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Har ki doon trek is a beautiful trek through the Govind National Park, which is famous for its wild flowers especially orchids. This area has some of the most beautiful forests. Har ki dun was made popular by Jack Gibson, a teacher at the Doon school in the late 1940's.The surrounding peaks and glaciers in the Banderpoonch Range are a mountaineer's delight. The Har ki dun valley is famous for its flowers and meadows. The path follows the tons river from Netwar village up through the scenic villages of Gangad, Seema and Osla. Har ki dun trek has many camping places and also a forest guest house. A rest day is ideal to explore the nearby jamdar glacier or make a short excursion to Ruinsara Lake.
Itinerary:
Day 01 : Dehradun to Sankri drive, 7-8 hours' drive 187 km
We start early from Dehradun and drive through the villages of Damta, Purola, Mori, Netwar and reach Sankri by evening. Purola is the last big settlement on the way with a large market. The drive after Purola is through a beautiful forest of pine trees. The drop in temperature can be felt from here. We officialy enter Govind Pashu National Park after we cross a check post at Netwar. The peak of Kedarkantha can be seen from various points along the way here. We rest at night in a guest house or in camps.
Day 02 : Sankri to Seema (2,600 m), 1 hour drive 5-6 hours' hike : 14 km
Post breakfast we are transported from Sankri to Taluka. The drive is a bit bumpy. The trek commences from Taluka on a stony path. The fragrance of cedar trees can be felt around Taluka. With the river Supin gushing through rapids beside us, under the shade of walnut, pine and other trees, the walk is quite pleasant. Often the passing villagers greet us on the way. In autumn we can even find wlanuts lying around.
The path crosses over a few streams which merge with Supin. After a few hours of walk the village of Gangad can be seen towards the left, across the river. We can find edible fruits of seabuckthorn in this area. We continue our hike and after about an hour′s walk, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to the river from Osla. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
Day 03 : Seema to Har ki Dun (3,510 m), 4-5 hours' hike : 10 km
The area surrounding Osla is full of terraced farms. The colors of the farms are different in every season. The red farms of Cholai look amazing and can be seen from late monsoon. From Osla the trail gradually rises higher. We come across a temple some distance below the trail. We pass through bushes of flowers like orchids, fleece flowers and sunflowers. The ascending path climbs high above the confluence of Supin river and the river from Ruinsara valley. Walking high above this confluence, we get a view of the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara valley including Black Peak.
After traversing higher up along the true right of the river, we camp at a very panoramic spot in Har ki Dun , located at the junction of two valleys: one originating from Jaundhar glacier and the other from beyond Hata glacier. Higher up towards the North we can spot the Forest Rest House, while the wood crafted GMVN guest house lies further up in the distance. The minor ridge to our right, lined with a few scattered himalayan birch trees (Bhojpatra) that seperate us from the massive Har Ki Dun valley that goes up all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. The paper like bark of these trees was used in ancient times to write scriptures in Sanskrit.
Day 04 : Explore Har ki Dun
We can choose to relax and soak in the environment or we have several trails as options.
The vast open meadows following the course of the Supin river can be explored. Further ahead of the meadows one can walk among the forests of Bhojpatra trees (Himalayan birch) or get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar glacier and Swargarohini peak. It is also possible to walk till the base of Swargarohini peak. This would require the trekker to carry packed lunch since it might take a long time.
One can visit the Marinda Tal just 2 km away from Har ki Dun. It is small glacial lake formed by a huge rock obstructing the river which flows down from Borasu Pass.
The little-known valley of Hata can be explored which lies in between the above two valleys. It also has some large meadows and a close view of the Hata glacier and peak.
Day 05 : Har ki Dun to Seema (2,600 m) : 3 to 4 hours' trek: 10 km
The journey back to Seema is an easy walk. We take the very same route which we used to reach to Har Ki Dun. After the initial descent through the forest we trace back our way towards Kalkatidhar, the rather exposed section of the trek. On the route we come across a good view of the trail all the way to Osla and see the valley descend towards Taluka, around the curve of the ridge where the two streams comng from Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara respectively, converge. A little short of this intersection we can get a glimpse of a trail to our left marked by a sight of a bridge down over the stream. This trail goes to join the trail to Ruinsara lake and is rarely taken. After reaching Osla, one can roam about in the village, talk to locals and soak in the Garhwali culture. Again we can either set camp or stay with a local family.
Day 06 : Seema to Sankri, 4 to 5 hours' hike : 14 km 1 hour drive
Early in the morning, we bid farewell to the villagers of Osla and hike till Taluka. A vehicle from Taluka takes us back to Sankri, where we retire for the day in camps or a guest house.
Day 07 : Sankri to Dehradun, 8 hours drive
The trek to Har ki Dun concludes today as we leave Sankri and reach Dehradun by late afternoon on this day.
Essentials
Weather
The pass and the nights can be cold, day temperatures are pleasant during the season
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