DODITAL TREK

A drive through the narrow Ganga and Bhagirathi valleys leads to Uttarkashi. The path passes by Devprayag's holiest confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, where the Raghunath Mandir, a Lord Rama temple, was visited by the great Hindu scholar Adi Shankaracharya in 300CE. 

Uttarkashi is a town in India's Bhagirathi valley that has been a centre for learning and worship since the Vedic era! Many of the world's most prominent sages and saints have lived in this holy town. The town's name refers to its resemblance to and proximity to the city of Kashi (to the north) (Varanasi). Spend the night in the hotel.

After breakfast, drive for half an hour to Sangam Chatti. This is where the adventure begins. The path from Sangam Chatti climbs to the true right of the valley and proceeds to the village of Agoda, which is well marked. It's a 2-kilometer hike from here to Bhebra, an idyllic village nestled next to a gushing mountain stream and surrounded by green fields growing potatoes, beans, and the popular Rajma. With a soothing cup of tea and a cosy sleeping bag, soothe aching lungs and straining shoulders. Tents were used for dinner and the night.

The incremental ascent to Dodital, which follows a zigzagging course and gradually gains height, is a little easier than the previous day's backbreaking climb. 

With each step closer to the famous pool, the view becomes more appealing and scenic. The Asi Ganga appears as a thin rope snaking along its path in the valley below, and the track becomes very impressive as the mountain turns into a steep cliff face. The over-a-thousand-foot vertical drop creates an incredible sight. The entrance to the Dodital Lake, famed for Brown Trout and its religious importance, is marked by a final descent and the appearance of trees. Staying in a tent or a rest house for the night.

Trek up to Darwa Top early in the morning with prepared breakfasts. Darwa peak is a 5-kilometer hike. The whole walk is a steep ascent. It begins with a climb up the feeder to Dodital, which leads to a dense birch forest that leads to the high meadows. 

Darwa top provides an amphitheatre view of the Bandarpunch and Swargarohini ranges of hills, as well as serving as the watershed for the rivers Yamuna and Asi Ganga. This day can also be spent sipping tea, catching up on local stories, wandering around the lake looking for birds, or just admiring the calm waters of the lake with the trout making an appearance. Trek back to Dodital for dinner and an overnight stay after visiting the Darwa Top.

After breakfast, trek down to Bhebra, a 15-kilometer descent that includes retracing the same direction but without the sweat and discomfort. At Bhebra, you'll spend the night.

We return to Uttarkashi by way of Sangam Chatti.

Say GoodBye to memories and new friends. Return to Dehradun.