Har ki Dun: Witness the beauty and enormity of the Himalayas

If you are someone who constantly feels as if the mountains are calling you, a trek to Har ki Dun can be fulfilling to a great extent. With a scenic yet not-so-explored stretch of the Himalayas in its vicinity along with soothing weather and cozy temperatures, the trek to Har ki Dun is just about perfect for all trekking enthusiasts. Stretched across a comfortable distance, Har ki Dun is situated in the Himalayas and offers an overwhelming experience filled with adventure and jaw-dropping panoramic views from an appreciable height that is certainly sufficient to drive any sane human crazy. 

It was during the month of January that I visited this beautiful valley along with four of my friends. The mountains were covered with fresh sheets of precious white snow and the weather was freezing cold, giving us a perfect climate to trek and chill around. If I am to be brutally honest, the Har Ki Dun trek has always been magical and full of surprises every time I have visited it; it is one of my comfort places to relax and catch hold of things moving supersonically around me. It's not just the scenic views or the unpathed trails that click about Har Ki Dun but it's the subtle freshness in the surrounding that takes my breath away. All in all the trek to Har Ki Dun is a wholesome package of the best of all worlds. If you love the company of nature and wish to truly experience the beauty of the Himalayas, this trek has got to be the right pick for you. From the soothing scents of Oak and Pine trees to the alluring beauty of piercing cold as well as refreshing streams, this trek offers an experience that will last you a lifetime. 

The trail to Har ki Dun passes through the villages of Taluka, Gangaad, Kalkatiyadhar after which the Har ki Dun valley is reached. Considering the fascinating beauty of the valley, it wouldn?t be an overstatement for me to call it a gateway to Heaven; surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges on all sides, the valley is easily one of the most mesmerizing valleys of India.

My friends and I began our journey from Dehradun where we rented an easily available cab to Sankri; a village situated approximately 187kms away from Dehradun. Shared or rented cabs, as well as frequent buses, are usually readily available to ferry passengers to Sankri. Or one can even choose to drive to Sankri if the heart-dropping steps are not problematic to the driver. It is advised to start early, to reach Sankri in time before it is too dark on the roads outside. Upon reaching the village of Sankri, we relaxed and stayed over for the night to soak in the quiet and welcoming atmosphere of the village. The next morning we kick-started our expedition with a delightful drive to the village of Taluka which is about 12kms away from Sankri. The route to Taluka offered serene and surreal views of snow-capped mountains and the never-ending rows of tall Pine trees planted on either side of the road ruffled warmth in us. The River Thamas also remained our companion throughout the drive to Taluka and added beauty to the already alluring landscapes with its presence. Once we reached Taluka, we began our trek of about 12kms to the beautiful village of Seema. The journey to Seema was moderately easy for most of it, however, certain areas had to be traversed with caution. Upon reaching the village of Seema, we indulged in some good food and rested that night. The next morning we began our trek to the village of Kalkatiyadhar. The trail to Kalkatiyadhar filled us with a sense of calmness as the rustling of the leaves began and the cold wind battled against our faces, and the gurgling sound of the River Supin became apparent and louder as we took onto the journey adding flavor to the experience. We first encountered a bridge over the River Supin, that connected to the village of Kalkatiyadhar on the other end; the river was flourishing at its best and it was a sight worth relishing. The route from here on was pretty exciting which took us along some steep climbs that had our muscles pumping and hearts throbbing, and also along with beautiful lush green, enchanting grasslands that brought serenity. We halted to rest for the night at the village of Kalkatiyadhar and woke up to a sunrise that warmed us up for the final leg of the trek towards the Har ki Dun summit. With anticipation, excitement, and an overall eagerness to witness the beauty of the valley, we began our trek towards the summit. Within a while of trekking, the Hata and Swaroghini Peak at the foothills of which lays the Har ki Dun summit became apparent. We trekked past some soul-stirringly beautiful meadows of Alpine flowers that left us breathless for a brief moment. At this point, the valley appeared absolutely stunning. With our foot on the valley we were standing at an altitude of approximately 11,811ft and were truly overwhelmed and captivated by the beauty that unravelled before us. We soaked in the views of the surreal snow-capped mountain ranges, and landscapes decorated with the Alpine flowers, and the breath of fresh air that left us relaxed and refreshed. After wholeheartedly enjoying the views and sceneries at the Har ki Dun summit, we returned to the village of Kalkatiyadhar the very same day to bring our exceptional expedition to a warm conclusion.  

The trek to Har ki Dun offers breathtaking views of ancient and remote villages nestled in lush green grasslands surrounded by mighty mountains. The journey through streams of refreshing cold water, of routes with canopies of Pine and Oak trees, of treks through unpathed trails amidst giant and enormous mountains truly makes this trek one of its kind. Additionally, the difficulty level is minimal; it is a moderately easy trek that can be thoroughly enjoyed by any averagely fit individual. While the perfect time to visit Har ki Dun is in the winter season, during the months of December, January, February, and March when there is fresh, a powdery sheet of snow smeared on landscapes, one can also choose to visit the summit during the months of April and June to simply enjoy fresh greenery and pleasant temperate weather. All in all, the trek to Har ki Dun is a pocket-friendly package that costs minimal in comparison to the life experience that it offers.