Har Ki Dun is a beautiful valley nestled in the arms of the western Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. The valley can be accessed through the Govind Ballabh Pant National Park while you soak yourself in the air of Har Ki Dun Valley; find your way trekking through the pine and alpine forests, moraine ridges, glacier basins and ancient villages that hum the mythological tales of the Pandavas finding their way to heaven through this valley.

The tale

The mountains speak the legend of the Yudhishthir, the eldest of the Pandav brothers and a dog ascending the heaven via Swargarohini, the highest mountain peak that dominates the valley.

So following their trail will lead you to the breath-taking panoramic view of the Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch peak and Blackpeak(also known as Kala Nag peak), all together. One can also see the peaks of Ruinsara from this valley.

How to reach Har Ki Dun Valley?

For the Har Ki Dun trek, one has to reach the humble village of Sankri, which is about 200 kilometres away from Dehradun. From Sankri you can either hire a jeep or trek to Taluka which is about 12 kilometres away from Sankri. From here the route is a little steep for a couple of kilometres before descending to Har Ki Dun.

What all to do and see?

A variety of flora and fauna thrives in this region. So while you trek along the Thamsa River to the Har Ki Dun Valley you can easily spot families of Langoors, golden eagles, the colourful Himalayan monal, which is also the state bird of Uttarakhand. And if you are lucky you may even spot Black bears, boars and Barasingha among other animals thriving in their natural habitat.

1. Trekking

Trekking in the valley is fairly easy and though there are not a lot of sightseeing places along the way but the abundant natural beauty of snow clad mountains, gushing rivulets, cascading waterfalls along the trail flanked by untouched forests of pine and oak overwhelming your senses with the odour of the earth, keeps the eyes and souls of the adventurous travellers captivated at all times.

One can also trek 4 kilometres ahead of Har Ki dun to reach Jamdhar glacier and Morinda Tal.

2. Camping

After a long day of trekking and exploring the valley one can end their day in a cosy tent under the open sky and without any light pollution to block the view of the majestic Himalayan peaks and millions of stars above illuminating the night while you relax and rejuvenate with your companions.

3. Village tourism

Along the trek, you will come across various hamlets that house the indigenous communities of these mountains that are more than 300 years old. Beautiful villages like Osla, Sankri, Taluka, Jakhol etc. have a lot to tell about their history, folklore and their slow-paced rustic life that is far from the concrete madness of the cities. You can take a beat and explore these places to enrich your experience of Har Ki Dun.

4. Bird watching and photography

With so much to see, memories need to be captured. Such a vast variety of flora and fauna captures the imagination of photographers. Bring your cameras along to capture the moments to cherish them back home.

Tips to note while planning your trek to Har Ki Dun:

• A good time to visit Har Ki Dun would be during the summers between April-June and post-monsoon from September-November and if you have a soft corner for the snow then going in March would be most suitable as the weather would be pleasant and you will find snow in the region.
• If travelling during monsoons, make sure to check with local authorities, guides or tour operators like Memorable India about the weather and the road conditions as the roads are prone to landslides and may get blocked.
• It is advisable to have an expert guide you on the safety details and accompany you on the trek. The guide would know the routes and local places to see around and ensure your safety to a great extent.

Don’t forget to a pack set of warm clothes, sports shoes with a good grip and enjoy your escape from the concrete wild to the wilderness of Har Ki Dun.