Har Ki Dun Trek

Arrive at Dehradhun

The journey from Dehradun to Sankri is approximately 190 kilometers long and takes around 9 hours. We begin the journey early in the morning and drive through a picturesque forest of pine trees after Purola, which is the last big settlement on the way and has a large market. We recommend that trekkers buy any necessary items here. Purola is also the last village where most mobile networks work.

While driving towards Sankri, one can catch glimpses of the Kedarkantha peak from various points. Sankri is a small village with a central market and several shops. It is surrounded by apple orchards that are harvested in late summer. On clear days, one can see the Swargarohini peak from here. We reach Sankri by early evening and spend the night in a guest house or camps, depending on the package chosen.

Sankri to Puani Garat 

To ensure that we have enough time for the trek, we start early in the morning after having breakfast. We board an SUV and drive for about 10 kilometers through a bumpy forest road, crossing one or two streams on the way. We reach Taluka, a small village with a few shops and two Government guest houses, in about an hour.

The trek begins from Taluka on a stony path, surrounded by the fragrance of cedar trees. We walk along the river Supin, which gushes through rapids. It's essential to avoid "bichchu ghas" (scorpion grass), as even a slight touch can cause a stinging sensation that lasts for about twenty to thirty minutes. Interestingly, this herb is also cooked as a vegetable and eaten.

After walking for a few hours past the villages of Datmer and Gangad, we continue our trek until we reach the secluded campsite at Puani Garat. Here, we set up our camps and spend the night amidst nature's beauty.

Puani Garat to Kalkatidhar

On day three of the trek, we embark on a 10-kilometer journey that takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. We start the day by heading up towards Osla village, which is situated 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 minutes to cover. The landscape surrounding Osla is full of terraced farms, and it 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. Along the way, 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.

Despite the short distance, today's journey allows us to acclimatize to the high altitude and prepare for the next day's journey. We take a breather at the beautiful campsite of Kalkatidhar, basking in the sun and enjoying the stunning views. The ban on camping at Har Ki Dun has had a positive impact on the trekking itinerary, as it allows for more comfort and preserves the natural beauty of the area.

Har Ki Dun trek

Today's trek is quite long, covering a distance of 15 to 17 kilometers and taking about 7 to 8 hours. We'll be visiting Har Ki Dun and Marinda Tal, a small lake formed due to an obstructing boulder across the river stream, which is located 2 kilometers further ahead of Har Ki Dun.

At the beginning of the trek, we'll encounter a hidden and roaring waterfall with a small tea shop beside it. As we continue, we'll reach the confluence of the Supin and Ruinsara rivers, which offers a beautiful view of the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara valley, including Black Peak, the highest peak in the region.

We'll then traverse higher up along the true right of the river and enter the final stretch, which is inside a forest. Later, we'll reach a 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. A minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered Himalayan birch trees, separates us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes all the way up to the base of Swargarohini Peak.

After reaching the final point, we'll take some time to relax and soak in the environment before continuing the trek to Marinda Tal, which is located 2-3 kilometers ahead. The trail gradually ascends till we reach the lake, which is formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river flowing down from the base of the Borasu Pass.

After visiting Marinda Tal, we'll make our return journey back to Kalkatidhar on the same route, which becomes much easier as it's all downhill from here. We'll reach the campsite by early evening and rest for the night.

Kalkatidhar to Puani Garat

Following a satisfying breakfast, we begin our return trek to Osla, which is relatively effortless. Along the way, we have an excellent view of the trail leading back to Osla, and we can see the valley descending towards Taluka, where the two streams from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara merge around the curve of the ridge. Before reaching this intersection, we catch a glimpse of a rarely taken trail on our left, marked by a bridge over the stream, which joins the trail to Ruinsara Lake. Upon arriving in Osla, one can explore the village, interact with locals, and immerse themselves in Garhwali culture. From there, we proceed to our previous campsite in Puani Garat, where we can relax and bask in the sun. We spend the night at the campsite in Puani Garat.

Trek from Puani Garat to Sankri

After breakfast, we depart from our lovely accommodation early in the morning and start trekking back towards Taluka through the same trail we used on Day 1. Despite trekking downhill, the scenery looks different due to the change in perspective. The trek is shorter and more pleasant than before. We follow the true left of the River Supin until we reach Taluka, where we take a vehicle back to Sankri. We spend the night camping beside the river or in a guest house in Sankri.

Sankri to Dehradun 

On the last day of the Har ki Dun trek, we depart from Sankri after breakfast and begin our journey towards Dehradun. The drive takes us through some stunning and relatively untouched areas, with the most picturesque stretch being right after we pass the town of Mori. However, the construction of a new hydel project in the area has raised concerns for the environment. As we cross various towns, including Kempty-Mussoorie, we eventually reach Dehradun by late afternoon or early evening, bringing our memorable trek to an end.