- Photo: Rajborah123 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Deoria Tal - Chopta - Chandrashila Trek
Three separate walks stitched into one five-day trip: a lakeside stroll, a long forest-ridge traverse, and a steep pilgrim path to a summit above the world's highest Shiva temple.
Trip details
This is not one trek but three, and the single headline distance and grade hide that. The first piece is Deoria Tal: a 2.5 to 3.5 km walk up a stone-paved path from Sari to a still lake at about 8,000 ft that reflects Chaukhamba on a calm morning, and which most people could do in flip-flops. The second is the traverse from Deoria Tal to Chopta via Rohini Bugyal, a 14 to 18 km day on a forest ridge through oak and rhododendron with very little water after Jhandi Dhar; it is the longest day of the trip by a wide margin and the one that catches people out. The third is the summit itself: from Chopta at 8,556 ft a stone-stepped pilgrim path climbs roughly 3.5 km to the Tungnath temple, the highest Shiva shrine in the Panch Kedar, and then another 1 to 1.5 km of steeper, rougher ground to the Chandrashila top. That last piece gains around 1,000 m from Chopta and is a real climb, done in a single day from a road head. In April and May it doubles as a pilgrim route and is busy; in January and February the road above Duggalbitta may be shut by snow and the Rohini traverse is often not run at all.
- Deoria Tal at 8,000 ft, reached in an hour or two, with the Chaukhamba massif reflected in it on a still morning — the single most photographed lake reflection in Garhwal.
- The long forest-ridge traverse to Chopta through oak and rhododendron, which in late March and April turns the whole ridge red.
- Rohini Bugyal, a meadow clearing partway along the traverse.
- Tungnath temple at about 12,000 ft — the highest Shiva shrine in the world and one of the Panch Kedar, reached on a stone-stepped pilgrim path.
- Chandrashila summit at 12,110 ft, a further kilometre above the temple, with Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Trishul and Kedar Peak on the skyline.
- Three genuinely different landscapes in five days: a lakeside forest, a high ridge traverse and a pilgrim summit path.
Drink properly, which on this trek means planning for the traverse day rather than the summit day: carry 3 litres from Deoria Tal because water is scarce after Jhandi Dhar. On summit morning, turn round if you are not moving well; the summit is 1 to 1.5 km beyond the temple and there is no shame in stopping at Tungnath, which is a good enough view on its own. Avoid alcohol and sleeping tablets. Ask the operator to confirm they carry a pulse oximeter, emergency oxygen and a first aid kit, and that a guide walks at the back of the group on the Rohini day. If anyone shows confusion, loss of balance, breathlessness at rest or a wet cough, descend immediately; on this route descent is unusually easy because you are never more than a few hours above a road.
- The operator grades this Easy; independent sources support Easy-Moderate overall, with one hard day. We list the sourced grade — see the sources below.
- Uttarakhand Forest Department, Kedarnath Wildlife Division (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary), under the Chief Wildlife Warden and the DFO. Camping and resort rules around Chopta are additionally governed by guidelines issued by the DFO Rudraprayag.
- Build for four to six weeks, and train for one long day rather than for altitude. A workable target is a 12 to 15 km walk on undulating ground, completed comfortably, plus 5 km of jogging in 35 to 40 minutes three times a week. Add stair or hill repeats with a 6 to 8 kg pack, because the two things this trek asks of you are a 16 km traverse and a 1,000 m climb-and-descent on steps. Anyone who has never walked 15 km in a day should train specifically for that before booking, or book the 6-day version that splits the traverse.
- Three realistic scenarios. First, a fall on the stone steps between Tungnath and Chopta, iced in winter or wet in monsoon, with a full descent still to make; this is the most common serious injury on the route. Second, the Rohini traverse going wrong: a slow trekker separated from the group late in a 16 km day, out of water, arriving at Chopta after dark. Third, a winter snowfall event that closes the road above Duggalbitta and strands a group, or that catches an unprepared party on the summit ridge in wind. Altitude illness is genuinely a lesser risk here than on the other three treks in this batch, and saying so is more useful than pretending otherwise.
Nearest railhead: Rishikesh (RKSH) is the closest railhead at roughly 200 to 215 km from Sari. Haridwar (HW), which is the operator's pickup point, is about 220 km and 7 to 8 hours; Dehradun (DDN) is about 226 to 231 km and 7 to 8 hours. All three are used by different operators on this route.. Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED), approximately 190 to 230 km from Sari depending on route, 6 to 8 hours by road. Basecamp: Sari (about 6,500 ft / 1,980 m), Ukhimath block, Rudraprayag. Chopta and Baniyakund act as the second base for the summit day..
- 1 x thermal base layer set, merino or synthetic, mid weight (about 200 gsm), plus a dry set for sleeping in December
- 2 x quick-dry trekking trousers. The Rohini traverse is a long day and one pair will be sweat-soaked by the end of it
- 3 x quick-dry full-sleeve trekking t-shirts. Full sleeve matters on the open summit ridge, where the UV is severe even when it is cold
- 2 x fleece or synthetic mid layers, roughly 200 and 300 weight
- 1 x down or synthetic insulated jacket rated to about minus 10 C. You will wear it for an hour on the summit and at camp, and carry it the rest of the time
- 1 x waterproof and windproof shell jacket with a hood and taped seams. Chandrashila is a fully exposed summit and wind is the defining condition there
- 1 x waterproof overtrousers
- 1 x insulated beanie covering the ears, plus a sun cap or wide-brim hat for the traverse day
- 2 x neck gaiters or buffs
- 2 x gloves: a thin liner and a waterproof insulated outer for the summit and camp
- 4 pairs of wool or wool-blend trekking socks, plus 1 thick pair kept dry for sleeping
- Thermal leggings for camp in December, March and early April
- 1 x waterproof high-ankle trekking boots with a lugged sole, broken in over at least 50 km. The stone steps above Chopta are hard, uneven and relentless on the descent, and the Rohini ridge is 16 km of uneven forest floor
- 1 x lightweight closed-toe camp shoes
- Gaiters for December to March, and for late March if fresh snow has fallen above Tungnath
- 50 to 60 litre backpack with a padded hip belt and a rain cover if you carry your own load, or a 20 to 30 litre daypack if you offload
- Sleeping bag rated to a comfort temperature of about minus 10 C for the December and March windows. Confirm the operator's rating rather than assuming
- Sleeping mat with an R-value of 3 or better if you supply your own
- 2 x trekking poles. On this trek they earn their place twice: on the 16 km Rohini traverse and on the stone-step descent from Tungnath, which is where knees give out
- Headlamp with fresh batteries and a spare set
- Microspikes for the section above Tungnath in December to March. This is the only part of the route where they are genuinely needed; confirm whether the operator supplies them
- 3 litres of water capacity, and this is not a rounding-up. Multiple sources specifically warn that water is scarce after Jhandi Dhar on the Rohini traverse. Two 1-litre bottles plus a 1-litre bladder or a third bottle
- Water purification tablets or a filter. The trail passes grazing land and settlements
- UV400 wraparound sunglasses, category 3 or 4
- Power bank of 10,000 mAh or more. There is intermittent charging at Sari and Chopta guest houses and none in between
- Dry bags or bin liners for the sleeping bag and spare clothes
- Toilet paper, sealable bags for waste, and a bag for your own litter. Chopta and Tungnath are heavily visited and the litter problem on the pilgrim path is visible
- Original government photo ID (Aadhaar, driving licence or passport) plus 2 photocopies for the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary entry point
- 2 to 4 passport-size photographs
- Foreign nationals: passport and valid Indian visa plus copies. Reported sanctuary fees for foreign nationals are four times the Indian rate and there is a separate register
- Medical certificate and a signed indemnity, which several operators on this route require
- Travel or trekking insurance policy number and the insurer's 24-hour emergency line
- Emergency contact details on paper
- Blister kit: zinc oxide tape, hydrocolloid dressings and a needle. The 16 km traverse day is where blisters appear on this trek
- Paracetamol; ibuprofen or diclofenac taken with food
- Diamox (acetazolamide) only on the advice of a doctor who knows your history and sulfa allergy status. Note that on this trek you sleep low, at 2,438 to 2,608 m, and only touch 3,690 m for an hour, so prophylaxis is less commonly indicated here than on treks with high camps
- An anti-emetic such as ondansetron, an anti-diarrhoeal such as loperamide, and oral rehydration salts. Deliberately dehydrating yourself on the traverse day to avoid the water problem is a bad trade
- Personal prescription medication in original packaging at double the expected quantity, split between two bags
- Antiseptic cream, a crepe bandage, and duct tape
- SPF 50+ sunscreen and SPF lip balm. The summit ridge is open and, on snow, reflected UV burns the underside of the nose
- Knee support or tape if you have any history of knee trouble. The descent from Tungnath is roughly 1,000 m on stone steps in one go
- Personal hygiene items and, for women, enough sanitary supplies plus sealable bags to carry them out
Safety details & FAQ
Is the Deoria Tal Chandrashila trek really Easy, even in winter?
No — Easy describes the trek only in the snow-free months. The honest grade is Easy-Moderate, and Moderate in the December-to-March window: the Chopta-to-Tungnath section gains about 1,000 m in 3.5 km, and above Tungnath the trail and summit cone carry hard refrozen snow that steepens toward the top. Every source that discusses winter conditions says microspikes are needed then, even the ones that call the trek Easy overall.
When's the best time for the Chandrashila trek — bloom, snow, or clear views?
Depends what you want. Mid-March to May is the rhododendron window with residual snow up high; September to November gives the sharpest post-monsoon visibility across the multi-peak panorama; December to February turns it into a genuine snow trek with microspikes and, in a heavy year, an ice axe. Avoid July-August: the approach roads close repeatedly for landslides and the peaks are in cloud anyway.
Do I need a permit for Deoria Tal and Chandrashila?
Yes. Chopta and Tungnath sit inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, so entry permission from the Uttarakhand Forest Department applies, arranged by your operator, with original photo ID required. Camping directly on the Deoria Tal shore has also been restricted by court order — ask your operator to confirm exactly where you'll sleep, since the statewide meadow-camping rules changed again in July 2026.
Will I get altitude sickness on this trek?
Unlikely, but not impossible. You sleep no higher than about 2,600-2,700 m at Chopta and only touch 3,683 m for a few hours on summit day, so serious AMS is rare here compared with other Garhwal treks. The real risk is skipping the Sari acclimatisation night and driving straight from Dehradun to Chopta in one push — sleep the first night at Sari (2,000 m) rather than shortcutting it.
What do people forget to pack for Chandrashila?
Microspikes for December-March, when they're not optional on the summit cone's hard, refrozen snow — carry them even if your dates fall just outside that window, since an unseasonal snowfall can hit the ridge any time. Also broken-in boots for the long, hard-surfaced descent from Tungnath, and motion-sickness tablets for the nine-hour, hairpin-heavy road day from Dehradun.
How do I get to the Deoria Tal Chandrashila trailhead?
Fly or train to Dehradun, Rishikesh or Haridwar, then it's a 190-220 km road transfer to Sari village, roughly 7-9 hours via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath. Sleep at Sari on arrival night rather than pushing straight to Chopta — that first night at 2,000 m is doing real acclimatisation work for the summit day ahead.
Is the Deoria Tal to Chopta leg actually walked, or driven?
It depends on the operator, and it's the single biggest reason quoted trek distances for this route swing from 20 to 30 km. The walking version crosses ridge forest and the small meadows of Rohini Bugyal in about 7-8 hours; some operators quietly replace it with a road transfer instead. Ask directly whether your departure walks or drives this leg before you book.