Har ki dun: A paradise for climbers and trekkers

Har Ki Dun trek is an electrifying experience in the Himalayas that introduces you to the not so explored treasures of the Himalayas. There is beauty in abundance that is found here; from the pleasant and cozy temperature spectrum that lies here to the evenly distributed trekking distance, the trek to Har ki Dun offers an enthralling, holistic and adventurous journey to the mountains. Har Ki Dun trek trek starts from the village of Sankri that is situated at a distance of approximately 187 km from Dehradun and remains easily accessible through shared/rented cabs. Har Ki Dun trek dives deep into places such as Taluka, Gangaad, Kalkatiyadhar etc that lead to the mighty and exquisite Har Ki Dun valley situated at an altitude of 11,811 ft approximately. The spine-chilling panoramic views that unfold from the top of the valley are to die for, quite literally. The exotic views of the ancient villages, the lush green grasslands and the refreshing meadows of the Kalkatiyadhar accompanied with streams and pleasing forests of Pine and Oak trees make for a fascinating as well as admirably interesting trek in the mountains. Overall, the trek is moderately easy yet it requires average fitness and stamina to be enjoyed thoroughly. On another note, it remains open for most part of the year except during the season of monsoon since the trails tend to become slippery and the chances of landslides, although very less, come into picture. However, the best time to visit Har ki Dun is either during the months of December, January, February and March when the landscape is smeared with fresh, white, powdery snow or between the months of April and June when the valley is bright, refreshingly green and vibrant altogether with a pleasant temperature spectrum. The level of difficulty however rises during peak winters due to the extreme cold weather as well as feet deep snow capped mountains. All in all, the trek to Har ki Dun is a wholesome cost- effective package that offers a variety of experiences and adventure depending on the season chosen for trekking. 

To get started, you will have to arrive at the village of Sankri that marks the beginning of the trek to Har ki Dun. It is easily accessed from Dehradun with buses that frequently ferry travelers from and to Sankri. Rented cabs are also easily available and you can even intend to drive to Sankri if you are experienced enough. It is advised to depart early since it usually takes a couple of hours for trekkers to reach Sankri from their respective destinations. The excursion will begin next morning with a pleasing drive from the village of Sankri to the village of Taluka. The distance between the two villages is 12km and the route traverses through mesmerizing forests of disciplined tree lines with the River Thamas accompanying travelers on the right. After arriving at Taluka, you will begin your climb towards the beautiful village of Seema which is reached after a few hours of steady trekking for approximately 12km. Even though most part of this trail is moderately ? easy, a few areas at different heights are also prone to landslides and must be traversed with caution. You can retire at Seema for the night and begin trekking towards Kalkattiyadhar the next day. The trail from Seema to Kalkatiyadhar is enchanting and soul-stirring. The landscape is refreshing and leaves a sense of ease ruffled within trekkers.  The trek begins with a bridge crossing situated at an elevation over the flourishing Supin River. The bridge opens into a steep and exciting climb which further unfolds into the beautiful lush green meadows of Kalkaityadhar. Enjoy the surreal view of the picturesque landscapes and chill here for the night. Wake up to a refreshing sunrise and gear up to trek towards the Har ki Dun summit. The distance from Kalkatiyadhar to Har ki Dun summit is short yet anticipating which raises the bar of excitement, thrill and wanderlust to another level, altogether. After a while of trekking from Kalkatiyadhar, the Hata Peak becomes visible, at the foothills of which lies the Har ki Dun summit. The trail from here is interesting and impressive with views of the peaks of Swargarohini and Hata nearing and becoming clearer. Soon the route opens into the eternally captivating valley of Har ki Dun with meadows of Alpine flowers decorating the landscape and leaving you gasping at the surrealistic panoramic views of the valley, enjoy the valley and return to Kalkatiyadhar the same day.  You will retrace the same trail that you took to reach the top to descend from the meadow of Kalkatiyadhar to the village of Seema the next day. You can rest at Seema for the night. The sixth day will begin with a trek from Seema to the village of Taluka followed by a drive from the village of Taluka to the village of Sankri. Enjoy your last night amidst mountains and depart from Sankri early in the morning to reach your preferred destination in time.