Complete Har Ki Dun Travel Guide
Trek Details & Route
Trek route (6 days return, base: Sankri):
Day 1: Sankri (1,920m) → Taluka (2,100m) → Gangar (2,400m) — forest trail along Tons river.
Day 2: Gangar → Osla village (2,559m) — traditional Jaunsar village with ancient Duryodhana temple.
Day 3: Osla → Har Ki Dun base camp (3,150m) → Har Ki Dun (3,566m) — the valley opening.
Day 4: Explore Har Ki Dun valley; Maninda Lake (optional, +4 km); Jaundhar Glacier view.
Day 5–6: Return same route to Sankri.
Har Ki Dun valley (3,566m): A classical U-shaped glaciated valley — open grassland, the Har Ki Dun river, and Swargarohini (6,252m), Bandarpunch (6,316m) and Gangotri III (6,577m) filling the head of the valley. The meadow camp at the valley floor at sunset is one of the finest alpine experiences in Garhwal.
Osla village (ancient Jaunsar culture): Osla is an isolated 800-year-old village at 2,559m — the people here claim descent from the Pandavas (hence the Duryodhana temple, unique in India). The stone-and-slate architecture, the Jaunsar dress and the valley isolation make Osla one of the most culturally distinctive villages in the Himalaya.
Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary: The entire Har Ki Dun trek is within this sanctuary — habitat of snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, musk deer, bharal (blue sheep). Birdwatching is exceptional — the valley has Himalayan monal pheasant (Uttarakhand's state bird), snow partridge and Himalayan griffon.
How to Reach Har Ki Dun
| Origin | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sankri (trek start) | 3 days trek | 6 days return |
| Dehradun → Sankri | 197 km | 7 hrs via Purola |
| Delhi → Sankri | 503 km | 12 hrs |
| Mussoorie → Sankri | 159 km | 6 hrs |
Drive to Sankri (197 km from Dehradun, 7 hrs) — the trek start point. Dehradun to Sankri shared jeep: ₹500–800/person (from Nehrugram stand, Dehradun). Trek permit from the forest department at Sankri.
Budget, Trek Tips & Logistics
- Best time: April–June (spring, rhododendron bloom on the lower sections, clear views). September–November (post-monsoon clarity, meadows green). December–March (Har Ki Dun under 3–4m snow — winter snow trekking possible with proper equipment).
- Guide required: A local guide from Sankri or Osla is mandatory for snow season (October–March) and highly recommended at all times for the sanctuary section. Cost: ₹500–700/day.
- Accommodation on trail: GMVN rest houses at Gangar, Osla and Har Ki Dun valley — book via GMVN Uttarakhand website. Rates ₹400–800/night. Forest department camping fee at Har Ki Dun: ₹50/person/night.
The "Valley of the Gods"
Har Ki Dun (about 3,566m) is a cradle-shaped valley at the head of the Supin river in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, Uttarkashi district. It is ringed by peaks, with Swargarohini — the "stairway to heaven" that the Pandavas are said to have climbed — rising at its head. It is one of the oldest and most loved treks in Garhwal, with deep forests, meadows and some of the most traditional villages in Uttarakhand along the way.
Villages on the Way
The trail passes Osla, Gangaar and Seema, villages of the Fateh Parvat region with tall wooden houses, carved façades and slate roofs. Osla's Someshwar temple is a beautiful wooden temple. According to local tradition, the people of this region revere Duryodhana and the Kauravas, which is unusual in Hindu India.
Route and Season
- Drive from Dehradun to Sankri, then on to Taluka (the roadhead).
- The trek runs Taluka → Seema/Osla → Har Ki Dun, about 25 km one way over 2–3 days.
- Optional side trips go to Marinda Tal and the snout of the Jaundhar glacier.
- April–June and September–November are best. In winter the upper valley is under deep snow and only experienced groups go.
FAQs
- How difficult is the Har Ki Dun trek?
- Har Ki Dun is rated Easy to Moderate — no technical sections, well-marked trail, GMVN rest houses every 10–15 km. The maximum altitude (3,566m) can cause mild altitude effects. The main physical challenge is the 6-day distance (approximately 60 km return) and the cold nights at altitude. Suitable for fit adults and older children (12+). Not recommended for those with heart or respiratory conditions without medical clearance.