New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 Days

Highest Altitude

9,279 ft

Age

8 to 55 years

Duration

2 Days

Age

8 to 55 years

Difficulty

Easy

Highest Altitude

9,279 ft

Deoban Weekend Trek

A Rare Weekend Forest Trail Near Chakrata

Only on a few treks, you get to see great summit views and savour long forest walks. Deoban is one of those treks and the best thing is you get this rich experience in just a weekend!

Great summit views are a rare treasure even on seven days treks. But at Deoban’s summit, you see 55 high mountain peaks including Mt Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain!

Deoban is also one of the few Uttarakhand trails dominated by Deodar trees. It is aptly named Deoban as Deo refers to “Deodar” trees and ban means “forests”. Usually, in Uttarakhand trails, you find clumps of these trees growing together in a mixed forest, but not an entire trail filled with them. An entire trail of Deodar trees is something that is mostly found in Kashmir or Himachal. 

Picture the woodsy scent of the sap surrounding you as you walk among these incredibly tall trees. They are so tall that you might be giving yourself a neck ache trying to look at their tops. These trees are over 600 years old and their age seems to lend certain sentience to them. It is no wonder that trees were named “devdaru” - which comes from Sanskrit and means “divine wood”/ “timber of Gods”.

To experience this, you must do the Deoban trek.

Deoban Trek Videos

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek

Quick Itinerary

Day 1

Reach Lokhandi and Trek to Saraswati Campsite

Drive Distance: 108 km | Drive Duration: 4 hours
Trek Distance:  4 km  |Trek Duration:  2 hours  | Altitude gain and loss: 8366 ft to 8841 ft and to 8193 ft  | Pickup point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun

Drive for about 4 hours. Easy climb for the day. Gradual ascent for most of the trail and then a gradual descent to Saraswati Campsite. The trail has long patches of loose stones.

Day 2

Trek from Saraswati Campsite to Vyas Point; Descend to Chakrata; Drive back to Dehradun

Trek Distance:  11 km   |Trek Duration:  6 hours   | Altitude gain and loss: 8193 ft to 9400 ft and to 7185 ft

Moderate day with a mixture of steep and gradual ascents to Vyas Point / Deoban Top. Descend to Chakrata and drive back to Dehradun.

IMPORTANT POINTS

1. The breakfast during transit from Dehradun to Lokhandi is not included in the trek fee.

2. You will be staying in tents overnight (3 per tent).

3. Keep your original govt. approved ID card with you.

4. Reach Dehradun, and avoid the Mussoorie Express. It’s always late. Take the Nanda Devi Express or Jan Shatabdi Express.

5. Plan your return travel post 9 pm from Dehradun.

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

Transport will be arranged from Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun at 6.00 AM. The transport fee is inclusive of the trek fee

Return Travel

You are expected to reach Dehradun by 9 pm. Book trains or buses from Dehradun after 10.00 pm.

Day 1

Reach Lokhandi and Trek to Saraswati Campsite

Drive Distance: 108 km | Drive Duration: 4 hours
Trek Distance:  4 km  |Trek Duration:  2 hours  | Altitude gain and loss: 8366 ft to 8841 ft and to 8193 ft  | Pickup point for Indiahikes Trekkers: Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun

Drive for about 4 hours. Easy climb for the day. Gradual ascent for most of the trail and then a gradual descent to Saraswati Campsite. The trail has long patches of loose stones.

Day 2

Trek from Saraswati Campsite to Vyas Point; Descend to Chakrata; Drive back to Dehradun

Trek Distance:  11 km   |Trek Duration:  6 hours   | Altitude gain and loss: 8193 ft to 9400 ft and to 7185 ft

Moderate day with a mixture of steep and gradual ascents to Vyas Point / Deoban Top. Descend to Chakrata and drive back to Dehradun.

IMPORTANT POINTS

1. The breakfast during transit from Dehradun to Lokhandi is not included in the trek fee.

2. You will be staying in tents overnight (3 per tent).

3. Keep your original govt. approved ID card with you.

4. Reach Dehradun, and avoid the Mussoorie Express. It’s always late. Take the Nanda Devi Express or Jan Shatabdi Express.

5. Plan your return travel post 9 pm from Dehradun.

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

Transport will be arranged from Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun at 6.00 AM. The transport fee is inclusive of the trek fee

Return Travel

You are expected to reach Dehradun by 9 pm. Book trains or buses from Dehradun after 10.00 pm.

Campsites at a Glance

Saraswati campsite is in a clearing surround by the tall pine trees on three sides and opens up to the mountain views on the other side. Picture by Mrinal

In winter, the campsite draped in snow looks entirely different compared to other seasons. Photo taken from Indiahikes archive

Deoban can be trekked in either two or three days. If you make it a three day trek, Deoban campsite is another stunning setting to pitch your tents and stay for a day. Picture by Mrinal

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers, or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies, and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Highlights of the Deoban Trek

1. 55 Mountains To Watch Out For

On a clear day, you can spot close to 55 mountains from the highest point of this trek. These include Trishul, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangothri, Srikantha, Bandarpoonch, and Swargarohini to name a few. It’s like you name a mountain and it’s there.

It is difficult to find these views on a seven days trek, much less a two days one!

The panorama of snow capped mountains that you see from the peak. Photo taken from Indiahikes archive

2. Forests on the Deoban Trek

On the Deoban trail, you trek through the forests of pine, oak and deodar. It’s a paradise for someone who loves forest walks. 

In some sections, you trek on a ledge inside the forest. On this narrow trail, tall pine trees keep you protected from sunlight. A lot of wild strawberry trees and flowers of different colors keep your excitement alive throughout the trek.

Do this trek simply to experience the rich forest section.

To experience the rich forest section alone, the Deoban trek is worth doing. Trekkers love the forest walks on the trek. Photo by Mrinal

From Lokhandi village, the trek dives right into the forest section. Initially, it's a gradual hike in the shades of tall pine trees

Picture by: Mrinal

The trek starting point

Know Your Trek

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 Deoban 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. Don’t miss the 'Frequently Asked Questions section at the end. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

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PRO TIPS

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