Have you ever been on a trek that offered a tingling sensation of spiritual upliftment? Well, the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek can do just that, besides giving you goosebumps every step of the way! The trail is closely entangled with Hindu mythology, with some points deeply rooted in spiritual divinity since ancient times. If you are familiar with Mahabharata, then you might feel the presence of the epic’s heroes while walking on the same ground that they walked on.
Along with the lingering spiritual feeling, the trail can surprise you with its abundant beauty and wide-ranging landscapes. With colorful alpine forests, rhododendron-laden trails, an emerald lake, lush green meadows, and snow slopes, the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek is bound to leave you wanting more. The versatile route also leads to a fulfilling climax- a 360-degree view of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas from the Chandrashila Top that can be a spellbinding experience.
The Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail is located in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand, going up to an altitude of 3,700 meters. It takes you through the gorgeous forest trails of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. As if the location and the landscapes were not enough, the trek also introduces you to the unique biodiversity of the area. As a beginner-friendly trek, newbies and experts alike can find themselves charmed by the pure magic of the trail.
Stay on this page to delve deeper into some highlights that we have picked to reveal the true personality of the trek.
Highlight 1: Deoriatal Lake
The very first day of the trek has a delightful surprise in store for you. As you tread the paved pathway winding upward from Sari village (2,000M), thick oak woods greet you. It may seem like entering the land of the gods (literally, as Uttarakhand is called ‘Devbhoomi’) with the golden-brown carpet of leaves and lush green trees making for a grand journey. The divine touch may become more real when this gorgeous trail leads you to Deoriatal Lake, resting at 2,400M. It is also called ‘Devariya Tal’ as supposedly once Devis or goddesses came to bathe here. The alpine lake wears a dazzling emerald-green hue while reflecting the soaring skies in its placid waters. Indeed, the lake does show you heaven! As the journey to the lake does not take long to complete, you have all day to sit near Deoriatal and let its soothing aura overpower your senses.
Highlight 2: Clear View of Mt. Chaukhamba
Before we move on, Day 1 has another highlight to offer. If you are lucky enough for a clear and sunny day, then the Deoriatal would reflect the Garhwal Himalayas in its crystal clear waters. The star among these mountains would definitely be the Chaukhamba massif, which can be clearly viewed from the shores of the Deoriatal. It stands tall, dominating the landscape with its four peaks ranging from 7,138M to 6,854M in height. The snow-covered patches covering the jagged peaks turn into molten gold when the crimson hues of sunset flood the sky. Trust me when I tell you, this view matches no other on any other trek. Don’t be surprised if you slip into a trance for a bit. The view of Mt. Chaukhamba is likely to get etched into your mind for eternity!
Highlight 3: Rhododendron Bloom
If there was a single word to describe the ravishing beauty of the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail, believe me, we would have rummaged through a dictionary to find it. But we do know what contributes to this beauty- rhododendrons blooming all along the trail. When you venture on the trek in spring, you may find yourself stunned by the forests set ablaze with pink, red, and scarlet colors making for a grand feast for the eyes. Especially the trail from Deoriatal towards Baniya Kund and Tunganath is dotted with large patches of rhododendrons, donning every shade of red that you can name right now. It would seem like Mother Nature has put on her most gorgeous dress shining bright with crimson colors!
Highlight 4: Climb from Tunganath to Chandrashila
While you marvel at the gorgeous rhododendrons, wait till you reach the last day of the trek. Surprises await as the trail leads you through dramatically changing landscapes. From the meadows lined with birch trees en route to Tunganath, you soon find yourself scaling steep snow slopes on the last stretch - the trail from Tunganath to Chandrashila. The steep gradient may be tough on your lungs but don’t let that get to you. It will not be the only thing taking your breath away. The mesmerizing views of the Garhwal and Kumaon mountains appear as soon as you start the climb from Tunganath and stun you with breathtaking clarity when you reach the Chandrashila top. Whichever way you look, snow-capped peaks beam majestically at you- it would seem like all the prominent peaks of Uttarakhand have gathered for a grand show. Can you think of a better climax to this five-day adventure?
Highlight 5: Steeped in Mythology
Time to thrill you with stories. The wonders of the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail are amplified by the ancient mythological stories deeply connected to the trail. While soaring high into the skies at 3,680M, the Tunganath temple also soars in a mystical aura, being connected to the Mahabharata epic. The Pandavas are believed to have built this temple to venerate Lord Shiva and atone for killing their own kin during the Kurukshetra war. The Ramayana epic also has its own traces on the trail. The Chandrashila Top is believed to have been visited by Rama himself, who came to meditate and atone for his sins after killing Ravana. Being deeply immersed in spirituality, it won’t be surprising if the overwhelming serenity of the trail takes away your stress and troubles.
Highlight 6: Bird-watching Hotspot
On to the last but definitely not the least highlight of this trek. The Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek is probably one of the best opportunities to hone your skills as a bird-watcher. The heavily forested trails of the trek is home to a variety of Himalayan birds-which shows why the trek is a gold mine for bird watchers and photographers. The avian species that you might spot on the trail include the Verditer Flycatcher, the Rosefinch, the Snow Partridge, and the Kalij Pheasant among a plethora of others. But the most gorgeous of all has to be the Himalayan Monal- the state bird of Uttarakhand. Claimed to be more beautiful than the peacock with its feathers painted with rainbow colors, spotting the Himalayan Monal is sure to make your day. Packing a camera before venturing on the trek would be a great idea, don’t you think?
If these sound like some of the things you were looking for from your next Himalayan adventure, we’d suggest you get yourself here.
