Janak Tal Trek

Attribute	Details
Temperature Range	7° C to 20°C during the day
	-9°C  to 2°C at night
Weather	Cold air with pleasant trekking conditions
Clothing layer required	Thermal inners with fleece outer and a jacket
Ideal for	Trekking in pleasant and stable weather; Bustling Villages; Astronomy-clear nights
Special features	Lush forests with blooming rhododendrons at Harsil Valley, bird-watching activities, and chances of spotting Himalayan fauna in Nelong Valley

The Gangotri National Park reopens in May, making this the peak tourist season for trekking and tourist activities. May and June also bring favorable trekking conditions in the Nelong Valley. You may find residual snow on the top of surrounding peaks and the water streams, the snow on the trekking trails usually melts by this time.  You will find the greenery of Deodar forests, apple orchards, and blooming rhododendrons in the Harsil Valley and its nearby villages.

The temperatures during the day range from 7°C to 20°C although, at night the mercury may plummet to sub-zero temperatures. Rainfall is less frequent, causing lesser risks of landslides. Therefore, summer is the best time to do the Janak Taal Trek.

Attribute	Details
Temperature Range	5° to 12° during the day
	-15° to 2° at night
Weather	Cold winds during the day with chilly and sometimes sub-zero temperatures at nights
Clothing layer required	heavy thermals with fleece outer and windproof and padded jacket
Ideal for	Scenic views of the peaks and fall landscape in Harsil Valley, photography enthusiasts, isolated trek
Special features	Golden landscape, raw and untouched scenery, thrill of winter trekking

Another best time to attempt the Janak Tal trek is the post-monsoon season during mid-September and October. In late September, the monsoon is in its withdrawal phase, minimizing the risks of cloudbursts, landslides, or flooding. Late September and October mark the arrival of autumn in Nelong Valley and its surrounding areas. The weather becomes chilly yet comfortable for trekking. Carry appropriate warm clothes and thermals for layering to protect yourself from extreme cold. 

Winter in the valley arrives in late October and due to harsh weather and the closing of Gangotri National Park, trekking to Janak Tal during this time is not possible.

The region beyond Nelong Valley is a cold desert which means you will find less vegetation except for a few alpine shrubs. This also makes the terrain rocky and prone to avalanches and landslides. While trekking you will cross several small streams and waterfalls. The loose rocks and moraine pose a risk of ankle injury for the trekkers. You must hike with focus to ensure you do not tumble the stones while walking. There are no technical sections, but walking on the ridge section after the Lal Devta site requires prior trekking experience.

The total distance that you will be covering from Jadung Village to Janak Tal is about 11 km and the total trek distance to and fro is 22 km. Trekking continuously for such a long distance in the rough terrain of the Nelong Valley region makes it a moderately difficult trek.  Use good quality hiking and trekking boots to support your ankle well and have a comfortable walking stance.

On the second day itself, you gain a significant altitude of about 1,209 m from Harsil to Jadung. However, the altitude gain while trekking from Jadung to Janak Tal is mild (371 m). This is another factor that makes the Janak Tal trek moderate, but you must acclimatize for a day before starting your trek to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and have a smooth trekking experience. 

We recommend attempting the Janak Tal trek during the summer and autumn seasons as these are the safest months for trekking in the Nelong Valley region. Being an alpine desert the weather and temperatures during winter become extreme, and it remains closed to the visitors. During the monsoon, the area becomes almost inaccessible due to landslides and big rocks blocking the trails. The loose soil becomes very slippery and one might face severe injuries while trekking. 

The trek difficulty dictates your level of fitness and preparations for it. As mentioned above, it is moderate level trek and proper preparation is needed as it’s mountainous terrain. 

In the beginning, the ascent from Jadung to Janak Tal can feel challenging as it is going to be your first day hiking. The high altitude of this trek increases the chances of AMS. Since Harsil is at a good altitude, a night stay there helps in proper acclimatization. The trail is rocky and filled with gravel. Facilitated with a proper workout regimen, you can really take note of the surrounding environment and not waste time catching your breath. 

Mental preparation includes thorough research of the trek you want to do or decide to do. Understand the terrain, difficulty level, and the ways to get fit for it, look up for sudden situations that may happen, and how to tackle them. Being prepared gives you an edge to keep calm & handle a difficult situation.

1. Exercises to achieve the goal 

• Cardiovascular Training: Running, cycling, and swimming to boost stamina.
• Strength Training: Focus on leg exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups for endurance.
• Core Strength: Planks, mountain climbers, and Russian twists to maintain balance on uneven trails.
• Flexibility Exercises: Stretching, yoga, and dynamic warm-ups to prevent injuries.
• Mental Conditioning: Visualisation techniques, breathing exercises, and meditation to strengthen focus and manage stress on difficult days. 

Tip: For moderate to difficult-level treks, practice exercises with weights. Seek professional advice accordingly. 

2. Extra Tips related to the diet, muscle recovery, and healthy lifestyle routine

Diet: Incorporate proteins like lentils, eggs, paneer, whey protein, etc for fast recovery after a strenuous trek. Whole grains like wheat, barley, etc, for sustained energy, and leafy greens like spinach, bitter guard, and any seasonal veggie for those extra nutrients and building the immunity system.

Muscle Recovery: Plan rest days and add stretching, relaxing yoga poses or foam rolling after every workout.

3. Lifestyle Routine: 

• Stay hydrated – drink 2 to 3 liters of water. To incorporate more nutrients, including coconut water, fruit, and vegetable juices. 
• Don’t consume alcohol and caffeine. 
• Start sleeping up to 8 hours. 

Altitude Sickness happens when your body cannot adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. This happens mainly because your body doesn’t have enough time to acclimatize to a higher altitude or not enough time to get used to lower oxygen levels. 

How to Prevent AMS – 

• Gradual Ascent: Climb slowly to give your body time to adjust.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Rest and Sleep: Ensure ample rest, especially as you reach higher camps.
• Avoid Alcohol: Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.

What to do – 

• Most Important – Inform your trek leader as well-trained leaders and experience they can assess the situation better and find solutions faster.  

What trek leader may suggest? Trekkers without agency should also know these instructions –

• Stop and Rest: Pause your trek to recover.
• Descend if Necessary: Descend immediately to Sankri Basecamp. Our team with the vehicle and necessary help will be there for further action. 
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water and avoid strenuous activity.
• Seek Medical Help: After descending, our team will take you to the nearest hospital if needed. If solo, then descend and seek the closest medical help. 
• Nearest Hospital Details – District Hospital Uttarkashi 
• Address –  PCHV+W38, near Vishwanath Chowk, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand 249193
• Contact Number – Dr. B.S. Rawat, 9557900198

A lake named after the sage King- Raja Janak, a revered character in Hindu mythology from the Ramayana, placed in a region with Buddhist dominance, adds an element of mystery to this beautiful trekking destination. 

The trek starts from the Jadung Village, where ‘Jad’ means the Jadh tribe and ‘Dung’ means Mountains. Once a vibrant village of the semi-nomadic Jadh Bhotiya tribe, it has now become a deserted ghost village after the Indo-Sino War of 1962. In the pre-British era, the Nelong Valley region was dominated by the Garhwal state, the Bushahr Kingdom, and the Tibetans. Tibet in the north and Himachal Pradesh in the west formed the region’s boundary.

The locals in the valley were of Bhotiya origin but their trade relations with Garhwal significantly influenced their cultural traditions. The Jadh Bhotiyas follow the Buddhist religion but a few of them claim to be the descendants of King Janak. As per Hindu mythology, Janak ruled the kingdom of Videha and the Himalayas formed its northern boundary. He was the famed father of Goddess Sita and is said to have meditated near the Janak Tal lake giving its modern-day name.

Throughout your visit to the Nelong region, you will find several small religious sites like Jadung Temple, Lal Devta Temple, and the Shakti Temple near Janak Tal. These temples often consist of Hindu idols along with Buddhist inscriptions and Tibetan flags. This indicates how Jadh Bhotiyas although heavily influenced by Tibetan culture continue to carry Hinduism in their consciousness. 

The Jadh Bhotiya locals celebrate festivals like Pandav Lila and have currently relocated to the Villages of Bagori and Dunda after the 1962 war. They continue to be a living testimony of the rich history of the Jadung Village.

The Janak Tal is situated in the Nelong Valley region and falls on the leeward side of the Himalayan mountains. This makes the area receive comparatively less rainfall and is less fertile. It is a cold desert that has sparse vegetation and you may find a few alpine shrubs growing on the banks of water streams. You can spot a few medicinal plants and shrubs of Juniper berries growing in the wild. 

The region is frequented by Himalayan wild animals like Snow Leopard, Bharal, Brown Bear, Ibex, and many notable bird species like Himalayan Monal.

• Harsil
• Mukhba
• Gangotri
• Nelong Valley 
• Gartang Gali
• Uttarkashi