Ancient Villages & Valley of Gods -

The Finest River Valley trek in the Garhwal Himalayas, passing through Ancient villages, untouched forests, pristine valley & Alpine Lake @ 3500m . A perfect amalgamation of Adventure, Culture & Religion.

Overview

This trip will take you to the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, also called Dev bhoomi – the land of Gods. One trekking experience here and you will know why the Gods chose this as their heavenly abode. 🙂

This trip offers trekking in Indian Himalayas through one of the most gorgeous mountain valleys of Western Himalayas that has never lost its charm to trekkers around the globe. The last leg of the trip includes Ayurveda & cultural interaction at Rishikesh.

We will fly into the foothills and take a long overland journey to the base of the trek – Sankri Village. The trek starts from this small village, which is the base camp for many treks in this region. From Sankri, you traverse on a trail that ascends gradually through dense forests of pine & coniferous, cross several streams and waterfalls, to reach the Valley of Gods (Har Ki Dun). The valley is nestled amidst snow-capped peaks and offers breathtaking views of Mt. Swargarohini & Mt. Bandarpunch massif (6316m).

From the valley, the trek continues towards the Alpine Lake @ 3500m. The trail descends through forests and meadows, crossing mountain streams. The Ruinsara Lake is a shimmering Alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks.

The main highlight of this trek is the traditional villages that we cross, which have been culturally preserved for ages. It’s a chance for travelers to witness their unique architecture, the ancient colorful temples, the unfamiliar traditions, and the warm smiles they share.

After finishing our trek, we’ll drive back to the foothills and stay for 01 night next to the River Ganges, exploring the Holy city of Rishikesh. Visit Ashrams, participate in evening prayer at Ganges and experience Ayurveda massages after a long trek.

Highlights

Pristine landscapes as the trek takes you through lush green meadows, dense forests, sparkling streams, and snow-capped peaks.
Quaint & Ancient Himalayan villages desplaying their unique traditions & culture. Get to know about some of the ancient tales of Indian mythology.
Har Ki Dun Valley, a beautiful valley at 3600m known for its breathtaking views of Mt Swargarohini (6252m) and other Greater Himalayan peaks.
Ruinsara Lake @ 3500m, located on a meadow, surrounded by towering peaks. The view of the lake against the backdrop of mountains is truly mesmerizing.
During the trek, you may get a chance to spot musk deer, barking deer, langur, golden eagles, and if lucky even the elusive Snow Leopard.
Ayurveda massage at Rishikesh, the holy city on the banks of River Ganges.
Camping in the lap of nature, beside serene lake, in lush meadows, and under the starry night sky is a memorable experience. The golden hour sunrise and sunset views are particularly breathtaking.

Day 1 :

ARRIVE NEW DELHI

You’ll be met on arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport by the trek leader. Transfer to the hotel in central Delhi. Rest of the day at leisure, giving you the chance to take-in the sights and sounds of bustling Delhi. Later in the evening, a short walk to Agrasen ki Baoli - one of the oldest surviving ancient stepwells in central Delhi, followed by welcome dinner.

Day 2 :

NEW DELHI / DEHRADUN / MUSSOORIE

In the morning, board the flight to Dehradun, foothills of Himalayas. Upon arrival at Dehradun, drive to Mussoorie, a fascinating hill station with commanding snow ranges to the north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley & Shivalik ranges in the south. In the evening we can go for a short hike to the remains of the building and laboratory of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor-General of India from 1830 to 1843. It’s a scenic walk and provides a view of Doon Valley and Himalayan ranges. Overnight in mussoorie. FLIGHT : 01 hr DRIVE : 61 km/ 2 hr ACCOMMODATION: Heritage hotel

Day 3 :

MUSSOORIE / SANKRI

Today we’ll take a scenic hill drive in the mountains to Sankri Village, the base of the trek. The road is picturesque, with pine forests and deep gorges. We arrive at Sankri village by late afternoon. It’s a beautiful Himalayan village that serves as the base camp for many treks in this region. After freshening up, we will get sufficient time to walk in the market and get acclimatized. ALTITUDE: 1950m DRIVE: 154 km / 6-7 hrs ACCOMMODATION: Guest house / Dome tents

Day 4 :

SANKRI / TALUKA / GANGAAD VILLAGE

After breakfast, we’ll take a local jeep for an off-road drive through the forest to Taluka Village (12km), followed by a trek to Gangaad Village. Initially we will descent to the banks of River Supin. Keeping the river on the right, the path would traverse through forests of conifers, Pine & walnut and many bridges. You can spot vibrant orchids in summers. Progressing ahead, we’ll see harvest fields of potato, millet and maize. The lush green step farming of Gangaad Village, a Himalayan hamlet, that will amaze you. It’s a remote village which still preserves its culture & traditions. We will pitch tents close to the village. Later in the evening we will take a walk in the Village and visit their temple. ALTITUDE: 2300m TRAIL LENGTH : 09 km / 04-05 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 5 :

GANGAAD VILLAGE / OSLA / KALKATIDHAR

Today after breakfast, we’ll start the day by heading up towards Osla village, the last village on the route. This village was established by a group of shepherds who migrated from the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh several centuries ago. It’s known for its traditional wooden houses called "Kathkuni" . These houses are made using a combination of stone and wood and have a unique architectural style. Few villagers are skilled in traditional carpentry and handloom. We’ll visit their 2000 year old temple that has intricate wood carvings and is adorned with vibrant colors and decorations. From here the trail gradually becomes steep and the river can be seen far below. On the way we get a view of the snow-clad peaks of Ruinsara valley including Mt Black Peak, the highest peak in the region. We’ll reach Kalkatidhar campsite by afternoon. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization. ALTITUDE: 3300m TRAIL LENGTH : 08 km / 06 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 6 :

KALKATIDHAR / HAR KI DUN

Today’s trail starts out with an ascent above the confluence of two rivers. Rest of the trail till Har Ki Dun valley (3600m) is a mix of steep and moderate trek, passing some waterfalls & Himalayan Birch forest. Once we reach the valley, we will find an amalgamation of meadows, glacier moraine & coniferous forest. The valley goes all the way to the base of Swargarohini Peak. We will descent into the valley and walk for 2 km to reach our campsite next to the river. ALTITUDE : 3500m TRAIL LENGTH : 07 km / 05 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 7 :

HAR KI DUN

Today we’ll explore the valley at our leisure. We can explore the vast meadows along the Supin river and walk through the Himalayan Birch to get a closer glimpse of the Jaundhar Glacier and the Himalayan peaks. The more adventurous can take a 3 km trek to Marinda Lake @ 3970m. The trail gradually ascents to the Lake formed by a huge boulder obstructing the river flow that originates from a pass. Return to the camp for a relaxed evening around a campfire. ALTITUDE : 3500m TRAIL LENGTH : 03 km / 03 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 8 :

HAR KI DUN / RAINBASERA

Today’s trek is of moderate level trail of about 6-7 hours. Initially we retrace our steps back towards Kalkatidharthat. The path then descends to a small bridge that we cross over and walk through dense forest before reaching Ruinsara Valley. Rainbasera campsite has one small hut and we camp next to it. The gushing river is a beautiful sight to see in the evening. ALTITUDE : 3100m TRAIL LENGTH : 13 km / 06-07 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 9 :

RAINBASERA / RUINSARA LAKE

It’s an exciting day ahead, as Ruinsara Lake is our next camping site. As we begin our ascent to the Ruinsara Valley, we’ll notice an obvious difference in vegetation with hills flanked with Rhododendron & Himalayan Birch trees, big boulder & pasture land. The Ruinsara Lake is considered sacred by the locals and it sits on the vast meadow surrounded by Rhododendron bushes and lovely views of Mt. Black peak. The reflection of the Valley in the lake with bright azure sky makes for a beautiful camping experience. We will reach the lake early and will have ample time to explore the grounds around the lake. There are different trails from here that lead to the Black Peak & Bali Pass. We can explore as much as we want and head back to our camp by late afternoon. ALTITUDE : 3600m TRAIL LENGTH : 07 km / 04 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 10 :

RUINSARA LAKE / DEVSU THACH

Today’s trail is mostly descent, with few short steep ascents through the forest. Overall an easy trek to Devsu Thach. We’ll descent through boulders & pasture land, with river on our left, as we make our way out of the valley. After crossing a wooden bridge we’ll ascent through the forest trail till we reach a big meadow pasture, our campsite for tonight. ALTITUDE : 3050m TRAIL LENGTH : 10 km / 04-05 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 11 :

DEVSU THACH / DHATMIR VILLAGE

From here, we’ll trace our steps back across the valley, till we reach Gangaad village. The trail goes along the Supin River and is an easy one, with a short steep ascent to reach the village. From Gangaad, it's an ascent through the lovely forest section that will take you to Dhatmir Village, another secluded hamlet. From here the campsite is 15 minutes away. Visit the village after resting for a while. ALTITUDE : 2385m TRAIL LENGTH : 09 km / 05-06 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Camping (Dome tents)

Day 12 :

DHATMIR VILLAGE / TALUKA / SANKRI

Today we will have a short walk of 3 km, an easy one, to reach the road head- Taluka. From there we’ll board our awaiting vehicles and drive to Seema on a dirt road. Overnight in a Guest House. Tonight we will have a bonfire dinner and retire early. ALTITUDE : 1950m TRAIL LENGTH : 03 km / 1.5 hrs DRIVE: 12 km / 01 hr ACCOMMODATION : Guest House / Camping (Dome tents)

Day 13 :

SANKRI / MUSSOORIE

Today we drive back to mussoorie and stay at Kasmanda Palace, one of the oldest buildings of Mussoorie. It was originally a part of the Church complex which was built in 1836 by Captain Rennie Tailour of the Bengal Engineers. It subsequently became a sanatorium for the British forces & later a part of the building was converted into a Heritage Boutique Hotel. We will have a relaxed evening. DRIVE: 154 km / 06-07 hr ACCOMMODATION : Heritage Hotel

Day 14 :

MUSSOORIE / RISHIKESH

After a relaxed breakfast, we will drive to the Holy city of Rishikesh, famous for Yoga & Meditation. We’ll check in at an Ayurveda resort, to relax & rejuvenate after the long trek. In the evening we’ll walk in the most pious and celebrated place in Hindu Mythology - Rishikesh. We visit the Ashrams and marvel at the Sadhus and Monks who have made this heavenly place their holy abode. We attend the “Ganga Aarti” the reverence to the holy Ganges. DRIVE: 87 km / 03 hrs ACCOMMODATION : Ayurveda retreat

Day 15 :

RISHIKESH / DELHI

Morning Yoga session with guided meditation. Later early afternoon we’ll check out of the resort and drive to Jolly grant airport to board our flight back to Delhi. Check in at Delhi hotel and evening at leisure. DRIVE: 31 km / 1.5 hrs FLIGHT : 01 hr ACCOMMODATION : Hotel

Day 16 :

DELHI

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, covering Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. You will walk in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to experience the hustle and bustle of an ancient Mughal city. After your visit to the mosque, you will continue your walk through narrow lanes to a tucked-away Haveli of Lala Chunnamal (1848). The Haveli consists of 128 rooms, and spread over an acre of land- a must-visit historic buildings. The present generation of the family that owns it still lives here! We will have tea/coffee with the family and savor the Indian snacks that are prepared locally, while listening to their stories of the by-gone era. Evening is free for some final shopping. The Group Leader will arrange a farewell dinner, where you can look back over the trip.

Day 17 :

DEPART DELHI

Morning after breakfast, you’ll be given a transfer to the international airport to board your flight back home.

FAQs

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Difficulty level of the trek ?

This trek is considered a moderate-level trek. The trail involves gradual ascents and descents, and the altitude gain is manageable. The trek challenges through its distance and on couple of days we are required to walk long distances of 10-12 km. It’s a 09 day trek that covers 47 km.

Prior trekking experience is needed. Trekkers should have moderate to good level of fitness, which will make the trekking experience enjoyable.

What kind of fitness is required for doing this trek?

This trek involves some steep ascents and descents, walking on uneven terrain, boulders & crossing streams. You must be physically fit in order to enjoy the trek.

To prepare for this trek, you must be able to run 05 km in 25 minutes consistently for at least 02 weeks (04 times/week) before the tour begins. This will help you build your stamina. This trek requires at least 4-6 weeks of preparation. Hill walking on rocky terrain with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended.

Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek.

What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour

In DELHI your accommodation will be in a 4 star hotel. At MUSSOORIE, you’ll be accommodated in a heritage hotel. At RISHIKESH, you’ll stay in a comfortable Ayurveda retreat, next to the river.

During the trek for 09 nights, campsites will be set up by our team, which will include Dining tent, kitchen tent, Toilet tents, changing tent & Dome tents. You will be accommodated on twin share basis in Dome tents with inflatable mattresses & pillows. Guests are requested to get their own sleeping bags.

Is this a fully supported trek in the Indian Himalayas?

Yes, this is a fully supported trek, guided by experienced & First-aid qualified woman trek leader & Mountain guide. Support staff includes Cook & helpers. Camping equipment & luggage will be carried on ponies during the trek.

All safety measures are taken during the trek. We’ll be carrying the following equipment:

Walkie-Talkies
High Altitude First aid kit
Oxygen cylinder
Stretcher
Ropes, Carabiners, Ice axe

What does a typical day of camping on this trek looks like?

You will be woken with a cup of tea/coffee brought to your tent, followed by a small bucket of warm water for washing. Before breakfast, you pack your gear into your rucksack, which is to be carried by the ponies or porters and will not be available to you until you reach the next campsite by afternoon.

After a wholesome breakfast, you’ll start your day’s trek with packed lunch. You’ll reach the campsite by afternoon. Your tents will already be setup by the time you arrive, for you to rest. You’ll be given afternoon tea/coffee with some cookies & snacks in the Dining tent.

From then until dinner there is time to rest or explore the surrounding area. Dinner is usually served between 6‑7 pm. Trekking evenings afford some of the best memories of your trek, whether it is talking, playing cards, chatting with the crew or joining them in some singing and dancing. You’ll be given hot water bottles in your tent for the night.

What is the weather like during the trek?

This trek can be done either in Summer or Autumn.

In summer months (April to June), the daytime temperature would be around 12-20 degrees Celsius. At night, the temperature may drop to 5-10 degrees Celsius.

In autumn months (September to November), the daytime temperatures hover around 10-15 degrees Celsius. But at night the temperature could drop to sub-zero levels, especially at the higher campsites of Har ki Dun & Ruinsara Lake.

Is there any mobile network during the trek? What about phone charging points on the trek?

The last place you’ll find a mobile phone signal is Sankri / Taluka. There will be no mobile network during the trek.

The campsite will have Solar emergency charging ports for the guests, where you will be able to charge your phone.

But we recommend you to carry additional batteries for your cameras and a power bank with more than 10,000 mAh to last you the entire trek.

What kind of Vehicles are used during the trip ?

During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the road conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country. Vehicles with seatbelts are provided throughout, except for any local transportation that we have to use on dirt roads, close to the base camp.

Delays & Hindrance

It is possible that a route change may become necessary due to inclement weather, inaccessibility through the mountain passes due to heavy snow, condition of the trail and physical fitness of the clients, political restrictions and other cause beyond human control. The trek leader will take the final call on route change.

Medical facilities during the tour

This trek is in Uttarakhand state, where the closest government & private hospitals are available at Dehradun & Mori. During the hike, basic professional medical help will be available. But in case of emergency, arrangements will be made for the guest to be taken to Dehradun.

The trek leader, has done first aid course and is competent to give first-aid if and when required. We’ll be carrying High altitude First aid kit & portable oxygen cylinders during the trek.
In case you have an existing medical condition, like heart problem or disability you must consult your doctor before making a booking with us. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in good health and physically & mentally fit to join the trek.