Sari, Rudraprayag · Uttarakhand
Deoria Tal
A short climb to a forest lake that mirrors Chaukhamba on a still morning.
Deoria Tal is an easy–moderate trek in Sari, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,438 m. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Dehradun / Rishikesh and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Deoria Tal
The one thing not to miss
The lake at dawn
Chaukhamba reflected in still water, before the wind gets up.
- 2The walk from SariA paved path of about 2.5 km up from the village.
- 3Onward to ChoptaA full day through forest and Rohini Bugyal for those who want more.
- 4Omkareshwar temple, UkhimathThe winter seat of Kedarnath, on the drive in.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Rishikesh to Sari
About seven hours by road.
Day 2
Sari to Deoria Tal
A short climb; camp or stay by the lake for sunrise.
Day 3
Deoria Tal to Chopta
A full day through forest and Rohini Bugyal, or walk back to Sari.
Day 4
Back to Rishikesh
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The best effort-to-reward ratio in Garhwal — 2.5 km up, a mirror lake at dawn.
Why not
Very small; combine it with Chopta or Tungnath or it's over in a day.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest camping fee at the lake.
- Guide
- Not needed from Sari village.
- Safety
- No camping on the lake shore in some seasons — check at Sari.
- Phone & internet
- Weak at the lake.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Deoria Tal
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
11 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 20 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest camping fee at the lake.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak at the lake.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 190 km
- Drive time
- about 7 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Agastyamuni
- Ukhimath
- Sari
The walk starts at Sari village.
Live directions from RishikeshFrom
Ukhimath
- Distance
- about 13 km
- Drive time
- 30–40 minutes
- Ukhimath
- Sari
Buses and shared taxis. Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. For Sari, change at Ukhimath for a local jeep.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun / Rishikesh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Deoria Tal yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Deoria Tal: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Deoria Tal?
The best months for Deoria Tal are March to June and September to November. December to February and July and August are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Deoria Tal?
Deoria Tal is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 20 km in total, starting at 2,200 m and reaching 2,438 m.
How many days do you need for Deoria Tal?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun / Rishikesh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Deoria Tal cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹8,800 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun / Rishikesh.
How do you reach Deoria Tal?
By road: from Rishikesh it is about 190 km, about 7 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath → Sari); from Ukhimath it is about 13 km, 30–40 minutes (Ukhimath → Sari). Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. For Sari, change at Ukhimath for a local jeep. The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Deoria Tal?
Permits: Forest camping fee at the lake. Guide: Not needed from Sari village.
Is Deoria Tal suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is good. It is moderately busy in season. No camping on the lake shore in some seasons — check at Sari.
What should you pack for Deoria Tal?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Deoria Tal?
Weak at the lake.
Who should not go to Deoria Tal?
Deoria Tal suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Very small; combine it with Chopta or Tungnath or it's over in a day.
Close to Deoria Tal
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashilaabout 11 km
- Kedarnathabout 33 km