The short version
- 15 days, about 30 km on foot, topping out at 3,962m. Rated Hard on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
- 3Starts from Sari, reached via Rishikesh.
- 4The itinerary gains height gently: no night above 3,000 m is more than 500 m higher than the one before.
- 5Operators charge ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 per person; 3 listed, 2 verified.
The trek
Overview
This compact 5-day route combines Deoria Tal, famous for its mirror reflections of Chaukhamba, with the Chandrashila summit and extraordinary altitude gain. At dawn on Chandrashila, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Trishul and Bandarpunch are all visible at once — one of the finest summit panoramas on a moderate Himalayan trek.
Right for you if
- First Himalayan trek with a summit: no technical terrain
- You can walk 5–6 hours with a daypack, and start the summit climb at 4–5am
- You'd like Tungnath, the world's highest Shiva temple, on the way up
- You want a 270° view of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Kedarnath peaks
Think twice if
- You want solitude: Tungnath is crowded with pilgrims in May–Jun and on weekends
- Long drives make you sick: Rishikesh to Sari is about 8 hours
- You're going in Jul–Aug: monsoon landslides block the roads
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Rishikesh
Nearest airport
Dehradun (Jolly Grant)
Nearest railway
Rishikesh or Haridwar
By road
Rishikesh or Haridwar to Sari village near Ukhimath, about 200 km and 8 to 9 hours
Most operators run a shared pickup from Rishikesh early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 24 km with about 2,160 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 4, climbing 940 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Sari → Deoriatal
A short, steady climb from Sari to the lake that mirrors Chaukhamba
1.8 km350 m0 msleep at 2,384 m
- Day2
Deoriatal → Rohini Bugyal
Along a forested ridge to a quiet meadow
≈7.9 km480 m180 msleep at 2,673 m
- Day3
Rohini Bugyal → Chopta
Through forest to the meadows at Chopta
7.8 km570 m350 msleep at 2,828 m
- Day4
Chopta → Chopta
via Tungnath, Chandrashila
Up the paved path past Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple, to Chandrashila for sunrise, and back
≈12.8 km940 m950 msleep at 2,828 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
2,016 m
Highest night
2,828 m
Highest point
3,525 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Hard. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, and manage a 4 to 5 hour hill walk with a pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- A warm down or synthetic jacket for nights near or below freezing
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
3 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trekup India4.3₹9,000
- Trek The Himalayas4.7₹9,500
- Indiahikes4.8₹10,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek?
It's rated Hard on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 35 minutes, and manage a 4 to 5 hour hill walk with a pack. The highest point is 3,962m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek?
Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek take?
5 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 4 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek?
Most groups meet in Rishikesh. Nearest airport: Dehradun (Jolly Grant). Nearest railway: Rishikesh or Haridwar. Rishikesh or Haridwar to Sari village near Ukhimath, about 200 km and 8 to 9 hours.
How much does the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Deoriatal–Chandrashila Trek?
Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.