First Trek in the Himalayas - Har Ki Doon

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My first trip to the Himalayas was to Leh and Ladakh, and ever since, I have felt a special connection to the mountains. Their beauty and tranquility always draw me back. In January 2015, during a weekend road trip, we casually talked about visiting the Himalayas. Little did I know that I would end up signing up for an 8-day trek, especially given my fitness level. But life has its surprises.

This trek became a reality thanks to Rekha, my fellow trekker, whom I met during a road trip to Coorg the previous year through a mutual friend. With her quiet, thoughtful nature and a way of speaking that leaves a lasting impact. For both of us, this was our first time stepping out of our comfort zones together, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her support throughout the journey.

As first-time trekkers, we spent weeks reading blogs, researching various treks, and finally settled on Har Ki Doon with Trek the Himalayas. It seemed like the perfect balance of adventure and challenge for beginners. The Mountains Were Calling !!! 

Har Ki Doon means "Valley of the Gods." It is a stunning valley located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The total trek distance was about 65 km, and the highest elevation was approximately 3,565 meters. We arranged our flight, cab, and hotel bookings well in advance. The next step was to mentally and physically prepare for the unknown challenges ahead and equip ourselves with the right clothes and accessories.

In preparation for the trip, our daily routine included checking the weather forecast for the Sankri range, having endless discussions, reading blogs and articles about the trek, and, of course, shopping. Since it was our first time trekking. I wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything important. That is the excitement and anxiety of the first ever trek in the Himalayas. 

I shopped for all the trek essentials, along with backups and even backups for the backups! The result of was excess baggage—a reality that dawned on me only at the check-in counter. Embarrassingly, I had to shift a few items into my fellow travelers' luggage.

The trek had been unforgettable, and it reminded me how important it is to have travel partner who laughs, supports, and walks beside you.



Day 1 & 2: The Dream Begins

Day 3 : Dehradun to Sankri 

Day 4 & 5 : Special Day - Sankri to Bheduka 

Day 6 : Puanigharat to Kalkhathidhar via Osla

Day 7 : Summit day- Kalkhathidhar to Har Ki Doon and back to Kalkathidhar

Day 8 :  Kalkhatiadhar to Puanigharat via Osla

Day 9 : Puanigharat to Taluka and Sankri

Day 10 & Day 11 : Journey back home 


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