HikerWolf- Har Ki Dun Trek

About

Mountains are calling, and that has to be answered because your experiences will tell you more than googling!!!

Stairway to heaven, a trekkers delight a winter wonderland that will make you fall in love with its pristine beauty worth exploring!!!

It is Known for its rich variety of flora and fauna. The trail through alpine meadows, moraine ridges, glacier basins, pine forests, and ancient villages, gives you spectacular valley views and a chance to experience the wonderful slow-paced local lifestyle. It is one of the oldest Treks in the Himalayas, known as the ‘Valley Of Gods’.

It is said that- it is the same route taken by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata on their ascent to heaven. Swargarohini—the snow peak, the vision of which dominates this trek bears a legacy of the mythical stairway to heaven. A cradle shaped hanging valley in the Garhwal Himalayas, set at an elevation of 3566mts in the heart of Govind Ballabh Pant National Park. Our jaw-dropping views will be Swargarohini group of peaks, Kala nag(black peak), Bandarpoonch & many more.

The trek goes through some of the most isolated villages of India which are unaffected by the civilization. The trail in most parts runs through deep forest cover keeps away risks of altitude adaptation marking the trek safe for beginners and young trekkers. Proceeding through green foliage’s dripping with pearls of rain is a beautiful experience but trekkers must be well equipped for it. Rain trekking essential like a poncho, waterproof covers, anti-diarrhea medicines, and water resistant trekking boots has to be ticked boxed first when packing for this journey.

About HikerWolf

Hiker is the explorer within you. The part of you which wants to reach out for more! Wolf is that side of you which yearns for a sense of belonging, the side which wants to bring people together and be there like Family!!

HikerWolf gives you a sense of belonging and guides you through exploring the world through a different lens. With each event, our family grows and the bond becomes stronger with every passing day!!

We make sure that every minute you spend with us is so energized and power packed that it keeps you buzzing for days! Every step develops a backstory! Every face you see is that of a friend-to-be!! Every photograph is a flashback of a movie like experiences!

With HikerWolf, there are no Goodbyes. It’s always, See You Again Soon. So, See You Soon! There’s so much room in our family! You are welcome to be a HikerWolf.

Why should you do this trip with Hikerwolf?

Need we say more about why you should do this trip? Yes, because there are so much beauty and the kind of fun with us to make this trip the most memorable.

• We will take you through this very scenic trek and introduce you to the splendor of the Himalayas, while we share stories, laugh together, sing songs and dance off the cold.

•As we walk along the beautiful river, enjoying the scenery of Kaala Nag and the Bunderpoonch ranges, you get to make new friends whom you will bond with so easily.

•We make it a happy trek, getting everyone to mingle most easily, and having fun activities, you don't even feel tired, winding down each night, sharing stories under the Milky Way.

•With us, the fun quotient is always high, whether making snow angels or chasing each other with snowballs, to laugh away the cold and relish the joy of snow that you have been dreaming of since so long.

• In the same trek itself, we take you through the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes of flower-decked mountainsides to snow-capped peaks that feel within arm's length, all with a sense of fun and adventure that we want you to delight in all at once with us.

•Our piping hot, delicious food will warm your tummy and your new friends will warm your heart, we make sure that the laughter keeps ringing through and your spirits stay as high as the altitude you are at.

•We want you to leave on an exciting note, with adventure at it's best, by rafting in the Ganga. We know we will send you off home with this ultimate finish to your most memorable trip with us. 

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri

Trekkers will be picked from Dehradun at 6:30 am in a Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle.
220 km drive by NH 507 – approx. 10 hours.
Altitude: 6,400 feet.
Last ATM- Purola
Small shops available for trekking gears and miscellany
BSNL network erratic
Guest House Stay
Breakfast and lunch excluded, dinner included
Expected arrival time at Sankri – 5:00 pm.

Day 2: Sankri to Pauni Garaat via Taluka

Sankri to Taluka (Drive 12 km) (1 hour)
Altitude of Taluka- 7,000 ft
Taluka to Pauni Garaat
Altitude-8,200 ft
Trek Distance: 10km
Time: 6 hours approx
Level: Easy level walk and gradual ascent in most parts.
Packed lunch, spring water points.
Riverside camping in Govind National Park forest.

Day 3: Pauni Garaat to Kalkattiyadhaar

Altitude- 9,800 ft
Trek Distance: 7 km
Time: 6 hour
Level: Steeper ascent than last day, but well distributed in level walks and inclines
Packed lunch, spring water points.
Camp stay in meadows overlooking mountains near a food stall

Day 4: Kalkattiyadhar to Har Ki Dun

Altitude: 11, 768 ft.
Trek Distance- 5 km
Time- 3.5 hour
Level: Relaxed forest walk combined with boulder walk. Mixed gradient with a gradual incline
Hot lunch, spring water points.
Riverside camping in the valley
Snow Peaks in View: Swargarohini, Hata Peak, Black Peak etc.

Day 5: Har Ki Dun to Pauni Garaat via Osla

Trek Distance – 12 km
Time- 8 hour
Har Ki Dun – Kalkattiyadhar: 5 km; Kalkattiyadhar – Osla: 5.5 km; Osla – Pauni Garaat: 1 ½ km
Packed lunch, spring water points
Riverside camping in Govind National Park forest.

Day 6: Pauni Garaat to Sankri via Taluka

Trek Time-5 hour
Trek Distance-10 km;
Packed Lunch, spring water points
Drive from Taluka to Sankri- 12 km
Driving Time- 1 hour
Guesthouse stay

Day 7: Sankri to Rishikesh

Reach Rishikesh late at night.
Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

Day 8: Rishikesh to Dehradun

Early morning checkout and leave for river rafting at Rishikesh. Post lunch leaves for Dehradun. You will be dropped at Dehradun station in a Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle. We will reach Dehradun by night.

How to reach Dehradun?

The whole group needs to reach Dehradun station latest by 6:30 am.

By Train: There are regular trains available from Bandra Terminal or Delhi to reach Dehradun before 6:00 am on earlier. (Preferably board Nanda Devi express from Delhi to reach Dehradun by 5:30 am)

By Air: There is a cheap Air Asia flight available from Mumbai to Dehradun or Delhi to Dehradun landing before 6:00 am.

People can fly in the previous evening too. That way, they visit Dehradun the previous evening. If arrived before the start date, the stay isn’t covered that night, but we can definitely help you book a hotel, or you can book one yourself.

Inclusions

Travel fare from Dehradun to base camp and back
An experienced staff of guide and cook
Assistance in traveling
All days breakfast, lunch, and dinner
8 nights stay in hotel/camps/homestays on double/triple sharing basis
First Aid
Hikerwolf expertise

Exclusions

Any personal expenses like Insurance, laundry, phone calls, beverages.
Adventure Activities
Mules or Porter’s to carry personal luggage
Anything not mentioned under inclusions

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri.

Trekkers will be picked from Dehradun at 6:30 am sharp.

Drive your way through the mesmerizingly beautiful valley of Dehradun on your way to Sankri. Expect to be wonderstruck at the beauty of the coniferous jungle at Jarmola, the largest and the most beautiful pine forest in Asia. The drive to Sankri will take you through Nainbagh, Naugaon, Purola, Jarmola, Mori Naitwar and finally Sankri.

Sankri is a small but pretty village with 250 houses. A few Dhabas and shops make up the commerce scene in Sankri. It is the entry to the scenic valley of Har ki Dun nestled at an elevation of 1970 meters above sea level in the Tons Valley affording majestic vies of snow clad Himalayas. Wash away the exhaustion as you settle for some simple delicacies catered to you as you arrive at Sankri(around 5:00 pm) and retire peacefully for the night.

Day 2: Sankri to Pauni Gharat via Taluka

Early morning at 7:00 am get ready to cross another level and reach Taluka. This short drive through gradually thickening forests and streams cutting through the path over boulders will introduce us to the terrain of our trek closely. The trail to Taluka is almost level, going through 10-11 mountain bends. On the way, there are three big streams, almost submerging sections of the road in water. 

The hike is scenic, going past a series of wild roses, irises, and bamboo, chestnut, and cedar (deodar) trees. The first lapse is a descent to the banks of the beautiful Tons and keeping the river on the right, the trail enters a level walk through the conifers! The whole way along the river is ideal for photo compositions and provides shade too. Another amazing flavor for the day will be the riverside camping at Govind national park forest.

Take rest for the night, under the star-studded sky and enjoy the refreshing environment. It will be thrilling to your mind, body, and soul to see such beautiful and invigorating environment.

Day 3: Garaat to Kalkattiyadhar

Before that why not start our journey with a yoga session which will not only channelize your energy but also boost your moral, Chalo fir! Our day’s destination is Kalkattiyadhar, named after the sharp ridge-like the structure of this mountain. Unlike yesterday there are no forest shades along the way but you will enjoy the view of a lot of waterfalls and small wooden bridges.

The trail crosses 3 “great” or hydroelectricity run chaffing units. The trek proceeds through harvest lands, cattle grazing, and slant-roofed huts used as granary and storages. Right after crossing Seema village, there is a bridge crossing, followed by a steep ascent, followed by the beautiful view of a waterfall. We will also cross a 300-year-old temple dedicated to Devi Kandhara.

On this incline, you will get fabulous viewpoints to steal glimpses of the Dhauladhar Range out front. Snaky trails to Borasu Pass and Baspa Valley can also be made out from here. The high trail winds further down reaching a tabletop green stretch—Kalkattiyadhar. Set up your camps and reside for the night under the peaks, enjoying the chilly climate.

Day 4: Finally, the day arrived to reach the magnificent ‘Valley Of Gods’

Kalkattiyadhar to Har Ki Doon! Kalkatiyadhar towards the valley we can see the mighty Bali pass which is one of the toughest passes to cross. But the ascent to Har ki Doon offers excellent views of the snow covered mountains and lush green terraced fields. The trek Level goes with relaxed forest walk combined with boulder walk and Mixed gradient with a gradual incline.

The last steep climb of 200 m gets one to the famed meadows of Har Ki Doon with the west face of Swargrohini overlooking the valley…The pine forest has a sizable number of rhododendron trees. There is also a lovely stream gushing down on the way, with a variety of Himalayan alpine flowers along its sides, especially blue poppy.

The beauty of the valley will make you never want to leave the place. You can explore the entire ground in about an hour or two. This point is a feast for your eyes to enjoy the picturesque views of peaks and glaciers. After spending some time take dinner and relax for the night at the campground

Day 5:

Watching the sunrise from behind the Swargrohini peak is the best morning view of all the days. We would have all successfully completed our trek and now was the time to start the return journey. Day to leave Har Ki Doon and head to Pauni Garaat via Osla. Generally, return journeys are sleepy and tiring but this journey is going to be different.

We will move through several beautiful sights and see diverse scenic landscapes along the way which will not let you sleep anyway. We will pass through the village Osla. This village is famous for having a temple dedicated to Duryodhana, eldest of the Kauravas in Hindu mythology ‘Mahabharat’ but villagers denied the theories and state that it belongs to Lord Shiva. No worries, we will there visit and learn about it too!!

Day 6:

On day six, you will trace back your steps from Oslo to Sankri. On the last day of this heavenly beautiful trek, you will cover 26km following steeper terrains and stellar environment. You will see amazing migratory birds in the snow-peaked mountains. As you continue walking on the terrain for around 6 to 7 hours, you will reach Sankri.

Day 7: Sankri to Rishikesh!!!

Yet another beautiful place, the most tranquil place in northern Uttarakhand, surrounded by hills and bisected by the wide and sluggish Ganges, is often claimed as the ‘Yoga Capital Of The World’. Reach Rishikesh late night. Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

Day 8: Here’s the adventure!!!

Only a few rivers in the world have the mystique of the Ganges, the living mother Goddess of India. Rafting on its water of wisdom is certainly an unusual experience. We will enjoy and explore the lifetime experience on a date with mother Ganges. It’s River Rafting in Rishikesh! After this Pack your bags, photographs, and endless Hikerwolf memories and conclude our journey with the 6-7-hour drive from Rishikesh to Dehradun. We will be reaching Dehradun by night and end our wonderful journey and head our homes with a big fat smile.

Who can go?

The first timer can apply, should have some interest in trekking and mountaineering.
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without stress.
The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.
Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions

Things to carry

Trekking Shoes compulsory
Haversack
Personal medicines if any
Sweaters
Torch
Compulsory bedsheets
Thermal
Warm clothes
Sunglasses
Sun cap
Synthetic hand gloves
Socks
Poncho
Suitable pair of clothes
Toiletries (sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, toilet paper, sanitizer, and wet wipes)
Cutlery (spoon, coffee mug, and lunch box)
Water bottles
Plastic covers or bags for wet clothes

Important Note: Keep your bag as light as possible. Make sure it is not more than 3-4 kgs