Har Ki Dun Trek, Uttarakhand

Distance: 190 KM | Duration: 9 Hours | Altitude: 6,725 Feet (2,050 meters) We start the journey early from Dehradun and drive to Sankri. Purola is the last big settlement on the route with a large market. So, it is recommended that the trekkers can buy anything they might have missed out by Purola itself. It also is the last village where most of the mobile networks work. The drive after Purola is through a beautiful forest of pine trees. The peak of Kedarkantha can be seen from various points along the way from here. We reach Sankri by early evening. It is a small village with a central market lined with a few shops. The village has numerous apple orchards which are harvested starting in late summer. One can see the Swargarohini peak from here on a clear day. We rest at night in a guest house or in camps.

Taluka Distance: 10 KM drive, 10/12 KM trek | Duration: 1-hour drive, 5 to 6 hours trek | Altitude: 8,270 Feet (2,520 meters) Since, the journey is long, we start as early as we can in the morning. After breakfast we board an SUV and drive through a bumpy forest road and cross one or two streams on the way. We reach Taluka in about an hour which is a small village with a few shops and two Government guest houses. The trek commences from here on a stony path with the fragrance of cedar trees that can be felt around Taluka. We walk close to the river Supin gushing through rapids. One must avoid “bichchu ghas” which literally translates to ‘scorpion grass’. A slight touch can give us a stinging sensation that lasts for about twenty to thirty minutes. This herb is also cooked as a vegetable and eaten. After a few hours of walking past the village of Datmer and Gangad we continue our trek till we reach the secluded campsite at Puani Garat. Camping in Puani Garat.

Har Ki Dun Valley Distance: 10 KM trek | Duration: 5 to 6 hours trek | Altitude: 10,830 Feet (3,300 meters) Today we start the day by heading up towards Osla village, which is located on a sloping spur about a hundred meters above the river Supin. The initial trail to Osla is the steepest section along the entire trek and can take 30-40 mins to cover. The landscape surrounding Osla is full of terraced farms. Osla is the last village on the route to Har ki Dun. From Osla the trail gradually rises higher and we cross a few fields, while the river can be seen far below. We come across a temple some distance below the trail towards the right. We pass through bushes of flowers like orchids, fleece flowers, and sunflowers. The journey today is rather short, which gives the opportunity to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the next day's journey. We can take a breather basking in the sun at the beautiful campsite of Kalkatidhar. The ban to camp at Har Ki Dun has had a rather positive outlook on the trekking itinerary, as it allows for more comfort & at the same time preserves the natural beauty of Har Ki Dun.

Har Ki Dun Distance: 15 to 17 KM trek | Duration: 7 to 8 hours trek | Altitude: 12,530 Feet (3,820 mts) The days' trek can be considered to be rather long as we today visit Har Ki Dun and Marinda Tal, a small lake formation due to the obstructing boulder across the river stream, which lies 2 KM further ahead of Har Ki Dun. As we start the trek, at a short distance a hidden and roaring waterfall is encountered with a small tea shop beside the waterfall. Reach the confluence of river Supin and Ruinsara to get a view of the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara valley including Black Peak, the highest peak in the region. After traversing higher up along the true right of the river, we enter the final stretch which is inside a forest, which later, opens up to a very panoramic spot in Har ki Dun located at the junction of two valleys, one originating from Jaundhar glacier and the other from beyond Hata glacier. The minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered Himalayan birch trees Bhojpatra separates us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes up all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. Upon reaching the final point, relax and soak in the environment for some time before continuing the trek to Marinda Tal, 2-3 km ahead. Further, the trail ascends gradually till you reach the lake which is formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river which flows down from the base of the Borasu Pass. After our short visit to Marinda Tal we make our return journey back to Kalkatidhar on the same route as it becomes much easier to go all downhill from here. We reach back by early evening and rest at the campsite.

Osala Distance: 10 KM trek | Duration: 4 to 5 hours trek | Altitude: 8,270 Feet (2,520 meters) After having a hearty breakfast, we start our journey back to Osla which is an easy walk. On the route we come across a good view of the trail all the way to Osla and see the valley descend towards Taluka, around the curve of the ridge where the two streams coming from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara respectively, converge. A little short of this intersection we can get a glimpse of a trail to our left marked by a sight of a bridge down over the stream. This trail goes to join the trail to Ruinsara lake and is rarely taken. After reaching Osla, one can roam about in the village, talk to locals and soak in the Garhwali culture. We continue our journey from here to our earlier campsite of Puani Garat where we can spend time basking in the sun. Overnight stay at the campsite in Puani Garat.

Sankri Distance: 10 KM trek, 10 KM drive | Duration: 6 hours | Altitude: 6,725 Feet (2,050 meters) Early in the morning, post breakfast we set out from this beautiful abode as we start trekking through the same trail we trekked along on Day 1, towards Taluka. Although the views seem different as the perspective changes significantly trekking downhill. The walk takes lesser time than before and is enjoyable. We walk to the true left of the River Supin until we finally arrive at Taluka, from where a vehicle takes us back to Sankri. We retire for the day in camp alongside the river or in a guest house in Sankri.

Dehradun Distance: 190 KM | Duration: 9 Hours | Journey Ends: Arrive in Dehradun between 5 and 7 PM Today, the trek to Har ki Dun concludes, as we leave Sankri post breakfast. The drive up to Mori through the unique lesser touched regions is still amazing. The stretch right after crossing Mori town is still the prettiest along the entire journey, albeit the new hydel project has put the fragile environs at increased risk in this area. After crossing the towns and finally Kempty-Mussoorie, we reach Dehradun by late afternoon or early evening.