1. Where is the Har Ki Dun trek located?

Har Ki Dun sits deep inside the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand, in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas. For us at Indiahikes, the journey begins from our Kotgaon base — about an 8–10 hour drive from Dehradun.

What makes Har Ki Dun truly special is that it isn’t a trek where you wait for the “big view” at the end. The magic is spread out through the entire trail. You walk along the Thamsa River, through ancient villages and stories that locals still live by. It’s one of those rare treks where the journey feels just as rewarding as the destination.

2. How difficult is the Har Ki Dun trek?

We classify Har Ki Dun as a moderate trek. It’s not technically challenging, and the trail is friendly — not many intimidating climbs or narrow sections. You have a fairly steep climb from Gangaad to Kalkatiyadhar. Also, around this stretch, there is a narrow ledge and a few boulder patches you’ll need to navigate, so it demands steady footing and attention.

Moreover, the trek requires good stamina. It’s a long trek, spread over five trekking days, and you’ll be walking anywhere between 8–10 km almost every day.

If you’re a first-time trekker with a reasonable fitness level, Har Ki Dun is a great choice. 

For more information, head to the How Difficult is the Har Ki Dun Trek Section on the Indiahikes Har Ki Dun Trek Page.

3. What is the best time to do the Har Ki Dun trek?

There are two main seasons when Har Ki Dun is at its best.

• Har Ki Dun in Spring–Summer (March to June)

Expect pleasant daytime temperatures and cool nights. Early March may still have small snow patches, but by April and May, the valley turns green and vibrant with spring flowers. This is the most popular season, with stable weather and lush landscapes.

• Har Ki Dun in Autumn–Winter (September to November)

Post-monsoon, the valley opens up with clear skies, crisp air, and rich green views that slowly turn golden through October and November. Temperatures drop steadily, and there’s a good chance of witnessing the season’s first snowfall toward late Autumn or December.

We usually don’t recommend it in winter. Heavy snow blocks the trail by late November or December, and villages along the way shut down for the season.

For more information, head over to the Best Time to do the Har Ki Dun Section on the Indiahikes Har Ki Dun Trek Page.

4. How long is the Har Ki Dun trek?

The Har Ki Dun trek takes about seven days, including travel to and from Dehradun. On the trail, you cover roughly 37 km — but the terrain is so varied and engaging that you rarely feel the distance.

One of the biggest highlights of this trek is the River Thamsa. It stays by your side almost the entire way. And the trail gives you so much — ancient villages, the vast meadows of Devsu Thach, the forested sections around Boslo, and finally, that moment when you walk towards Har Ki Dun and see Swargarohini rising right in front of you.

Har Ki Dun isn’t just scenic. It’s cultural, it’s landscape-rich, and for many trekkers, it has a deeply spiritual quality too.

To get a quick sense of the itinerary we follow at Indiahikes, head to the Quick Itinerary section on the Har Ki Dun trek page.

5. What is the altitude of the Har Ki Dun trek?

Har Ki Dun sits at 11,600 ft — much lower than the big Himalayan passes like Rupin Pass, which go well above 15,000 ft. This makes Har Ki Dun especially friendly for beginners. 

The climb is gradual, your body gets enough time to acclimatise, and that’s one of the reasons we consider it among the safer high-altitude treks to start with.

6. What makes the Har Ki Dun trek famous?

There are few treks in our country with as much history, culture, and natural beauty packed into one trail. Har Ki Dun is famous for three reasons:

1. Its Mythology:

Har Ki Dun is often called the “Valley of the Gods.” Here, locals also believe the Pandavas from the Mahabharata took the path to heaven through Swargarohini.  

1. Its Villages:

Osla and Gangad are not just villages — they’re centuries-old settlements. The Kotibanal homes, the intricately carved temples, and the way people live, it almost feels like stepping back in time.

1. Its Landscape:

Forest, river, wide grasslands, and the towering Bandarpoonch massif — Har Ki Dun packs in every kind of Himalayan scenery in one trail. It’s rare to find this much variety in a single trek.

It’s a rare combination — and that’s why Har Ki Dun has been a classic for decades. To dive deeper into the culture, geography, and history of the valley, head to our Har Ki Dun deep dive page. 

7. How do I reach the Har Ki Dun trek starting point?

Your journey begins at Dehradun, which is well-connected by train, flight, and road. From Dehradun, Indiahikes arranges transport to the Kotgaon base camp. The drive takes around 8–10 hours.

We recommend reaching Dehradun a day earlier if possible, just to avoid last-minute stress. Once you’re at the basecamp, our team takes over — from trek briefings to safety checks, everything is planned so you’re ready to hit the trail the next morning.

For details on getting there, head to the How to Reach section on the Har Ki Dun trek page.

8. What kind of fitness is required for the Har Ki Dun trek?

Fitness makes all the difference on this trek. You’ll be walking for long hours on multiple days, so stamina really matters. We usually suggest that you aim to run 5 km in under 35 minutes before you come.

This doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete. With steady preparation — brisk walking, jogging, or even regular stair climbing — most trekkers build the required fitness in 6–8 weeks. And once you’re fit, the trek feels enjoyable instead of tiring. That’s exactly what we want for you.

Read the full fitness criteria to understand exactly how to prepare your body for the trek.

9. What are the highlights of the Har Ki Dun trek?

If we had to pick highlights, these would be it:

• Walking through ancient Himalayan villages like Osla and Gangad.
• Forest trails filled with pines and oaks.
• Open meadows where you spot peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch massif, and Black Peak.
• Camping by the river at beautiful sites.
• The final approach to the Har Ki Dun valley, with its wide-open amphitheatre of mountains.

Every day gives you something new. That’s what makes this trek unforgettable.

10. What are the stay options on the Har Ki Dun trek?

Our first campsite at Gangaad is actually a homestay — a cosy, lived-in space.

For the next few days, we stay in tents set up by our team at our designated campsites — Kalkatiyadhar, Boslo, and Devsu Thatch. These are shared tents (usually two trekkers per tent), equipped with warm sleeping bags and comfortable mats. Everything is arranged for you, so you don’t need to carry any camping gear.

Before the trek begins and once you return, you’ll be staying at our basecamp in Kotgaon. It’s where your trek officially starts and ends.

11. What is the weather like on the Har Ki Dun trek?

The weather really depends on when you go.

• From March to June, the days stay cool, around 16–24°C, while the nights drop to 2–5°C. You may get the occasional rain shower. Temperatures also change through the season — early March feels much colder than June.
• From September to November, the days turn crisp, usually 8–12°C, and the nights can dip to 0°C or even below –3°C on some days. The skies stay mostly clear in this season, which is why it’s one of the best times for big mountain views.

We don’t run Har Ki Dun in peak winter, since the trail is buried under snow.

12. What should I pack for the Har Ki Dun trek?

For Har Ki Dun, think layers and essentials. Carry 5 layers (including a padded jacket and dri fit t-shirt), two trek pants, 3–4 dri-fit t-shirts, and good trekking shoes. A rain jacket or poncho is a must in case of sudden showers.

Other essentials: a backpack with a rain cover, water bottles, personal toiletries, sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses, and a sturdy pair of trekking poles. We send you a detailed packing list when you register, so nothing gets missed.

To know exactly what to pack for this trek, head to the What to Pack section on the Har Ki Dun trek page.

13. Do I need to carry my own tent or sleeping bag?

No, you don’t. 

We provide high-quality tents, sleeping bags, and mats at all campsites. Our sleeping bags are expedition-grade and can handle temperatures well below zero. So you just need to bring your personal gear and clothes.

That’s one of the big advantages of trekking with us — you travel lighter, and you know your equipment is safe and reliable.

14. How difficult is the Har Ki Dun trek compared to other Uttarakhand treks?

Har Ki Dun sits in that sweet spot — not too easy, not too tough. If you’ve done treks like Kedarkantha or Dayara Bugyal, you’ll find Har Ki Dun a step up. The trail itself is gradual, no major scary climbs or technical sections, but it’s a long trek. That’s where your stamina comes into play. 

Compared to the tougher ones in the region, like Kedartal or Rupin Pass, Har Ki Dun feels much gentler. Which is why we often recommend it to those who want a full-blown Himalayan experience without biting off more than they can chew.

15. Can children or families do the Har Ki Dun trek?

Yes — and honestly, some of the happiest moments on the treks are when families do it together.

Children above 11 years can definitely attempt Har Ki Dun. The trail moves along the river, opens into meadows, and passes through villages like Osla and Gangaad — children often get curious about the ancient stories from these settlements, and parents love watching them take it all in.

It isn’t just the mountains. It’s the cultural experience that families really remember. And with our trek leaders and staff sharing stories and keeping a close eye on safety, families can soak in the trek without worry.

16. Is the Har Ki Dun trek open in winter?

We get this question a lot. Unlike Kedarkantha or Brahmatal, Har Ki Dun isn’t really a winter trek. 

By early or mid-December, heavy snow usually blocks the trail, and the villages start shutting down. You can still trek in November, but from December onwards, it’s not safe. 

The best time to experience Har Ki Dun is in spring and summer, from March to June, or in autumn, between September and October.

17. Is there a mobile network or internet connectivity on the Har Ki Dun trek?

If you’re planning to work remotely on this trek, here’s a heads-up — once you near Kotgaon, forget about the network. BSNL or Jio might pop up here and there, but it’s patchy at best, and at the Kotgaon basecamp, there’s no reliable internet.

You will get signals in Sankri, though. On the first day of your trekking journey, when you drive from Kotgaon to Dharkot, you’ll pass through it.

And honestly, that’s part of the magic. Har Ki Dun gives you a rare chance to truly disconnect, leave the buzzing notifications behind, and soak in a whole week in the mountains. Let your family know before you go, and then just enjoy this break — it’s priceless.

18. What kind of food is provided during the Har Ki Dun trek?

On the Har Ki Dun trek, we make sure you’re not just well-fed, but also well-nourished. 

Every meal is freshly cooked — piping hot dal, rice, rotis, sabzi, pasta, poha, sometimes even pakoras. We design the menu to keep your energy up for long trekking days. All meals are vegetarian. 

If you have specific dietary restrictions, you just need to let us know in advance — we’ll do our best to take care of it. And yes, tea and snacks are a must; they’re part of the Indiahikes rhythm.

19. Are there toilets on the Har Ki Dun trek?

Not the regular flush toilets you might imagine, but something we’re really proud of — our bio-toilets. At every campsite, we set up eco-friendly, dry composting toilets. They’re clean, hygienic, and most importantly, they don’t pollute the mountains. 

If you’ve trekked with us before, you’ll know how simple and effective they are. If you haven’t, trust us — once you use them, you’ll see why we believe they’re the future of sustainable trekking.

20. Why should I choose the Har Ki Dun trek with Indiahikes?

This is a question that’s close to our hearts. At Indiahikes, we don’t look at treks as just trips to the mountains. 

We include experiences that can change the way you see yourself and the outdoors. When you come with us on a trek, we take care of you in every sense — safety, food, gear, guidance, and learning. 

Our trek leaders are trained to handle medical emergencies in the mountains, our equipment is top-notch, and our systems are built around sustainability — from bio-toilets to waste management.

But beyond all this, it’s the small things — the stories we share, the reflections we encourage, the way we conduct experiences that help you connect to nature, self and others on the trek — that make your trek more meaningful. 

Har Ki Dun isn’t just about reaching a valley. It’s about how you come back from it. That’s what we aim for when you trek with us.