Dodital Trek

Easy Trek

Region: Garhwal Himalayas
Season: Round the year
Altitude: 3307 metre / 10847 feet

The Dodital trek is a short, simple and easy to moderate trek that will take you through dense forests, small river crossings, large fields and splendid Himalayan landscapes. Dodital is a striking lake surrounded by thick forest of Rhododendron, Fir and Oak. Roughly hexagonal in shape, this lake is occupied by golden trout and therefore, also named as Dodi, which in local language means trout. Dodital Lake is referred as the holy lake in the Puranas. It is the source to about 80 rivulets that come together to form the Assi Ganga. That is the way, the valley is known as Assi Ganga valley.

Another name for this lake is Dhundital. In Sanskrit Dhundi is synonymous with Lord Ganesha. Dhundital means Ganesh-ka-Tal. There is a temple which is devoted to lord Ganesha. The legend has it that Ganesha selected this place as his abode. The story goes that this is the place where Ganesha was born. Shiva is known to keep away from home for extended periods and it is during one of these long periods of absence that Ganesha was born. One day Parvati, Ganesha's mother, was having a bath in the lake. She had instructed Ganesha to guard the entrance to the lake. Just then Shiva returned from one of his long trips, and was stopped by Ganesha. Enraged, Shiva cut off Ganesha's head. When Parvati came to know about this, she was livid and demanded that Shiva restore Ganesha's life. In the interest of domestic harmony, Shiva set out in search of Ganesha's head. The first animal that Shiva came across was an elephant and Shiva restored Ganesha's life by replacing his head with an elephant's head. A book in the Dhundiraj temple relates this tale in English!

Today, Dodital Lake trek is one of the famous trekking destinations in India. At Trekking in India, we offer an organized Dodital Trekking Tour, which will take you to this holy lake and give you a chance to experience a camp stay at Agoda. Our tour will start from Delhi- Haridwar - Sangamchatti - Agoda - Manjhi - Dodital and back from the same route to Delhi.

The trek for Dodital commences from Uttarkashi or Kalyani, which can be approached by motor. Kalyani to Agoda is a gradual climb through woods, fields and villages along a mule track. The trek from Agoda to Dodital is steep and through thick forests.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Haridwar - Sangamchatti

In the morning take a Dehradun Shatabdi Train for Haridwar at 06:55. Arrival at Haridwar by 11:25 hrs and then transfer to Sangamchatti via Uttarkashi. The drive takes you through the picturesque Garhwal Mountains along with the holy Ganges. Overnight stay at guest house/tent.

Day 03: Sangamchatti - Agoda (2250 mts/7380 ft) - Manjhi (16 kms/6-7 hrs)

In the morning after breakfast trek to Manjhi via Agoda Village. Upon arrival at Manjhi set out camp for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

Day 04: Manjhi - Dodital (3307 10847 ft) (6 Kms/ 3 - 4 hrs)

A gradual zigzag trek through beautiful landscape of thick forests and steep cliffs brings you the mysterious Dodital. Dinner and overnight stay in the tent.

Day 05: Dodital (3307 mts/10847 ft)

Day free to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Lake and surrounding dense forest. The scenic beauty of Dodital can compel any nature lover to camp here for days together, the lake, the surrounding pine forest, the towering Darwa Bugyal on one side and the valley on the other is serene and enticing. The parikrama around the lake is of 1.5 kms. A few streams coming from Darwa Bugyal feed the lake. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Day 06: Dodital - Agoda (2250 mts/7380 ft) (17 kms/4-5 hrs)

After breakfast we will trek down till Agoda. It is a 17 Kms Trek, Overnight in camps at Agoda.

Day 07: Agoda - Sangamchatti - Haridwar (6 kms trek + 140 kms Drive)

Morning after breakfast Trek down to Sangamchatti and from here drive down to Haridwar. On arrival at Haridwar transfer to Railway station to catch night train for Delhi.