Har Ki Dun Trek: A trek to the valley of Shiva

Uttarakhand is home to innumerable treks and the Har ki Dun trek is one such unconventional expedition that gives a perfect chance to catch glimpses of the unexplored Himalayas. The word ‘Har ki Dun’ literally means Valley of the Gods and is a cradle-shaped formation perched at a height of 3566 meters in the Govind Ballabh Pant National Park. The valley offers panoramic views of prominent peaks including Bandarpunch, Kalanag and Swargarohini.

Traversing rustic paths carved out of the mountains over ages, with an abundance of alpine vegetation, the Har ki Dun trek is a 7-8 day journey that starts from Sankri.

Known by many names like Hari ki Dhun, Har ki Doon and others, this trek attracts adventurers from all over the country. It is an ideal getaway to explore the pristine terrains of the Himalayan region. The valley is located in Uttarkashi district and the watershed serves as the source of the Yamuna river system.  this is one the simple himalayan treks.

It takes about 10 hours to drive from Dehradun to Sankri, which also serves as the base point of the Har ki Dun trek. The next stop will be at Pauni Garaat and the route goes through Taluka, a quiet village with Kumauni cultures.

From Pauni Garaat the trek continues towards Kalkattiyadhar. Har ki Dun is almost 10 km from Kalkattiyadhar and it takes 5 hours to reach the final destination. On the way back, you will cross another Himalayan village of Osla before reaching Sankri and finally Dehradun.

Also see: Shorts duration treks in himachal 

Here are the places you will explore during your trek:

1. Govind National Park

The Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area covering an area of ​​958 km2. The area is home to the Rupin and Supin valleys, which form the catchment area of ​​a major tributary of the Yamuna River. It lies in a subtropical, temperate and alpine climate zone and is characterized by a diverse flora. With an abundance of Himalayan cedar, rhododendron, Himalayan yew, beech, Himalayan spruce and spikenard, you can spot over 20 species of mammals and 100 species of birds.

2. Village Taluka

Taluka village is almost 10 km from Sankri. The picturesque village is a cluster of wooden houses where warm locals welcome visitors for overnight stay and food at a nominal price. With the sounds of the gushing river and never-ending conversations about the region, Taluka is the perfect place to stop and explore the local lifestyle of remote Himalayan villages.

3. Someshwar Mahadev Temple

The Someshwar Mahadev Temple in Sankri is a religious place that hosts festivals and fairs every year. The Pahadi style architecture of the temple exhibits pure wooden art carved from Deodars. The temple belongs to the Pandava era and you can spend a few hours here taking in the sights of the Swargarohini peaks.

4. Har Ki Dun Valley

It is a hidden valley perched at an altitude of 3566 meters. Har ki Dun valley which is covered with thick snow cover from December to March offers a magnificent view of Swargarohini peak, Kala Nag, Bandarpoonch and others. It is among the unconventional valleys in the Garhwal Himalayas.

What to do during Har ki Dun Trek

During the trip to Har ki Dun the following must be done:

1. Camping

While trekking to Har ki Dun, you will camp by the river amidst lush greenery. Sleeping under the glittering sky, refreshing mornings with the sounds of nature and watching some rare birds in their quarrelsome swings, camping during Har ki Dun is a unique experience, much more interesting than staying in a homestay or guest house.

2. Hiking

Hiking through the rugged terrains of the Har ki Dun trek, you will have the opportunity to explore hidden waterfalls and valleys, leading to breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain peaks. You can also take short hikes to nearby villages if you want to share food with the locals and plan an overnight stay to refresh yourself for the journey ahead.

3. Bird watching and photography

Trek is a paradise for nature lovers. You can spot birds including Great Hornbill, Green Magpie, Black-bellied Pheasant, Black-throated Pheasant, Kali’s Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Rufous Partridge, Oriental Dove, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rose-bellied Flycatcher, Verditer’s Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia, Great Barbet etc. here. Capturing moments with your mobile phone or DSLR is something you can’t avoid on this trip.

Essentials and Gears for Har ki dun Trekking

Trekking needs some equipment, here are the most essential things and Gears you must carry with you while trekking.

• 50-60 liter backpack with comfortable straps and raincoat
• Trekking stick
• Headlamp
• Water bottle, hydration pack and thermos
• Energy bars and dried fruit
• FIRST AID
• Hand sanitizers and disinfectants
• Disposable bags
• A short trip to explore the best places around Jim Corbett

Physical fitness for Har ki Dun Trek

Passengers must be fit. The basic endurance of comfortably covering a distance of 5 km in 30 minutes.
A traveler would carry a 10-15 kg backpack. Walking with weight on your shoulders will not bother you.
Avoid this route if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma and epilepsy.