Part 1 The beginning
Part 2 Rishikesh to Gopeshwar
Part 3 In the land of Badri Vishal
Part 4 Skiing at Auli
Part 6 Beatles ashram and 3 sanyasis
Today's plan included trek to Deoria Tal. Deoria Tal has its reference in Mahabharat. It's the same lake where 4 of the Pandavas dies by drinking lake water without answering the Yaksh's questions. They were brought to life only when Yudhistir answers all the questions. I like part especially the question and answer between Yudhistir and Dharmraj.
Album cover
Route marked in black is a direct route between Gopeshwar and Ukhimath. Chopta, Chandrashila and Deoria Tal lies enroute. This route was closed due to heavy snowfall. I had go around and reach Ukhimath via Rudraprayag.
Direct road is 60km and the longer one via Rudraprayag was 130km. I had no options but to take the longer route. Braced for the longer route followed by trek after that, I left the place around 08:00. Reached Ukhimath around 12:30. Construction work and bad roads considerably slow down the speed.
GMVN Ukhimath is beautifully located on a mountain. What can be more pleasant than sitting on a chair in the small garden of the resort sipping chai or coffee and eyes fixed on the snow clad peaks. Beautiful town of Guptkashi lies on the other side of the river.
Chai at GMVN, Ukhimath
View from GMVN, Ukhimath
Settled in the dormitory. I was alone here too :) all the dormitory beds were mine.
Ordered Aloo paratha and chai. Both were delicious. I asked the GMVN in charge if he can arrange a guide for me. Although one does not need a guide to trek Deoria Tal. I was skeptical of the weather and heavy snowfall.
He came with a young man and introduced him. He said Namaste sir. I said eeh. Don't call me sir. And we became friends :) Waited for another half an hour until the rain slowed.
Left GMVN resort at 13:30 and rode till Saari village, 15km from Ukhimath.
Wind was very cold. Had another cup of tea in Saari and started ascending.
Chopta peaks
Beautiful Saari village
Saari village and Chopta peaks in the backdrop
Walkable stone path is present from Saari village right upto Deoria taal. We didn't took any major break just once, when heavy snowfall started and we had to take shelter. We didn't saw any trekker enroute neither on top. We took around 2 hours to reach the Tal.
Deoria tal trail
Just as we reached on top another round of heavy snowfall started. View was truly amazing. Did a parikrama of the lake, spent 1 hour and started descending. We could not see Chaukhamba peaks as it was hidden by clouds.
Deoria Tal
Deoria Tal
Deoria Tal
Poser pic at Deoria Tal
Prayer flags at Deoria Tal
Fresh snow
Beautiful bird at Deoria Tal
Maps and stats recorded on Google tracks.
It was pouring throughout the route till Ukhimath. Reached GMVN Ukhimath and we both had Coffee.
Its difficult to describe sipping hot coffee while its raining amidst tall mountains.
Repeated Aloo Paratha in dinner :)
Part 1 The beginning
Part 2 Rishikesh to Gopeshwar
Part 3 In the land of Badri Vishal
Part 4 Skiing at Auli
Part 6 Beatles ashram and 3 sanyasis
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