Har Ki Dun Trek With Maninda Tal

The Grand Panorama Seen From The Har Ki Dun Trek

There is a reason why the Har Ki Dun trek was very popular even for our grandfathers and great grandfathers. It's for the immense beauty of this valley and a Godly appeal. Yes,  Har Ki Dun converts to Lord Shiva's Land, and rightly so. The giant Himalayan peaks surrounding you all-round makes you feel so! Locals believe and say that on a silent day if you meditate, you can hear the divine bells of worship in this valley.

While you are in Har Ki Dun, the Hata peak and Har Ki Dun peak stands tall, right in front of you. These peaks give you an illusion of Lord Shiva looking upon the valley. The silent stream swirls down the valley while a few pine trees stand tall in separation making it one of the most picturesque places to be visited by common people in the Himalayas. While you move your head towards the right-hand side, the jaw-dropping sight of the giant and elegant peaks of the Swagarohinis makes you feel out of this world. In between, there is a widespread meadow that could contain almost 2 cricket fields. The view goes uninterrupted for as long as you can see with your naked eyes. While the sheep grazes on the grasses of this meadow, you could just pass the entire day sitting by the stream and watching elements of nature interacting and playing with each other. I feel so nostalgic while I write this down. Even after doing this trek so many times, I still miss it and would want to go there anytime.

the grand panorama as seen from har Ki Dun

the grand panorama as seen from har Ki Dun

Covid19 Update: Is Har Ki Dun Trek Open?

The Uttarakhand Government has reopened all the tourist destinations and has removed all the obstacles to make it convenient and practical for the trekkers to come and do a trek in Uttarakhand. The local authorities in Sankri have decided to open up to the tourist and trekkers have been doing the Har Ki Dun trek from the last week of September. It is mandatory that we follow all Covid19 precautions like social distancing, wearing masks, and using sanitizers frequently. It is also advised that we do not venture into the villages and mix up with the core village people.

Har Ki Dun Trek On Different Weathers

Har Ki Dun Trek In The Spring Season

Classified Spring months are from March till the mid of May.

This region of the Himalayas is very popular for rhododendrons. They are so abundant that locals prepare juices out of it and then bottle it to sell in lower Himalayas. Spring season is the time when the rhododendrons bloom in plenty and turn the valley into bright red. After the end of February, the accumulated snow that had piled up in the winter months starts to melt slowly. Given the amount of snowfall this region receives, it takes almost a month for it to completely melt off. Fresh snowfall happens in March as well, which further adds to the problem. The melting of the piled snow opens up the wild fertile land and with it, innumerous flowers bloom in the surrounding areas making it a fairyland. Butterflies can be seen in numbers during the spring season. Fresh leaves of the grass start to grow which shines to perfection. The combination of colorful flowers, white snow-covered land with fresh shiny greens of the grass makes a perfect contrast in the foreground, while the snow-covered tall peaks and blue sky make it a perfect background. Anywhere you point, you have excellent photos to click!

. According to us, this is the best time to do this trek.

Har Ki Dun Trek In The Autumn Season

Classified Autumn months are from October till mid-December.

Post monsoon season on the Har Ki Dun trek is equally wonderful. While there would be no snow, the grasses would be at their best as the monsoon would have given them the best opportunity to grow to their best potential, most importantly no humans would have ventured in these land during the monsoons which makes it perfect for the grasses to grow to full size and lush green. October is typically the month when the grasses would be at their best. By the end of November, it starts to get drier and colder. The grasses start to dry up as the water starts to freeze in the night. nature prepares itself for the upcoming winter months. During this time, the skies remain clearer and views of the mountains are perfectly captured. Sometimes we don't even find a single cloud disturbing the view during this time of the year.

Har Ki Dun Trek In The Winters

Classified Winter months are from late December late till mid of March.

 It starts to snow in Har Ki Dun by the mid of December and it's about time when a sudden day there will be so much snowfall that it closes down the trek route. This belt of the Himalayas gets plenty of snowfall. The forest department closes down venturing into Har Ki Dun beyond the village of Osla for the month of January and February as wild animals come down in search of food and mate.

When Can We Enjoy Snow On The Har Ki Dun Trek?

 Snowfall happens on this trek by the mid of December. From then till the end of December, the trek is still open, and snow can be enjoyed on this trek, However, it is better to plan a little ahead of Christmas time as forest officials may close down the trek if it snows too much. On the other hand, in some years, it might not snow in the month of December as well. So it will be advised that in order to enjoy the snow on the Har Ki Dun trek, it is best to do this trek in the month of March and April. This is the time when snow can be assured.

Best Time To Do The Har Ki Dun Trek

 According to us, the first best time to do the Har Kui Dun Trek will be March and April and till the first half of May. This is the time when the spring makes all the elements of nature super active on this trek. The second best time to do this trek would be in the autumn month of October and November till the mid of December.

How Cold Is The Har Ki Dun Trek?

Post Winter: (March - April): During this time of the year, snow would be just starting to melt off, while fresh snowfall might still happen in the month of March and April. Melting snow causes the temperature to drop and add to the wind chill factor. Hence, during this time night temperature can go below zero degrees while days will be warm and comfortable with temperature ranging between 8 -14 degrees on a sunny day.

Pre Monsoon: (May - Jun): After the month of April, there is typically less chance of snowfall and the weather starts to warm up, making it comfortable for those who cannot tolerate extreme cold. However, during this time, it might rain occasionally bringing the temperatures down. Nighttime temperature in the months of May and June would range between 4 - 8 degrees, whereas daytime temperature can range between 12 - 18 degrees on a sunny day. Overcast days might be colder.

Post Monsoon (October - December): This time of the year, the temperature slowly starts to decrease with each passing week. While in the month of October, the weather would have become stable after the heavy downpour in the monsoons, the temperature typically ranges between 10 - 16 degrees in the day. Nighttime temperature can range between 4 - 6 degrees. The same at the beginning of December can be different. Water would start to freeze in the night as the temperature would start to go below zero degrees. Days will be warmer between 8 - 12 degrees.

Can Beginners Do The Har Ki Dun Trek?

 Har Ki Dun makes one of the best treks for any beginner trying to start his/her journey in the Wild Himalayas. The trek is easy paced and the route is not treacherous as well. The risk factor with respect to altitude and trail is almost nil. While to count the USPs of this trek, they are innumerous. As described earlier, har Ki Dun is a complete trek and there are very few treks in the Himalayas which would compare equally to it. The various elements of Mother Nature not just make you merrier, but also helps you grow as a human being and better person.

What Is The Fitness Level Required For Doing The Har Ki Dun Trek?

 The physical demands of the Har Ki Dun trek are not that high. Its a moderate trek and would require to be generally fit with no health problems, especially no cardiac problems. On any trek, you should bring a fit and well-hydrated body. You should love to walk and enjoy nature. You should possess a positive mind apart from good basic stamina. Basic exercises inside your house or nearby would train you for the Har Ki Dun trek. Exercises like pushups, chin-ups, staircase climbing, running, brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc should help you prepare for your trek to Har Ki Dun

Is The Har Ki Dun Trek Safe?

Trail Safety: That trekking route of the Har Ki Dun is very safe. The route might be longer but is not treacherous or risky at all.

Excessive Snowfall: The trek remains closed in the months of January and February which gets the maximum snowfall. Sometimes even in the month of December, there is excessive snowfall which may disrupt the trek schedule. However, that very rare.

High Altitude and AMS: The Har Ki Dun trek route is very safe as far as mountain sickness is concerned. Our itinerary is well designed for it and takes care that we do not overexert or climb too high in a single day. We carry oxygen cylinders with us as a precautionary safety measure and monitor the health of all the trekkers every day.

Emergency Exit: The trekking route if Har Ki Dun is a one-way route. You exit the same way that you enter. This is an unmotorable route and in case of emergency, porters or horses become the only way of evacuation till Taluka. Once we reach Taluka, we may hire a taxi to get us to the nearest help.

Water On Trek: Water on this trek route is safe. It is sourced from natural streams and then filtered to be used. You should take precautions as per your own sensitivity and use water purification tablets or UV sterilized bottles like Steripen.

Women Safety: It is typically very safe for women in the Himalayas. The locals respect them and treat them well. We haven't yet heard of any stories or incidents of bad treatment with women in this region. However, it must be noted that local culture and sentiments must be respected.

What Should You Pack For The Har Ki Dun Trek?

General Item(s): 

1. 3 T-Shirts ( dry-fit )
2. 3 Light Weight Hiking Pants
3. 4 Socks ( 2 cottons, 2 woolens)
4. 3 Undergarments
5. 1 Penknife or multi-tool knife
6. 1 Thin Nylon Ropes for multipurpose use
7. 1 Toilet Paper Roll
8. 1 Small Towel
9. 1 Soap Papers
10. 1 Ruck Sack
11. 1 Small Backpack/nap sack
12. 1 Waterproof Hiking Shoes
13. 1 Headlamp with extra batteries
14. 2 Water Bottles (better if 1 is thermos)
15. 1 Camp Cutlery Set 

Rain/Snowfall Protection:

1. 1 Waterproof Upper & Lower ( also act as windproof )
2. 1 Poncho
3. 1 Waterproof Sack/Backpack Cover
4. 1 Waterproof glove

Cold Protection: 

1. 1 Skin Moisturizer
2. 1 Lip Balm
3. 2 Thermal Inner Wears ( upper + lower )
4. 1 Woolen Cap
5. 1 Fleece or double fleece jacket
6. 2 Woolen Gloves with a pair of thin inner gloves

Sun Protection: 

1. Sunscreen SPF 50 above
2. Sunglasses( UV proof/ Polarizer)
3. Sun Hat
4. Scarf
5. Balaclava /Face mask

Extra Food: 

1. Dry fruit 
2. Candies
3. Chocolate/Energy Bars
4. Gatorade/Glucose 

Medical Kit

• http://himalayanhigh.in/himalayan-medical-kit  ( a medical kit may be shared by 4 individuals or between tent partners)

Few Important Tips For The Har Ki Dun Trek:

ATM and Cash Points: There are no ATMs or rather any banks in Sankri. Purola - 70 Kms below Sankri is the last place which you can trust to withdraw some cash from ATM. Else, it is advisable you withdraw it from Dehradun or Mussurie.

Mobile and Internet Network In Sankri: The mobile network is very unreliable and is not consistent. It has mobile towers for BSNL and Vodafone. When it works, even on the trek route there are points including the summit from where you can make calls. However, it does not work most of the time. It is better to inform your family members accordingly so that they do not panic when you aren't reachable on phone. Also, while reaching Sankri, Purola is the last point where you get a reliable 4G network of Airtel, Jio along with BSNL and Vodafone. Once you leave Purola, Only BSNL and Vodafone is available. Jio will be up soon. Mori is the last point which is 36 KM before Sankri where you may get internet on BSNL 3g most of the time. After that do not expect the Internet on your mobile.

How To Reach Sankri

Equipment Rental For Har Ki Dun Trek

We have just made it super flexible for the Trekking Community looking to venture deeper and higher in the Sankri range in Uttrakhand for your treks to Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun and many other treks and expeditions like Black Peak or Kaalanag Expedition, Swargarohini Expedition, etc. starting from Sankri. Now you can rent almost any trekking and mountaineering equipment from Sankri. From lightweight butane gas canisters to sleeping bags, tents, Kitchen tents, toilet tent, gaiters, crampons, ponchos, etc. Safety gears like oxygen cylinders, pulse oximeter, and many more. We've covered it all for you.

Just come down to Sankri, arrange your trek by yourself and get it done in Your style - Your way! That will definitely hone and nurture the Trek Leader in you. Only one thing - pre-book the rental equipment through our Online Trek Gear Booking System and carry your invoice to our Sankri Location.

DIY Har Ki Dun Trek - Hone The Trek Leader In You

Himalayan High - A Knowledgable and Experienced Trek Operator

Himalayan High Altitude Treks And Expeditions is a specialized service provider that deals specifically for Himalayan treks that are either known to be treacherous or go above 6000 Meters. We do organize only a few of the popular treks because we get a lot of enquiries for these treks. Amongst them is the Har Ki Dun trek. 

We have been organizing the Har Ki Dun trek for a long time now and in each of our batches that we executed, we learned something or the other to become an experienced and knowledgeable trek operator. We have never failed on delivering our promise and our trekkers have always rated us very highly. You may read our Google reviews to verify what they say about us. We are not like any other business out there working for money. We serve with full dedication and meet all the service commitments, most of the time exceeding the desired expectations. We give high regard to Safety, Ethics, and Moral values and would never compromise it for business. You may learn more about us on About Us page or read our reviews which are transparently kept on Google, unlike other providers who just showcase the positive reviews and hide the negative ones.

team himalayan high on har Ki Dun