reach Dehradun railway station by 6:30 in the morning. To reach on time, you can book an overnight bus ride from Delhi to Dehradun ISBT.

Passing through Mussoorie- the “Queen of the Hills” on to Uttarkashi district, we will cross Naugaon, Purola, Mori, and Netwar before finally reaching village Sankri- the first stop on the trek. The road is through and through picturesque with pine tree forests starting on both sides of a road that catches up on a parallel to the course of the river Tons. Stopping at a favorable hour, we will have lunch somewhere by the road at an inn. Reaching Purola, you should get done with important calls and internet usage because hereafter, connection will get fuzzy. BSNL is the only efficient service available in this zone with limited providers.

A short way before Sankri, we will cross the Govind National Park checkpoint and at about 6 in the evening, the drive will end at Sankri. After freshening up at the guest house, you will get sufficient time to explore the market close by. Trekking essentials, garments, and equipments are available at the bazaar in Sankri, in case you need last minute shopping for the venture ahead.

On day 2, we start on our drive from Sankri to Taluka at 7 in the morning. This short drive through gradually thickening forests and streams cutting through the path over boulders will introduce us to the terrain of our trek closely.

Reaching Taluka, another village of the same lineage found on this trek, trekkers will be invited to collect refreshments before getting started on the hike. The first lapse is a descent to the banks of the beautiful Tons and keeping the river on the right, the trail enters a level walk through forests of conifers until reaching the first cemented bridge.

Crossing the stream, the trail leads up to a wooden bridge where a gentle slope goes down to the waters. Here you can fill your bottle and move ahead. The whole way along the river is ideal for photo compositions and provides shade too. We approach the rest point for lunch by the Supin tributary that we crossed before at around 1 in the noon. At a rocky height from the banks of the rivulet is a food shack, one of the many that we are going to find on our trek to the valley. These stores are with packaged food and beverage along with delightful hot snacks. In addition to our packed lunch, this will add a different twang of delight to outdoor meals on the move.

Progressing ahead, harvest fields of potato, millet, and maize will fall on the way giving the whole stretch a ranch house feel. Pauni Garaat, a green clearing on the banks of Supin at its sprightly best is arrived at late in the afternoon as the Sun begins to dip—welcome to the first camp!

Pauni Garaat to Kalkattiyadhar is a distance of 7 km over 6 hours which we start early morning at 6. The trail crosses 3 “garaat” or hydroelectricity run chaffing units which are used by the villagers for separating husks of millet and maize followed by grounding to flour. The idyllic vibe retained in the surrounding, the trek proceeds through harvest lands, cattle grazing, and slant roofed huts used as granary and storages. After crossing a log bridge, the trail turns for an ascent. On this incline, you will get fabulous viewpoints to steal glimpses of the Dhauladhar Range out front. Snaky trails to Borasu Pass and Baspa Valley can also be made out from here.

The high trail winds further down reaching a tabletop green stretch—Kalkattiyadhar. This is the campsite for day

A total trek distance of 10 km is reserved for the summit day, spanning over 6-7 hours of trekking time. Moving through a thick forest of conifers—chestnut, bhojpatra or papyrus bark, pines, and cedar, the trail is an intense experience of nature. There are several log bridges to be crossed over cool flowing streams concluded by the final ascent lap. The last landmark on the stretch to the valley is a waterfall, after which the ascent is unrelenting till the destination is reached.

About after 40 minutes on the uphill trail from the waterfall, you will reach the Valley cradled in greenery at the feet of the Har Ki Doon peak. The silvery waters of Supin streams through the heart of the valley and at the end of the vale there shows green roofed cottages of the forest department. The camps are made with a view of the majestic Swargarohini visible in front and the Hatha peak peeking from a corner. You will reach the valley in time to take a walk up to the cluster of green-roofed cottages. From here, you can treat your eyes to a different side of Swargarohini. A Shiva temple with a trident raised in the sky marks this glorious spot.

Remember to keep your cameras on stand-by to capture that beautiful essence of alpine glow when the sun sets.

Trek back on the same route to Kalkattiyadhar. Overnight stay in Tents.

On day 5, we start off with a packed lunch towards Osla via Kalkattiyadhar. Down by the same trail, we break towards the village after crossing a cemented bridge. The village is reached by afternoon to be greeted with a host of smiling faces. The exceptional architecture of Osla’s houses invokes a different time and a different world altogether, the most striking structure being the Durtodhana temple topped with a pair of carved peacocks.

Multihued ethnic garments, bronze and silver hand whittled jewelry, and typical headgears define the cultural richness of the people here. After soaking in the rustic charm of Osla for an hour or two, wind down the narrow hilly lanes back to the expansive riverbed and followed by a few hours of mixed descent, you will reach Pauni Garaat camp by the gusty Supin flowing by.

The hum of the river will keep you company through the night.

A 5 hour trek to Taluka sets off this morning, climbing down by the familiar trail, stopping at familiar rest points. The car waits at the end of the dirt road to drive back base camp-wards. Pay special attention to descending tactic. Though climbing down accounts for lesser exhaustion, stressing out your soles with bold steps is inadvisable.

Sankri will be reached just in time for tea.

• First timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking.
• The trekker must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
• Since it is a Moderate level trek, people who suffer from Heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this trek.