Har Ki Dun Valley (15 Nights / 16 Days)

Duration: 15Nights / 16Days
Max Altitude: 4800 Mts
Best Time: Mid April to June & Sep to Oct
Difficulty: Moderate Trek

This trekking trip for adventurous nature lovers, keen to explore a remote Himalayan valley, has all the classic attractions: ascending gentle trails through luxuriant oak and conifer forest and past traditional Hindu mountain villages to the alpine meadows where mountain peaks soar above Hari-ki-dun (the Valley of Gods). Har - Ki - Dun nestles in the NW corner of Garhwal near the Satluj - Yamuna watershed and remote western hills of Uttarkashi district. The valley is dominated by Swargarohini (6252 mtrs). Though less known than the famed Valley of Flowers in the Indian Himalaya, the Valley of Gods boasts richness in the variety of flora. Situated in the upper catchment basin of the Tons River, Hari-ki-dun is one of the most fascinating and least visited areas of the Garhwal Himalaya. This area harbours almost all the major groups of the high altitude flowers, birds and animals in the Himalayan zone.

ITINERARY:

Day 01: Delhi
Arrival in New Delhi, reception upon at Indira Gandhi International airport New Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 02: Delhi - Dehardun by Train - drive Mussourie 2001 mtrs
Today after breakfast an early departure to railway station to catch the Shatabdi train to Dehradun (capital of Uttranchal state). Arrive dehradun & 34 Km drive to Mussourie. Mussourie is situated in between Shiwalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills. Which presents a spectacular and snow-clad peaks of Western- Garhwal Himalaya also Doon valley below.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Mussoorie: Acclimatization
Free day in Mussoorie, visit Mall road: A long promenade, visit Gun Hill by ropeway to have a panoramic view of Himalayan massif of Western Garhwal regions and walk along the ridge. There is also a Tibetan settlement in Mussoorie with Tibetan Market.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Mussoorie - Sankari - Taluka (160 km 7/8 hrs drive)
Today we drive from Mussourie to Sankari, which is our starting point of trek. The route from Mussourie goes down to Yamuna bridge at Yamuna river and further to Natwar at Ton valley. Natwar which is an entrance of The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Purola tehsil of Uttarakashi district of Garhwal. Natwar, the entrance and starting point of the sanctuary, at a distance of 200 km from Dehradun. This wildlife sanctuary has a large number of mammal species: Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, Musk deer, Bharal, Himalayan Thar. The endangered birds are Monal pheasant, Koklas pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Snow cock, Golden eagle, Bearded vulture, cuckoos, owls & bulbuls etc.
Although there is a jeep road completed to the village of Taluka (elevation 1900 m.) we drive to a point just past Sankri and spend the late afternoon walking the last 8-10 km. to stretch our legs after the drive and to break in our hiking boots! We camp near Taluka amid the wild roses and the deodar trees.
Overnight: Tent

Day 05: Taluka - Osla (2559 mtrs.) Trek 13 km, 4/5 hrs.
Today we cross the Siyan Gad by bridge, further trail climbs to Dhatmir village. Later we cross the river towards right side of Ton river. The route is dotted with tea - shops and local Dhabas. Osla has very dense forests of Walnut, Chestnut, Willows and Chinars. Enroute visit the Ghangore Vilalge & local temple.

There are fairly 42 well populated village in the area of sanctuary, some are at height of 2900 mtrs. The people are living a primitive life and still in many ways depend of forest for many of their basic needs. The villagers worship the Kauravas and Duryodhana of Mahabharata is the main deity. The temples have beautiful wood carvings.
Overnight: Tent

Day 06: Osla - Har Ki dun (3506mtrs) trek 14 km, 5/6 hrs.
Today after Osla we continue trek to Har Ki Dun. The trail and surroundings is extremely picturesque. Which is 5/6 hrs walk. Little steams crosses our path. As the trail climbs gradually through lush green terraced mountain fields and spotted with varied wild flowers. Har Ki dun has a back drop of snowy mountain peaks. Enroute we will have a wonderful view towards East of Ruinsara Gad: Kalanag peak (6387 mtrs), (Bandar punch 6316 mtrs), Swargarohini (6252 mtrs), Juandar glacier towards North and dense forests. It is one of the most picturesque spot in the Garhwal Hills. That's why it's called DEV BHOOMI (valley of Gods).
Overnight: Tent

Day 07: Har Ki Dun - Borasu Pass - Har Ki dun 6 km
An ideal base for exploring the valley. Morning after breakfast trek ascend gradually towards Borasu Pass. which divides Har Ki dun with Sangla Valley in Himachal Pradesh. We wind our way high above the valley to pass and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Later afternoon we retrace down to campsite.
Overnight: Tent

Day 08: Hari-ki-Dun - Dev Sach (14 km, 5/6 hrs)
From Hari-ki-dun we go back down the trail but then take the route to Dev Sach (elevation 3000m), a large meadow where local Gujar shepherds graze their buffalo.
Overnight: Tent

Day 09: Dev Sach - Ruinsara Lake (12 Km, 5 hrs)
From Dev Sach we walk towards to Ruinsara Lake. The trail takes us through mixed forest and meadows of flowers as well as some beautiful waterfalls. It is a delightful walk through the pine, fir, and juniper to the Lake, considered sacred by the local villagers. Surrounded by rhododendrons and shadowed by the impressive Swargarohini range, it is a perfect picnic spot.
Overnight: Tent

Day 10: Ruinsara Lake - Foot of Bali pass (8 km, 4/5 hrs)
Today we steadly climb to foot or base of Bali pass. A majestic trio of Kalanag, Bander Punch and Swargarohini peaks stands in front of base camp.
Overnight: Tent

Day 11: Foot of Bali pass - Bali pass (4800 mtrs) - Yamunotri (3165 mtrs) 9 km, 4/5 hrs
An early morning start trek for an exciting day for crossing the pass. Bali pass is about 4800m, and it is not a glaciated pass. However, it is a rocky. A pass between the Tons valley and the Yamunotri valleys. From pass a magnificient view of Swargarohini peak and below Ruinsara Gad. The route descends through open meadows and later through forests to lead near Yamunotri shrine. After crossing pass the trail is generally downhill to Yamunotri. The source of the river Yamuna. One of the four Dhams Shrines of Hindu pilgrims is dominated by Bander punch (6361 mtrs.). Yamuna is also the daughter of Surya the Sun. According to legend the temple must be built every few years. There is a hot spring at Yamunotri in which pilgrims immerse potatoes and rice in a piece of cloth. The meal, which takes only a few minutes to cook is then offered to the deity & later distributed as Prasad.
Overnight: Tent

Day 12: Yamunotri - Janki chatti (2575 mtrs) - Hanuman Chatti (2400 mtrs): 14 kms. 6/7 hrs trek
Today after Yamunotri trek along Yamuna river fairly downhill to Janki Chatti than further to Hanuman Chatti. Hanuman Chatti is the last motor point before heading to Rishikesh. It's also a confluence of two holy river Yamuna and Hanuman Ganga.
Overnight: Tent

Day 13: Hanuman chatti - Rishikesh
Today we drive to Rishikesh. Evening free.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14: Rishikesh - Delhi
Morning free to visit Temples and Ashrams. Late afternoon transfer to haridwar railway station to catch the Shatabdi train to Delhi. On arrivel Delhi, transfer to Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 15: Delhi
A full day city tour of old & New Delhi including the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire. Afternoon, continue with the sight-seeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, drive past India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 16: Delhi Departure
Transfer to International Airport