Maximum altitude: 12083 feet
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 6 days
Trekking distance: 30 kilometers
Trail type: Steep trek
Rail head: Rishikesh
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Snow Season: December to February
Service from: Rishikesh to Rishikesh (including transportation)
Base camp: Sari Village
Best season: Winter Season (December to February)
Region: Uttarakhand
Who can participate:- People who are above 10 years of age.- Freshers can go for the trek, but prior experience is a plus.- The trekker should have the capacity to carry a backpack of around 10 to 15 kilograms.- Travelers must have a great fitness level with enough stamina to cover a distance of at least five kilometers in just 30 minutes.
Drive to Rishikesh to Basecamp at Sari
The first day of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek starts with a drive from Rishikesh to the base camp in Sari Village.
On your way, you will pass through Devprayag, where you will come across the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, which forms the Ganga river in Rishikesh.
The entire driving expedition passes through the mountainside with the river flowing on the other.
Arrive at the base camp in the Sari Village.
If you visit the base camp before sunset, you can explore the Sari Village and get a chance to witness the views of the summit of Chandrashila for the first time.
Enjoy an overnight sleep in the Sari Village.
Trek from Sari to Deoriatal
On the second day of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek, you will start your journey of trekking from Ukhimath.
Ukhimath is an 8 kilometers steep incline from the Sari Village.
After 15 to 20 minutes, you will cross all the village houses, and the gorgeous views of the vast farmlands start from this place.
The route starts becoming steeper after you walk for 10 minutes more.
From the valley, you can spot the summit of Chandrashila and the religious Tungnath Temple.
You will hike through the spectacular rhododendrons and maple forest and reach the Deoriatal with Mount Chaukhamba massifs in the backdrop.
Take a short of the trails and forests around the campsite in Deoriatal are rest for the day.
Trek from Deoriatal to Syalmi through Rohini Bugyal
After you wake up in the morning, you will catch some glorifying views of the Deoriatal when the clocks have become clear.
Day 3 of the trek starts with a sumptuous breakfast at the campsite in Deoria Tal and strolling along the side of the lake moving towards Forest Guest Lodge.
After walking for about 15 minutes from the Forest Guest Lodge, look for a tiny clearing while exiting the forest.
Have a look at the open wide expanse and proceed on the ascending trail in front of you to get beautiful views from either side of the valley.
Walking for about 15 minutes will make you reach the top of the Jhandi Dhar.
From here, move towards the track that descends quickly and enter the forest ridge from the left.
You will cross tiny shrines with bright yellow flags tied on them, which ensures that you are on the right track. Watch out for wild animals like leopards and foxes.
After crossing the second ridge, you will enter the forest again, where you can witness some of the oldest maple, oak, and rhododendron trees that belong to the Kedarnath Sanctuary.
Twenty minutes of hiking in the forest will lead you to your next stop for the day, commonly known as Bhagdwal by locals.
From here, you can catch a glimpse of the Kala Parvat situated on the right of the Chandrashila peak.
After passing the rivulet, the trail from here is only about a 30 minutes walk to Rohini Bugyal.
Walk for another 20 to 30 minutes to reach Syalmi campsite and rest for the day.
Trek from Syalmi to Baniya Kund
After having a delicious breakfast on the beautiful morning of the fourth day, start your trek from Sylami towards the connecting ridge forest from your right.
Go through the forest of upper Rohini Bugyal and reconnect with the ancient trail to Chopta.
Follow the ascending trails for 30 minutes to reach Tikidi Khal.
From here, take the second route that will take you to Akash Kamini and click some pictures with this gurgling stream as a backdrop.
Walk on the trail that inclines gradually with a series of three scissor bends and reach a small meadow after hiking for about 20 minutes.
Once you reach the meadows, take a look at the path that spreads toward your right and reach the Baniya Kund campsite after 20 minutes of descending and ascending.
Trek from Baniya Kund to Chandrashila Peak through Tungnath and then back to SariOn Day 5, begin your trek early in the morning, preferably before sunrise, and take the ascending trail from Chopta to Tungnath.After climbing on the series of 11 scissor bends, walk for about 3 kilometers and reach Tungnath Temple.On your way, you will discover the gorgeous peaks of Ravanshila and Birch trees, along with the heaven of birds, like Monal and Griffin Vulture. Explore the Tungnath Temple and proceed towards the Chandrashila peak from behind the complex of the temple.Cross the local dormitories and get along the track that diverts from the right side of the foundation of the Chandrashila peak.After negotiating a series of switchbacks, you will finally reach the upper base of the Chandrashila peak.Walk for another 30 to 45 minutes, and you will reach the summit of the Chandrshila, from where you will get a panoramic view of the Garhwal and Kumaon mountains.After crossing a temple, you can even witness the greatest mountains of Uttarakhand, including Nandaghunti, Kedar dome, Nanda Devi, Thalaysagar, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Dunagiri, Kamet, Jahanukut, Gangotri ranges, and much more.On your way back to Sari, you will have to take the same route backward.Reach the Sari Village and rest for the day.
Drive from Sari to Rishikesh
Day 6 is officially the last day of your Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. Wake up in the morning and have a delightful meal at base camp in Sari Village.
Take your respective cabs and drive back to Rishikesh.
You will reach Rishikesh somewhere between 6 pm and 7 pm.
From here, you can pack your belongings and proceed further on your journey to your way back home.
Clothes:
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Personal Medical Kit:
There are plenty of things that trekkers should keep in mind before going on a trek. It not only helps you to prepare for the trekking expedition but also assists in case anything does not go as planned. Following are some of the important tips that you should keep in mind before going on a Deoriatal Chandrashila trek:
Since the Deoria Tal trek is graded as moderately difficult, it is good for beginners and amateur trekkers.
Do not litter in or around the lake as it is a punishable offense to pollute the natural space.
Follow the guidelines properly given by the forest authorities and trekking manager to protect the region and avoid doing anything that could harm the natural surroundings.
If you are going on a Deoria Tal trek during winter, we recommend you to take a guide who will help you with the routes.
Always travel with a group of two or more people and avoid going out of the campsite at night as you may encounter wild animals.
Inform the authorities immediately if you find something inappropriate or you feel unwell at the time of the trek.
You should carry the required cash before starting the trek as you will not find any ATM after Ukhimath.
Finish all significant calls before going on a Deoria Tal trek as the network connectivity is not good in the mountains.
Check out the weather conditions before registering for the trek.
Wear comfortable shoes and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated at all times and have an enjoyable trekking experience.
By Flight- Deoria Tal is connected to different parts of the country by flight, like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, and Kolkata. The trekkers can book a flight to the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun from anywhere in the country to reach their starting point of the trek in Rishikesh. If you are looking for a budget-friendly journey to Rishikesh, you can book your flight to Delhi and then to Dehradun. We recommend you book your tickets in such a way that you reach one day before the starting time of the trek so you make room for adjustments or purchase any equipment for trekking.
By Train- Alternatively, trekkers can travel to Rishikesh by train. You can board the Kota Express to Haridwar, which leaves from Hazrat Nizammudin railway station at 11.45 pm. This train will make you reach Haridwar at 3.50 am, from where you can take a bus or taxi to reach Rishikesh.
By Bus- If you do not get air or train tickets from Delhi, you can take a regular AC Volvo bus to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmiri Gate in Delhi. You can also avail yourself of the non-AC buses. The buses are relatively frequent on this route, and it will take you about 7 to 8 hours to reach Rishikesh at just a cost of INR 700.
Haridwar - Sari - Deoria Tal - Rohini Bugyal - Chopta / Martoli - Tungnath - Chandrashila - Chopta - Haridwar
Rishikesh - Sari - Deoria Tal - Baniya Kund - Rohini Bugyal - Tungnath - Chandrashila - Baniya Kund - Rishikesh
Rishikesh - Sari - Deoria Tal - Rohini Bugyal - Syalmi - Baniya Kund - Tungnath - Chandrashila - Sari - Rishikesh
The best time to go to the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is between December to February, it remains accessible for 10 months of the year, except for July and August.
Winter SeasonThe winter season is an ideal time to go on this trek if you want to experience snowfall. During this season, the landscape of the trail changes into white color, and soft powdery snowflakes hang loosely from the pine trees. You should prepare yourself well if you are going on the Deoria Tal trek during winter as the difficulty of the trek increases due to snow.
Spring SeasonThe spring season in the Deoria Tal trek is between early March and April when the snow starts melting in the upper reaches and green grasses start getting visible in the lower meadows. You can gaze at the tiny flowers on top of the grass and rhododendrons on the trees. The spring season is the perfect time to go on the Deoria Tal trek if you want to experience color contrasts in the meadows.
Summer SeasonThe summer season gives the trekking expedition a whole different appearance by bringing out the green color palette. The forests and meadows shine brightly under the sun and become luscious. You can even introduce the Himalayas to the children during this season as the trek is the easiest at this time.
Autumn SeasonAnother best time to go on a Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is during the post-monsoon months between September and November when the place experiences the autumn season. There is no haze during this time, and you easily spot the spectacular views of the Garhwal mountains.
People who are bird lovers go on this trek as it follows a few of the most heavily forested trails that offer a beautiful sight of a few rare birds, including the spectacular Himalayan Monal.
The Deoriatal Chandrashila trek narrates the story of Lord Rama meditating on the summit of the Chandrashila peak. It is believed that, after defeating Ravana in Lanka, Lord Rama decided to meditate on the Chandrashila peak to find a way to atone for his sins.
Another compelling legend is about the Tungnath Temple, which is the highest Lord Shiva temple in the country. It is believed that when Lord Shiva was upset with Pandavas for their horrendous killings, Pandavas built a temple on the Chandrashila named Tungnath to please, venerate, and celebrate Lord Shiva.
According to a popular store, Deoria Tal is that lake where four brothers of the Pandavas visited to sip water during their exile, which led to their immediate death. It happened because the lake was a bathing spot for gods, and Yaksha (the guardian of the lake) punished them for drinking water from the river. Later, all four brothers were brought to life after the fifth brother Yudishtir arrived and apologized to the guardian.
How Difficult is the Deoria Tal Trek?
Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is graded as a moderate trek, but it is the safest trek out of all high-altitude treks. This trekking expedition gains altitude gradually, which gives your body enough time to acclimatize to the weather of the surroundings. Hence, there are very few cases of altitude sickness on this trek.
Although the difficulty of the Deoria Tal trek ranges between easy and difficult, it is expected that the trekkers follow all the rules and regulations and maintain discipline in the trek. As far as the fitness level for the trek is concerned, the trekkers should have an experience of trekking before going on this trek. They should have enough stamina to cover a distance of at least five kilometers in just 30 minutes. You should also understand the guidance of the trek leader to tackle the situation if anything goes wrong. However, it is just an exception, and the Deoria Tal trek is safer than any other Uttarakhand trek.
How long is the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek?
The distance of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is about 30 kilometers which can be easily covered in six days. You are required to climb an altitude of 12083 feet to reach the summit of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek.
Are the group departures safe for solo women?
Yes, the group departures are absolutely safe for solo women. They are provided with a room or tent on single occupancy, and discipline is maintained at all times during the trek. The trekking guide also ensures the safety of all the trekkers in the group departures.
What are the fitness requirements for a Deoria Tal trek?
The Deoria Tal trek requires a good fitness level so you can walk past the gradual steep ascents without much effort. To maintain a good fitness level, you should run at least five kilometers in just 30 minutes before you go on your trekking expedition. You can also aim to jog for around 20 kilometers or cycle around 110 kilometers for a week to get a confirmation for the trek.
How is the network connectivity on the Deoriatal trek?
The network connectivity is good until the Sari Village. After that, you may experience a drop in your network connection. Hence, it is advisable to finish all your important calls before going on a Deoriatal Chandrashila trek.
Is offloading available on the Deoria Tal trek?
The Trekker should carries their backpack themselves which is the true spirit of hiking. But, you can request the authorities for the offloading services if you have any medical condition and you cannot carry your own backpack. The cost of offloading services on the Deoria Tal trek is INR 1200.