Uttarakhand · India
Deoriatal – Chandrashila
A reflection lake and a summit sunrise
The trek
A short, scenic trek from the mirror-lake of Deoria Tal to the highest Shiva temple at Tungnath and a sunrise summit on Chandrashila.
Deoriatal–Chandrashila packs an astonishing amount of the Himalaya into a short, easy week. It opens at Deoria Tal, a still emerald lake that holds the perfect inverted reflection of the Chaukhamba massif on a calm morning — one of the most photographed mountain mirrors in India — and ends on a summit at over 12,000 ft watching the sun strike a wall of snow peaks.
Along the way the trail passes through Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world and the loftiest of the five sacred Panch Kedar shrines, set among meadows that turn crimson with rhododendron in spring. From the temple it is a short, steep pull to the Chandrashila summit, the 'moon rock', where Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and Kedar Dome line up across the horizon.
Despite the views it asks for, the trek stays genuinely easy and short, walkable in nearly every snow-free month and lovely under a dusting of winter snow. It is a perfect first Himalayan trek, a quick weekend escape for the experienced, and one of the few routes that gives you a lake, a temple and a summit in a single loop.
Highlights
- The mirror reflection of Chaukhamba in Deoria Tal at dawn
- Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world
- A sunrise summit on Chandrashila with a wall of named peaks
- Rhododendron meadows ablaze with colour in spring
- A short, easy route walkable across most of the year
From
₹9,499
per person
- Free reschedule up to 21 days out
- Small groups, certified mountain leaders
- Oximeter, oxygen & evacuation plan on every route
Day by day
The itinerary
5 days from Sari. Tap any day to read the detail — distances and altitudes are planning figures and may shift with conditions.
A scenic day on the road up the Alaknanda and into the Mandakini valley, passing through the sacred confluences of Devprayag and Rudraprayag along the rivers. The route then climbs above the valley through Ukhimath to the small trailhead village of Sari at around 6,560 ft, set among terraced fields and forest. You overnight here in a guesthouse just below the start of the trail. It is a long but pretty transfer, best started early to leave time for the short walk-in.
What's included
- Twin/triple-sharing tents and camp stays
- All meals on the trek (veg, freshly cooked)
- Certified trek leader, guide and support staff
- Forest permits and entry fees
- First-aid, oximeter and safety equipment
Not included
- Transport to and from the trailhead
- Personal trekking gear and insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
In the field
The country you'll walk
Ready when you are
Walk Deoriatal – Chandrashila with us
Small groups, honest briefings and a crew that has done this route many times over. From ₹9,499 per person.
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