We start at Dehradun and drive via Mussoorie, Chinyalisour, Dharasu bend to Uttarkashi and then onwards to Sangamchatti. The campsite at Bhewra village is situated on the banks of the river Assi Ganga and is 3 hours trek from Sangamchatti.
Sangam Chatti is a very tiny village, quite picturesque, which forms the beginning of the trek. The hikers are welcomed by interesting sceneries right from the start that include meadows, forest, and even the flow of water from streams. The first phase of the ride means going to Bhevra, which is a pictorial small village located in between the fields terrains and small hilly regions. About 8 km with moderate elevation change is in store for the hikers as they go from Sangam Chatti to Bhevra before challenging routes are encountered.
Post breakfast we start our trek to Dodital via the village of Manjhi. This is a beautiful Himalayan village on mountain slopes with terraced farming. We reach Dodital lake by evening and pitch tents near the lake. The walk is through dense oak, cedar and pine trees with plenty of birds to give company.
After Bhevra it gradually becomes somewhat more difficult and steep until the trail ends at Dodiytal. That’s Manjhi. This piece is ten kilometers, and you’ll go deeper into the forest: the birds are singing, the pines smell inviting. The chain of mountains that is the Himalayas is capped by snow and this makes the firms that form the background of the sky to be magnificent to behold once one is in the process of climbing up them. Manjhi is a place where there is grass for grazing but mostly used as a place to rest. This is a good ground to camp if you are in need of a good night’s sleep because it is calm and serene with lots of nature around.
The Dodital trek is indeed one heck of a trekking. It is much easier than the previous section and spans five and a half to six kilometers in length. The forests gradually thicken and just before reaching Dodital, there awaits for a stunning lake located at an altitude of 3,024 meters. From Dodital one can simply marvel at the sight as the waters are as clear as the peaks in the background. Besides the natural appeal, the lake is beautiful due to the fact that it is an endangered species of fish called Himalayan Trout dwells in the lake. Dodital is an ideal place for camp and tour as there is no disturbance or problem with the local residents and the water is calm.
This hike also has an extension to perform at Darwa Top for those wishing for a little more adventure. The Darwa Top that is approximately 5 km away from Dodital provides a bird’s eye view of the Swargarohini and the Bandarpunch ranges. According to the trekking agencies, trekkers can have view of some of the best and beautiful scenery at Darwa Top which is comparatively tough trek. The expansion of expressive venues of the neighboring valleys and the manifestation of snow capping the Himalayas are symptomatic of the responsiveness of nature to the grandeur of the Himalayas.
Trek: 17 km, 7-8 hrs
Altitude: 10,860 ft – 7,381 ft (2,250 m)
Accommodation: Alpine Tents
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner
We retrace our steps to Bhewra village. Being downhill, the walk will take less time.
Trek: 6 km, 2-3 hrs
Drive: 160 km, 7-8 hrs
Altitude: 7,381 ft – 1,200 ft
Meals: Breakfast
We leave early and trek back to Sangamchatti. From here we drive to Dehradun.