Moderate 5N / 6D 13,615 ft

Dodital–Darwa Pass Trek

A sacred forest lake said to be Lord Ganesha's birthplace, followed by a steep climb to a wide Himalayan balcony — trout, deodar, and a 360° wall of snow peaks.

Duration

5N / 6D

Max Altitude

13,615 ft

Grade

Moderate

Best Season

May–Jun, Sep–Nov

Starting Point

Sangamchatti

Group Size

Up to 15

The Trek

Overview

Tucked into the Assi Ganga valley near Uttarkashi, Dodital is one of the Garhwal Himalaya's most peaceful high-altitude lakes — ringed by deodar forest, home to rare Himalayan trout, and, by local legend, the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. From the lake, the trail turns steep and alpine on its way to Darwa Pass, a windswept saddle that opens onto a sweeping wall of snow peaks.

This trek pairs a gentle, forested first half with one serious high-altitude push — making it a good step up for trekkers who've done an easier grade before and want a taste of real alpine terrain without committing to a full expedition-style trek.

Dodital Lake — a mirror-still alpine lake ringed by deodar forest, revered as Lord Ganesha's birthplace

Darwa Pass at 4,150m — a steep alpine push rewarded with a 360° wall of Himalayan peaks

Rare Himalayan trout in the lake, plus strong birdwatching along the Assi Ganga river trail

Quiet, less-crowded trail compared to other Uttarkashi-region treks — deep forest for most of the route

Day By Day

Itinerary

A scenic drive via Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi valley to Sangamchatti, the roadhead village for the trek. Settle into camp with the Assi Ganga river running alongside and an early night ahead of the first trekking day. 165 km drive · 6–7 hrs · Altitude 1,700m

The trail follows the Assi Ganga upstream through terraced fields and pine forest, passing the small village of Agoda before climbing into denser deodar cover to reach the riverside camp at Gangar. 9 km trek · 5–6 hrs · Altitude 2,300m

A steady climb through thick deodar and oak forest, with the gradient easing as the trail nears the lake. Dodital appears suddenly through the trees — still, emerald-green, and framed by forest on all sides, with a small Ganesha temple on its bank. 7 km trek · 5–6 hrs · Altitude 3,024m

The trek's high point, both literally and figuratively — a steep 1,100m climb through birch forest and open grassland to Darwa Pass, where the full Bandarpunch and Gangotri ranges open up in every direction. Pack light for the push up, then return to camp at Dodital for a second night. 10 km round trip · 7–8 hrs · Altitude 4,150m

A long descent retracing the trail past Gangar and Agoda back to the roadhead at Sangamchatti, with the forest looking entirely different heading downhill. Final night at the base camp. 16 km trek · 7–8 hrs

Breakfast at camp before the drive back to Dehradun, arriving by early evening in time for onward travel. 165 km drive · 6–7 hrs

Be Prepared

Things to Carry

Trekking shoes (ankle support, broken-in)
4–5 layers incl. thermal + down jacket
Waterproof gloves & woolen cap
UV-protection sunglasses
Headlamp/torch with spare batteries
1–2L water bottle + electrolytes
Daypack (40–50L) with rain cover
Trekking pole (recommended)
Sunscreen & lip balm (SPF 40+)
Personal medication + basic first aid
Power bank
Government-ID for permits

The Fine Print

What's Included

Included

All entry permits, forest fees & camping charges
All meals during the trek (vegetarian, hygienically prepared)
Accommodation per itinerary (tents/camps/guesthouses)
Experienced trek leader & local support staff
First-aid & basic emergency equipment
Shared camping infrastructure
All applicable taxes

Not Included

Transport to/from Dehradun (unless specified)
Personal trekking gear — see checklist above
Personal expenses & tips
Travel insurance
Costs from itinerary changes due to weather/roadblocks

In Pictures

Gallery

Snow-capped Himalayan peaks near the Darwa Pass route

Forest trail through Uttarakhand pine woods

Camp tent set against a mountain backdrop

Starting from₹13,500 / person

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Questions

Dodital–Darwa Pass FAQs

The walk up to Dodital Lake itself is easy-to-moderate and manageable for a fit beginner. The extension to Darwa Pass is the steep, demanding part — we'd recommend at least one prior moderate-grade trek before attempting it.

May–June and September–November give the clearest Himalayan views and the most comfortable trekking conditions. The trek can also be done in winter for a snow-covered Dodital, but that requires extra gear and experience.

Daytime temperatures in summer sit around 10–18°C, dropping close to freezing at night near Dodital. At Darwa Pass, expect it to be noticeably colder and windier — proper layering is essential on summit day.

Booking amount is non-refundable once a trek is confirmed. Cancel 30+ days before departure: 50% refund. 15–30 days before: 25% refund. Within 15 days: no refund. If Wildfern cancels a trek, you get a full refund or a free transfer to a future batch.

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