Into the Wild:- Har Ki Dun Trek

Har Ki Dun Trek Overview
Area	Garhwal, Himalayas
Duration	7-8 days
Best Time to visit	Apr - June (Summer Trek) Sept - Dec (Winter Trek)
Trek Grade	Moderate
Trek Altitude	3556 Mtrs ( ~12000Ft)
Trek Distance	54 Kms
Nearest Airport	Jolly grant airport Dehradun
Nearest Railway station	Dehradun
Base Camp	Sankri Village

“There is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. #IntoTheWild ”

ü   Tour Period:- 16^th to 21^st Apr-19

Tour Mode- Bikes

           No. Of Riders:- 6

           No of Bikes: 5.

           Total Travelling Kms:- 914 Km approx (Including 54 Kms trek).

About Har Ki Dun Valley

The Har Ki Dun Trek literally means trek to Valley of Gods. The trek is one of the most sought-after treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. The valley of Har-ki-Dun is located at the base of Fateh Parvat, at an altitude of 3,556 meters. The valley is surrounded by dense Pine forests. The 27 kms trek goes through some isolated villages of Uttarakhand which are still unaffected by the civilization.

As per the Mythology, Pandavas took the very same route to ascend to heaven via Swargarohini, the mountain that dominates the Har Ki Dun valley.

And, to again closely witness the mighty Himalayan ranges, we again geared up with our bikes to ascend the Har ki Doon trek. Our trekking enthusiast Rajesh planned the tour itinerary, and  that too without hampering our office duties. The tour was planned on the holiday week 16^th to 21^st  Apr-19 as under:-

Day 1:- 16^th Apr-Delhi to Dakpathar ( 270 Kms):-

As we all riders are residing at different part of NCR, Delhi, we planned to start the journey together from Rajnagar extension in Uttar Pradesh and decided to meet there by 06:30 PM. Due to heavy holiday rush, we were only able to start the trip at 08:00PM. The journey was of 6-7 hours through NH-58 highway which is majorly well maintained roads. we reached the Dakpathar at 02:00AM. In between we had our dinner in a dhaba near Meerut by pass. The route to enter the Dakpathar is hilly (approx 20 Kms) but wide and it’s a delight to drive there in day time. But we were driving at night so couldn’t enjoyed the natural beauty.

Day 2:- 17^th Apr- Dakpattahr to Sankri( 160 Kms):-

The first day was started with the delay and was hectic due to traffic, and the present day was also going to be exhausting due to hilly driving of 8-9 hours, we started the day abit late. Heavy rain was predicted by the Uttarakhand government & MET department so riders of our team who did not have the rain jacket and pants, purchased  them from the Dakpathar market.

After finishing the breakfast at friend’s home, we started the trip towards the base camp of the trek “Sankri” at around 11:30 AM.

 One cannot rely upon the public transport to reach Sankri as there is only 1-2 buses in the morning. Enroute to Sankri there are villages like Purola- Derika-Mori- Netwar  etc.. We had our lunch in Purola which is the central point for tourists and a good market for locals and nearby villagers. Enroute rain reduced our speed from Purola and then my bullet got punctured near Derika village which is nearly 4 kms from Purola.

I was riding with a pillion rider (Anurag) and Rajesh was riding behind me. Other bikers were ahead of us and due to rain we were still 2-3 hours behind our destination, so we asked other riders to reach Sankri and make the stay arrangements in Sankri.

After Purola, there is very small population density in villages and no facilities around. I couldn’t find any puncture shop around so took a lift from passerby to Purola while Anurag & Rajesh stayed there with the bullet.

In Purola, mechanic was not ready to come as he was only one working in the puncture shop. I hired a Tata 407 to Derika and loaded bullet to bring it back to Purola.

Bullet fixing took time and by the time it was fixed at  06:30, it was raining and getting dark. We were thinking of staying in Purola and then start very early in the morning to catch the rest of the riders. But we 3 finally decided to move forward to base camp to join others.

Night driving in hills made the 2 hour journey to 3 hour and around at 9:30 we reached the GMVN guest house where the team members had made the arrangements of stay.

After a quick hot water shower, we had our dinner in the mess of the guest house and then went to bed to recharge ourselves for next day trekking. 

Day 3:- 18^th Apr- Sankri to Taluka to Paunigharat ( 15 Kms biking and 12 kms trek):-

Due to riding in rain in previous day and long 9-10 hour journey, we all were feeling down today morning. Shoes, clothes and gears were drenched in rain. Hot tea and rich breakfast did its job and refreshed us and we started packing our bikes for onward journey to Taluka (15 kms from Sankri). Only luggage needed for the trekking and camping was packed and rest luggage was dropped in the reception area of the guest house which was to be picked after the return. We carried our camp from Delhi and rest camping gears like sleeping bags, sleeping mats etc were rented out from the guest house. One can hire the items at Rs 300 per night.

We also hired a guide named Mukesh, at the cost of Rs 3000 plus fooding and lodging with us. We took the permit with forest department and procedded towards Taluka. Please note that without the guide the forest department do not provide the permit to go beyond Sankri.

The 15 kms stretch to Taluka village was literally rockey and muddy and the riding without support was quite impossible. This one hour journey though was exhausting and danger but this was the only adventure we were looking for when we decide to come here by bikes.

 Taluka was the home town of our guide Mukesh and we parked our vehicles and dropped our helmets  at his house. Mukesh also arranged the pair of horses and their porter at Rs 700 per day cost, to load the luggage so that we could trek easily and freely.

After having our lunch in Taluka around at 02:00 PM we started the trekking to our fist stay in Seema village which is nearly 13 kms from the Taluka.

Initial trekking was a piece of cake but increase in height and then heavy rain made it difficult and we could not maintain our speed. In between Gangad is the village to take some rest and snacks. Rain did not stop and we were still 2 kms behind the Seema when it was getting dark. So we decided to set our tent near Paunigarat near the only shop which was providing meal for the night.

Camp was set, and hot food was prepared (egg curry and rice @ Rs 200 per plate) and we enjoyed the dinner with the bonfire and antakshari fun.

Day 4:- 19^th Apr- Paunigarat to Har ki Dun to Kalkatidhar( 20 Kms):-

Today we started early and around by 07:00 Am, after our daily ablutions and breakfast (Maggi, biscuits and tea), we were ready to start the next level of trek. Trekking grade was started to become tough but the spectacular views and majestic mountains around the trek were acting as a catalyst to our energy.

Today weather conditions were favourable and we reached Kalkatidhar at 12:30 PM. This is the place where space for camping is available and you will see number of camps of India hikes around the place. We took some rest there and had our lunch in the only shop there.

Distance of Har ki Dun from Kalkatidhar is around 4-5 kms and that is a snowy trek with high altitude. We started around 02 PM and targeted to reach the Har ki Dun by 03:30 PM. We decided that our horse potter will stay there with the guide for set up of camp and the guide will catch us in between the route as he was experienced and fast.

We trekked merely 1 kms and the snow covered treks welcomed us only to witness the breathtaking wonder of nature around. By 03:30 we all were at our destination. We were so close to the nature that snow, waterfalls, river, beautiful flaura and fauna, valley and gigantic mountains, everything was there in once place. Swargarohini peak was just in front of us flaunting its mightiness.

Tiredness, stress, pain, cold, and thirst, everything went away when we saw the snow covered valley area in front of us. We all set there for 1-2 hours and watched this wonder of nature.

Time flew and in an hour or two, the darkness was to spread over this beautiful white blanket.  We decended back to our camps and reached there at 6. Hot cup of tea and refreshments welcomed us.

By 07 -07-30, Mukesh arranged for bonfire where we gossiped with our drinks and snacks. Today dinner menu was yellow daal and rice. By 09:30 we all were settled in our camp for good night sleep.

Day 5:- 20^th Apr- Kalkatidhar to Taluka to Purola( 22 Kms trek & 70 kms bike):-

The day was long and hectic, hence we started early today too. The shopkeeper was not around for breakfast so we had the tea only that too in the India hikes camp mess. At 6 we started and at 1 we were in Taluka. The slopes helped us to trek faster. We took the way back from the picturesque  Osla Village which surprisingly provides Homestay for the tourists.

In Taluka after lunch in a local shop, we distributed the BSES T-shirts to the children and some medicines available with us to the elders. 

Now it was time to again gear up and start our bikes for return journey. We reached Sankri at 03:00 Pm and returned the rented luggage, packed our bikes and reached Purola by 7:00 Pm.

We hired the rooms in GMVN guest house (700 Rs per double bed room) and ended our day journey.

Day 6:- 21^st Apr- Purola to Lakhamandal to Delhi ( 390 kms):-

Again, in the early sunny morning, we proceeded towards Delhi. Enroute we visited the Lakhamandal village which has a history that dates back to centuries. As per the locals, it is believed to be the place where  Duryodhana  of  Mahabharata episode conspired to burn alive  the Pandavas.

After visiting the Shiva temple, at around 11:00 am we started towards Delhi. Traffic was very busy and by 10 PM we reached home.

Though, this time the itinerary was hectic which made journey exhausting, but still there was a life lesson that  “ With every trip you take you start appreciating the every little things in life”.