New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

QUICK INFORMATION ON HAR KI DUN RUINSARA

TREK DURATION

8 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

11,850 feet / 3,612 meters

TRAIL LENGTH

Approx 64 km

TREK STARTS FROM

AGE GROUP

8 to 62

WHAT TO CARRY

RENT GEAR

High quality gear available on rent

CLOAKROOM

A cloakroom is available to keep one bag (No valuables must be kept)

INDIAHIKES SPIRIT OF TREKKING

TREK DURATION

8 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

11,850 feet / 3,612 meters

TRAIL LENGTH

Approx 64 km

Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley Trek

The Best Mix of Ancient Culture and Mountain Beauty on a Trek

Interview excerpt (and edited) from a video interview with Swathi Chattrapathy, chief editor at Indiahikes, and Arjun Majumdar, founder and CEO of Indiahikes.

Swathi: Arjun, you firmly believe anyone who goes to Har Ki Dun must also go to the Ruinsara Tal. Why do you think so?

Arjun: Swathi, most trekkers go up to Har Ki Dun, enjoy the valley, and then return. I admit it's lovely and very rich in culture. You pass through these beautiful, ancient villages—Osla, Gangad—and I know it. The tragedy is that trekkers return from Har Ki Dun and do not visit the Ruinsara Valley and the Ruinsara Tal—which are right there. The Ruinsara Valley is even more beautiful than the Har Ki Dun valley.

You trek alongside the Ruinsara Gad, a breathtakingly beautiful stream. It's a gradual ascent that won't tax your legs. The landscape keeps changing—the trees, the valley, the sudden opening up of flat grounds around the river. The entire trek is incredibly beautiful. You finally get to Ruinsara Tal, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by green meadows and snowy hills. The setting itself is magical. 

If you're on the Ruinsara Tal trek, you pass through the Devsu meadows (you don't get to see the Devsu meadows if you are on the Har Ki Dun trek)—and it is beautiful! Walking through the Devsu meadows is one of those experiences that will stay with you for years and years and years.

If you do the Ruinsara valley, you will see the forests after Boslow. It's a deep, dark, enchanted forest. Those kinds of forests are rarely seen on treks. That's a bit that trekkers should take advantage of if they do the Ruinsara Valley. 

So doing this whole triangle—Har Ki Dun, Ruinsara, and back down to the Har Ki Dun valley—makes it the complete trek in that region. The Har Ki Dun trek is incomplete unless you do the Ruinsara Valley. It adds a lot more to the existing trek.

Swathi: So, how much longer does this Ruinsara Tal trek take?

Arjun: Actually, it just adds one more day to the trek. However, the payoff for the extra day is numerous times greater. So now it's a seven-day trek.

Swathi: Can you throw some light on the difficulty of this trek? I know we cover slightly long distances on this trek. So what does it take to do this?

Arjun: It's a moderate trek, so it does require preparation because there are long walks every day. Every day you easily trek 10, 11, and 12 kilometres, which is difficult for anyone on mountainous terrain. So you do need considerable preparation to do the trek. The ascents and descents are not too steep. But if you look at it in its totality, we are starting a trek at about 7,000 feet and going up to 12,000 feet, so there is a bit of a climb. 

Swathi: And in terms of timing your trek, when would be the best time to go there?

Arjun: This whole trek would start in mid-March, which is a good time to start the trek—the snows are still there. March, April, May, and June are good for this trek. After the monsoon, from the middle of September to the end of November, you can happily do this trek.

"I regret not going to Har Ki Dun trek earlier" Arjun Majumdar shares a candid note about this trek

Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley Videos

Watch these videos to prepare for your Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley trek.

Quick Itinerary

A trek map of the Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley trek

Day 1

Drive from Dehradun to Kotgaon

Drive Distance: 196 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Pick up for Indiahikes trekkers: Place - Grand Legacy Hotel, near Laal Pul, Dehradun (6.30am) or Library Chowk, Mussourie (7.30am) | Indiahikes basecamp Location: Kotgaon

Transport will be organised from Hotel Grand Legacy, near Laal Pull, Dehradun at 6.30 AM. Cost of the cab – Rs 6,500 per vehicle for an SUV (shared among 5-6 trekkers) and Rs 10,000 for Tempo Traveller (shared among 11-12 trekkers).

Day 2

Drive from Kotgaon to Taluka. Trek from Taluka to Gangaad

Drive Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours | Trek Distance: 8.50 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,520 ft to 7,667 ft

Flat gradient for first 3 km. After Bhida ka Thatch, it is a gradual ascent and descent all through the trail. You can refill your water bottles from the river along the trail.

Day 3

Trek from Gangaad to Kalkatiyadhar

Trek Distance: 7.50 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,667 ft to 9,960 ft

Easy. Initial descent of 15 minutes followed by a mostly level walk for about 90 minutes. Steep climb for 15 minutes followed by a level walk and boulder section finishing off with a gradually ascending trail. You can refill your water bottles from the river along the trail.

Day 4

Trek from Kalkatiyadhar to Boslo via Har Ki Dun

Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 9,960 ft to 10,430 ft via 11,600 ft

Day 5

Trek from Boslo to Swarnadhara

Trek Distance: 6.20 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,430 ft to 10,540 ft

Immediate climb after the Boslo campsite later it’s a gradual ascent till the Har Ki Dun. No water source for the initial 4 km. Later, water sources are at regular intervals. One litre of water is sufficient for the day.

Day 6

Trek from Swarnadhara to Devsu Thatch via Ruinsara Valley

Trek Distance: 13.70 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 10,540 ft to 9,930 ft via 11,850 ft

Gradual ascent to the lake. Continuous gradual descent till the river crossing of Devsu. Finally, a steep ascent to reach Devsu. Water sources are regular along the way.

Day 7

Trek from Devsu Thatch to Taluka. Drive back to Kotgaon

Trek Distance: 18.9 km | Trek Duration: 9-10 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,930 ft to 6,520 ft

Continuous gradual descend till Gangaad. After Gangaad, gradual descend till Taluka. Vehicle transfer to Kotgaon. Regular water sources along the trail. Carry sufficient water.

Day 8

Drive back from Kotgaon to Dehradun

Drive Distance: 196 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Drop off point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel, near Laal Pull, Dehradun

This transport cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs.6,500 per vehicle for an SUV, shared among 5-6 trekkers, or Rs.10,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveler, shared among 11-12 trekkers.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

IMPORTANT POINTS

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges.

- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent.

- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom. (Do not bring big trolleys, carry a small backpack or a duffle bag)

A trek map of the Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley trek

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

If you're planning your travel, choose to travel by bus instead of train. They're usually on time compared to trains. If you're traveling by train, choose the Jan Shatabdi Express and reach Dehradun a day before Day 1 of the trek.

Return Travel

While returning, you will reach Dehradun between 6.00 PM and 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Dehradun. The Nanda Devi Express will suit your schedule well.

Day 1

Drive from Dehradun to Kotgaon

Drive Distance: 196 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Pick up for Indiahikes trekkers: Place - Grand Legacy Hotel, near Laal Pul, Dehradun (6.30am) or Library Chowk, Mussourie (7.30am) | Indiahikes basecamp Location: Kotgaon

Transport will be organised from Hotel Grand Legacy, near Laal Pull, Dehradun at 6.30 AM. Cost of the cab – Rs 6,500 per vehicle for an SUV (shared among 5-6 trekkers) and Rs 10,000 for Tempo Traveller (shared among 11-12 trekkers).

Day 2

Drive from Kotgaon to Taluka. Trek from Taluka to Gangaad

Drive Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours | Trek Distance: 8.50 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,520 ft to 7,667 ft

Flat gradient for first 3 km. After Bhida ka Thatch, it is a gradual ascent and descent all through the trail. You can refill your water bottles from the river along the trail.

Day 3

Trek from Gangaad to Kalkatiyadhar

Trek Distance: 7.50 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain: 7,667 ft to 9,960 ft

Easy. Initial descent of 15 minutes followed by a mostly level walk for about 90 minutes. Steep climb for 15 minutes followed by a level walk and boulder section finishing off with a gradually ascending trail. You can refill your water bottles from the river along the trail.

Day 4

Trek from Kalkatiyadhar to Boslo via Har Ki Dun

Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 9,960 ft to 10,430 ft via 11,600 ft

Day 5

Trek from Boslo to Swarnadhara

Trek Distance: 6.20 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,430 ft to 10,540 ft

Immediate climb after the Boslo campsite later it’s a gradual ascent till the Har Ki Dun. No water source for the initial 4 km. Later, water sources are at regular intervals. One litre of water is sufficient for the day.

Day 6

Trek from Swarnadhara to Devsu Thatch via Ruinsara Valley

Trek Distance: 13.70 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 10,540 ft to 9,930 ft via 11,850 ft

Gradual ascent to the lake. Continuous gradual descent till the river crossing of Devsu. Finally, a steep ascent to reach Devsu. Water sources are regular along the way.

Day 7

Trek from Devsu Thatch to Taluka. Drive back to Kotgaon

Trek Distance: 18.9 km | Trek Duration: 9-10 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,930 ft to 6,520 ft

Continuous gradual descend till Gangaad. After Gangaad, gradual descend till Taluka. Vehicle transfer to Kotgaon. Regular water sources along the trail. Carry sufficient water.

Day 8

Drive back from Kotgaon to Dehradun

Drive Distance: 196 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Drop off point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel, near Laal Pull, Dehradun

This transport cost has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Cost of the cab – Rs.6,500 per vehicle for an SUV, shared among 5-6 trekkers, or Rs.10,000 per vehicle for a Tempo Traveler, shared among 11-12 trekkers.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

IMPORTANT POINTS

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

- At the base camp, your stay will be arranged in lodges.

- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent.

- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom. (Do not bring big trolleys, carry a small backpack or a duffle bag)

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

If you're planning your travel, choose to travel by bus instead of train. They're usually on time compared to trains. If you're traveling by train, choose the Jan Shatabdi Express and reach Dehradun a day before Day 1 of the trek.

Return Travel

While returning, you will reach Dehradun between 6.00 PM and 7.00 PM. Plan your travel any time after 9.00 PM from Dehradun. The Nanda Devi Express will suit your schedule well.

Our basecamp is located at Kotgaon, in a picturesque setting amidst the mustard fields.

Picture by: Jothiranjan

The Basecamp

Campsites at a Glance

At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.

Gangaad Homestay with Gangaad village in the background. Picture by the Jothiranjan

The Kalkathiyadhar campsite comes in as a surprise. It is an open meadow set high up the valley. It is covered by the pine forests of Devsu Thatch at the back. Picture by Sandhya UC

Boslo Campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites on the Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley trek. Picture by Jothiranjan

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking.

Here’s Sandhya talking about one of the top treks in our country.

What I Like and Don't Like About Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley Trek

What I Like About Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley Trek

Sandhya UC, Co-Founder, COO

Sandhya is a founding partner at Indiahikes. Over the past ten years, she has explored and put on the map a few of the greatest Himalayan treks in India, including Kashmir Great Lakes and Kedarkantha. She is a TedX Speaker and has been awarded the "Women of Worth" Award by Outlook Business in 2017. She believes in sustainable living just as she believes in sustainable trekking. Here’s Sandhya talking about one of the top treks in our country.

1. The trek from Taluka to Gangad

This is one of the most underrated sections of the trek. In less than five minutes of starting your trek, you find yourself on an undulating trail right beside the Thamsa river. You are constantly under a canopy of fresh green.

Quaint old wooden bridges across the river appear out of nowhere giving you great picture opportunities. You cover miles on this trail without breaking a sweat.

You’ll notice that the coniferous forest gets denser as you go further. The narrow trail snakes through this dense dark forest for a good hour before opening up to the traces of civilization — the ancient village of Gangad.

I am not used to such leafy starts on treks. It was almost like a walk in a picture-perfect pine tree park. I cherished every minute of it.

A pleasing forest walk through tall pine trees. Picture by Jothiranjan

2. The meadows of Kalkatiyadhar

You never hear trekkers talk about any campsite on the Har Ki Dun trek. Like everyone else, I assumed Kalkatiyadhar to either be a small settlement or just beside it.

Quite contrary to my expectations, Kalkatiyadhar turned out to be a vast green meadow. What blew me away was the expanse of the valley. We were in the middle of multi-level cricket-field-sized meadows, set at a vantage height.

To my distant left, the trail climbed towards Swargarohini peaks, which were just peeking on the horizon. To my far right were dense jungles with mountains rising behind them. This was the trail to Ruinsara.

To my right across the river was a meadow set amidst a boundary of pine trees. Behind me, I could trace the trail down to Seema and even see the Kedarkantha summit miles away behind Kotgaon.

Such open settings above 10,000 ft in the mountains with trees, meadows, rivers, and big mountains together in a single frame are not settings you experience in every trek.

Campsite on the meadows of Kalkatiyadhar. Picture by Sandhya UC

3. The stories of the ancient villages

A lot has been said everywhere about the ancient villages of Har Ki Dun. You spot these villages from a distance, spread out on the mountainside, with houses almost hanging in the air. I could not wait to climb up to them and see what the interiors looked like.

Spending a night in the village home takes you back hundreds of years. The stories of the village elders and the smiles of the youngsters are something that you want to capture and take back with you.

The villages complete the famed Har Ki Dun experience. On our trek, you get to stay in at least two different villages – Gangad and Osla.

The ancient village of Gangaad in the Har Ki Dun valley. Picture by Jothiranjan

4. Devsu Thatch: The best kept secret of the trek

Devsu Thatch turned out to be the best-kept secret of the entire Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara trail. You hardly see much of this meadow from anywhere else but when inside it. The secret is indeed well wrapped around by pine trees!

I loved the meadows because they flow down from top to bottom for 600 meters and stretch for almost 2 km in length. Flowering bushes border the meadows throughout while tiny colourful flowers grow from the ground almost everywhere in spring.

Being higher than its counterpart Kalkatiyadhar on the other side of the valley, you get the best views of the triangular valley here.

I remember running from one end of the meadow to another in the evening to capture my sunset shots as every corner seemed to offer a different view.

The flawless grasslands of Devsu Thatch is guaranteed to surprise you on the trek. Picture by the Indiahikes Team

5. Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara valleys

Har Ki Dun valley and Ruinsara are the two valleys that this trek celebrates. Very rightfully, these are amongst the most beautiful sections of the trek.

I loved the expanse of the Har Ki Dun valley. The valley has everything going for it. Big snow-clad mountains towering right in front of you. A big river flowing right in the middle. Lovely green meadows stretched far and wide. I could sit there and just take in this scene the whole day.

Ruinsara Valley on the other hand feels like a faraway world. The isolation grips you. It’s just you, the mountains and the lake. Looking at the mountains reflecting in the clear blue lake had a big calming effect on me.

For me, trekking through the picturesque Ruinsara valley was like reaching the pinnacle of a trek even though there was no real summit.

Trekkers climbing up to Ruinsara Valley from Har ki Dun. Picture by the Indiahikes Team

What I Don't Like About Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley Trek

1. Just visiting Har Ki Dun becomes monotonous

I loved Har Ki Dun to the full because of the change the Ruinsara Valley route brought in. I am not sure if I would have the same feeling if I had to repeat the first three days of the trek as is on the last three days as per the regular Har Ki Dun trek itinerary.

So my firm advice is to add on an extra day and do the full Ruinsara triangle if the route is open.

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

The day-wise section of Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley has been documented in detail by our trekker Shakti Nirmal.

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PRO TIPS

The spirit of trekking is a set of values and principles that encourages us to trek more mindfully. It is a map that guides our behaviour on a trek. 

It shows us how to be open to adventure and why it is important to blend in with nature. It tells us why we need to be self-sufficient and supportive towards fellow trekkers. It guides us to be fit and prepared for a trek. It also tells us why it is critical to protect the environment.

Here they are, in brief, the six principles of our Indiahikes’ Spirit of Trekking.

Why do we trek the way we do at Indiahikes

What is the Indiahikes Spirit of Trekking

The spirit of trekking is a set of values and principles that encourages us to trek more mindfully. It is a map that guides our behaviour on a trek.  It shows us how to be open to adventure and why it is important to blend in with nature. It tells us why we need to be self-sufficient and supportive towards fellow trekkers. It guides us to be fit and prepared for a trek. It also tells us why it is critical to protect the environment. Here they are, in brief, the six principles of our Indiahikes’ Spirit of Trekking.

1. We are always up for an adventure

The first principle of the spirit of trekking is to be open to adventure. This mindset encourages you to embrace the challenge of the trek. It allows you to immerse yourself fully in the trek. 

I’ve learned that trekking will not always be easy. Sometimes things may not go as planned. But that's the beauty of it. It means preparing for whatever may come your way and learning to take the good with the bad.

By accepting the ups and downs of the trek, I could push myself outside of my comfort zone. I was able to experience things that I never thought were possible. 

Once, the wind blew so hard that we couldn't pitch our tents. We were at 12,000 feet. We had to walk for another six hours to find shelter. We had to spend the freezing night in a dilapidated shepherd’s hut. The same night, unable to sleep, I saw one of the best sights of the Milky Way. 

I could enjoy a trek even in less favourable weather conditions — rain, snow, or sunshine. This allowed me to have an unforgettable experience. It helped me to understand the true meaning of adventure.

The mindset of embracing challenges helped me become more resilient. It taught me that I am capable of more than I ever imagined.

Being open to adventure means being open to new perspectives and ways of thinking. It encourages a mindset of flexibility and adaptability.

2. We blend in with nature

The second principle of the spirit of trekking is to blend in with nature. Being noisy while trekking can not only be disruptive to other trekkers but also harm the natural environment. 

The mountains are a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity. We must strive to preserve that by being mindful of our noise. 

Earlier, I often saw monals, one of the most exquisite birds in our Himalayas. Nowadays, they have almost vanished. It is the noise that is driving them away. I have spotted martens and foxes on my treks. They are rarely seen among noisy trekkers. This loss makes me extremely sad.

At campsites, I frequently see trekkers who insist on singing loudly or listening to music through Bluetooth speakers. Antakshari is the go-to entertainment for trekkers.  

I find it disrespectful and disruptive to the peacefulness of nature when someone shouts, yells, or listens to loud music in the mountains. I choose to avoid that.

Being a quiet trekker has added to my overall experience in the mountains. The sounds of birds singing, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the sound of a gentle stream all contribute to the peaceful ambience of the mountains. Being quiet, I can truly take it all in. 

At Indiahikes, we blend in with nature. We are part of nature, not just visitors. It is in this spirit that we trek.

3. We protect the environment

The third principle of the spirit of trekking is to protect the environment. This means being mindful when using resources such as water and fuel. It also means properly disposing of waste. As trekkers, we are responsible for minimising our impact and leaving the mountains better than we found them. 

Very early in my trekking life, a fellow trekker forced me to carry back all my trash. It made me realise the impact of human activities on nature. It made me more aware of my actions and their environmental effects. It made me want to do better and be more responsible.

I see our trekking trails getting impacted by trekking. Wrappers, aluminium foil, alcohol bottles, and sanitary napkins strew trails. I anguish every day about the amount of litter left behind. 

At Indiahikes, we want to be sustainable trekkers. We carry an eco-bag around our waists to pick up litter from the trail. We segregate this waste. We undo the damage others have done. It is our way of preserving our environment. 

Being sustainable on our treks has impacted my personal life as well. At home, we have significantly reduced buying packaged goods. We take our dabbas to restaurants. I have consciously moved towards leading a very minimalistic lifestyle. We focus on reducing our consumption. It feels more fulfilling. It allows me to actively contribute towards preserving our environment. 

Sustainable trekking helps reduce the impact on the environment. It promotes conservation efforts. By doing this, we make sure that future generations can also appreciate the natural beauty of our treks.

4. We are self-sufficient

The fourth principle of the spirit of trekking is self-sufficiency. This means being prepared for the trek. It means packing efficiently and taking care of yourself without relying on others. 

Recently, on exploration, we had to carry everything, including tents and cooking gear. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I completed the trek on my terms. I realised that by being self-sufficient, we could tackle every emergency. I enjoyed the trek to the fullest and took pride in my abilities.

Self-reliance is an essential aspect of trekking. 

We demonstrate self-reliance by carrying our backpacks. We pack well and light, taking only what we need and leaving behind anything unnecessary. Our backpacks weigh, at most, 8 or 9 kg. The advantage is that with a lighter backpack, we can better handle the trek's challenges. 

Self-sufficiency is knowing how to read trail maps on mobile devices (like Gaia or GeoTracker). We learn basic navigation skills before we get on the trek. On the trek, we hone our skills further. It makes us independent. We don't have to ask the trek leader how far the camp is or how long it will take.

Being self-sufficient is when we can take care of ourselves without needing help from others. Some trekkers expect others to do things for them, like clean their dishes after meals or set up their tents. But this is not fair to the people who are helping them. It's like treating our helpers like they are not important or valuable. 

I do not find it respectful to expect others to do our work for us. It's better to be able to do things ourselves and not treat others like they are there to serve us.

Being self-sufficient is a powerful reminder that we can do much more than we often give ourselves credit for. 

It also applies to my everyday life. Being self-sufficient makes me feel more confident. It helps me tackle challenges and take risks. It is a valuable life lesson that I carry with me everywhere.

5. We are supportive

The fifth principle of the spirit of trekking is being supportive. 

Being supportive entails being willing to share, whether it's lunch, water, or equipment. It's also about helping fellow trekkers when they need it. It is about putting the team first. 

Sometimes it comes with a sacrifice. On one winter trek, I had to wait more than an hour for a slower team member to catch up. It was bitingly cold. Yet, this gesture went a long way in helping my team member complete the trek. 

By being willing to share, we can build a sense of camaraderie and teamwork that helps us overcome any challenges we may face. It allows us to make lasting connections with our fellow trekkers. 

On the other recent exploration, a team member quietly took out the heavy jackets from my backpack. They were weighing me down. This support made the trek easier for me. It made me feel grateful and inspired me to trek with my fellow trekkers more frequently. 

Being supportive helps us look beyond our needs and focus on the group's well-being. This spirit reinforces the idea that trekking is not just about individual achievement. It allows us to create an unforgettable experience together as a team.

6. We are fit and prepared

The sixth principle of the spirit of trekking is to be fit and prepared. This means building up stamina and endurance, strengthening the body, and developing the necessary skills to trek long distances. 

Kugti Pass was a trek that went above 16,000 feet. On the day we crossed the pass, we started at 5 in the morning. It was a long day. We didn't set up our tents until around 5 p.m. We trekked for 12 hours at extremely high altitudes. By preparing well for the trek, I had enough energy to complete the day’s trek without tiring. I was able to truly enjoy the trek. 

Preparing well for a trek requires commitment. But it is crucial for the success of the trek. You become an equal member of the team, not a burden or hindrance. You can keep up with the group and not rely on extra resources, such as the trek leader or guide. You can be of help to the team.

On another trek, one of our trekkers developed acute AMS at the last campsite. Two fit trekkers immediately offered to help. With the help of the trek leader, they evacuated her in the middle of the night. Preparing well allows you to jump in to help in an emergency. 

On the other hand, by taking the time to prepare, you're less likely to experience injuries or discomfort, which can make for an unpleasant experience. People ask me how I descend quickly off the mountains without straining my knees. It is my preparation. 

Preparing for a trek can be both rewarding and enjoyable. Trekkers have shared how preparing for a trek has influenced their journey to becoming fitter. It is a great way to set and achieve fitness goals. Training can be a big motivation for you to lead an active lifestyle.

Green Trails

Leaving the mountains better than we find them

At Indiahikes, we focus on bringing in new practices that can reduce our impact on the environment.  This is done through constant R&D.  Once these new practices are implemented we focus on achieving the results consistently on all our treks. You will see this as part of our G6 practices. 

Golden 1: Green Sweep - Clean the trail of visible litter.  We have collected more than 1,00,000 kgs of waste since 2016.

Golden 2: Segregation At Source - Segregate all waste collected so that we do not add all this waste to the landfill.  We have diverted 50% of the waste from landfill through segregation

Golden 3: Food Composting - All our kitchen waste is composted into useful humus for the mountain soil.  All food waste is either eaten by mules or composted at source.

Golden 4: Biotoilets - All our human waste is composted at source through our specially designed dry toilet pits. 

Golden 5: Water efficient dispenser  - We have reduced our waste used per trekker by 70% through specially designed water dispenser systems.

Golden 6: Save energy - We use solar panels for our energy use at our campsites.  We are also in the process of redesigning our stove and menu to reduce the amount of gas used on our treks.

Our trekkers are a big part of us keeping our promise to leave the mountains better than we found them. 

  • Indiahikes trekkers do not carry anything that can harm the environment - be it wet wipes, or any packaged food on the trek.  In fact they practice a zero waste trek.
  • Indiahikes trekkers do not buy any packaged food in the dhabas on the trek - they do not take part in feeding the demand for packaged food 
  • Indiahikes trekkers clean the trails of waste using the eco bag as part of the Green Sweep Initiattive 
  • Indiaihikes trekkers carry their own backpack on the trek. They do not offload unless absolutely necessary
  • Indiahikes trekkers do not pee/poop near any water source 
  • Indiahikes trekkers do not stray away from the marked trail

Trekkers who sign up with us pledge to follow these practices.  When you sign up with us, you do too.

How you can be a Green Trails Crusader on the Har Ki Dun Ruinsara trek? - We can majorly identify 3 waste hotspots which you can collect and leave the mountains better.

One is just at the start of the trek at Taluka. The second hotspot is present around all the villages during the trek. The third spot is close to Har Ki Dun and near the temple region. So keep an eye out on these locations on your trek.

Everything you do on a trek creates an impact. The trail you trek on, the water you use, the waste you generate, how you poop, how you cook, what you eat — everything has an impact. The higher the impact, the greater the damage to the environment. 

Yet, when done sustainably, trekking is one of the most environment-friendly sports.

When you trek with Indiahikes, you trek to leave the mountains better than we found them.  This is part of our Green Trails promise.

Why Fitness Matters on Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley Trek

On Moderate treks, you walk for about 6-8 km each day. The ascents and descents could get steep. The maximum altitude will range between 13,000 ft to 14,000 ft. You’ll come across tricky patches frequently (like snow or scree), which require you to navigate with a certain amount of caution. There might also be small stream/river crossings.

Your goal is to 5 km with an intention to finish within 35 minutes.

Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of registration.

Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Har Ki Dun - Ruinsara Valley

A rare temple dedicated to Duryodhana-King of Kauravas

All along the trek route, in the villages as well as on the trail, you will come across many temples dedicated to the local gods and goddesses. You will learn that the people here deeply revere the Mahabharata. But what will take you completely by surprise is that they not only worship the Pandavas, but they also pray to the Kauravas! 

While trekking to Osla, you come across a shrine dedicated entirely to Duryodhana — the king of the Kauravas, the only other known temple being Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada located in Kerala.  

Ancient architecture and carvings

The beauty begins right at Kotgaon, Indiahikes’ base camp for the Har Ki Dun trek. Kotgaon has ancient wooden houses, some dating back to even 300 years. The houses are built of wood and stone. You’ll notice smooth carvings of flowers, leaves, and sometimes tigers on the façade and the pillars. Run your hand over them. It’s an ancient art. Smell it and you will inhale the sweet woody fragrance of Deodar. It is a strong-hardy specimen, perfect for building sturdy homes.

Silver Oak

The silver oak, as the name suggests, assumes a subtle hue of silver at the touch of the sunbeams. Several leaves will be strewn on the ground. When observed closely, one face of the leaf will be coloured a lush green while the other a pale white that shines under sun and water.

Gangaad

Gangaad is an ancient hamlet with a primary school and a temple of Someshwar Maharaj. The temple only remains open in a certain season since the residents believe that the Gods move from one temple to another through different seasons. One of the practices they perform has to do with the sacrificial goat. Every time an individual is leaving the village in pursuit of better prospects and opportunities or when a special occasion arises, a goat is sacrificed and cooked, which is then shared among all the villagers.

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