Introduction
The Har Ki Dun Valley trek is a trek in the Garhwal Himalayas that doesn’t need much introduction now. Almost everyone who has done even 1 or 2 treks anywhere in the Indian Himalayas would have heard of the Har Ki Dun trek. Trekkers have been undertaking the Har Ki Dun trek and enjoying its experience for at least the last 50 years. The Har Ki Dun Valley has seen thousands of hikers and mountaineers trek through its beautiful trails every year. Still, it remains a popular choice among all trekkers for a moderate trek in the Himalayas. This says a lot about the experience that the Har Ki Dun trek offers to all trekkers in terms of the spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks, the flora and fauna, the local culture of the villages and people and just the sheer beauty of nature that spreads everywhere.
Why organize a trek yourself?
It is a well-known fact that there are many trek organizers available who are happy to organize any trek for you and especially a popular trek like Har Ki Dun. Apart from this, Himalayan High is also a recognized and well-regarded organization organizing the trek. We too have well-planned and highly rated itineraries to arrange the Har Ki Dun trek for anyone.
So why do we tell trekkers how to organize their treks, and how to do DIY multi-day Himalayan treks? For two simple reasons; firstly it is for our pure love of mountains and the sport of trekking and secondly because organizing Himalayan treks can bring out the best leadership and management skills in you and ultimately help in growing our trekking community.
Going on organized trekking with a professional organizer can be a very relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable experience. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But trying to organize a trek for yourself and your group of friends or family just adds to the challenge and element of the unknown that the Himalayas most certainly present. Even 20 years ago, professional trek organizers were not available on the scene. Trekking was known as an activity to be organized by the trekkers themselves. People only had contacts with experienced local guides and some other resources. The dates and trekking itinerary were communicated mostly by letters sent by post and all other supplies were brought by the trekking teams. So this was the rawest and most unsupported form of trekking sport.
Basic details of Har Ki Dun Trek
Although enough details about Har Ki Dun Trek are available all over the internet. Himalayan High also organizes Har Ki Dun Treks which can be referred to for much more detailed and understandable information about the daily schedule, campsites and other natural resources available in the valley. We will still cover some basic details about the Har Ki Dun trek itinerary here, as this will form the basis for us to create a comprehensive plan to complete the Har Ki Dun trek in a self-organized manner.
Trek Type:
Valley with the same entry and exit point. Camping by the river or across a small plateau in the valley.
In a 4-day trek from Sankri to Sankri, the Har Ki Dun valley can be mastered with an excursion to Maninda Tal or the Jaundhar Glacier. But this itinerary is a little hardcore version of this trek and is recommended for regular tourists. The same places can be visited in a slightly more relaxed way in 5 days. There is another alternative route which takes 7 days from Sankri to Sankri and covers the adjacent Ruinsara Valley and Ruinsara Tal along with the entire Har Ki Dun Valley. This is a highly recommended Himalayan High itinerary for all trekkers and you can read more about Why You Shouldn’t Miss Ruinsara Tal With Har Ki Dun Trek.
So overall we suggest 3 different itineraries to complete the Har Ki Dun Trek. You can choose any of them according to your convenience and time availability.
Suggested itineraries for the Har Ki Dun Valley Trek
There may be several different versions of the Har Ki Dun trek itinerary. Check out the different options below and plan your trek accordingly.
Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri
Distance- 195 km, Time- 8 to 9 hours of driving
Elevation – 1,410 ft to 6,400 ft
Meals – Dinner
Stay – guesthouse/accommodation
Day 2: Sankri to Taluka to Seema
12 km drive to Taluka, approximately 1 hour
Trek from Taluka to Seema
Trek length: 10 km, Time: 7 to 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Camps
Day 3: Seema to Har Ki Dun
Trek length: 8 km, Time: 7 to 8 hours
Elevation: 8,200 ft to 11,800 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Camps
Day 4: Back to Har Ki Dun
Trek length: 15 km, Time: 8 to 9 hours
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,150 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Camps
Day 5: Har Ki Dun to Seema
Route length: 8 km, Time: 5 hours
Elevation: 11,150 ft to 8,200 ft
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Camps
Day 6: Seema to Sankri via Taluka
Route length: 10 km, Time: 5 hours
Elevation: 8200 to 6400 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Pension/accommodation
Day 7: Sankri to Dehradun
Distance- 195 km, Time- 8 to 9 hours of driving
Elevation: 6,400 ft to 1,410 ft
Meals: Breakfast