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Dodital Darwa Pass Trek

A Trek to the birthplace of Lord Ganesh

Moderate

Dodital Darwa Pass Trek

BRS 4
Max Altitude

Uttarakhand , 5 Days

40 Km

Max 15

11600 + 5% GST
Agoda to Agoda

Add ons

Transportation Cost (to be paid on the spot)

DDN to Agoda
Agoda to DDN

Sumo

(Shared by 5-6 trekkers)

Tempo

(Shared by 11-12 trekkers)

₹7500

₹10000

₹7500

₹10000



Available Batches

Brief Description
Grade:Moderate
Location: Uttarakhand
Altitude:4150 m
Duration:5 Days
Dodital-Darwa Pass trek takes us into the interior forestscapes of Assi Ganga Valley. This trek offers an amazing escapade into the deep jungles of Uttarkashi. The idyllic 40 km trek starts from Agoda village to a crystal green Dodital Lake at 3,024M and further up to Darwa Pass soaring high at 4,151M.

The Dodital Lake or 'Dhundi-tal', synonymous amongst the locals as Ganesha-katal, is considered the sacred birthplace of Lord Ganesha. It is a freshwater lake that serves as the primary source for the Assi Ganga river that merges downstream with Bhagirathi. The beautiful lake turns semi frozen in winters with a white sheet of powdered snow covering its surrounding trees and thick foliage. A Ganpati temple sits on the right side of this pristine lake nestled in the lap of the Barahat range.

The trail leading to the lake is blessed with astounding sceneries of mountain villages, impenetrable vegetation and lush green surroundings with numerous bubbling streams of water and tan brown rock-faces. As we reach higher up, we find ourselves encompassed in the entrancing company of pine trees, deodar trees, and golden and silver oaks all the way up till Dodital.

Darwa Pass, which requires an elevation gain of over 1,100M from Dodital offers captivating views of Mt. Bandarpoonch, Mt. Srikanth, DraupadikaDanda, Mt. Jaunli, Deoli and Black Peak. The pass is a gateway to Yamunotri via Hanuman Chatti that has been journeyed by pilgrims since ancient times. The steep pass gets covered with knee deep snow early on in winters.

The stretch to Darwa Pass could prove to be a bit challenging in terms of acclimatisation given the elevation gain in a short span of time along with the snow climb in the winter months making this an adventure packed undertaking.

The best time to do this trek is from April-June for a summer landscape and October-December to experience the winter landscape. Stay on this page for more information on the trek.

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Itinerary
Day 1

Arrival at Agoda Village (2,251M)

Distance: 164 kms

Time: 7 hours drive

Day 01 is reserved for the participants to make their way from Dehradun to a picturesque village in the Bhatwari Tehsil of Uttarkashi which goes by the name of Agoda and doubles up as the base camp for this trek. If you have signed up with Bikat for transportation from Dehradun to Agoda, we assemble at the designated meeting point in the early morning hours. 

In case you plan to reach Agoda village on your own, this article can come handy to plan your journey.

The route to Agoda offers rustic mountain views through and through. The divergence towards Dhanaulti on the Mussoorie road takes you towards the Garhwal interiors. A jade-shaded Bhagirathi river becomes prominently visible from Chinyalisaur all the way up to a small town of Maneri. The way is bordered with conical pine trees. A smaller route from here diverges towards Sangamchetti on the left, parallel to streams of Assi Ganga River. An uphill dirt track from Sangamchetti, the confluence point of Assi Ganga and Varna river, leads us up towards our basecamp village. 

Once settled and well rested in the homestay, we conduct our formal briefing about our trek schedule, know-how, basic do’s and don’ts and environmental conservation practices.

Day 2

Agoda (2,251M) to Dodital Lake (3,024M) via Manjhi (2,880M)

Distance: 17km 

Time: 8 hours

We start early in the morning today. Post a healthy breakfast, we follow a small passageway upwards to move away from Agoda and towards Dodital campsite. The route opens up into an oak forest which is followed by a few thousand steps on the side of a huge rock face. A small patch of silver oak jungle follows, taking us into the deeper pockets of Uttarkashi. The pleasant fragrance from the oak trees gives out a soothing vibe all the way up to Bhebra village. 

Gurgling streams collect into a translucent green pond which makes for a fascinating sight. On crossing a bunch of streams and a boulder zone, the trail gets a bit steeper in ascent for the next 4 km. A longer parallel trail also exists but the steeper one is preferable to reach the campsite at a reasonable hour. We pause for lunch at the Manjhi settlement before pushing off again towards Dodital. From Manjhi, the curvy pathway is comparatively levelled in gradient. Small streams amidst dense forests add to the charm of this trail today.  For the last one hour, the path descends smoothly towards Annapurna temple that finally leads to the ground surrounding Dodital via the Lord Ganesha temple.

The campsite for today overlooks the Dodital Lake; the setting is gorgeous to say the least. We reach here before sunset. Snacks and dinner follow in the dining tent. Since it has been a long day, we tuck ourselves in right after dinner to get the much deserved rest. Night temperatures at this campsite can go as low as -15°C in mid-December.

Day 3

Dodital Lake (3,024M) to Darwa Pass (4,151M) to Dodital Lake (4,151M)

Distance: 10 kms

Time: 6 hours

We start early today to make our way to Darwa Pass. It is quite an undertaking since it requires us to gain approximately 1,127M of vertical elevation from our current campsite. After a good breakfast, and double checking if we are properly layered, we leave for the pass which is covered with snow for most of the year. 

Since we have to come back to the same campsite, we only carry essentials for this journey in a day pack and leave the backpack behind in the campsite. 

The trail from Dodital to Darwa Pass is heavily guarded with golden oak trees and a thick coat of vegetation. Multiple streams formed from the melting of the snow over the pass are encountered on the way early on. As we move higher up, the views shift from a backdrop of lakes to accommodate large mountains of the Garhwal range into our field of vision. Availability of water starts to get scarce as we go up. 

The last stretch of Darwa Pass is a steep ascent. Darwa Pass offers mesmerizing views of Mt. Srikanth Peak, Deoli, Bandarpoonch, DraupadikaDanda and Hanuman Ganga Valley. 

After spending some time on the pass, we start our descent to make it to camp in time before the light starts to fade out. At some point on the descent, we take some time to rest and to eat our packed lunch before we head on down all the way to our campsite.

We usually reach the campsite by late afternoon. Snacks and games follow all through the evening till an early dinner and rest. The next day is going to be long as well. 

Day 4

Dodital Lake (3,024M) to Agoda (2,251M) via Manjhi and Bhebra

Distance: 17 km

Time: 5 hours

Today, we leave from Dodital Lake towards our homestay at Agoda village which was the basecamp of our trek. We take the same trail we took the first day to get here.

Post a warm-up session and much delicious breakfast, we pay a visit to the Ganesha temple and then start our descent. 

Once again, we pass through the dazzling trail via forests and little streams of Assi Ganga river reminiscing about our mountain experiences and sharing our personal adventure stories from the trek in the company of woods. 

On reaching Agoda, evening snacks and debriefing precede dinner. Post dinner, we spend time with our fellow trekkers and rest.

Day 5

Agoda (2,251M) to Uttarkashi (1,158M) to Dehradun (640M)

Distance: 169 kms 

Time: 7 hours drive

Post breakfast we get into our cab which is to drive us to Dehradun. Since it is a 9 hour long drive, we might stop on the way for lunch.

If you have booked your trip back to Dehradun with Bikat Adventures, we leave around 10AM in the morning. Expect to reach Dehradun by late evening. You may make arrangements for your journey onward accordingly. Given that journeys on mountain roads are rife with unpredictability, we would recommend you make your bookings out of Dehradun for the next day.

Mobile network is available within an hour into our drive from Agoda, as soon as we reach Uttarkashi.

What's Included
  • Veg/Egg Meals during the trek (Starting dinner on Day 1 till breakfast on Day 5)
  • Forest Permits/Camping Charges (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
  • Tents on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats
  • All technical equipment as required
  • Trek guide, cook, helpers, porters & mules for carrying common luggage
  • Porters or mules for carrying common supply
  • Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification and special rescue course from NIM, Uttarkashi
What's Not Included
  • Journey Meals from Dehradun to Uttarkashi
  • Carriage of Personal Bags during the trek
  • Any kind of Insurance
  • Any expense of personal nature
  • Any expense not specified in the inclusion list.
  • Transportation of any kind.

Packing List

This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

Trekking Gear

  • Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
  • Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
  • Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
  • U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
  • Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each

Footwear

  • Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
  • Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1

Clothing

  • Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
  • Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
  • Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
  • Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
  • Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
  • Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
  • Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
  • Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
  • Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
  • Woolen cap. Qty-1
  • Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1

Toiletries

  • Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
  • Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
  • Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1

Utensils

  • Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
  • Plate. Qty- 1
  • Spoon.Qty-1
  • Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

Miscellaneous

  • Camera (Optional)
  • Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
  • Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)


Frequently Asked Questions

You must have done a small trek of 2-3 days before Dodital trek and hiked to an altitude of more than 3000 meters.

  1. Jog/Run for 4 Kms in 35-40 mins or Walk continuously for 8 Kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
  2. Hold your breath for 25-30 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.

  • Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tet, toilet tent.
  • Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails.
  • Basic mountain mannerisms.


The trail leading to the lake is blessed with astounding sceneries of mountain villages, impenetrable vegetation and lush green surroundings with numerous bubbling streams of water and tan brown rock-faces. As we reach higher up, we find ourselves encompassed in the entrancing company of pine trees, deodar trees, and golden and silver oaks all the way up till Dodital.


Best time for Dodital trek is from December to March when the meadows are fully covered with snow.






Uttarkashi, which is the main town near the base of this trek (Agoda) is very well connected to Dehradun by road. One can get a private taxi/shared taxi or a public bus to reach Uttrakashi from Dehradun. From Uttarkashi to Agoda a private taxi is required.

All major networks are available till Uttarkashi. Do not expect network beyond Uttarkashi.


Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi


The minimum age limit is 9 years. However, minors aged between 9 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.


Accommodation on the trek will be in tents


We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.

Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.

You will be provided with good quality gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.

Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.

You can rent most of the trekking equipment from us. Please visit: http://rent.bikatadventures.com



In winter Months: 0 to -10 degrees in the nights & 5 to 15 degrees in the day. In summer Months: 5 to -2 degrees in the nights & 10 to 25 degrees in the day.

From December to March Dodital trek is fully covered with snow.



If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.

A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.

It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.

Dehradun has a sufficiently large market. However, do not leave anything for last minute buying as there will be no time for shopping because of immediate transportation to Agoda. Agoda is a very small village and it would be difficult to find anything major there.

Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.

Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.





ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) and Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) are the mandatory documents required for the trek.












Why Bikat?
Small Group Size

Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek.

As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.


Qualified Trek Leaders

We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture.

Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response.

Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures


Guided Progression

Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.


Equipment Quality and Check

All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.


Support Systems

Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.


Communication

Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.


Reviews
Cancellation Policy
Cash refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date

Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date

Voucher refund

Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date

Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date

Please Note:
  1. Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
  2. This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Informative
Highlights of Dodital Darwa Pass Trek
Locally acclaimed as an ancient Hindu pilgrimage route, Dodital-Darwa Pass trail is a perfect detox for trekkers and mountain enthusiasts who long for escapades into far wilderness in a short span of 5 days! The trek transports you from the hustle bu...
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Informative
Dodital Darwa Pass trek: Who is this trek meant for?
Dodital Darwa Pass is an idyllic trek into the interior forestscapes of Assi Ganga valley.  The 40 km trek offers panoramic views and rugged terrains with Mt. Bandarpoonch, Black Peak and other Garhwal Himalayan Ranges constantly accompanying u...
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