Har Ki Dun Ruinsara

Har Ki Dun Trek via Ruinsara Valley at an altitude of 3,566 meters is a delightful trekking experience in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, beginning in the village of Sankri. The valley is also the birthplace of the River Tons, which creates a panoramic vista through its serpentine route. melting Jaundhar glacier and the twittering of the Himalayan Monal melt the heart of every onlooker.

Har Ki Dun valley has abundant flora and fauna. It is a delight for bird watchers as dozens of species found here. On top of this, the view of the Kalanag peak (6,387 m), Swargarohini I (6,252m), Bandarpunch (6,316) and the low lying Hata peak , gives you a glimpse of all the major peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas.  

Hindu epic, Mahabharata, has a mention of this valley. The mythological connotation comes alive in the tiny villages along the trekking route. The villages here, some of which are almost even more than a millennium old, look like stuck back in the time of Mahabharata, with their laid-back lifestyle. The rich culture, intricately carved wooden architecture and the wild surrounding dwelled by Blue Sheep and Wild Boars can be enjoyed by navigating through Har ki Dun Ruinsara.

About Ruinsara Lake

Ruinsara Lake is almost at an altitude of 3,600 meters. It is located in a neighboring valley and the trail to Har Ki Dun & Har Ki Dun Ruinsara Tal bisect near the last village Osla. While we continue north for Har Ki Dun trek , we head east for Ruinsara. Har Ki Dun is 11 km from this juncture while Ruinsara Lake is 17 km approximately. The addition of Marinda Tal or Hata Meadows ahead of Har Ki Dun makes these two at similar trekking distance.

Har Ki Dun Ruinsara is probably one of the favorite treks of every trekker. This is a beautiful trek located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The greenery, along with different colors, make the valley a perfect trek for everyone. The Har Ki Dun trek is a popular trek because it is not very difficult, and the views are alluring. Ruinsara Lake is also breathtaking as it is a high-altitude lake with magnificent beauty. This is a lesser known trek and surely holds the untouched natural beauty.

Har Ki Dun Ruinsara is a full trek that covers both Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Lake. You will walk for about 70 km in 9-10 days. If you have enough time, then you should do the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara at once. You will start from Sankri village and then walk to the Har Ki Dun Valley. From the valley, you will trek to the beautiful high-altitude Ruinsara Lake. This trek is not just a hike but a walk to spirituality. Har Ki Dun valley and Ruainsara Lake holds spiritual beliefs. This trek will connect you to nature and your inner self.

History Of Har Ki Dun Ruinsara

Har Ki Dun Valley has a deep connection to the Hindu mythology. The meaning of “Har Ki Dun” means “Valley Of The Gods”. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas walk through this valley on their final journey to heaven. Locals also believe that the Pandavas meditate near the Ruinsara lake before their final journey to Swaragarohini. You can also hear some local folklore about the valley and the lake. The nearby villages like Oska and Gangad are about 2000 years old. You can still see centuries-old temples and homes. These villages still hold the traditions and make you feel like you've slipped back in time. There are no modern facilities, as it is a very remote area. In winter, everything becomes difficult as the trails are covered with snow. The villagers still spend their lives there in peace and harmony.

You will see mountains, forests, valleys, lakes, and everything in the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara trek. This trek is also a good expedition for spotting rare wildlife animals. Many people also trek to the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara trek for a snow leopard expedition. The valley got recognition during the British colonial period. The rare biodiversity and the easy trails make the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara unique and exquisite.

Highlights Of Har Ki Dun Ruinsara

• Har Ki Dun Valley

You will start your journey to the Har Ki Dun valley from the beautiful village of Sankri. Your trail to the valley is very beautiful and easy. Every day, you will camp in beautiful locations. You will walk along big and small streams and rivers. The Har Ki Dun valley is also known as the “Valley Of The Gods”. You can feel the presence of the divine in the trek.

• Ruinsara Lake

Ruinsara lake is a high-altitude glacier lake and has majestic panoramic Himalayan views. The trek to Ruinsara lake is moderately difficult to make it accessible to most of the trekkers. The clear waters of the lake will fill your heart with reconciliation.

• Ancient villages and Unique Culture

The villages nearby to the Har Ki Dun valley like Osla and Gangad, are centuries old. You can explore the villages and witness the centuries-old traditions. If you visit the village on certain occasions, you can see the locals in their traditional outfits. The wooden temples and houses still hold the authenticity.

• ​Rich in Adventure and Accessibility

Har Ki Dun is a trek where you can see the untouched natural beauty with good accessibility. Most Himalayan treks are difficult and have poor accessibility. But Har Ki Dun Ruinsara is unique. You can plan this trek even as a fit-beginner. You do not need good trekking experience to plan your trek to Har Ki Dun Ruinsara.

Difficulty Level Of Har Ki Dun Ruinsara

The Har Ki Dun Ruinsara trek is a moderate trek. You can complete your trek without any difficulty, even if you are a fit beginner. The trails are simple and have only a few difficult sections.

• ​Trek Duration and Distance

You will walk about 70 km in the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara circuit. The trek usually needs 9-10 days to complete. You will walk for about 10-12 km every day. The trails are not difficult but you should have good strength to walk this much distance everyday.

• Trail Condition

The trail to Har Ki Dun is easy. You will walk through forests and valleys. Small and big streams will follow you. There are a few difficult sections like Osla to Har ki dun where you have to walk on steep ascends. You will also need good knee strength while descending from Ruinsara Lake.

• High-Altitude

The altitude of Har Ki Dun Ruinsara is moderately high. This altitude has very low chances of AMS. But people who are new to mountains can feel a headache or nausea. The altitude of Ruinsara Lake is about 3600 m. Some trekkers can face mild health issues.

• Weather Conditions

The weather conditions in the Himalayas are always changing. You can’t fully predict the weather of a day. You can see the sun and snowfall on the same day. The trek can become difficult due to heavy rain or snowfall. The trails become slippery, and trekkers can face difficulty in walking.

Best Time To Visit The Har Ki Dun Ruinsara

Summer is always the best time to plan any Himalayan treks. The weather conditions are usually stable, and you can see clear mountain views. Planning the trek is also a good time, as the trails are less crowded.

• ​Har Ki Dun Ruinsara From April To June

Your trek to Har Ki Dun Ruinsara looks the best in the late spring and early summer. This is an easy trek, and you can plan your trek even in the late springtime. You will see snow in the higher regions. The lower regions start turning green, and the views are also very beautiful.

• Har Ki Dun Ruinsara In July And August

Monsoon can be a difficult season for trekking in Har Ki Dun Ruinsara. This region receives a high amount of rainfall. Some areas are prone to landslides. You can also face difficulties in crossing the streams. The trail becomes slippery and challenging.

• Har Ki Dun Ruinsara From September To November

Autumn is also a great season to plan your Har Ki Dun Ruinsara trek. The weather becomes dry, and the air feels crisp. You can see very little crowd on the trek. The views also become clear and majestic. The valley will start turning golden, and nights can be chilly.

• Har Ki Dun Ruinsara From December To March

Winter trek to Har Ki Dun Ruinsara is only for experienced trekkers. The Ruinsara lake is buried inside the snow, and the trails become very challenging. The Har Ki Dun valley is also covered with snow during winters.

How To Reach The Har Ki Dun Ruinsara?

You will start your beautiful journey to Har Ki Dun Ruinsara from Sankri village. This is a small village and is a basecamp for many treks. Try to reach Sankri a day before your trek and take a good rest.

Sankri Via Road

Sankri is a popular trekking location, and you can easily find buses to Sankri from Dehradun. Take an overnight bus to reach Dehradun early in the morning. Now start looking for the direct buses to Sankri. You can find both government and local bus services.

Sankri Via Railways

If you are planning your trip via railways, then look for the trains to Dehradun. You can find direct buses to Dehradun from many major cities. Rishikesh also has good train connectivity. Reach Rishikesh and take a local bus to Dehradun, and then look for buses to Sankri. You can also find some shared taxi options from Rishikesh to Sankri.

Sankri Via Air

You can look for direct flights to Dehradun. The Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is a bit far from the main city. Book a taxi to the Dehradun bus station. Now take a bus to Sankri. You can take government or private buses. But only ordinary bus services are available. You can also hire a cab or take a shared taxi.