Trekking in Uttarakhand is a blissful experience for a mountain lover but when it happens through a lesser-crowded region coupled with divine natural beauty, the experience turns into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. One of the most secluded and unexplored trails in the Garhwal region, the Dev Kyara valley definitely counts as one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. Witnessing the Dev Kyara meadows after traversing on a scenic mountain trail is an unforgettable experience. Reaching the place requires a multi-day walking adventure. As per many locals as well as those who have walked this route(including Team Eka 🙂 ), the Dev Kyara Trek in Uttarakhand is arguably the most scenic valley trek in this region of the Western Himalayas. It is a truly hidden walk in the Western Garhwal region tucked parallel between the valleys of Har Ki Dun and Supin. Among all the offbeat treks in Uttarakhand, this gorgeous trail is a serious contender to be at the top of the list.
The trail offers postcard-perfect scenes at every step covering stunning alpine meadows, thick pine and oak jungles, boulders and moraine ridges, towering snow-laden peaks, huge glacier basins, and ancient Himalayan villages rich in culture. The Dev Kyara bugyal (meadows), the main highlight of this trail, are some of the best meadows one can come across in the entire himalayas. The vastness of the rolling fields and the lush greenery all around makes us fall in love with the place. Apart from the Bugyals, the marvellous views of some of the mighty Garhwal peaks like Swargarohini, Ranglana, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch and Kedar Dome keep the visitors hooked throughout the journey. The jagged ranglana peak is another highlight as it towers above the land with an imposing image. Camping under the stars on the meadows at the foot of the Rangnala peak is one of the most memorable experiences of this Himalayan odyssey.
This trekking in Uttarakhand takes place in the Supin range of Western Garhwal Himalayas, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The trek follows the Obra Gad Valley and the starting point lies close to Jakhol village from where the trail goes up to Boincha. This place is located at the confluence of Supin river flowing from north and Obra Gad river flowing from east. The popular Har Ki Dun Valley lies on the right of this trail. The Dev Kyara name comes from the Dev Kyara Bugyal or meadow that lies in the shadows of Ranglana Peak at the highest end of the Obra Gad Valley.
Pristine Beauty and Lovely Campsites: Dev Kyara Trek in Uttarakhand is nestled in a secluded Himalayan region, showcasing pristine landscapes characterised by dense forests, vibrant meadows, and panoramic mountain vistas. The offbeat trek often includes views of snow-capped peaks, adding a touch of magnificence to the natural surroundings. The Dev Kyara Trek also presents a paradise for photographers. Trekkers can capture the beauty of the journey, from sunrise and sunset views over the mountains to unique flora and fauna. The strategically located campsites provide fantastic opportunities for night photography, capturing the starlit sky against the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Untouched Wilderness: Known mostly among the locals as a treasured secret, the Dev Kyara valley’s remote and less-explored terrain, provides a rare opportunity for trekkers to experience the untouched beauty of the Himalayas. With fewer crowds, trekkers and solitude seekers can revel in the tranquillity of nature and witness landscapes that remain largely unaffected by human activity. The offbeat trek in Uttarakhand definitely offers a transformative experience for all.
Challenging Adventure: While Trekking in Uttarakhand offers various options with a diverse range of difficulty levels, this trek’s route is moderately challenging, attracting adventure enthusiasts who seek a physically demanding experience. The river valley trek is located in a remote corner of Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and includes a range of terrain with steep ascents and descents passing though alpine forested trails, sprawling meadows, rocky paths, glacial moraines and other high-altitude sections, making it an ideal choice for those looking to test their trekking skills and endurance.
Cultural Interaction & Local Legends: Similar to the Phulara Ridge Trek in the same Sankri region, the Dev Kyara Trek also includes encounters with local communities, allowing trekkers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of this lesser-known region in the Garhwal Himalayas. Trekkers get to visit small villages, interact with locals, and gain insights into the traditional lifestyles and customs, adding a cultural dimension to the overall trekking experience. Located at the heart of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand, this remote mountain areas is believed to be sacred. The places covered on this enthralling trek are considered to be holy by the locals and the region has several local legends and myth surrounding it, lending a mystical charm to this awe-inspiring adventure.
Overall, walking in this less-explored corner of Uttarakhand is an exciting and fulfilling endeavour that should be undertaken by every trekking enthusiast. It’s a beautiful journey through one of the most untouched regions of Garhwal. For anyone considering trekking in uttarakhand and those who want to avoid the crowds of the popular treks in the state, this route is a no-brainer.
Day – 1 – Dehradun to Sankri (197 km drive) :
A scenic drive that gradually climbs in altitude and takes about 8-9 hours to reach the base camp of Sankri. Overnight at Sankri Homestay or Hotel.
Day – 2 – Sankri to Boincha (6,750 ft | (3 hours drive) and Trek to Obra thatch (7650 ft | 3.5 km | 3-4 hrs Trek)
Drive from Sankri to Boincha where the Trek Starts from the left side of a huge valley. The sights are picturesque from every angle right from the start. The riverside trail goes along the Dibra Gad stream which runs parallel to the Supin river from the other side of the valley. Today’s trek is easy compared to the other days. The scenic trail gradually ascends along the river to end at the obra thatch, our first campsite. It’s a small open clearing in the middle of the valley. The place has two little hoots and a wooden temple crafted by the local villagers. It is generally used by the villagers during their local festive season.
Day – 3 – Trek Obra thatch to Bhawa Waterfall (11,250 ft | 8 km | 7-8 hrs Trek)
Today’s trek starts out of the Thatch area and enters a dense forest path. There will be dramatic changes in landscape today walking besides the river, jungle trails filled with pine, maple and birch trees, boulder-laden paths and huge open grounds encircled by gargantuan mountains. The trail ends at the Bhawa waterfall campsite. A beautiful open meadow, it’s a gorgeous campsite beside a waterfall surrounded by mountains.
Day – 4 – Trek Bhawa Waterfall to Dev Kyara Valley (13120 ft | 5 km trek | 5-6 hrs Trek)
Today is the prettiest day of all. Our trail today takes us to our main highlight of the entire journey-the Dev Kyara Trek’s Bugyals. Today we also touch the highest altitude of 4000 m on the trek. From the start to finish, we experience a beautiful landscape through the trek. With dozens of waterfalls on the way, the trail slowly opens up to lush stretches of bugyals. At one point, our path is flanked by lofty mountain walls on both sides.The mesmerising view of the Ranglana peak comes into the picture gradually as we approach our campsite for the day. There is a thrilling boulder section that we cross just before we arrive at the Dev Kyara meadows. The massive meadows welcome us with breathtaking views from every angle and cook up a visual treat to the eyes. Camping under the stars in this place is an experience of a lifetime.
Day – 5 – Explore Dev Kyara meadows– TrekBack to Bhawa Waterfall ( 5 km trek | 5 hrs.)
We wake up early in the morning for sunrise at the campsite. The sun’s rays hitting the valley conjures up a beautiful sight in the early morning golden hours. Later, today we will go further from our camp and explore the Dev Kyara meadows and its surroundings. After the exploration, It’s time to return. We pack up and get ready to descend. We head back down the same route following the same scenic trail. Our day ends when we reach our previous campsite at bhawa waterfall.
Day – 6 – Trek Bhawa Waterfall – Boincha -(12 Km | 6-7 hrs) – Sankri by Drive (3 hrs)
This will be the last day of the trek and also a longer one. From Bhawa waterfall, we descend all the way down to the starting point Boincha. We revisit all the spectacular scenes on the way back. From Boincha we hop on to our vehicle and head out on a 3 hour drive to Sankri. Overnight at our homestay or hotel at Sankri.
Day – 7– Sankri Dehradun (197 km Drive | 8-9 Hours drive)
Today we bid farewell to the mountains. We take the same route back to Dehradun and depart for home with some amazing memories.
Permit requirements:
This Dev Kyara Trek in Uttarakhand area comes under the Govind Pashupati National Park, so it is mandatory to arrange park permission which can be acquired from the entry point of this national park situated in the village of Netwar and also in Sankri. It is not advisable to venture out on this trek without proper permissions.
Best time for Dev Kyara Trek in Uttarakhand:
April to June is the best time, due to the fresh bloom of different varieties of flowers and fresh growth of grass on the lush meadows. If you are looking for snow, then Spring (March/April) is the ideal time, the amount of snow depending on the winter season’s snowfall. The trail should be avoided during the monsoons (July-Aug) as any trek route in Uttarakhand at that time receives heavy rainfall. Post monsoon as the fall approaches, slowly the grass turns pale yellow and the surroundings put on a yellow look. Often post monsoon, the trails get unusual deviations and are damaged due to rainfall. The months of September, October and November provide some very clear views of the giant mountains on the hike.
How to reach Sankri from Dehradun:
You can get buses, shared taxis and rental cabs for this journey.
Buses: Direct buses are available at 6 am and 7 am respectively from prince chowk opposite GP grand hotel. Travel time is 8-10 hours. You can also take an indirect bus from Dehradun to Purola. The last bus is at 12 noon. From Purola to Sankri, you will get shared taxis.
Shared Sumos/Jeeps: Shared Taxis can be taken from Dehradun to Purola and then from Purola to Sankri via Mori. It takes 4-5 hours to reach Purola and then 3 hours to reach Sankri. You can get Taxis to Purola till 3 Pm from Dehradun.
Reserved Cabs: Pirate reserved cabs are also available. They are provided by various transport operators. The travel time is anywhere between 7-9 hours and the cost is dependent on the type of vehicle you hire. For an Innova, the cost may go up to Rs. 8000.
How to reach Dehradun:
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is connected to major cities via direct flights. From the airport, theCity of Dehradun is 28 km away. It can be reached by a private taxi but the taxi fares can steep in the range of Rs. 800-1200. Pro Tip: You can reach the city for as less as Rs.100 from the airport instead of spending 10 times on a private taxi. If you don’t mind walking a little, we suggest coming outside the airport and walking to the Dehradun-Rishikesh Highway. From the airport intersection, you can catch public transport like Buses and Autos that go towards the city.
By rail: Nanda Devi express , Jan Satabdi Express, and Mussoorie express are some of the main trains that run from the New Delhi Railway Station to Dehradun Railway Station.
By Road: Many direct buses to Dehradun are available from ISBT Bus Terminus in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate.
Brief Weather info:
May – June:
September – November
Accommodation options at Sankri Village Base Camp: There are many accommodation options available at Sankri. From decent hotels in Sankri market offering basic facilities to good local homestays in the nearby Saur village, the prices range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000 per night for a room.
ATM : Last ATM is at Mori, 24 Km before Base Camp Sankri. Dehradun, Naugaon or Purola are other places with ATMs on the way from Dehradun to Sankri.
Network connectivity in Sankri Base Camp: Jio and BSNL provide intermittent connections on mobile phones. Internet data is not available yet. Some shops have wifi available that can be availed at a charge.
For more information on this breathtaking trek or to curate a private group for a tailor-made adventure on the Dev Kyara Trek, you can contact us. You can also explore some of the other offbeat trekking adventures in the Indian and Nepal Himalayas.
Contributed by our team of experiential travel experts, explorers and storytellers.
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