Har Ki Dun Trek Guide: Difficulty, Best Time, Cost & How to Prepare
Everything you need to know before the Har Ki Dun Trek in Uttarakhand: how hard it is, when to go, how to train, what to pack and what it costs — from the team that runs it.
Why do the Har Ki Dun Trek?
- A cradle-shaped glacial valley under Swargarohini, at 3,566 m
- Osla and Seema — centuries-old carved wooden villages
- Walking beside the Supin river almost the whole way
- Inside the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary — look out for Himalayan monal
How difficult is the Har Ki Dun Trek?
The Har Ki Dun Trek is graded moderate, covering about 47 km on foot and reaching about 3,566 m. Expect long, steep days and real altitude — it's best for trekkers with some experience and solid fitness.
Best time for the Har Ki Dun Trek
Best season: April–June and September–December. From December to February expect snow on the trail and nights well below freezing — microspikes and proper winter layers matter. See what each month is like on our treks in April page.
How to prepare for the Har Ki Dun Trek
Start training 6–8 weeks before the trek. By departure you should be able to jog 5 km in under 30 minutes comfortably.
- Jog 5–7 km, four or five days a week
- Stair climbs or hill walks with an 8 kg backpack, twice a week
- Leg and core strength — squats, lunges, step-ups, planks — three days a week
- Two weekend hikes of 5–6 hours with a loaded backpack
- Break in your trekking shoes on at least three long walks before the trip
Altitude: above 3,000 m the air has noticeably less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and tell your trek leader early about a headache, nausea or breathlessness. Read our altitude sickness guide.
Har Ki Dun Trek itinerary, day by day
- Day 1Dehradun to Sankri — About 190 km and 9–10 hours via Mussoorie, Purola and Mori, with the Tons river for company in the last stretch.
- Day 2Sankri to Taluka, trek to Pauni Garaat — About 12 km and 1 hour on a rough road to Taluka, the trailhead.
- Day 3Pauni Garaat to Kalkattiyadhaar via Osla — A detour into Osla — carved wooden houses several storeys high and the Someshwar temple.
- Day 4Har Ki Dun and back — About 4 km and 2–3 hours to Har Ki Dun (3,566 m), a cradle-shaped glacial valley where streams meet under Swargarohini, Hata Peak and Bandarpunch.
- Day 5Kalkattiyadhaar to Pauni Garaat — About 7 km back down the valley, with time to stop in Seema or Osla.
- Day 6Pauni Garaat to Taluka, drive to Sankri — About 11–12 km and 5 hours back to Taluka along the river.
- Day 7Sankri to Dehradun — Reach Dehradun between 6 and 8 pm.
Har Ki Dun Trek packing list
- ✓Trekking shoes with ankle support and a deep grip, broken in before the trip
- ✓40–60 L backpack with a rain cover, plus a small daypack if you offload
- ✓Three warm layers (fleece + padded/down jacket) — nights drop near or below 0 °C
- ✓Waterproof jacket or poncho and quick-dry trek pants (no jeans)
- ✓Thermal inner wear for the nights
- ✓Woollen cap, fleece gloves and 3 pairs of socks (1 woollen)
- ✓UV sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm
- ✓Two 1 L water bottles (no single-use plastic on the trail)
- ✓Headlamp with spare batteries
- ✓Trekking pole (recommended; can be hired)
- ✓Personal medicines, plus Diamox only if your doctor advises it
- ✓Government photo ID — original and one photocopy (needed for forest permits)
- ✓Medical fitness certificate signed by a doctor (we send the format)
The full checklist: Himalayan trek packing list.
How to reach the Har Ki Dun Trek
Our trip starts and ends at Dehradun Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun station has direct trains from Delhi (about 4.5 to 5 hrs on the fast services); Jolly Grant Airport is roughly 35 km away with flights from Delhi and other metros; Delhi is about 5 to 6 hrs by road.
Har Ki Dun Trek cost
Our 7-day Har Ki Dun Trek costs ₹13,500 per person.
Included
- Shared tempo traveller from Dehradun to the trailhead and back (pickup around 6:30 am on day 1)
- 2 nights in a Sankri guesthouse (shared rooms) and 4 nights in tents
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day
- Certified trek leader trained in wilderness first aid, plus a local guide, cook and support staff
- Forest-department and trek permits, camping charges
- Tents, sleeping bags, mats, dining and toilet tents
- First-aid kit, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter — everyone is checked every morning and evening
- Microspikes and gaiters when the trail has snow
- Jeep between Sankri and Taluka both ways
Not included
- Travel to the pickup point and back home
- Backpack offloading (available as an add-on)
- Personal trekking gear — shoes, jackets, poles (can be hired as an add-on)
- Meals on the drive days before and after the trek, unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Anything personal: tips, snacks, bottled drinks, phone charging at tea shops
- Costs from weather, landslides or road closures that force a change of plan
Har Ki Dun Trek: questions trekkers ask
How difficult is the Har Ki Dun Trek?
It's graded moderate, with about 47 km on foot over 7 days and a highest point of about 3,566 m. It needs good fitness, and some earlier trekking experience helps.
What is the best time for the Har Ki Dun Trek?
April–June and September–December. Expect snow and sub-zero nights in the winter months.
How much does the Har Ki Dun Trek cost?
Our 7-day trip starts at ₹13,500 per person, including shared tempo traveller from dehradun to the trailhead and back; 2 nights in a sankri guesthouse; all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the last day.
What is the maximum altitude of the Har Ki Dun Trek?
About 3,566 m above sea level. Acclimatise slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your trek leader about any headache or nausea.
Can beginners do the Har Ki Dun Trek?
It's not ideal as a first trek. Train for 6–8 weeks (aim to jog 5 km in under 30 minutes) and ideally do an easier trek first.
Where does the Har Ki Dun Trek start?
Our trip starts and ends at Dehradun Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun station has direct trains from Delhi (about 4.5 to 5 hrs on the fast services); Jolly Grant Airport is roughly 35 km away with flights from Delhi and other metros; Delhi is about 5 to 6 hrs by road.
Ready for the Har Ki Dun Trek?
Trek leader, permits, camps and meals handled — one enquiry, no payment until you confirm.