Chirbatiya Weekend Trek

A birder's trek in Rudraprayag

TREK DIFFICULTY

Easy

TREK DURATION

3 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

8,402 ft

A birder's trek in Rudraprayag

We have been hunting for a weekend trek in Uttarakhand for long — a trek that would match our Nag Tibba, Benog Tibba or Deoban. 

Frankly, we have done quite a few explorations. But none of them sat very well with us. Something or the other was not ok with them. We eventually stopped taking people on these treks.

But sometimes, you stumble on a trek quite by accident. Then, with trepidation, you walk on it, hoping against hope that the trek will match up to its predecessors. You do the trek once. You think it is great. But perhaps it was an initial excitement. Then you do the trek again. You want to see if the trek wallops you as hard as it did the first time. And then it does. You cannot contain your excitement! You’ve hit a goldmine! 

This is what happened to us on the Chirbatiya Weekend Trek.  

It was a sheer coincidence that the Uttarakhand Forest Department invited us to explore the Chirbatiya region. 

If the name is new to you, Chirbatiya is a range of hills north of Rudraprayag. It is tucked away in a corner where very few venture. Tourists have not seen this place. It is in the heart of this region that we are going to be trekking and camping. 

‘Chir’ refers to pines, and ‘batiya’ means a path. Literally translated, it means a path through the pine trees. And sure enough, you walk through some of the loveliest forest trails on this trek. There’s not only pine but a good mix of oak and rhododendrons too. Hundreds of birds and the scent of the woods hang in the air. You will come across as many birds as you would on any week-long Himalayan trek, if not less. This is what makes Chirbatiya special among all the weekend treks.

We have been hunting for a weekend trek in Uttarakhand for long — a trek that would match our Nag Tibba, Benog Tibba or Deoban. 

Frankly, we have done quite a few explorations. But none of them sat very well with us. Something or the other was not ok with them. We eventually stopped taking people on these treks.

Chirbatiya Videos

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek

Chirbatiya Weekend Trek - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Chirbatiya Weekend trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Expert Speak

Dushyant Sharma

Ex-Senior Trek Leader

Dushyant Sharma

Ex-Senior Trek Leader

Dushyant Sharma was working with Indiahikes as a senior trek leader. He was one of the most coveted trek leaders at Indiahikes.
Having done and led many legendary Himalayan treks, when he explored the Chirbatiya trek, he was bowled over by what two-day trek can offer. Here, he shares his experience of the Chirbatiya trek.

What I Like About The Trek

Dushyant Sharma

Ex-Senior Trek Leader

Dushyant Sharma was working with Indiahikes as a senior trek leader. He was one of the most coveted trek leaders at Indiahikes. Having done and led many legendary Himalayan treks, when he explored the Chirbatiya trek, he was bowled over by what two-day trek can offer. Here, he shares his experience of the Chirbatiya trek.

1. 270-degree Mountain Views

Right from the basecamp, Chirbatiya, you start seeing arresting mountain views. It’s rare to have such a clear view of so many mountains right from the basecamp. And Chirbatiya Weekend trek is one of the few treks that offers this.

As the trek proceeds, and you reach the high point at Patangniya meadows you see great Himalayan Peaks starting from Mrigthuni, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chang-Bang, Dronagiri, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath to many more in between. 

In just two days, the Chirbatiya trek offers views that are parallel to a multi-day Himalayan trek. Picture by Dushyant Sharma

2. Picturesque sunsets and sunrises

The Chirbatiya Weekend trek faces east. This orients it in a direction for some memorable sunrises and sunsets.

The trek also has ridges. Basecamp Chirbatiya is situated on a pass. From here, you can see memorable sunrises as well as sunsets. Even on the trek, a short walk from the Patangniya meadows takes you to a ridge section from where you can witness some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 

The Chirbatiya is a trek for sunrises and sunsets. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Charming forest of pines and rhododendrons

The starting point of this trek is Chirbatiya. Here, ‘Chir’ refers to pines and ‘batiya’ means a path. Translated, it means a path through the pine trees. And this trail is crowded with many trees. You notice it due to the sharp scent of pine even as you are driving down from Ghansali valley to Chirbatiya.

But pines are not the only trees you find here. You also have rhododendrons. Together, this combination of pines and rhododendrons makes a charming forest to trek in.

A lone rhododendron tree in full bloom. Picture by Jothiranjan

4. Paradise for birders

Chirbatiya Weekend trek is a quaint one. Not many have been here. It’s secluded, tucked in a quiet setting in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand, away from the hustle-bustle.

As mentioned earlier, the trail also has great forest cover. This makes it an ideal place for birds. If you’re in this region during spring, watch out for the incessant chirping of birds. 

It is an absolute paradise for birders in spring.

Chirbatiya is a birder's trek, especially so in spring when the flowers are in full bloom. Picture by Jothiranjan

5. Perfect for spending a quiet weekend in nature

Chirbatiya Weekend Trek is a great option to trek in the quiet nature. Starting from the base camp, Chirbatiya does not receive many travellers. It is quiet and peaceful here. So, if you’re looking for a time-out from the fast-paced city life, this is an ideal basecamp to spend time in before you start your trek.

Go for a walk, sip a cup of tea, enjoy the sunset and breath the fresh air of the Himalayas. Perfect place to get away from the hustle of the city.

While you can start the trek from either Chirbatiya or Uroli village, we recommend you do it from Chirbatiya.

Th Chirbatiya is a secluded trail, thus allows you to spend a quiet weekend in nature. Picture by Jothiranjan

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Get expert guidance even before you start the trek

Get personalised support from our expert Experience Coordinators. From registration to departure, they'll prepare you every step of the way.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Meet like-minded trekkers

Indiahikes carries with it a strong spirit of trekking, one that comes with fitness, minimalism, mindfulness and a deep love for nature.

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