Overview
Deoriatal Chandrashila — Two Garhwal Icons in Four Days
The Deoriatal Chandrashila trek packs two of Uttarakhand's most iconic destinations into a compact, accessible circuit. Deoria Tal (7,841 ft) is a sacred alpine lake in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, famously still in the morning when it mirrors the entire Chaukhamba massif (23,360 ft) on its surface. Chandrashila (13,100 ft) is the highest point of the Tungnath ridge and home to one of the widest Himalayan panoramas accessible without ropes or crampons — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kamet, and Chaukhamba all visible on a clear day.
Deoria Tal — the mirror lake
Deoria Tal sits in a forest bowl above Sari village and is famous for one specific view: the early-morning reflection of the Chaukhamba peaks (which include Chaukhamba I at 23,360 ft) in the perfectly still lake surface. This reflection shot is one of the most reproduced Himalayan photographs in India. The lake is considered sacred in local mythology — it was here that the Rig Vedic demon Yaksha is said to have tested the Pandavas by offering them water only if they could answer his riddles (the Yaksha Prashna episode). A small shrine and devotional space sits at the lakeside.
Tungnath and Chandrashila
Tungnath temple (12,073 ft) is the world's highest Shiva temple, one of the Panch Kedar — five sacred shrines established by the Pandavas in atonement for the Kurukshetra war. The temple is compact and architecturally elegant, built in the Nagara style with a dark stone sanctum. The walk from Tungnath to Chandrashila (13,100 ft) takes 45 minutes on a clear ridge with 360° views. Kedarnath peak (22,769 ft) appears to the north; Nanda Devi (25,646 ft) on clear mornings is visible 200 km to the east.
Best season
April-May (rhododendron bloom, clear skies, late snow at Chandrashila) and October-November (post-monsoon clarity, golden meadows at Chopta). We avoid the June-September monsoon for this trek — Chopta meadows get heavy rain and the Chandrashila ridge is frequently cloud-locked in July-August.
Itinerary
Map

What trekkers say
"I'd never camped in snow before. The HeyHikers team made me feel safe every single step. The summit sunrise — standing at 12,500 ft watching peaks turn gold — I cried. Not from the cold. From the beauty."
PS
Priya Sharma
Kedarkantha, Dec 2025
"Seven lakes, each more unreal than the last. The logistics were flawless — the food at 13,000 ft was better than most restaurants I know. Our guide Farooq knew every stone on the trail. Doing Goechala with them next."
AM
Arjun Mehta
Kashmir Great Lakes, Aug 2025
Inclusion
- All meals during the trek (vegetarian, freshly cooked)
- Camping gear — tents, sleeping bags, mats
- Certified trek leader and support guides
- Forest department permits and entry fees
- First-aid kit and supplemental oxygen
- Basecamp accommodation on twin/triple sharing
Exclusion
- Travel to and from the basecamp pickup point
- Personal trekking gear and clothing
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking
- Tips, personal expenses, and meals during travel days
- Anything not explicitly listed under inclusions
Things to Carry
- Trekking shoes (high-ankle, broken-in)
- 40-50L backpack with rain cover
- Two pairs of trek pants
- Three full-sleeve t-shirts (synthetic, not cotton)
- Fleece jacket and a heavier down/insulated jacket
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom)
- Waterproof outer shell (jacket + pants)
- Woollen cap, sun cap, balaclava
- Two pairs of warm gloves (inner liner + outer)
- UV-rated sunglasses
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Reusable water bottles (2L total) or hydration bladder
- Personal medical kit and prescription medicines
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm
- Toiletries and quick-dry towel
- Original photo ID (mandatory at forest checkposts)
How to Reach
Drive from Rishikesh or Haridwar to Sari Village (220 km, 8–9 hours) via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Agastyamuni, and Ukhimath. The road via Kund and Ukhimath passes through the Mandakini valley — one of the most scenic drives in Garhwal. Our shared transport departs Rishikesh at 5:30 AM.
After the trek, return from Chopta to Rishikesh (5–6 hours drive). Chopta to Ukhimath is 28 km on the forest road; Ukhimath to Rudraprayag joins the NH-107.
Safety & Security
- Acclimatize properly — never skip rest days at altitude.
- Drink at least 4 litres of water per day above 9,000 ft.
- Tell your trek leader immediately if you feel headache, nausea, or breathlessness — early AMS signs are treatable, ignored ones are not.
- Stay close to the group; do not take shortcuts off the marked trail.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking for the entire duration of the trek.
- Keep a buffer day for travel — Himalayan roads can close without notice.
- Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be requested in writing.
- More than 30 days before the trek start date: 90% refund. - 21–30 days before: 50% refund. - 11–20 days before: 25% refund. - 10 days or fewer: no refund, but you may transfer your slot to another trekker or to any future batch within 12 months at no extra charge.
Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7-10 working days. Trip cancellations triggered by us (weather, force majeure, government restrictions) are refunded in full or moved to an alternate batch at your option.
Meet your trek leader

Akhil Deruwan
NIM Uttarkashi certified · 9 yrs experience
Akhil grew up in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas and has spent nearly a decade navigating its most demanding trails. He has led over 150 batches across Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, with a strong focus on technical high-altitude routes and safety management. His calm under pressure and deep knowledge of local terrain make him a trusted leader for both beginner and advanced trekkers.
- Wilderness First Responder
- High Altitude Medicine
- Technical Route Navigation
- Search & Rescue
FAQ
Why Trek With Us
Travel Safe
Certified Team
Easy Cancellation
Well Equipped Campsite
Experienced Guide
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