Overview
Overview
Trek Name: Dodital Darwa Pass Trek
Duration: 7 Days
Adventure Type: Trekking
Base Camp: Uttarkashi
Seasons: Summer | Autumn
Months: April | May | June | September | October | November
Country: India
Maximum Altitude: 11,400 Ft.
Grade: Moderate
Railhead: Dehradun
Accommodation: Camping (Twin sharing) & Hotel/Guesthouse
Food: Vegetarian meals with eggs (served during trek & at stay points)
Location: Uttarakhand
Total Distance: 50 Km
Trail Type: Circular trail | Starts and ends at the same point, camping at various locations
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (21 km from Rishikesh)
Highlights
- 5% GST applicable on trek cost and add-ons
- Services provided from Uttarkashi to Uttarkashi
- Virtual Meeting & Informative Video available on request
Why Dodital is a Must-Do Trek?
Dodital, nestled in the heart of the Uttarakhand Himalayas, is a pristine high-altitude lake known for its tranquil beauty and spiritual significance. Named after the Himalayan trout (“Dodi” in local language), this emerald lake is one of the few places where these rare fish thrive.
The trek to Dodital is relatively easy, making it ideal for beginners. However, when combined with Darwa Pass, it becomes moderately challenging and rewarding with breathtaking views of the Greater Himalayas from the top.
The serene Dodital Lake is surrounded by majestic Deodar trees and holds mythological significance, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha, with a temple dedicated to him by the lake’s edge.
Birdwatcher’s Paradise
The area around Dodital Lake is teeming with birdlife including:
- Bush Robin
- Tailor Bird
- Grey Shrike
- Pink Finch
- Himalayan Whistling Thrush
- Common Chiffchaff
- Himalayan Tree Pie
- Himalayan Monal
Whether you are a trekking enthusiast or a nature lover, Dodital offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, serenity, and cultural richness.
About the Trek
Situated at 3310 meters above sea level, Dodital Trek is perfect for both beginners and seasoned trekkers. Starting from Sangamchatti, near Uttarkashi, the trek takes you through lush forests, charming villages, and alongside the Asi Ganga River.
Trek Route Highlights
- Day 1: Trek from Sangamchatti to Bebra campsite, passing Agoda village
- Day 3: Trek to Manjhi campsite
- Day 4: Reach Dodital Lake and camp by the serene waters
- Day 5: Trek to Darwa Top and return to Dodital
- Day 6: Trek through forests and meadows to Darwa Pass for panoramic views of the Dhauladhar and Greater Himalayan ranges
What to Expect on the Trek?
- Maximum Altitude: 4200 meters at Darwa Top
- Trail follows the Asi Ganga River, originating from Dodital Lake
- Seasonal beauty:
- Summer: Lush greenery, vibrant flora, ideal for birdwatching, boating, and angling
- Winter: Snow-covered landscapes, forests, and ridges – a winter wonderland
Weather Conditions
- Summer: 10°C to 18°C
- Winter: -5°C to -10°C
You will pass through Agoda, Bebra, and Manjhi – remote villages and seasonal settlements. The trail, while steep at times, offers ample oxygen levels due to forest cover, making altitude sickness unlikely.
Expect to walk through grasslands, forest trails, and open meadows, camp under the stars, and immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of the Himalayas.
Itinerary
Dodital Darwa Pass Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Uttarkashi
- Drive Distance: Approx. 140 km
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Stay: Hotel stay in Uttarkashi
Day 2: Drive from Uttarkashi to Sangamchatti | Trek to Bebra via Agoda
- Altitude: 7,500 ft
- Drive Distance: 12 km
- Drive Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Trek Distance: 7 km
- Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Stay: Camping in twin-sharing tents
Day 3: Trek from Bebra to Manjhi
- Altitude: 9,433 ft
- Trek Distance: 9 km
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Stay: Camping in twin-sharing tents
Day 4: Trek from Manjhi to Dodital Lake
- Altitude: 10,900 ft
- Trek Distance: 6 km
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Stay: Camping in twin-sharing tents
Day 5: Trek from Dodital to Darwa Top and Return
- Altitude: 13,300 ft
- Trek Distance: 5 km each way (10 km round trip)
- Duration: 7 to 8 hours
- Stay: Camping in twin-sharing tents
Day 6: Trek from Dodital to Sangamchatti | Drive Back to Uttarkashi
- Trek Distance: 22 km
- Duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Stay: Hotel stay in Uttarkashi
Day 7: Drive Back to Dehradun
- Drive Distance: Approx. 140 km
- Duration: 5 to 6 hours
- Departure: Leave Uttarkashi by 6:30 am
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch excluded
- Transport: Drop-off at Dehradun Railway Station in Tata Sumo/Tempo Traveller or similar vehicle
- Arrival: Reach Dehradun between 3:00 – 4:00 pm; plan onward travel post 6:00 pm
Inclusion & Exclusion
Inclusions
Insurance:
- Insurance is mandatory for all trekkers.
Accommodation (as per the itinerary):
- Guest house, homestay, and camping.
Meals (Vegetarian + Egg):
- All meals provided during the trek.
Transportation (as per the itinerary):
- Transport from Dehradun to Uttarkashi to Sangamchatti and return.
Support Staff:
- 1 Base camp manager for coordination and emergency support.
- 1 Qualified expedition leader (certified in mountaineering and first aid).
- 1 Experienced high-altitude chef.
- Local, experienced trekking guides (number based on group size).
- Sufficient support staff for the group.
Trek Equipment:
- Sleeping bags, sleeping liners (if needed), and mattresses.
- 3-person all-season trekker tents (twin-sharing basis).
- Kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, camping stools.
- Walkie-talkies, ropes, helmets, ice axe, harness (if required).
- Climbing boots, gaiters, crampons/microspikes (if required).
First Aid Support:
- Medical kit, stretcher, oxygen cylinder.
- Blood pressure monitor, oximeter, stethoscope.
Cloakroom service:
- Available at base camp for storing extra luggage.
Luggage Transport:
- Mules/porters for carrying central/group luggage.
Permits and Entry Fees:
- All necessary permits and entry fees (as applicable for Indian nationals).
Exclusions
- Food during transit (before and after the trek).
- Personal expenses of any kind.
- Mule or porter for carrying personal luggage.
- Emergency evacuation, hospitalization, or medical expenses.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions.
Trek Essential
- Footwear: The trekking boots which must be waterproof and snow proof, normal boots, floaters, and woolen socks.
- Backpack: (50 ltr), Daypack (20-30 ltr), Duffel bag.
- Clothes: Jacket and trousers that are both waterproof and breathable. Jacket (synthetic or down feather fleece), synthetic insulated trousers, poncho, sweatshirt, inner thermal (upper & lower), fleece, t-shirts, cotton trekking pants, shorts
- Season wise Clothes:
- Hand and head protection includes liner gloves, bandannas, sun hats, woollen caps, and face masks, among other things.
- Accessories: Sunglasses/goggles, anti-glare lenses, water bottle, hydra bag, and headlamp with spare bulb and extra batteries are all recommended.
- Trekking Gears: Toolkit for an emergency. Sunscreen, a toiletry pack, water purification pills, Ziploc packs, ear plugs, first-aid kit, and the necessary medications are all recommended.
- Camping Equipment: Sleeping bags of lining (extreme -5 to +5 Celsius if you have one), trekking sticks, and so on.
- Warm top/light micro fleece pullover/full sleeve T shirt – 2/3
- Water resistant/repellent trekking pants with an inner lining for added warmth- 2 High-quality windproof/water-resistant outer shell (jacket) with a proper hood
- Thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen Jumper, Down Jacket with at least 600 fill capacity Innerwear with a thermal component (upper and lower)
- Woolen hat, inner fleece gloves, and outer water-resistant gloves
- 4–5 pairs of thick woollen socks and standard socks, scarf/muffler (optional)
- Waterproof Trekking/Hiking shoes with a thick heel and high ankles that are comfortable to wear. Sneakers/sport shoes are ideal for camp.
- Poncho or raincoat. A small, light-weight towel
- A hydration pack and an insulated water bottle (optional)
- Sunglasses with UV cover and the potential to cut light, as well as a cap or floppy hat to shield the strong sun off your skin (important when traversing through snow)
- Trekking pole or sturdy walking stick Lip Balm, Sunscreen Lotion
- Flashlight / torch (with extra batteries) Medications, if any special prescription is needed Toiletries for personal use
- Carry a rain cover over your luggage • Day pack/small bag that you can carry on your back all day to keep your essentials in
- Keep a few poly bags or plastic containers in your bag to place your things in if you need to in case of heavy weather.