Avoid
Har Ki Doon in January
Uttarakhand, India
Snow trek territory. Only experienced winter trekkers should attempt.
At 3565m in January, deep snow makes this a technical winter trek requiring ice axes and crampons
Why January scores 1/5
Weather
Snow trek territory. Only experienced winter trekkers should attempt.
Roads & Access
self drive: Sedan manageable in dry conditions. Park at Sankri or Taluka.. road condition: Mostly paved to Sankri. Last stretch via Purola–Mori is narrow and hill-road with landslide sections in monsoon.. public transport: State buses Dehradun–Purola–Sankri (daily, uncomfortable). Shared sumos from Purola more flexible.. from nearest city: Dehradun 220km to Sankri (9–10h drive). From Sankri it is a 12km drive to Taluka, then 22km trek over 4 days.. last km difficulty: moderate
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. note: Carry personal first-aid; there is no medical facility on-trail.. rescue: Uttarkashi district SDRF: 01374-222094.. helpline: 1363. ambulance: 108. nearest hospital: Community Health Centre Purola (45km from Sankri). Major cases go to Doon Hospital Dehradun.
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Signal ends at Sankri. Nothing on trail beyond Taluka. BSNL sometimes catches at Seema.
Kids
Not ideal for kids —
Elevation
3,565m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Families with young children
- ✗Those prone to altitude sickness
- ✗Those with flexible dates — better months exist
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Januaryviewing | 1/5 | Snow trek territory. Only experienced winter trekkers should attempt. |
| February | 2/5 | Deep snow across the upper camps. Beautiful but committing. |
| March | 3/5 | Late-winter window. Snow line recedes. Still cold. |
| April | 4/5 | Spring begins. Trail opens fully. Rhododendrons start blooming low down. |
| May | 5/5 | Rhododendron peak. Clear weather. Best-known window. |
| June | 5/5 | Lush green valley. Snow melted off the trail. Pre-monsoon stability. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon. Leeches, slippery trails, landslide risk on approach road. |
| August | 2/5 | Same as July. Skip unless you enjoy rain. |
| September | 5/5 | Post-monsoon clarity. Cool days, cold nights. Second prime window. |
| October | 4/5 | Autumn colour. Getting colder. Snow possible at Kalkattiyadhar by end of month. |
| November | 3/5 | Snow starts. Upper camps getting harsh. For experienced only. |
| December | 2/5 | Winter snow trek. Cold and demanding. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Dehradun 220km to Sankri (9–10h drive). From Sankri it is a 12km drive to Taluka, then 22km trek over 4 days.. Roads: Mostly paved to Sankri. Last stretch via Purola–Mori is narrow and hill-road with landslide sections in monsoon.. Self-drive: Sedan manageable in dry conditions. Park at Sankri or Taluka.. Public transport: State buses Dehradun–Purola–Sankri (daily, uncomfortable). Shared sumos from Purola more flexible.. Last stretch: moderate
Elevation
3,565m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in January
- Access
- Mostly paved to Sankri. Last stretch via Purola–Mori is narrow and hill-road with landslide sections in monsoon.
- Emergency
- 108 · Community Health Centre Purola (45km from Sankri). Major cases go to Doon Hospital Dehradun.
- Stay
- ₹800–2,500/night · 25 options
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