Dodital to Hanuman Chatti Trek

Best Season

All Year Around

Trip Duration

5 Nights
6 Days

Trip Difficulty

Medium

Accommodation

Hotels in cities & Lodges during the Trek

Max. Elevation

3,024 m
(9,921.26 ft)

Tour Overview

This is a classic trek for first-timers keen to discover the outdoors and experience the mighty Himalayas at high altitude. High up, beyond the valley of the Bhagirathi River, is the pristine and tranquil Dodital (tal means lake in Hindi).

Beyond lies the Darwa Pass (3750m) between the major river valleys of the Ganga and the Yamuna. A little further up from the pass is Darwa Top (4150m), the highest point in the area from where it seems as though the mighty Bandarpunch, Swargarohini and other peaks are close enough to be touched by an outreached hand.

The trek to the pass and beyond is the traditional route used by Gujjars (nomadic herdsmen), who take their cattle up to the meadows for grazing and also by sadhus (holy men) walking between the temples of Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Day 01

Sangam Chatti – Agoda Village

The trek to Dodi Tal ideally commences from Sangam Chatti. Once you reach the Sangam Chatti taxi stand, cross the bridge over a small stream and start the trek through dense forest. The trail passes go through a landslide section and through a village, onwards to Agoda Village. It takes around 3 hrs to reach Agoda from Sangam Chatti.

Day 02

Agora – Manjhi – Dodital

After breakfast starts climbing towards Dodital. The fairly easy trail to Dodital goes through dense oak and deodar forest. Rhododendron trees are also found in abundant here. The trek offers scenic views of deep gorges and wide valleys with broad and narrow paths altogether. The view opens up after reaching Manjhi, a beautiful village with shepherd huts. It’ll just take a couple of hours to reach Dodi Tal from Manjhi. Explore the beauty of Dodital and visit the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Complete the parikrama of the lake to see the view of this mysterious lake from each end.

Day 03

Dodi Tal – Darwa Pass

This is the toughest day of the trek. After early breakfast, start a 5 km steep trek to Darwa Top. Darwa Top is perched at an altitude of 4150 mts and the weather gets unpredictable at such altitude. The trail passes through a stream, stay on its right while climbing. The rhododendron tree line will start to fade away as you gain elevation. You might also encounter Himalayan Monal while trekking towards Darwa Top. Soon you’ll reach Darwa meadow. Continue climbing upwards to reach Darwa Pass. The trail to Bamsarukhal Pass goes on the right whereas Darwa Top rests on the left side of the ridge. Massive peaks of Banderpoonch and Kala Nag along with several other named & unnamed peaks are distinctly visible from Darwa Top. Camping at Darwa Pass.

Day 04

Darwa Pass - Seema/Kanasar

We will trek down to Seema and Kanasar from Darwa Pass. See the other and rarely seen side of Banderpoonch Range and trek down to the forests of Kanasar.