Complete Guide to Har Ki Dun Trek
Har Ki Dun lies in the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarkashi district at 3,566m. The valley is believed to be the route the Pandavas took to Heaven (Swargarohini = Stairway to Heaven). The trek passes through the Tons River valley and ancient Jaunsari tribal villages.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trek grade | Moderate |
| Total distance | ~55 km (round trip) |
| Duration | 7–8 days (Sankri base) |
| Maximum altitude | 3,566 m (Har Ki Dun valley) |
| Trek start | Sankri village, Uttarkashi |
| National Park permit | ₹150/person/day |
| Best season | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov (snow season Dec–Mar) |
| Key highlights | Osla/Gangad villages, Swargarohini views, Ruinsara Lake (side trip) |
Best Time for Har Ki Dun Trek
- April–June: Rhododendrons bloom; excellent trail conditions; long daylight; most popular season
- September–November: Post-monsoon clarity; Swargarohini peaks crisp and visible; Ruinsara Lake unfrozen
- December–March (winter): Deep snow (1–2 metres); magical winter landscape; requires snowshoeing; few operators run this
- July–August: Monsoon; muddy trails; leeches; not recommended
Har Ki Dun Trek Route and Itinerary
- Day 1: Delhi → Dehradun → Sankri (200 km from Dehradun, 8 hrs) — overnight at Sankri
- Day 2: Sankri → Taluka → Osla (13 km, 6 hrs, 400m ascent) — ancient Osla village
- Day 3: Osla → Har Ki Dun (9 km, 4 hrs, 600m ascent) — valley base camp
- Day 4: Har Ki Dun exploration day or Ruinsara Lake side trip (7 km round trip)
- Day 5: Har Ki Dun → Osla (descent, 9 km)
- Day 6: Osla → Sankri (13 km descent)
- Day 7: Sankri → Dehradun → Delhi
Har Ki Dun Trek Cost
| Expense | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Sankri (bus/shared jeep) | ₹800–₹1,500 |
| Accommodation in Sankri | ₹300–₹800/night |
| Camping/guesthouse on trail | ₹400–₹1,200/night |
| National Park permit (5 days) | ₹750 (Indian) |
| Guide | ₹1,000–₹1,500/day |
| Total (self-guided, 7 days) | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
| Total (guided package) | ₹10,000–₹18,000 |
Travel Tips and FAQs
- Osla and Gangad villages have traditional wooden Kath-Kuni architecture — one of the few surviving examples in Garhwal
- Ruinsara Lake (side trip from Har Ki Dun, 3.5 km) offers stunning views of Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch peaks
- The trail is well-marked and has GMVN huts at Osla and Har Ki Dun — useful for solo trekkers
- No mobile signal after Sankri — download maps offline and carry emergency satellite communicator for solo treks
- Trek is possible without guide in April–June; for winter or monsoon, hire a local guide from Sankri village
FAQ: How difficult is the Har Ki Dun trek? Moderate — the trail is gradual with no technical sections. The maximum elevation is 3,566m; fit beginners with 2+ previous treks can complete it comfortably. The 13 km Sankri–Osla stretch on Day 2 is the most tiring.