Experiences in Sankri
- 01
Bali Pass Trek
A hard eight-day crossing from Sankri through the Ruinsara valley and over a 4,950 m pass to Yamunotri and Janki Chatti.
- Time needed
- About 8 days from Sankri to Janki Chatti
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Tickets
- The route runs through Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, so a forest department permit and a registered guide are needed, normally arranged at Sankri or by your operator. Confirm current fees and rules locally.
- 02
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park
A 958 sq km Himalayan national park and sanctuary that rises from forested valleys to peaks above 6,000 m, with Sankri as its gateway and Har Ki Dun and Kedarkantha inside it.
- Time needed
- 2 days for short walks; 5-7 days for Har Ki Dun
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- April to June and September to November; winters bring snow and cold
- Tickets
- Entry is controlled through the forest department. Fees and permit rules are not fixed in published form; confirm them with the Govind Pashu Vihar office at Sankri or Naitwar before you go. Trekking normally needs a registered guide.
- 03
Har Ki Dun Valley
A cradle-shaped hanging valley at about 3,566 m, reached on a multi-day walk from Sankri through Supin valley villages, with Swargarohini and Black Peak overhead.
- Time needed
- Usually 6-7 days round trip from Sankri
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- April to June and September to November; the valley is snow-covered from about October to March
- Tickets
- Forest department permit and a registered guide are needed. Fees and rules change, so confirm at the Sankri forest office. Stays are in simple village homestays and forest rest houses; book through your host.
- 04
Kedarkantha Trek
A short summit trek from Sankri to a 3,800 m peak in Govind Pashu Vihar, famous for snow slopes, a frozen pond at Juda Ka Talab and wide Himalayan views.
- Time needed
- About 4 days from Sankri
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- December to April for snow; the peak is a quieter walk after the snow melts
- Tickets
- A forest department permit and registered guide are normally required, arranged at Sankri. Confirm fees and rules locally.
- 05
Rupin Pass Trek
A week-long crossing from the Rupin valley near Sankri to Sangla in Kinnaur, past hanging villages, a large waterfall and snowfields to a 4,650 m pass.
- Time needed
- About 7–8 days on foot, plus road travel at each end
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Tickets
- Forest permits and camping charges apply on both the Uttarakhand and Himachal sides and are usually arranged by your trekking operator or registered guide. Confirm current fees and rules locally before you set out.
Temples in Sankri
- 06
Karna Temple, Naitwar
A rare temple to Karna of the Mahabharata near Naitwar, down the valley from Sankri, where the Tons river begins. It is the family deity of many villages in the area.
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Daytime, any season the road is open; check after snowfall
- Tickets
- No ticket is published. This is an active temple, so remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing inside.
- 07
Osla Village and Someshwar Temple
A remote Supin valley village at about 2,600 m on the Har Ki Dun trail, where a carved wooden temple to Someshwar, a form of Shiva, stands at the centre of the settlement.
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours for the village; an overnight if you can
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- April to June and September to November
- Tickets
- No entry fee is published. The temple is in active use, so dress modestly, remove footwear where asked and ask permission before taking photographs.
Neighbourhoods in Sankri
- 08
Sankri Village
The last road point in Govind Pashu Vihar, Sankri is a small Garhwali village of wooden homes, homestays and trekking outfitters at the foot of the Har Ki Dun and Kedarkantha trails.
- Time needed
- 1-2 nights as a base; an afternoon for a short walk
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- April to June and September to November for clear views; December to March if you want snow
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the village. Trekking beyond it needs a forest department permit and, usually, a registered local guide; ask at the Sankri forest office or through your host for current rules and fees.
