Har Ki Dun

In the state of Uttarakhand, Har Ki Dun is a lovely valley nestled in the arms of the western Himalayas. The valley can be reached as you soak in the air of Har Ki Dun Valley through the Govind Ballabh Pant National Park; find your way trekking through the pine and alpine trees, moraine ridges, glacier basins and ancient villages that hum the mythological tales of the Pandavas making their way through this valley to heaven.

The Yudhishthir legend is spoken of by the mountains, the eldest of the Pandav brothers, and a dog ascending the sky through Swargarohini, the highest mountain peak dominating the valley.

I, II, III, Bandarpoonch peak and Black peak(also known as Kala Nag peak), all together, will take you to the stunning panoramic view of the Swargarohini. From this valley, one can also see the peaks of Ruinsara.

How to Reach:

One has to enter the humble village of Sankri, which is about 200 kilometres away from Dehradun, for the Har Ki Dun trek. You can either rent a jeep from Sankri or take a trek to Taluka, which is about 12 kilometres from Sankri. From here, a few kilometres before descending to Har Ki Dun, the path is a bit steep.

All to do:

In this area, a variety of flora and fauna thrives. So you can easily spot Langoor families, golden eagles, the colourful Himalayan monal, which is also the state bird of Uttarakhand while trekking along the Thamsa River to the Har Ki Dun Valley. And if you're fortunate, among other animals that live in their natural environment, you can also spot Black Bears, Boars, and Barasingha.

1. Trekking:

It is fairly easy to trek in the valley and while there are not many sightseeing places along the way, the abundant natural beauty of snow-clad mountains, gushing rivulets, cascading waterfalls along the path flanked by untouched pine and oak forests flooding the senses with the odour of the earth, keep the adventurous travellers' eyes and souls captivated at all times.

2. Camping:

You can end your day in a comfortable tent under the open sky and without any light pollution after a long day of trekking and exploring the valley to block the view of the magnificent Himalayan peaks and millions of stars above, lighting the night as you relax and rejuvenate with your companions.

3. Village tour:

You will come across different hamlets along the trek that house the indigenous communities of these mountains that are over 300 years old. There is a lot to say about beautiful villages like Osla, Sankri, Taluka, Jakhol, etc. about their history, folklore, and their slow-paced rustic life that is far from the cities' concrete madness. To enrich your experience of Har Ki Dun Trekking, you can take a beat and explore these spots.

4. Bird watching:

With so much to see, it is important to catch memories. The creativity of photographers is caught by such a wide variety of flora and fauna. To catch the moments to cherish them back home, bring your cameras along.