Deoriatal - Rudraprayag

pravs

Hi folks,

I had been closely observing this community for the past 1 and a half months. I got various info from all of you and when I got a 3 days off 2 weeks back.. I set of on my own to Chopta. My plan was to visit Chopta-tunganath-Chandrashilla .. but unfortunately, after reaching Ukhimatt, I was shocked to know that the road to Chopta was blocked due to snow! Also there wont be any accommodation available there. Then someone over there suggested me to go to Deoriataal. (well.. this was last in my initial plan.. anyways I decided to go there as I dont have any other option.)

However this decision proved to be a good one as there was a great surprise for me @ Deoriyatal!

Let me give you the whole details abt my trip.

Day 0 (thursday)
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22:15 PM Mussorie exp from Delhi

Day 1 (friday)
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7:00 AM Haridwar
7:30 AM Got the GMOU Bus to Kund (in Rudraprayag)
4:00 PM Reached Kund. (via Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rugraprayag)

On the way a co-passenger told me that I will get shared Jeep to chopta from Ukhimat. He also warned me not to go to chopta in the evening since it would be late in the night when I reach there and I might not get room to stay! Anyways I decided to go to Ukhimatt first and then think abt it.

When I reached Ukhimat at around 4:20, I was disappointed to know that due to heavy snow, the road was closed and also the locals from chopta have also come down. So I had no other option other than staying in Ukhimat that day.

I go a cheap but clean room in the main market (Deepak Lodge). After resting for sometime, I decided to have a walk. I met an old man on the way and asked him abt my chances of going to Chopta-Tunganath-Chandrashilla. He also told me the same thing that I cannot go there alone at this time since there is no options to stay. After talking for a while, he told me that I can go to Deoriyatal if I want.

For reaching Deoriyatal, I can take a shared Jeep from Ukhimat (Rs 10/-) and reach Mustura. (Guys... you should see the road from Ukhimat to Mustura!!!)
From Mustura one has to trek up hill 4 Kms to reach Sari Village. (Dont worry, the path is well laid and nothing to be afraid of... ( i am sure we trekkers are not afraid of anything!))
From Sari Village, again a 3 Kms trekk uphill and you are @ Deoriyatal!

The idea suited me. After all I dont have to go back without any adventure! Thinking abt the day ahead, I went to sleep.

Day 2 (Saturday)
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8:30 AM Went in search of a jeep and got one @ 9:00. 9:20 AM saw me starting my trek from Mustura to Sari Village. It took 1 hr to reach the village. There I met Mr. Murali Sing Negi a mountaineering guide and trekker. He was busy with some construction work at his place. While having Tea, he asked me whether I need someone to take me to the taal and beyond! I said Ok. Then he asked one of his son Umendra Singh to accompany me to the taal. So we both started our trekk @ 11:00 AM. We reached the taal in an hour. Had a great experience. ( I am not going to describe the beautiful views on the way or the awesome scenery, that I got @ the Deoriyatal. because I know I will be doing injustice to you all) you checkout my album for some of the snaps. Then Umendra Singh and myself went further up to a great place (sorry I forgot the name of the point)

Then at 2 PM we started our descend and reached Sari village in hald an hour!!! I had lunch at their shop and came down to Mustura at 3:30 Pm. Got the Shared jeep, enjoyed the view and reached Ukhimat at 4:15 PM.

Eventhough I couldnt go to Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashilla, I was very very happy with what I saw today!

Day 3 (Sunday)
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There is an early morning bus to Haridwar (at 5:30 AM). Got that bus. However, I came to know that due to election duty, they will go till Srinagar only. From there I will have to get another bus to Haridwar. Luckily, when I reached Srinagar and 9:00 am, there was a bus to haridwar and I reached Haridwar at 1. ( it would have been earlier if there hadnt been some traffic jams due to the election parties!)

From Haridwar, I cancelled my Mussorie Express train ticket (online) and got the Gurgaon Bus and reached home at 10:30 PM.

Summary:

You can make this trip if you have 3 days! (If you travel on your own vehicle during night also, then 2 days is enough.. But thats too much!)

Cost: (The fares given here is what it cost me)

Train ticket : From Delhi to Haridwar = 175/-
GMOU Bus from Hrdwar to Kund = 157/-
Shared Jeep from Kund to Ukhimat = 10/-
Room @ Deepak Lodge = 100/day (They have rooms for 200 also)
Shared Jeep from Ukhimat to Mustara and back = 10*2 = 20/-
Bus from Ukhimat to Haridwar - I hope its around 160/- (For me, it was 60/- to Srinigar and 100/- from Srinagar to Haridwar)
Bus from Haridwar to Gurgaon - 135/-
+ food/-

Please checkout the snaps I took from my trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/praveen...106989/detail/

Thanks and Regards,
Praveen

Bhaswaran

Great information and three cheers for a good trip

mk26in

Thanks for the informative post.

Great shots too.

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Himachal Pics

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karnail

How much did you pay the guide?

kullukid

Great winter wonderland pic's Prav's, did you visit the confluence at Rudraprayag, it's one of my fave places i'd love to see some pic's if you did?? KK

sagarneel

Great thread..as I am planning for the same trip in Oct...provided good informations.