Deoriatal Chandrashila

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.

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.

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.