Make memories in the Valley of Gods!!!

If there is a cultural trek in India, then it has to be the Har Ki Doon trek which is rich in 500-year-old culture and which is also known as the Valley of Gods. Har Ki Doon and Ruinsara Tal trek not only has awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes but also a unique cultural significance. So if you are a seasoned trekker as well as a nature lover, then this trek is absolutely ideal for you located in the heart of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district of north-west Uttarakhand.

A walk into the Har Ki Doon Valley will delight you with spectacular views of the Swargarohini Peaks, Bandarpoonch, Kala Naag or the Black Peak, and Hata Peak. In addition to this, the trek will also take you through dense pine forests and lush green alpine meadows. In fact, its catchment area is considered to be the main water source for the River Yamuna. The journey to this stairway to heaven will make you eternally fall for the Himalayas. Furthermore, you also have high chance to get a glimpse of the rare Himalayan Blue Sheep and Wild Boars while exploring this magical and spiritual valley.

Har Ki Doon and Ruinsara Tal trek not only has jaw-dropping landscapes and magnificent mountain views but are also brimming with Indian mythology. The trail of this trek is known to be the oldest route as it is believed that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata took this exact route for their ascent to heaven.

The Har Ki Doon Valley is also believed to be part of Duryodhona kingdom, the Kaurava Prince and there was a clan of people who were so loyal to him who lived near Osla which is still there. Even the only Duryodhona temple in India is still there in Osla and is worshipped to date. The name Har Ki Doon also translates to the music of Lord Shiva. Even the Ruinsara Lake is also considered to be sacred and the villagers of Osla worship the lake. It is also believed that the Pandavas rested at Ruinsara Tal on their journey to Swargrohini. Even when you visit Osla, you will get a glimpse of their distinct culture and pride in their existence that they do not want to connect to the outer world and are happy to remain hidden from society.

The route of Har Ki Doon trek was even popular as a trade route in earlier times which connected the Yamuna and Tons rivers. During those ancient times, this renowned trade route played a pivotal role in developing the economy and also influencing the culture of the Himalayan region with the plains of India. The inhabitants of this region belong to the Bhotiya and Jaunsari Tribes have their own centuries-old culture, and also practice Thang Ta Martial Art. These people are very friendly and you can also participate in their cultural events as well.

The beginning of this trek is from Sankri which is another beautiful hamlet in the Har Ki Doon Valley. The beautiful trail runs along the Supin River and it is a dreamy feeling straight out of a fantasy when you walk through the canopy of walnut, pine, and cedar trees.

On day 1, our team will pick you up from Dehradun at 8 am, and on the last day, you will be able to reach Dehradun by 6 pm to 7 pm. So if you want to make any plans further, you should do it accordingly.

May, June and October, November

The most striking part of the Har Ki Doon trek is that it can be done 7 months a year but still, the summer months of May and June and autumn months of October and November are considered to be the best time to conduct this trek. In the summer season, the temperature in the daytime is between 18 °C and 24 °C which is quite moderate, and in the night, the temperature falls down to 3 °C and 8 °C. There won’t be the presence of snow during the summer season. In the autumn season, the temperature in the daytime is between 8 °C and 10 °C and in the night, it falls down to 0 °C and -5 °C. If you will do the trek in the last week of October, you might be lucky enough to witness the first snowfall of the season.

Suitable Age Group: Har Ki Doon trek is suitable for people of age group between 8 years to 62 years. However, for those who are below 18 years old, need to come with their parents or guardians. Even for people who are above 50 years, please get yourself checked from a doctor before coming for the trek. 

During the Har Ki Doon trek, the coverage of the mobile networks is not that good and after Sankri, networks are not available. In Sankri, the available mobile network connections are Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone, and Jio but none of them are strong enough.