Har Ki Dun Trek

One amongst the natural marvels that Uttarakhand offers to the travel enthusiast and adventure seeker is the Har ki Dun valley. Situated in the region of the Garhwal Himalayas, it’s an Aladdin’s cave for any seasoned trekker and a nature adventure enthusiast. Not unlike the imperious Kedarkantha trek, the Har ki Dun valley has its place in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand. It is a place of great religious and cultural significance and, of course, natural wonders.

Seasoned trekkers would agree that the best way to enjoy Har ki Dun is going for a Har ki Dun Trek. This magnificent journey begins from the picturesque village of Sankri. During the expedition, you will encounter lush green meadows adorned with colorful alpine flowers in spring and summer, and witness the land’s transition into a pristine white wonderland during the winter season. The path follows the Supin River, providing the comforting sound of flowing water as a steady presence. The trek offers a mix of easy to moderate difficulty levels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers.

The major attraction of Har ki Dun Trek is reaching the unbelievably beautiful Har ki Dun valley, ensconced between towering mountains Swargarohini peak and Bandarpoonch peak. Even the gods cannot overlook the mesmerizing allurement of har ki dun valley and came to reside there. Which is literally the meaning of the name Har ki Dun – the valley of Gods. Also mythology suggests that Pandavas took this path during their last journey towards heaven.

To reach this Valley of Gods you need to undertake a 7-8 days trek, also known as Har ki Dun Trek. Start the trek from Sankri village located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. From there, the path will take you through Govind national Park which is itself a treat for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. On the way you can expect welcoming cries of Himalayan langur and several species of exotic birds. The green surroundings created by age-old Rhododendrons, Cedar, Conifers and other Himalaya floras will refresh your soul, mind, and body with their cool breeze, calming color palette, and fragrances. The valley is home to a variety of various plants and animals, such as musk deer, snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, etc. The Jaundhar Glacier and the Morinda Tal are among the high-altitude glacial lakes found in Har ki Dun Valley.

The mesmerizing journey of Har ki Dun Trek will soon take you to the people living in quaint villages along the route. You will experience the humble and close to nature living of people living in Osla village, Taluka, and Seema. The views get more and more dramatic the more you get closer to the destination—with snow-clad peaks towering against the azure sky, it becomes a majestic scene. At the very end, it is the sense of accomplishment that one feels best while reaching Har ki Dun since trekkers are rewarded with panoramic vistas, straight out of a postcard.

From adventure and romance with nature to a cultural soak, Har ki Dun promises to be an experience one will not forget. It is a concentration of the Himalayas—awesome, serene, spiritually enriching—and every step here is a journey within and a testament to the greatness of the natural world around.