Sankri, Uttarkashi · Uttarakhand
Har Ki Dun
A cradle-shaped valley below Swargarohini, walked through ancient Mahabharata-linked villages.
Har Ki Dun is an easy–moderate trek in Sankri, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,566 m. The best time to go is April to June and September to November. Plan 7 to 8 days on the ground from Dehradun and about ₹2,800 per person per day.
What to do in Har Ki Dun
The one thing not to miss
The valley meadows
Camp under Swargarohini at the head of the valley.
- 2Osla villageCarved wooden houses and the Someshwar temple, on the way up.
A sample plan: 7 days
Day 1
Dehradun to Sankri
A long drive.
Day 2
Sankri to Taluka by jeep, then walk to Osla or Seema
About 12 km along the Supin river.
Day 3
Osla to Har Ki Dun
The valley opens under Swargarohini.
Day 4
A day in the valley
Walk towards Marinda Tal or the Jaundhar glacier viewpoint.
Day 5
Har Ki Dun to Osla
The same trail down.
Day 6
Osla to Taluka and Sankri
Walk out and take the jeep.
Day 7
Sankri to Dehradun
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
One of the few Himalayan treks you can do almost year-round, with real village culture on the way.
Why not
Long drive to Sankri first, and the trail is popular in May–June and September–October.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), usually via your operator.
- Guide
- Registered operator recommended; route is broad and well-marked.
- Safety
- Winter snow can bury the trail above Osla — go with someone who knows it.
- Phone & internet
- None after Sankri.
Altitude
Har Ki Dun reaches 3,566 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Uttarkashi, Uttarkashi.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Har Ki Dun
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 47 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,566 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), usually via your operator.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone after Sankri.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Leave your own car at Sankri and take a local jeep to Taluka.
By road
From
Dehradun
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Dehradun
- Mussoorie
- Naugaon
- Purola
- Mori
- Sankri
From
Sankri
- Distance
- about 12 km
- Drive time
- about 1 hour
- Sankri
- Taluka
A rough forest track, covered by local jeeps. The walk starts at Taluka.
Live directions from Sankri
Buses and shared taxis. A few early-morning buses and shared jeeps leave Dehradun for Sankri; most operators arrange the transfer.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Har Ki Dun yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Har Ki Dun: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Har Ki Dun?
The best months for Har Ki Dun are April to June and September to November. March and December are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Har Ki Dun?
Har Ki Dun is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 47 km in total, starting at 1,950 m and reaching 3,566 m.
How many days do you need for Har Ki Dun?
Plan 7 to 8 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Har Ki Dun cost?
Expect about ₹2,800 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹22,400 for 8 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun.
How do you reach Har Ki Dun?
By road: from Dehradun it is about 200 km, 8–9 hours (Dehradun → Mussoorie → Naugaon → Purola → Mori → Sankri); from Sankri it is about 12 km, about 1 hour (Sankri → Taluka). A few early-morning buses and shared jeeps leave Dehradun for Sankri; most operators arrange the transfer. The nearest gateway is Dehradun.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Har Ki Dun?
Permits: Forest entry fee (Govind Wildlife Sanctuary), usually via your operator. Guide: Registered operator recommended; route is broad and well-marked.
Is Har Ki Dun suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is possible with care. It is busy in season. Winter snow can bury the trail above Osla — go with someone who knows it.
What should you pack for Har Ki Dun?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Har Ki Dun?
None after Sankri.
Will I get altitude sickness at Har Ki Dun?
Har Ki Dun reaches 3,566 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Har Ki Dun?
Har Ki Dun is not a good choice for older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,566 m. Also keep in mind: Long drive to Sankri first, and the trail is popular in May–June and September–October.
Close to Har Ki Dun
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Kedarkanthaabout 27 km
- Harsilabout 32 km
- Dayara Bugyalabout 34 km