Uttarakhand

About Har Ki Dun Valley: Har ki Dun, is a valley that is situated in Govind Wildlife sanctuary, Uttarkashi district in north-west Uttarakhand. It is a cradle shaped valley that can only be reached by trekking to the valley. The distance to the Har ki Dun valley is 25 km from the road head. Thus the total trek distance is 50 km. It takes 2 to 3 days to reach the valley and return in another 2 days. In 1937, Doon school master Jack Gibson along with Tenzing Norgay and his colleague John Martyn climbed Bandarpunch peak. Jack Gibson made several expeditions in the region and trained young Indian mountaineers. The flora, fauna and Garhwali culture of Har ki Dun region thus became known to the outside world. The name "Har Ki Dun" is interpreted in two different ways. First is the literal translation, i.e. Valley of Gods - Har is the name for Shiva, one of the trinity gods as per Hinduism. Dun means a valley. The other name has more resemblance with the local culture and traditions. The second translation is "The sound of Shiva or the Sound of God". Every year to welcome Lord Someshwara (a form of Shiva) a festival is held in the valley, where a Dhaki (drummer) plays the drum. It is said that ages ago a Dhaki had disappeared in the Valley above and every year during the festival month one can still occasionally hear the Dhaki playing drums far up in the valley in the early hours of the day. Many village elders mention of several accounts throughout their lives about hearing these drums. read more read less

The Ranthan kharak Trek is a thrilling high-altitude journey through the rugged terrains of the Himalayas. Starting from lush meadows, the trek gradually ascends through dense forests and rocky paths, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys. At 12,887 ft, Ranthan kharak stands as the highest point of the trek, where trekkers are rewarded with sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains. Known for its breathtaking beauty and challenging terrain, this trek is perfect for adventure seekers looking to experience the raw and untouched grandeur of the Himalayas. read more read less

Kedarkantha peak is located in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarkashi. It is accessible throughout the year, except July and August. The summit of Kedarkantha peak altitude or height is 3810 meters or 12,500 feet. Kedarkantha summit offers 360-degree view of many peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch I & II, Black peak, Ranglana, and the Yamunotri and Gangotri mountain ranges. The name of the peak translates to "Lord Shiva's throat", Kedar (केदार) meaning Shiva & Kantha (कंठ) meaning throat. What is the best time to go for Kedarkantha trek? The trek is possible in at least 9 or 10 out of 12 months in a year. The time period when the trek should not be attempted is during the months of July and August when the monsoon rains arrive and incessant rains make the trek very risky. The trek is generally safe during all the other months of the year. In peak winters excessive snowfall can close the trek for some short duration as well, for a few days, such as in January month. read more read less

Kuari Pass is a popular trek near Auli, Joshimath in Uttarakhand. Kuari pass trek is popularly known as "Lord Curzon's trail". The British Viceroy, George Curzon, attempted crossing it and remarked about the beauty of the trek. Though the pass is not very high, it offers excellent views of Nanda Devi, Dunagiri and other Himalayan peaks. The Nanda Devi national park and the Rishi Ganga gorge are visible from the first day itself. Chaukhamba massif, Neelkanth, Mana, Kamet, Hathi Ghoda, Trishul, Nandaghunti, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, are the peaks visible on the trek. Grade: Fit for Beginners | Total Trek Distance: 35 kms | Trek Altitude: 12,532 ft    Weather: During the Kuari Pass Trek in April to May, the weather is usually pleasant. The sun shines gently, and sometimes there might be a little rain shower to freshen things up. Scenery: During this time, the meadows turn into a lush sea of green. It's like nature's canvas coming to life with a burst of colourful wildflowers. Temperature: Temperatures along the Kuari Pass in the daytime usually range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, with nights being cooler, typically between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius. It's important to bear in mind that temperatures may vary with altitude, and higher elevations often entail colder conditions. Trek Fees: INR 24,500/- per person + Train Ticket & Airfare (Pune - Delhi - Pune) at actual read more read less

Dayara Bugyal is a high-altitude meadow situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. The Dayara meadows are known for their beauty and the lush green meadows turn into a sprawling snow ground during the winter months. Views of Gangotri range rewards the trekkers and peaks such as Srikantha (6,133 m), Jaonli (6,632 m) & Draupadi ka Danda are visible. On the route we go through amazing Oak forests. While descending from Dayara towards Barsu, we come across Barnala Meadows with Barnala Tal, a small lake with beautiful views of snow caped peaks in the background. read more read less

Out of the many mesmerising experiences of the Himalayas, the trek to Brahmatal is surely amongst the few on the list of favourite treks for all trekkers. “Tal” meaning lake and “Brahma “meaning the god of creation. This lake has been named after Brahma, the supreme in the triad of great Hindu gods which includes Shiva and Vishnu. The trek to Brahmatal is particularly popular during the winter season from December to March. The summit of Brahmatal trek offers some breath-taking views of silvery snow-dressed mountains and clear blue skies to enjoy the 360 degree view surrounding you. The lake gets frozen during this season and its beauty multiplies multifold. Grade: Fit for Beginners | Total Trek Distance: 24 kms | Trek Altitude: 12,240 ft Trek Fees: INR 19,000/- per person + Train Ticket & Airfare (Pune - Delhi - Pune) at actual read more read less

Bali Pass is a mountain pass that is slightly short of 5000 meters mark, and connects the Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley to Yamunotri and vice-versa. The trek runs through numerous heritage Villages of Har Ki Dun valley such as Osla, Gangaad, Taluka and ascends deep into the Govind National Park. On the route we come across the beautiful Ruinsara Lake. Multiple waterfalls lie on the way to the pass. Bali Pass trek distance is 66 KM from Taluka to Janki Chatti. The trek is on the difficult end as Bali Pass trek altitude is more than 16,000 feet and has long walking days, with steeps ascents and descends. If one plans to attempt Bali Pass trek solo, it is highly advised to trek along with a local guide, as the trek route can be misjudged while descending or ascending the pass, with steep sections which can cause mishaps. Duration: 8N/9DDifficulty: Moderate - DifficultMax Altitude: 16,200 ftTrek Distance: 66 km approx. Important Note: We recommend trekkers to reach Dehradun 1 day prior to the departure so they can rest well before the journey/trek. Similarly on last day you can book your flight for the next day, as mountain roads are unpredictable, so being safe is always suggested by Mountainfit. Accommodation in Dehradun can be arranged at extra cost. read more read less

Uttarakhand is called as Dev Bhoomi i.e. land of Gods. Shri Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the eleventh out of twelve Jyotirlingas of India. The temple is situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand at high altitude in the Himalayas and is believed to be established by Aadi Guru Shankaracharya. read more read less

Phulara Ridge is a trekking route known for its scenic views of the Garhwal Himalayas, including peaks like Bandarpoonch and Kalanag. It offers a beautiful landscape with meadows and forests. Pushtara Meadows via Phulara Ridge is one of the lesser known but an amazing trek. Govind Pashu Vihar National Park is home to many trekking routes. Sankri, situated within the park, acts as a base camp for treks such as Har Ki Dun, Bali Pass, and Kedarkantha. The trek is very unique due to the landscape and nature of its trail. Ridges are uncommon in the Indian Himalayas. But this trail takes you on a walk atop a ridge that lasts for almost 2 hours! Given that this is one of a kind trek in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, it is slowly earning its well-deserved fame in the trekking world.   Trek Fees: Dehradun to Dehradun - INR 16,500/- per person Delhi to Delhi - INR 18,500/- per person read more read less