Har ki Dun is a beautiful and mysterious valley lying deep in the Indian Himalayas which is a hidden gem for many people. The valley is situated amidst cascading waterfalls, lush meadows and towering peaks. A visit here takes you to a beautiful destination where nature has the uppermost supremacy and hold. The har ki Dun is a place which appeals to all trekkers, adventurers and nature enthusiasts who want to explore new things and embark on a journey of introspection. Do you wish to go on this beautiful trek? Then, read my story to ensure you have a memorable journey and do not end up making any mistakes.
Quick Facts
- Location: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
- Duration: 1 week
- Distance: 54 km
- Difficulty: Medium
Summers: The best time to go for Har ki Dun trek
The first information you need to know before you embark on this trek is har ki Dun trek due to the weather. Summers have pleasant warm days and the evenings are cool, ideal for the trek. The showers in the summer melts lower region snow allowing floral to bloom yet the peaks still remain covered in snow. Therefore, the summers make for an ideal time to trek to Har ki Dun as the weather is clean and till June’s end, it remains clear.
I went for the trek during May and it was a pleasant experience. August is also a great time to trek to Har ki Dun as the famous har-ki-Dun festival welcomes Lord Someshwara. If you want, you can trek during this time or just explore the villages here.
Is the trek difficult?
The trek level is moderate, some parts are easy to trek while others are a bit challenging. You start trekking from Kotagaon situated at 6,455 ft to reach the maximum altitude of 11,600 ft. Most of the time, the terrain is simple, easy to hike via the valley. The reason why it is a moderate is because:
- You have to cover a long-distance route everyday, hiking an average of 10 km a day is not easy.
- There are no multiple exits here, only a single exit makes evacuations during unpredictable weather or more challenging.
The Trek
Once you reach the beautiful basecamp of Sanrki, you start your Har Ki Dun trek. The trek will start with a drive from the stunning Sankri to Taluka. I was so engrossed in the beauty of the trail that I hardly noticed that I was walking far behind the group. Trailing in the meadows and grasslands of Sankri, you trek every day for 10 km. The camps at night are put in beautiful places with lots of bonfires, deep conversations, and getting to know nature.
Most of the hike is simple with moderate trekking, but since there is only one exit point, you have to be on your best behavior and be attentive if there is a weather calamity.
Story Time: Stuck in the Blizzard
The weather in Har Ki Dun is unpredictable. There can be massive blizzards anytime, and this is what happened to me when I was trekking to Har ki Dun. Thankfully, I had booked my trek to Har Ki Dun with an expert travel agency. They gave us instructions on what to do and not do to ensure our safety.
The first step we took was to head inside our tents to keep the snow away. But the snow kept coming. We kept hoping the weather would clear up, but it didn’t. So, our trek guide decided to move us out of Har Ki Dun Valley to a better and safer place. He motivated us to pack and gather our staff, and we trekked to our newest destination.
The weather continued to get worse, and we had to rest in the new camp. We waited until the next morning for the weather to clear. However, it wasn’t until mid-morning that our paths got cleared, and we started our trek back towards Sankri.
The learning…
Always book your trek with a reputable agency because they collaborate with expert guides who can help you navigate challenging situations like these. Also, you should go with an online agency that has vetted the guides and their experience instead of standing in line and going with anyone who says they are an expert in the trek.
Why book your har ki Dun tour online?
As mentioned above, you should book this tour online because you go on a trek with an expert guide who can help you in situations, like unpredictable weather and keep you safe. They ensure the trek is not only safe during unpredictable weather. But the expert guides ensure you get all the help with first aid or a rescue if needed.
Other reasons to book online:
- Competitive prices: There are so many travel agencies online and offline offering Har ki Dun trek tours. When you book online, you can see the price of the package and what they are offering. So, you make an informed choice regarding the same.
- Updated information: If you head to the trek without any information, you can get into trouble, which can happen when you do not book a trek tour. When you book it online, you get all the updated information regarding available dates, the best time for the trek, and weather predictions.
Takeaway
Trekking to Har Ki Dun is an amazing journey. It is thrilling and unpredictable, but it helps you make memories for a lifetime. You will always carry with you the sounds of thundering waterfalls, endless wilderness expanses, and misty peaks. You also feel humbled to be part of such a wondrous natural phenomenon, which will make you come back here again.
