Har Ki Dun valley or Har Ki Doon valley whatever you say the valley is in Uttarakhand state. The har ki dun valley is in Garhwal Himalayas. The valley has beautiful scenic views of Himalayan Mountains. The har ki dun valley height is approx 3566 m up from sea level mean around 11700 ft. During winter October to march the valley fully covered with snow . So you can visit in both season to see different views of Har ki doon valley. In winter it looks full covered snow and in summer u can see snow mountains, dense green jungle, meadows, green patches with orchids etc. Har ki doon trek is moderate trek and it will start from sankri village. You can complete har ki doon trekking in five days from sankri - har ki doon-sankri. In winter trek will go harder because of snow.
Best Time for Har Ki Dun trek : Har Ki dun trek Best Time or Best season for har ki dun valley trek
Har ki dun trek can do in both season but i suggest do it in may to july in summers. Also beauty of winter season is also amazing but its very very cold in winter. In summer you can easily enjoy nature and walk through route. Also find beautiful birds during trek. Winter is challanging for this type of treks. Still some advanture lovers can do it in winter but they have proper guidence and good guide too.
Har ki Dun or Har ki Doon trek Package / Har ki Dun trek Cost :
Well i would suggest if you are going on trekking anywhere go with local guides. That is most cheaper your journey. Contact your trek local person with guide and porters which gives you a best price on your trip and also either or you support the locals. Local peoples has the only that income so you can directly help them . Most professional trekking tour operators book local guides. So ultimately you go with them only. My whole trek to Har ki Dun from Mehsana to Mehsana cost around 15k INR. With train and all . Now a days the price may increase. During trek to har ki dun it starts from sankri you have only homestay at sankri after that you will have to stay in tents only with sharing basis. Foods they serve at their best . My total Har ki Doon Itinerary you can see on my different post.
Har ki Dun Valley of Gods :
Har Ki Dun is also known as Valley of Gods. The local peoples says about the story that The PANDAVA'S goes in heaven through this way. And the Mountain where Pandavas go to heaven is called " SWARGAROHINI " . This peak is un- climbed till now as I know. The view of Swargarohini is really looks like heaven. On the way to Har Ki Dun you can continuously meet river named Rupin, Supin and Tons and after all its merge into Yamuna.
Is it Har Ki Dun or Har Ki Doon ?
Well you can say Har ki Dun or Har Ki Doon both are same in pronounce speaking. Also both are same place but spelling of Dun/ Doon are different. Most of says its Har Ki Dun valley and most say Har Ki Doon valley. Har ki Dun is a mountain of Lord Shiva as per local says. Mountain is untouch and not for climbing. Valley of Gods name because from here you can see a beautiful valley and at end of valley mountain " Swargarohini " where Pandava's Goes in heaven through this way. So this valley called Valley of GOD's.
Har ki Dun Trek : Har Ki Dun Trek Route
Har Ki Dun trek starting point is Sankri. Sankri is base camp of Har ki Dun trek and also for Kedarkantha trek. Also Ruinsara trek done from sankri base camp. So sankri village is best place for trekkers. From Sankri to seema and seema to Har Ki Dun trek of total 30-35 km approx. Its a moderate trek and you can do it easily just some few difficulties in between. Lots of Birds found here. So its good trek for birders too. For Har ki Dun trek Itinerary i write an article for full itinerary so you can follow that itinerary too if you want.
How Difficult Har ki Dun Trek Is ? : Har Ki Dun trek Dificulty Level (Moderate) :
Well Har ki Dun trek is moderate trek. If you can do easy treks about 5-8 km then you can do it . You can have some difficulties during trek when high step up at some places but not so difficult it. You can do this around 35 km trek in 2 days and also can do in 3 days as per your capacity.
Above images gives you some better idea for Swargarohini peak . Awesome scenery like a wallpaper. I like below image because there is everything in one frame which i want to capture ( Mountain with snow, Dense jungle, River, Sun rays , Dramatic sky ). That's why I love this photo much even it could better if professional photographer shoot it.
Amazing Himalayas :
Himalays is the best place for landscape lovers and also for trekkers. Lots of unexplore places where you can go in Himalays. Amazing beauty of Himalayan Mountains from above 10000 ft heights. Also easy to hard treks to be done at Himalayas. Amazing landscape photography you can do here at any place also you can do night photography , star gazing, star trails, longexposure photography and also a time laps photography which shows amazing beauty of Himalayas. Weather is variable but plesant during summers. During winter its too cold at some places.
Har Ki Dun Trek Panoramic Images :
The Valley of Gods the names tell everything about Har ki dun trek. Its really amazing view of Mountains, river, valley and also green layer of lands. The panoramic view of this trek is amazing and i capture it from my mobile at different location of trek.
Har ki Dun trek Mobile Photos :
I capture some good images from my mobile. Landscape photography at har ki dun trek is amazing and i also love to shoot landscapes most. We are looking for birds also in our route and get beautiful birds during our trek to har ki dun. We found good number of spices of birds during trek. Birds found in Himalayas are really challenging to capture because of dense forests. We found Birds at har ki dun around 15-20 spices actually i don not know actual number but more than it.
Gear used : Canon 6 D, Canon 100-400mm lens, Canon 50mm lens,Canon 1000 D, Canon 18-55 mm lens
Location : Har ki Dun , Har Ki Doon, Valley of Gods
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Moderate Trek Of India : Har Ki Dun Trek / Har Ki Doon Trek is most popular trek and moderate trek for beginner and pro. trekkers. The trek passed through Govind National Park. Here i am going to tell about my whole trek.Our trek was organised by my best friends Parikshit Acharya and Kailash Jani.Both are really good trekker and i join them mostly at Jessore.
Our Trek from Sankri - Har Ki Dun - Sankri organised by Yata India . Below image is taken from sankri base camp hotel.
Har Ki Doon or Har ki Dun valley is in Uttarakhand and it is too far from my home so long travelling i had to face. We are total 41 members group for har ki doon trek from Gandhinagar, Kalol, Mehsana and Palanpur. And the best thing is participants age starts from 8 years to 40/42 years around so all type of members children , teenager and middle age.
How to go Har Ki Doon / Har Ki Dun (manage your own trip)
Our Itinerary : Complete Guide for trek to har ki doon/Har Ki dun
Our Day To day Itinerary to Har ki Dun is as below.
- Day 1 : Mehsana to New Delhi via train (ashram express )
- Day 2 : Reach Delhi and get another train to Haridwar Night stay at Haridwar
- Day 3 : Early morning leave to Sankri via Massoorie ,Dehradun .(sankri night stay)
- Day 4 : Acclimatize at Sankri Base camp (nature walk,village visit)
Sankri Is base camp of our trek. Here we can acclimatize our body to cold weather for one day.
Now we start our trek to Har ki Dun on fifth day
- Day 5 : Sankri to Taluka via local transport about 10-12 km
Trek start from Taluka to Seema village about 12 km (Stay at seema camp site)
- Day 6 : Seema to Har ki Doon valley about 16 km (stay at Har ki doon camp site )
- Day 7 : Visit Maninda Lake (optional ) or Play at big ground at Har ki Dun Valley.
- Day 8 : Leave from Har ki Doon to seema ( Night at seema campsite )
- Day 9 : Seema to Sankri (night stay sankri )
- Day 10 : Sankri to Haridwar (visit har ki pedi ganga arti n leave at night 11 pm to delhi via bus )
- Day 11 : Reach Delhi Swaminarayan Ashram have lunch n leave via train to Mehsana
As we done trek about 28 km from Taluka to Har ki Doon into 2 days u can split it into 3 days by adding one hold at osla village. The trek from Taluka to Seema is very easy as not much hike.After seema trek is little bit difficult at 2-3 places where u have to take hike at 45-60 degree but it not so difficult . U have to stay calm and believe in urself that u can complete it .There are some stalls where u can refresh urself with Meggy noodles, Buttermilk ,Lassi and Eggs.
THINGS TO CARRY DURING TREKKING
3-4 trek pents,3-4 Full sleeve t shirts, 4 pairs of shocks,Bagpack,Water bottle, Mug, Lunch Box, Spoon, Torch with extra cell,Sleeper,Good quality Shoes,Raincoat, Woolen Jacket, Thermal,MonkeyCap,Goggles,Hand Gloves,Sun Cap,Toothpaste-brush,Cold Cream, Vicks, Band Aid, Diclofanec Sprey,Medicines,4-5 Big polythene,Money, Original Photo ID,Camera kit
Note: There is no charging option after leave Sankri until u get back to saknri so take Powerbank for ur mobile and atleast extra 2 batteries for ur camera . Also take ur original Id and one xerox of it with u always.
Important : Har ki doon trek route is passed through Govind National Park so u must have to follow National Park rules. You have to submit ur fitness form and one original photo id xerox to forest department so must carry Medical certificate about ur fitness and ID proof.
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Accentor is a small bird of prunellidae family. In India it is generally found in East Sikkim area. It built its nest low in a bush. When i was on a trip to Singalila National Park. I found at sandakphu area. Sandakphu is high altitude place in Singalila National Park located in West Bengal. From here you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga very clear which is highest peak of West Bengal. Lots of Birds here. To visit Singalila Park November to February you can found lots of snow and good landscapes too with snow on Mt Kanchenjunga. Also if you are going for birding you can visit March to May/June Month is the best . It is very cold weather during winter November to February at Singalila National park.
About Alpine Accentor Bird :
- Alpine Accentor bird is robin size bird. Length of bird is around 15 -17 cm.
- Bird just like similar to house sparrow in color with brown back streaked.
- Adult Alpine Accentor have red brown spotting on underparts
- Also adult have grey head too.
- In Asia Accentor found at 2000 m above height. Specially at Himalayas.
- It build nest in bush.
- It laying 3-4 plain (not spotted) eggs of sky blue color.
Singalila National Park :
Singalila national park is located in West Bengal. There are lots of birds in this sanctuary. Also its good for trekking at Sandakphu. From here you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga easily and very closely. Also a beautiful Himalayan Mountain range with snow. Amazing weather very cold in winter and moderate in summer. Summer season is the best for birding at sandakphu.
Alpine Accentor bird Binominal Name is Prunella Collaris . Total 9 subspices are recognised of Alpine Accentor bird.
Gear used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 55-250 mm Lens.
Road To Heaven is named to the road from Khavda to Dholavira in Kutch Gujarat. The road is so wonderful and scenery so it known as Road to Heaven . Khavda to Dholavira distance is around 58km but from Khavda there is a single line narrow road passes through small villages around 15-20 km approx. The main road starts after it and it is around 30-35 km approx. strait to Dholavira. Road is under constriction but almost 70-80% work done. The road heading to the city of Harappan Civilization Dholavira which is one of the largest site of Harappan Civilization and Indus valley Civilization.
Kutch is a largest district of Gujarat and also of India. Main City or Headquarter of Kutch District is Bhuj. Kutch is famous for White Desert or White Rann. In Every winter season from December to February celebrate “ Rann Utsav “ to attract foreigners and also locals. Tent City made in white desert to stay and also cultural programs arranged in it. The main Rann Utsav held in Dhordo of Kutch.
After visit White desert people also visit Dholavira which is nearest destination from Dhordo and also Kalo Dungar in between. From Dhordo you will have to go Khavda first and then from Khavda to Dholavira which is connected through “ Road To Heaven “. Dholavira is located at Khadir Bet. Khadir bet is separated because after monsoon the water filled outer side of bet. So the Road To Heaven is the way to connect Khadir bet to main city Bhuj.
About Road To Heaven Dholavira / Road to Heaven in Kutch :
- · It connected from Khavda to Dholavira.
- · Road to heaven distance around 30-35 km.
- · After monsoon the rain water on the both side of the road. You can see beautiful Greater Flamingo birds in between. Water level is low but muddy.
- · After winter in January –February the water on both side of the road is evaporated and turn into salt. Not all water but some areas during the road.
- · Water on the both side of the road or Salt/ white layer on both side of the road make the beauty of the road and that’s why it name as “ Road To Heaven “
- · When you are on the road there is hardly some traffic you face the open road with both side water or salt at morning or evening make the scenery like a Heaven.
I must suggest to visit Road To Heaven in Kutch while you visit Kutch. Also Visit Dholavira which is one of the largest Harappan Civilization site.
Places to visit near Road To Heaven :
Dholavira, Kalo Dungar, Dhordo, White Desert
Places to Visit near Bhuj : White Desert , Kadiya dhro, Chhatardi, Mandvi beach, Vijay vilas palace, Bhujyo Dungar, Smriti Van, Vande matram memorial
Camera Used : Canon 80D, Canon 6D, DJI Mavic Air2
It is the largest species of Flamingo bird family and also a most widespread species of flamingo family.It is found in India ,south east , middle east and Africa. It is migratory bird. They also breed in India. In Gujarat they breed in Rann Of Kutch , Little Rann of Kutch also found in Thol Bird Sanctuary. I often visit Thol sanctuary so got good shots of them. Best time for shoot them is may-Jun at Thol bird sanctuary bcz of water level is too low . It is been recorded that some flamingo birds are resident in Gujarat at many places like LRK, Khijadia sanctuary, Nalsarovar and Thol Sanctuary. They also breed here and stay for all seasons. So you can find greater flamingo birds in all seasons in Gujarat at many places.
Flamingo bird facts and description :
- Greater flamingo bird is the largest living spices of flamingo.
- Greater flamingo has no subspices.
- Flamingo color most of pinkish white in plumage. Wings are red and feathers are black in end.
- Greater Flamingo bird call is like honking.
- The average lifespan of flamingo bird is 30-40 years.
- Main Difference between Greater flamingo and lesser flamingo is height . Lesser flamingo is shorter than greater flamingo. Also Greater flamingo has pale pink bill and black tip. In other case lesser flamingo has dark crimson bill. Lesser flamingo is also more red in color than greater flamingos.
Greater Flamingo birds In Thol Lake : Thol sanctuary is often i visit. Flamingo birds are stay here all seasons. I got good numbers of Greater flamingo and lesser flamingo bird images in a group when i visit Thol. This is my best time with flamingos. Also i got some beautiful pictures of flamingo birds with group and also in duo with some masti. Flamingos looks very good in frame bcz of their color. Thol lake is good place for birders because more than 150 birds spices found here. Also some mammals like Blue bull and black buck also found here. Lots of water birds and tree birds found here. Also sanctuary is not so big so you can find all birds in around 6 sqkm area. Best time to visit thol lake is November to March. All migratory birds are visit in winter so that is best time. Early morning is best for birders.
Timing And Fees of Thol Sanctuary :
Thol Sanctuary open at 6 AM in morning and close at around 5 PM
Fees of Thol Sanctuary is 50 INR per person and camera fees are 200 INR. Car fees are 500 INR.
Weekend fees may change that actually i don't know about it.
Two flamingos with little egret in between of them with down head all. The images of flamingo bird making a good frame. Because of its color flamingo birds images are very attractive and also their grouping make a perfect frame of flamingo bird picture.
A morning pared time for flamingo birds. A beautiful Greater flamingo birds are in a raw make image nice and show their unity.
Perfact wingspan of Flamingo bird looks great. Pink Wings make image more attractive.
Solo Greater flamingo bird
Some masti time for two flamingo birds .
Above image shows the discipline of Flamingo Bird and looks like a morning pared they are doing .
https://youtu.be/9dVBrR9NSOo
A group of Flamingo Birds at Thol Lake make your frame awesome.
Location : Thol Lake, Gujarat
Thol lake is just 25 km approx. from Ahmedabad. You can visit one day for Thol lake is enough. Also you can find another migratory birds like pelicans , bar headed goose, river tern and many more resident spices.
Ahmedabad to Thol lake distance about 25km
Thol bird sanctuary is located in Kadi Taluka in Mehsana District near sanand Gujarat. It is an artificial lake located near village Thol. In 1912 thol lake was built and it was declared as a Sanctuary in 1988. The main use of lake is use of water for irrigation. The Thol Bird Sanctuary or a Thol lake wildlife Sanctuary India is a habitat of more than 150 spices of birds. Also it is famous for migratory birds Flamingos and Sarus Crane which breeds here.
About Thol Lake / Thol Bird Sanctuary
Thol lake is located near Thol village and its area around 38000 acres. Lake faces all season winter , summer and monsoon. During winter temperature goes to 8 degree and in summer temperature goes to 43 degree. Thol lake is under control of Forest and Irrigation department of Gujarat. Thol lake water storage capacity is around 84 million cubic meters. Thol wildlife sanctuary is declared as Eco Sensitive Zone .
Flora and Fauna Thol Sanctuary :
Thol lake has many vegetation plants like Zizyphus, Acacia nilotica, Ficus, Capparis, Azadirachta indica etc. There are also some mix flora of Marshy and Aquatic plants reported in Thol Lake.
Thol lake is protected area and it is very good habitat for water birds. In thol bird sanctuary there are more than 150 spices of birds found . Among these more than 60 % of birds are water birds. Flamingo bird is most prominent bird of Thol Lake. Also Sarus Crane nest in large number here.
Famous Migratory Birds of Thol Lake
• Flamingos
• Sarus Crane
• Great White Pelican
• Mallards
• Bar Headed Geese , Grey Headed Geese
• Waterfowl
There are also some spices reported here like Dalmatian Pelican, Indian Skimmer, Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Vulture and white rumped Vulture etc. In Mammals Bluebull, Blackbuck and Golden jackal reported here.
Thol Lake Timing and Fees :
Thol lake open everyday at 6 AM in morning and close at 5.30 PM in evening. Entry fees for Thol Lake or Thol sanctuary is 50 INR for per person. Also Camera fees extra at 200 INR and if you go via car then car fees also 500 INR. Foreigner fees are 10 $ per person.
Best Time to Visit Thol Sanctuary / Thol Lake :
Best time early morning for Thol Lake. In winter if you go before sunrise you can see Twilight sky amazing with lake shore and birds sound .During all season Thol lake has its own beauty. Every season you can visit at Thol Lake. But mostly during winter from November to March season is best for Thol Sanctuary visit. Because during winter lots of Migratory birds came here and stay for long time so for birding winter season is best at Thol Lake. Also during summer some of birds stays here like flamingos and pelicans, geese etc. So you can also see them in summer too. Also during summer water level of lake is low so may be the birds you can get in deep or sometimes closer. During monsoon most people don’t visit but if you like macro photography then you must visit Thol lake in monsoon. You can get some excellent macro subjects like waterdrops , Spiders, Insects etc.
What to do and What not to do in Thol Lake / Keep in mind while visiting sanctuary in India :
• Keep silence in sanctuary
• Maintain discipline
• Keep sanctuary clean
• Do not throw plastic waste anywhere in sanctuary
• Protect wildlife
• Observe birds, mammals etc and protect them and identify them
• Follow rules of wildlife protection act -1972
• Don’t disturb birds and animals
• Don’t enter in sanctuary with liquor and inflammable objects
• Don’t make loud noice.
• Enter in sanctuary with permit only and keep receipt till you leave sanctuary
• Don’t feed birds and animals
Where to Stay near Thol Lake :
Well near to Thol Lake there are not good places to stay at night but you can go near to destinations like Kadi, Kalol or Gandhinagar , Ahmedabad where you can get good places to stay at night. Nearest I suggest Kalol around 15-18 km or you can go Ahmedabad around 25 km.
Places to Visit near Thol Lake :
If you are staying at Ahmedabad then go for Ahmedabad Darshan , Pol area of Ahmedabad and Adalaj Ni Vav ( Heritage places ) etc. Also go for fast food test at night at Manek Chauk and SindhuBhavan road there are lots of option for food lovers like Urban Chauk, Freezbee etc.
If you stay at Gandhinagar then visit Mahatma Mandir at Gandhinagar, Sarita udyan , Akshardham Temple etc.
I would suggest Modhera Sun Temple if you had some more time which is around 100km from Ahmedabad. For bird lovers and bird photographer I would suggest visit Little ran of Kutch (LRK) during Winter season, Pariej Lake, Indroda park Gandhinagar, Jessore Sanctuary Banaskantha etc.
How to Reach Thol Sanctuary :
Nearest airport is Ahmedabad and from Ahmedabad thol lake distance is around 30-40 km
Also for Railway station is Ahmedabad because you can get all frequency and destinations from Ahmedabad railway station.
Mt Kanchenjunga or Mt Kangchenjunga both spellings right and whatever you say located in west Bengal India. When i was on my Singalila National park trek i visit it. It was really gesture to see Mt Kanchenjunga from own eyes. A beautiful Mountain surrounded by snow and little bit clouds looks like you are in Heaven. The view i capture makes me very happy to see first time snow mountain in my life. When i was at my last location of my trek at Sandakphu we go for birding and v had a clear mountain view of Kanchenjunga. Kanchenjunga is also spelled Kangchenjunga. Height of Mt. Kanchenjunga/Kangchenjunga is 8586 m . The view of Mt Kanchenjunga from India is amazing as you can see in photos. This Mountain range in wide angle as shown above image looks like Sleeping Budda so this mountain range also known as Sleeping Buddha Mountain Range too.
The name Kanchenjunga is derived from sanskrit kanchana ganga . Kanchana means gold and ganga is the river which flows in the region. The river shines like gold and hence the name Kanchana Ganga was given to this mountain.
Things to know About Mt. Kanchenjunga/ Mt. Kangchenjunga :
- Kanchenjunga Mountain is about 28,169 ft height and located along the Nepal-India border in the Himalayas.
- It is the third highest mountain in the world.
- It contains 5 peaks and four of them above 27,700 ft of heights.
- Kanchenjunga is also name of surrounding section of Himalayas and means THE FIVE TREASURES OF SNOWS .
- Joe Brown and George Band was the first climber of Kanchenjunga mountain on 25 may 1955.
- Kanchenjunga mountain boundry shared by Nepal, India, China and Bhutan.
- Total 5 peaks of Kanchenjunga are Kanchenjunga Main ( 28169 ft ), Kanchenjunga West ( 27904 ft ), Kanchenjunga Central ( 27828 ft ), Kanchenjunga South ( 27867 ft ), Kangbachen ( 25928 ft ).
- Kanchenjunga Main is the highest elevation of Brahmaputra River.
- There are four climbing route for Kanchenjunga among them 3 are from Nepal and one from Sikkim India.
- It is also known as Sleeping Buddha Mountain range.
When i was on a tour to Singalila National Park we have a terrific view of Kanchenjunga mountains and also other Himalayan mountains. The best view of Kanchenjunga i saw from Sandakphu located at India-Nepal border. I also saw Mt. Everest from here. Everest is on a long distance but if weather is clear you can see it very clearly.
In above picture the mountain shows in left side ( Triangle 3 peaks ) of Mt Kanchenjunga is Kumbhakarna Mountain.
Sandakphu trek is one of the beautiful trek among India and also of Himalayas. During summer lots of trekkers go for these trek and also Phalut trek. At Sandakphu you can stay a night and just see at night the sky is full of stars. I was never seen such stars in my life. A milky way you can see and it was amazing experience of star gazing at Sandakphu. Also after dark a sunrise is beautiful as enough. At 4 or 4:30 am sunrise time and we were ready to see first light of sun rays on Himalayan mountains. The color of rays are red orange color looks beautiful on snow mountain of Kanchenjunga. Thats the beauty of Himalayas.
For climbing Mt. Kanchenjunga you can go from Nepal only because Indian Government has been closed Northeastern Sikkim route of Kanchenjunga since 2000. To See Mt. Kanchenjunga from India Sandakphu is the best place. You can go to Sandakphu via Trek or via Range Rover car hire at manebhanjan village. Nearest airport is Bagdogra or you can go to Kolkata and go for overnight train from Kolkata.
Gear used : Canon 1000 D body, Canon 18-55 mm lens, Canon 55-250 mm lens.