Har-Ki-Doon trek
about the trek
After four days of Durga Puja we started our journey on 21st October, 2010. We got ready for our train as the train's(Kumbha Express) schedule departure time was 1:10 pm from Howrah Station. When we reached Howrah, then we came to know that the train will start at 4:15 pm. After 3 hrs. we got in the train and headed for our destination. We were three friends in our group Indranil, Utsab and I.
Next day at evening we reached at Haridwar Station. We took a hotel for the night. After some refreshment we took our dinner at a restaurant. Next day early morning we went to haridwar bus stand and took a bus for Dehradoon. But at Dehradoon bus stand we came to know the bus to Sankri has already departed from there. We took an auto to go Dehradoon station there we found a bus. But the bus will go upto Purola. Then we took an ambassador for 3600 rupees. Finally we were heading to Sankri. Our driver was Sevak Ram, he stopped the car near a restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast he drove the car very fast. We reached Damta via Kolukhet, Mussourie, Kempty falls, Yamuna bridge, Nainbagh. At Damta we took our lunch. Again we were started. After Beringad we stopped at Naogaon for tea. It is a junction, from here the straight road is going to Yamunotri via Barkot and the left hand side road is going to Purola. We took the left hand side road. After Purola and Jarmola we stopped at Mori. Here we found the river Tons. After half an hour we reached Netwar. Here we payed entry fee at Govind Wildlife Sanctuary checkpost. The entry fee was rupees 40 per head for first 3 days and after 3 days rupees 20 per day per head and rupees 50 for the car. It was already getting dark. We reached Sankri at 7:30 pm. It was totally dark as there was a power-cut going on. We asked some locals for GMVN bungalow. They guided us to the bungalow. Then one of them told us to take him as our guide. After some negotiation he agreed with our proposal. His name was Sildar Singh. Sildar took another boy for our porter. We were very tired for the journey so we gave him noodles to cook. We took our dinner with hot noodles.
The next day we started for Taluka village. We took a Mahindra Savari as sharing basis. It took rupees 30 per head. In half an hour we reached Taluka. We stayed at GMVN bungalow. After some refreshment we went to the bank of river Supin. Here we spend a good time with them. We were getting ready for our trek. We took rations from Taluka and a tray of eggs as the price gains at seema and Har-ki-doon.
Next day at evening we reached at Haridwar Station. We took a hotel for the night. After some refreshment we took our dinner at a restaurant. Next day early morning we went to haridwar bus stand and took a bus for Dehradoon. But at Dehradoon bus stand we came to know the bus to Sankri has already departed from there. We took an auto to go Dehradoon station there we found a bus. But the bus will go upto Purola. Then we took an ambassador for 3600 rupees. Finally we were heading to Sankri. Our driver was Sevak Ram, he stopped the car near a restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast he drove the car very fast. We reached Damta via Kolukhet, Mussourie, Kempty falls, Yamuna bridge, Nainbagh. At Damta we took our lunch. Again we were started. After Beringad we stopped at Naogaon for tea. It is a junction, from here the straight road is going to Yamunotri via Barkot and the left hand side road is going to Purola. We took the left hand side road. After Purola and Jarmola we stopped at Mori. Here we found the river Tons. After half an hour we reached Netwar. Here we payed entry fee at Govind Wildlife Sanctuary checkpost. The entry fee was rupees 40 per head for first 3 days and after 3 days rupees 20 per day per head and rupees 50 for the car. It was already getting dark. We reached Sankri at 7:30 pm. It was totally dark as there was a power-cut going on. We asked some locals for GMVN bungalow. They guided us to the bungalow. Then one of them told us to take him as our guide. After some negotiation he agreed with our proposal. His name was Sildar Singh. Sildar took another boy for our porter. We were very tired for the journey so we gave him noodles to cook. We took our dinner with hot noodles.
The next day we started for Taluka village. We took a Mahindra Savari as sharing basis. It took rupees 30 per head. In half an hour we reached Taluka. We stayed at GMVN bungalow. After some refreshment we went to the bank of river Supin. Here we spend a good time with them. We were getting ready for our trek. We took rations from Taluka and a tray of eggs as the price gains at seema and Har-ki-doon.
swargarohini peak
swargarohini peak from GMVN bungalow at HKD
porter n guide
from left Ramchand(porter), Sildar Singh(guide)
The next day we started our trek at 8:15 am. The distance of Taluka to Seema village is 12 km. After some time we crossed a stream by a log pool and came to a bugiyal. Here we took some food and headed towards Seema village. We walked through dense forest. We are walking by the left side of the river Supin. The gorge of the river followed us through out the route. Sometimes the route came down to the water level and sometimes far away from the river. The canopy layer protected the sun. We crossed many land slides as a month ago there was a flash flood happend. We found lots of 'Ramdana' field at the route. We met three Bengali groups and one French group on the way. We turned right at a place and found a tea centre, here we took a cup of hot tea. From here we saw Gangar village on the opposite side of the river. After some rest we resumed our journey. The rocky path was the main problem. Sometime our shoes slipped on the big boulders. After long exhausting walk we reached seema GMVN bungalow at noon. We took a bit rest and walked for Osla village. First we crossed the Seema bridge over supin river and then entered the village. We found 'Duryadhana' temple at here.
At this Tons valley locals worships the 'Kauravas,' because, according to Hindu mythology the 'Kauravas' came here after the 'Kurukshetra' war.
Here we found satellite telephone booth. When we were returning from Osla we saw Seema GMVN bungalow in a birds eye view. We took dinner and slept early at 7:30 pm. Our guide and porter went to Jakhol village to their home.
At this Tons valley locals worships the 'Kauravas,' because, according to Hindu mythology the 'Kauravas' came here after the 'Kurukshetra' war.
Here we found satellite telephone booth. When we were returning from Osla we saw Seema GMVN bungalow in a birds eye view. We took dinner and slept early at 7:30 pm. Our guide and porter went to Jakhol village to their home.
Next day early in the morning we headed for our destination Har-ki-doon. Same as tomorrow we crossed Seema bridge and the took a straight upward path. After an exhausting climb we reached the top of the difficult rocky wall. Now our path lied right side of the river. After a long walk through high altitude grassland a steep upward trail came in front of us. From this area we saw the back side of mighty Swargarohini peak. In mythology the 'Pandavas' went to the heaven by this peak and we also saw the Black peak, Bandarpunch,Yellowtooth and White peak. A bit later we reached 'Kalkatti dhar'. From here we saw the river Ruinsara and Ruinsara valley, Debshu bugiyal and Balipass, Dhumdhar kandi pass trek route. Seema bridge can be seen far from here. After a little break we were on our way. Now we found snow beside the path and the trees. The path went through cactus bushes and grass lands. After sometime we reached Har-ki-doon valley. The river Har-ki-doon surrounded by trees and snow. We crossed the rocky bridge over the river and beside the forest bungalow we came to GMVN bungalow. The beauty was breathtaking. The awesome view of Swargarohini peak and the surroundings was just like dreamland. Swargarohini peak was in front of us. Rather we can say we were at the base of Swargarohini peak. We found two Bengali groups at here. We explored the whole area and clicked loads of photos. At night we found a new look of Swargarohini at moonlight through our window.
returning from Seema to Taluka
The next morning we woke up at 5 am. The bone chilling cold made our hands hard. We saw the sun rise from bungalow. We took our breakfast at GMVN with noodles. Then we covered 12 km long distance in 2 hrs. and 10 mins. to Seema. After some time the another two group came down. We found a single French man who came India to explore the Himalayas. He was very funny and energetic. We took an axe from the village and collected some wood with the Bengali group for camp-fire. At night we enjoyed the camp-fire with them.
Next day we started trekking in the early morning to reach Sankri via Taluka. The same route, the same difficulties we faced again. Finally we reached Taluka and hire a Mahindra Savari for Sankri. We reached sankri around 2pm. We took our lunch there.
Next day at 5 am we and the other Bengali group took the bus for Dehradoon. We payed the rest of the money at the checkpost. After a long exhausting journey we reached Dehradoon via Bikashnagar. On that day we took a bus for Haridwar. We stayed there with the Bengali group in a same hotel. We visited Hrishikesh with them. After two day we took Janasatabdi express for Delhi. We stayed in Delhi one day. Next day we took Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani express. Next day around 9 am we reached Howrah station.
Next day we started trekking in the early morning to reach Sankri via Taluka. The same route, the same difficulties we faced again. Finally we reached Taluka and hire a Mahindra Savari for Sankri. We reached sankri around 2pm. We took our lunch there.
Next day at 5 am we and the other Bengali group took the bus for Dehradoon. We payed the rest of the money at the checkpost. After a long exhausting journey we reached Dehradoon via Bikashnagar. On that day we took a bus for Haridwar. We stayed there with the Bengali group in a same hotel. We visited Hrishikesh with them. After two day we took Janasatabdi express for Delhi. We stayed in Delhi one day. Next day we took Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani express. Next day around 9 am we reached Howrah station.
Sunset
Har-Ki-Doon Valley