Discover the captivating beauty of the Har Ki Dun Trek through our comprehensive guide, revealing its unique cultural significance and awe-inspiring landscapes, making it an ideal choice for avid trekkers and nature enthusiasts alike. It is a valley trek situated in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district of north-west Uttarakhand. It is a cradle-shaped valley that can only be reached by trekking.
The distance to the Har Ki Dun valley is 25 km from the road head, making the total trek distance 50 km. It takes 2 to 3 days to reach the valley and another 2 days to return. Har Ki Dun trek in terms of the trail is rather easy, as the ascent is very gradual and has only a couple of short sections which are slightly steep. The only challenge is the distance and we have to walk more than 10 km a day on 4 of the 5 trekking days. It can be done by families with children above 10 years of age.
In 1937, Doon School master Jack Gibson, along with Tenzing Norgay and his colleague John Martyn, climbed Bandarpunch Peak. Gibson made several expeditions in the region and trained young Indian mountaineers. The flora, fauna, and Garhwali culture of the Har Ki Doon Valley became known to the outside world through these expeditions.
The name "Har Ki Dun" has two different interpretations. The first is the literal translation, i.e., "Valley of Gods" – "Har" is the name for "Shiva", one of the trinity gods as per Hinduism, and "Dun" means valley. The second name is more closely related to local culture and traditions. The second translation is "The sound of Shiva" or the "Sound of God". Every year during the monsoon, the valley hosts a festival to welcome Lord Someshwara, a form of Shiva, with drummers playing the drum.
Ages ago, the Valley supposedly witnessed the disappearance of a Dhaki. During the festival month each year, people claim to occasionally hear the distant sound of drums played by the Dhaki in the early hours of the day. Many village elders mention hea