Deoriatal Chandrashila

A summit climb to one of India's best panoramas

Winter snow has arrived at Deoriatal Chandrashila. Need help with planning your winter trek? Speak to our expert Trek Advisors

It has started snowing at the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. If you are planning for a Winter Trek, our expert team of Trek Advisors can help you choose the right one. So if you have questions like, "Can I do this trek?" or "Will I get to see snow in this trek?", please get in touch.Talk to our Trek Advisors

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TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate

TREK DURATION

6 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

12,083 ft

TOTAL TREK DISTANCE

32 kms

BASECAMP

Sari

A summit climb to one of India's best panoramas

Seeing great mountain views on a winter trek is not easy. You have to get to a high vantage point to catch such a view. In winter, most such vantage points are rare and even if accessible, they are usually buried under deep snow. This is why at Indiahikes we treasure the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek so much.

The Chandrashila summit is a vantage point that stands unparalleled among our treks. From the top of the summit, you see perhaps the greatest mountain views of our Indian Himalayas. It is like a grand feast — there is so much to take in that you cannot take all of it in. It is an experience many trekkers cannot forget.

What do you see? From your left are the Gangotri range of peaks, Mt Thalaysagar, the Kedarnath and the Kedar dome. Mandani Parbat and Janhukut. The imposing Chaukhamba is right in front. Most of them are over 7,000 meters tall.

On your right are the Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat and Dunagiri. And then right ahead standing against the skyline in India’s tallest mountain, Mt Nanda Devi. Trekkers find it hard to believe that they are seeing Mt Nanda Devi.

If that’s not enough, to Mt Nanda Devi’s right, etched against the skyline are Mt Nanda Ghunti and Mt Trishul. Two of the most beautiful mountain summits in our country.

It is not just the grand views. In winter, the trek in itself is special. The trail snaking through soft snow under the canopy of oak and rhododendron trees is almost dream-like. The Deoriatal lake is surrounded by snow, but looming over the lake is Mt Chaukhamba.

For us, just to catch the sight of Mt Chaukhamba from the shores of the Deoriatal is worth doing the entire trek.

Besides Deoriatal, camping on snow at the campsite of Baniya Kund is a delight. The dense forests leading to the campsite are something that we don’t get on other treks. And everything changes with the canopy of white everywhere.

Having said all that, the biggest thrill of the trek has to be the climb from Chopta to the Chandrashila summit. In winter, with snow all around, climbing to the summit is an adventure that people do not forget in a lifetime. We have noticed trekkers breaking down in tears at the summit, such as the feeling of elation and a sense of accomplishment.

There are only a handful of winter treks in our country. Deoriatal Chandrashila would be one of the better ones on our list. Do not miss out on this opportunity.

Wondering if this trek is meant for you?

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Hear from our trekkers themselves!

Deoriatal Chandrashila - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Photo Gallery

Expert Speak

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on this exploratory trek almost a decade ago. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India. He’s an expert when it comes to the trek. Here’s Arjun talking about one of the Best Treks for Summit Views in the country.

Why the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek surprised me

What I Like About the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

1. My First Unexpected Experience of Chandrashila

Much before we started Indiahikes, I had read a couple of trek journals about the trek. I knew it was a pilgrim trail from Chopta until the Tungnath temple, only a 4 km walk.

I had read people would stay overnight at the Tungnath temple premises. In the early morning, they would go to Chandrashila to catch the sunrise.

In my mind, Chandrashila was a two-kilometre further trek from Tungnath. There were some good views to offer but that was it. And yes, I had heard a lot about the beautiful meadows around Chopta. I didn’t know how this qualified for a trek.

I think my innocent pre-Indiahikes mind didn’t fathom what was written in these journals. Because none of them painted the correct picture of the trek. And none of them talked about the combination of two treks, the Deoriatal and the Chandrashila, and how put together, it creates one of the best treks in our country.

I curse myself and these journals roundly now. I wish I had done this trek earlier, much earlier.

Note: Tungnath temple opens only in summer and closes by Diwali.

Tungnath Temple is the highest Shiva Temple in the world. Picture by the Indiahikes Team

2. A trail blazing with rhododendrons

I timed the trek for spring the first time I did the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. The moment I stepped on the trek, I knew I was onto something special. The Deoriatal Chandrashila here was the Goechala trek of the west. Pink, red and scarlet Rhododendrons bloomed in vivid colours all along the trek.

I was a bit stunned at the density of the rhododendrons on the trek.

Near Chopta, at some spots an entire section of the mountainside was red. We ran other great treks in the Himalayas. But none of them came close to the amount of rhodos that I saw on this trek. It was a feast!

Trekking under the canopy of rhododendrons in spring is an experience to cherish. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Birdlife on the trek

I still have an old video that I was recording at Deoriatal. We have never published that video. Because in that video you cannot hear me at all. My voice is drowned by the chirping of birds. We tried changing locations for that video, but we gave up soon. The birds were everywhere!

Later, after we talked a lot about the birds on this trek, many of our birder trekkers went on this trek. They have only one thing to say about this trek. This is the trek to see birds. Click here to view rare pictures of the birds on this trek.

Other treks have birds. But none of them will come close to what you see on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. There are at least 30 – 40 varieties to see on this trek.

I am not a birder, but I have done this trek thrice — in all seasons. Every time, I have seen Monals very close to the trail. For me, Monals, the state bird of Uttarakhand, are prettier than the peacock and perhaps even more colourful.

Getting a chance to see Monals would be a good reason for me to do the trek again. I have rarely seen Monals on other treks.

With the flowers in full bloom, Spring is the best time for birders. Pictured here is a Verditer Flycatcher sitting on a branch. Picture by Ajit Hota

4. I remember the moment. I had just stepped on the edges of Deoriatal.

And there it was right in front as if rising from the edges of the lake the entire massif of Mt Chaukhamba. I looked around. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the same sight. No one could take their eyes off Mt Chaukhamba.

You can ask me to do a lot of treks. But the sight of Mt Chaukhamba from the shores of Deoriatal is something I am not willing to exchange for any other views.

The Chaukhamba massif as seen from Deoriatal. It's a sight that often moves trekkers into tears. Picture by Manas Chowdhury

5. The climb to Chandrashila summit from Tungnath is anything but a walk.

I am not saying it is difficult, but it is a nice thrill to top the summit. It took me a moment to grapple with the sight of the summit.

Right in front of me, at a touching distance, were not one, not two, but all the major summits of our Greater Himalayas.

I ticked them off. Jaunli, Mt Jogin, Mt Thalaysagar, Kedarnath and the Kedar Dome, Sumeru, Bhagirathi I , Mandani Parbat, of course Mt Chaukhamba I, II, III and IV. These were 7,000-meter summits!

When I turned my head to the other side, there she was India’s highest mountain — Mt Nanda Devi right in front. Then, to almost add a cherry on top was our eternal favourite Mt Trishul along with Mt Nanda Ghunti. To the left were Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat, Dunagiri.

For a long time, I stood transfixed on the spot.

On other treks, I had seen great mountain views. But never so many of them, so close and from such a great vantage point.

The climb to Chandrashila summit is a steep one. It is as rewarding as it is challenging. Picture by Prashant Bhat

What I Don't Like About the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

1. The trek had better campsites earlier

When we could camp at Rohini Bugyal and the Deoriatal lake premises. But now, because of government regulations, camping at all our old and great campsites is not allowed.

That’s something I miss about this trek. On the other hand, the new campsite at Syalmi is not bad.

2. I have mixed feelings about the crowd on the trail

I’ll be honest, I was expecting the crowd of pilgrims moving towards Tungnath to be a bother. But strangely, it felt nice to be the trekker in this motley group. I would often be asked about the distance and how long it would take to get to Tungnath. Those small conversations made that section of the trek a whole lot of fun.

While I don’t like crowds on a trail, here, somehow I was ok with it.

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Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Deoriatal Chandrashila

Did you know Deoriatal Chandrashila is one of the best treks for birders?

Given that the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek is in the heart of the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, it has a few of the most heavily forested trails. Along with the forests, come a plethora of birds!

Most of our birders choose this trail to catch sight of a few rare birds -- including the gorgeous Himalayan Monal! The section from Chopta to Chandrashila is especially well-known for monal sightings.

Watch the video here, where we interview expert bird photographer, Ajit Hota, who shares tips on when and where to spot these birds!

Lord Rama’s Meditation on the peak

An interesting myth is the story of Lord Rama meditating on top of the Chandrashila peak.

After defeating Ravana in the battle of Lanka, Lord Rama was finding a way to atone for his sins. It is believed that he decided to meditate on the Chandrashila peak.

This was Lord Rama’s way of engaging in severe penance after the Ramayana.

Origin of the Tunganath temple

Another fascinating legend is that of the Tunganath temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world.

After the Mahabharata war, Lord Shiva was upset with the Pandavas for their gruesome killing. The Pandavas found a way to please, venerate and celebrate Lord Shiva; they built the blissful Tunganath temple.

The Pandavas were thus freed from their sins.

Story of the Deoriatal Lake

Anyone on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek would notice the captivating Deoriatal Lake which has a unique story of its own.

As the legend goes, four brothers of the Pandava clan once visited the pristine lake during their exile. The lake was then a bathing spot for gods, guarded by a crane - Yaksha. Despite Yaksha’s warnings, the brothers decided to sip water. As a consequence, Yaksha punished them, leading to their immediate death.

The locals believe that it is beside this lake that the famous question-and-answer dialogue between Yudishtira and a Yaksha in the mountains ensued -- also known as Yaksha Prashana.

The legend goes that: One day, towards the end of their 12-year exile, the Pandavas were in search of a runaway deer in the forests. During their search, the oldest brother of them all, Yudishtira was overcome by thirst. His youngest brother set out looking for water. He chanced upon a lovely lake. Here, a crane that was sitting close by, warned Nakula, saying the water would turn into poison if he drank it without answering some questions he had.

Ignoring the crane, Nakula drank water from the lake. He immediately died. Three of his brothers, Sahadeva, Bhima and Arjuna followed the same fate -- all of them drinking water without paying heed to the crane's words.

When Yudishtira finally approached the lake, he was distraught seeing that his brothers had passed. The crane warned him too about the poisonous water. When he paused to talk to the crane, it revealed itself to be a Yaksha (a celestial demon). The Yaksha offered to bring one of the Pandavas back to life if Yudishtira could answer all his questions.

What ensued was an epic dialogue of over 125 questions about life, dharma, philosophy and more.

Impressed by Yudishtira's answers, the Yaksha finally revealed himself to be Yama Dharma, Yudishtira's own father! He brought back not only one Pandava to life but all of them.

The locals believe that this whole episode occurred on the soil of Deoriatal (or Devariyatal), which when translated, becomes "the lake of the gods."

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For us, sustainability is not just writing on the wall. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.