The big sister of Deoriatal-Chandrashila, the Bisudi Tal trek has everything that you get on the former multiplied by three – enchanting forests, untouched meadows, up-close mountain views, and a never-ending adventure.

Bisudi Tal at 12,685 ft is a small pond formed in a depression on the undulating meadows. Though the pond is not the highlight of the trek, it is the journey to reach Bisudi Tal that steals the show.

We have seen trekkers break down in tears when they get the first glimpse of Mt Chaukhamba at Deoriatal. But on the Bisudi Tal trek, Mt Chaukhamba appears 10x magnified. You can even see the cracks and crevasses on the glaciers of Chaukhamba with a simple zoom on your phone!

There is a whole range of mountains starting from left to right – the Gangotri range of peaks, Kedarkantha Main, Kedarnath Dome, Bhagirathi, Mandani Parvat, Satopanth, Swachhand, Jahnukut, Balakun, Nilkantha in a panoramic sweep. Each of these mountains starts to reveal itself as you make your way to Bisudi Tal.

Not just the mountain views, you will trek through the dense jungles of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, often following the footsteps of deers and gaurs with no sign of another human being around you. You will come across perfectly manicured high-altitude meadows. You will witness rich wildlife all around you. Spotting a family of Himalayan Monals, or reindeers and barking deers galloping around is quite easy.

Even though the trail is remote, you will spot a few shepherd huts or Chhani Huts close to the campsites. Striking conversations with them helps you experience their warm hospitality, get their perspective of the place, and know the history and mythology that surrounds these forests and mountains.

However, getting these rewards is not easy. You must make an adventurous ascent to 13,160 ft through thick forests, wading through narrow trails with steep gorges on one side, and near-vertical climbs on slippery terrain. This thrilling feat will stick with you long after you are back from the trek.

Highlights

1. Terrific Summit Views

Just like Deoriatal-Chandrashila, the first thing that stands out about the trek is the magnified view of the snow-clad mountains. These mountains of the Greater Himalayan range stay with you for one whole day of the trek.

On the day you climb to Bisudi Tal, the first views of the faraway mountains open up as you circumvent the high altitude meadows of Bisudi mountain. From Bisudi Top, while one half on your right is filled with lush green forests, the other side is full of stark white mountains.

2. Rhododendron and Oak Forests

The forests of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary are special. Special because they put out a grand show of colors in Spring when the rhododendrons – scarlet, pink, white and yellow – light up the trails on all sides, even at 11,000 ft.

On the other hand, the dark, mossy oak trees that are hundreds of years of old add a magical touch to these forests in the autumn season. Even though there are no colourful rhododendrons on the way, the rustling of the leaves beneath your feet and a greenish-brown hue all around you makes up for it.

3. Unending Meadow Walks

Just as the treeline ends and you come out of the forest above 11,000 ft, the untouched meadows of the Bisudi mountain accompany you all the way up to the top and down to the pond.

The grass is so soft that you almost immediately want to take off your shoes and run up the mountain, enjoying the feeling of the spongy grasslands beneath your feet.

Unlike the meadows you see on our treks like Dayara Bugyal, these are steep and always rolling. The grasslands expand as far as your eye can see. Whether it is the meadows of Tali Bugyal or the high altitude meadows after Chitra Vadaar, the never ending meadow walks make Bisudi Tal a special trek.

4. A High Sense of Adventure

If Bisudi Tal trek can be described in two words, it is extremely adventurous. Especially the day you ascend to Chitra Vadaar from Tali Bugyal.

The day takes you through some of the dense forests of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, many stream and river crossings, and a treacherous landslide zone to the start of steep, near-vertical ascent amidst rhododendrons.

This never-ending ascent is the longest and most demanding on the entire trek. By the time you arrive at Chitra Vadaar you’ll have a very high sense of achievement and satisfaction. Even though the terrain is challenging, it is here that you get to spot a wide range of fauna ranging from barking deer, to reindeer, to Monals, to Khaleej Pheasants and more.

There is little surprise why this is our favourite day on the entire trek.

Quick Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Sari

Drive Distance: 190 km | Drive Duration: 7-8 hours

An 8-hour drive from Rishikesh to Sari is a picturesque one. Passes through Devaprayag and Rudraprayag. The entire journey is on the mountainside, with the river flowing.

Day 2: Trek from Sari to Deoriatal
Trek Distance: 4.1 km | Trek Duration: 2.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,381 ft to 7,950 ft

An easy day with a gradual climb on a well-defined rocky trail. It becomes steeper after the first 30 minutes. A short walk on even terrain after about 2 hours of climbing takes you to the campsite of Deoriatal.

Day 3: Trek from Deoriatal to Tali

Trek Distance: 8.5 km | Trek Duration: 5 hours   | Altitude Gain: 7950 ft to 8346 ft

A long day with a gradual ascent to Tali via Patpadia Bugyal. Watch out for Bisudi Top and Kalo Danda (Black Peak) from Patpadia Bugyal.

Day 4: Trek from Tali to Chitra Vadaar 

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration: 8 hours  | Altitude gain: 8346 ft to 11197 ft

This is the most difficult day of the whole trek. A long day both distance and terrain-wise. You trek on a narrow ledge that ascends steeply from Tali, all the way to Chitra Vadaar.

Day 5: Trek from Chitra Vadaar to Bisudi Tal via Bisudi Top and back to Chitra Vadaar

Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration:  12 hours  | Altitude gain and loss: 11197 ft to 12683 ft via 13160 ft and back to 11197 ft

Moderate to difficult trail. Starts with a ledge walk and ascends steeply to Bisudi meadows. Continues with a ridge walk to Bisudi Top and descends gradually to Bisudi Tal.

Day 6: Trek from Chitra Vadaar to Tali 

Trek Distance: 10.5 km | Trek Duration:  7 hours  | Altitude loss: 11197 ft to 8346 ft

Moderate to difficult day with steep descents and ledge walks to navigate through.

Day 7: Trek from Tali to Gadgu and Drive from Gadgu to Rishikesh

Trek Distance: 6 km | Trek Duration: 3 hours   | Altitude loss: 8346 ft to 5583 ft

Drive Distance: 194 km | Drive Duration: 6 hours

Leisurely descent in the dense forest trail populated by Rhododendron trees.

Know Your Bisudi Tal 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 surficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Bisudi Tal 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. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

How Does Each Day Look Like
Complete Trek Guide With Photos

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Sari
Drive Duration: 7-8 hours drive | Drive Distance: 190 km

Highlights: The journey is picturesque, as you pass through Devprayag, the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi forms the river Ganga. The entire journey traverses the mountainside, with the river flowing.

Sari, the base camp of the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek, is an 8-hour drive from Rishikesh. Sari has a few stay options. Find more information about it under FAQs

A quick tip: Pick the window seat on the right to enjoy the views!

Sari is a small village with around 100 houses. If you reach Sari when the sun is still out, go down to the village and walk around. The paddy fields are so prettily laid out that they almost beckon to you. There is a small school amidst the fields. This school was built in 1947 and is the only school at Sari. The views around the village are gorgeous. This is also where you’ll get a glimpse of the summit of Chandrashila!

Day 2: Trek from Sari Deoriatal

Trek Duration: 2.5-3 hours | Trek Distance: 4.1 km

Altitude gain: 6,381 ft to 7,950 ft
Difficulty: Easy. The day starts from the village by climbing a few stairs, followed by a gradual climb on a well-defined rocky trail. A short walk on even terrain after an hour of climbing takes you to the campsite.
Highlights: Take in the pretty view of vast farmlands as you start your ascent from Sari. Watch out for the first sights of rhododendron trees. Do not miss the sunset at Deoriatal with the mighty Chaukhambha massif looming in the background.

The adventure starts at Sari. There is a signboard indicating the trek route to Deoriatal in the heart of the small market in Sari, next to Hira and Murali Singh Negi Tourist House. The signboard says Devariya Tal, which is an alternative name for the lake.

It’s called so because it’s believed that devis (Goddesses) once came to the lake to take a dip. Alternatively, one can also start the trek from Ukhimath by taking another trekking route over the mountain for an 8 km steep incline trek to Sari. However, if you are short of time, this can be avoided. You can instead proceed to Sari via road.

A well-defined rocky trail is laid here. This trail begins with a gradual climb up the mountain. After approximately 15 minutes, you will come across village houses and an old local temple. Take in the pretty view of vast farmlands from here.

Ten minutes into the hike, the trail starts to become steeper. The forest has been cleared here, so you will get a good view all around. At the valley facing the end, you can see the summit of Chandrashila and below it, the holy Tungnath temple. You may need binoculars to spot the temple.

Note: Tungnath temple opens only in summer and closes by Diwali.

The trail is well-defined to Deoriatal. Ensure that you take the trail towards the left.

From here, you will need to follow the trail that winds up the mountain slope. After a steady uphill trek for about 20-30 minutes, you will reach the first viewpoint. The Forest Department has constructed a Hawa Ghar for the travellers here. This spot is ideally located to relax and feast your eyes with a grand view of the mountains and the valley.

From here, take the trail that goes by a beautiful rhododendron and maple forest. After a steady hike of ten minutes, you will reach the second viewpoint.

Now, at 7,434 feet, Sari is no longer visible. With only a kilometre left, you will find yourself at the backside of the mountain and you will get a view of the Ukhimath side of the valley, though only for a while. You are now nearing your destination.

Another 20 minutes later, you reach a dhaba. Deoriatal is just two minutes away from here.

After a very short downhill trek, your surroundings open up to a grand view of Deoriatal, with Mt. Chaukhambha massif looming in the background.

You have almost the entire day to yourself. That’s great because this is a picturesque campsite, a treat for the shutterbugs. You can go around the campsite and explore the trails around. The forests around here are lovely. You’ll be able to see and hear several Himalayan birds.

Photo Point: There’s a watchtower close to the lake that gives you grand views of the surrounding mountains.

Camping beside the lake is not allowed. Walk for a few metres from the lake to reach your campsite for the day.. The beauty of the view generally intensifies in the morning, when the clouds have cleared to offer unreal views of the hills.

Day 3: Trek from Deoriatal to Tali

Trek distance: 8.5 km | Duration: 5 hours

Altitude Gain: 7950 ft to 8346 ft

Trek gradient: Easy to moderate. Gradual ascent till Jhandi Top. Gradual to steep descent to Tali Bugyal.

Highlights: Pleasant walk in the dense forest dominated by Rhodos and oak trees. Watch out for the age-old oak trees on this trail. 

Walk along the left side of the lake towards the Forest Guest Lodge. Pass by a watchtower and proceed from behind the Forest Lodge from your right. A lovely forest trail awaits you. Full of rhododendron and maple trees, the trail is a picturesque one. Now and then, the Kedar Dome and Chaukhamba peaks peek at you through the trees on your left.

After 15 minutes of forest walk from the guest house, look for a small clearing as you exit the forest. In front of you, the Chandrashila peak is visible. Below, towards your right, you can see Sari village again. Observe the open expanse and a view of the forested ridge. This is the logical route of the forest ridge trek to the base of Chandrashila Peak.

Take the ascending trail ahead of you as you get much better views from both sides of the valley. Towards your left, you can see the mountain ridge, from where a trail to Madhmaheshwar and Nandikund trek passes.

Photo Point: After 15 minutes of climbing the ridge, look out for the highest point of the ridge nearest to you. This hill-top has a flag post. This is Jhandi Top.

In March and April, the trail is blazing with red and pink flowers of rhododendron. After 15 minutes of following the laid trail, you reach the top of Jhandi. The ridge has a small flat ground with unobstructed views from all sides. The forest continues to thicken throughout the trek. If you thought the forests until now were dense, you haven’t seen the start of it.

From here, proceed and take the trail that descends rapidly and connects with the forest ledge below. The descent is sharp but pleasant. After 10-15 minutes, the trail takes an eventful turn as you enter the forest ledge from the left. The flora of the region is stupendous.

Now and then, you might come across small shrines with bright yellow flags tied to them. These are all made by tourists and locals. You can use them as landmarks to ensure you’re on the right trail. Also, keep an eye out for wild animals such as foxes and leopards.

Keep walking on a leisurely downhill trail inside a generous cover of the forest, which will give you respite from the late morning sun. This is a quiet section of the forest with an abundance of birds. The Himalayan woodpecker and Verditer Flycatcher can easily be spotted here. Walk for another 20 minutes, until you see three trails branching out.

Take the centre trail that ascends gradually. This is the trail to Tali Bugyal.

After 20 minutes of gradual ascent, you’ll walk on level land for around 10 minutes. From here, the trail opens to small pasture land. You exit the forest as the view of Chandrashila peak greets you upfront. Just before you, you see the second forest ridge that needs to be traversed.

Take the trail from the right side of the connecting ledge. It passes by a small grassland. The trail ascends sharply as you re-enter the forest. This part of the forest has some of the oldest oak, maple, and rhododendron trees of the Kedarnath Sanctuary.

Another 20 minutes of trekking will have you reach the next landmark of the day, which is next to a small temple. This is known as Bhagdwal Dhar by the locals. From here, the right trail goes to Rohini Bygyal and leads to Chandrashila. Take the left one. It leads you to Bisudi Tal and Kalo Danda (Black Peak).

Soon after you start descending from Bhagdwal Dhar, takes you to Patpadia Bugyal. Patpadia Bugyal is a small meadow where Chaani Huts (Shepherd’s huts) are located. Use it as your resting spot. On a clear day, from here you get the views of Bisudi Top and Kalo Danda (Black Peak). The shepherds have the potato form all around. Behind the hut, is the green oak forest.

Continue to descend for another 45 minutes to reach Tali Bugyal. Tali Bugyal, a perfectly manicured meadow is the most picturesque setting. To the north are Bisudi Top and Kalo Danda. To the south is the thick oak forest with many Chaani Huts in the foreground. To the east is the biggest meadow in the region, the Kilbud meadow. And to the west is a range of snow-clad mountains, Jaonli, Kedarnath, and Kedarnath Dome to name a few. 

The best part is you are going to stay here for the night. Make the most of it. Watch out for the beautiful sunset from here. The sun setting behind the snow-clad mountains is a stunning sight. The golden light falling on the green grass looks heavenly.

Rest well as tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Day 4: Trek from Tali to Chitra Vadaar 

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Duration: 8 hours
Altitude gain and loss: 8346 ft to 11197 ft
Trek gradient: Difficult. A steep ascent in the dense forest filled with rhododendrons and oak trees.

Highlights: Adventurous ascent to Chitra Vadaar. Watch out for the rich wildlife - Monals, Griffons, Vultures, Langurs, Reindeer, Barking deer and many more.

You start from the Tali Campsite. The trail dives into the forest section. There is a proper mud trail. But at some points, you’ve to navigate through boulders and rocks. About 1 km into the trail, you encounter a deep gorge that you’ve to navigate through. This is also a seasonal waterfall. Until here, it’s gradual descent. On this trail, you encounter a couple of such seasonal waterfalls.

Another 500 metres of ascent, you come across a small clearing. If you’re lucky, you might even spot langurs here. We spotted some during our exploration and that’s why we have named it Langu Kharak. From here, the dense forest trail starts. This is a trail that is rarely traversed. Even the shepherds don’t go beyond the Langu Kharak. This trail has a rich fauna. Keep your eyes open so that you can spot as many Reindeer, Barking Deer, Langurs and some more.

About 4 km of ascent in the dense jungle, you come across Gadgat River Crossing. This is tricky. It’s a steep gorge. You’ve to be extremely careful while navigating in this section. As soon as you cross the river, comes the landslide zone. This is also where you spot Monals and Griffons. They just fly above you. Watch out for them.

As soon as you cross the landslide zone, comes the steep ascent. To give you an idea about how steep this section is, you gain almost 2500 ft altitude in just 2.2 km. It will take at least 2 - 2.5 hours to navigate. This is almost 70 degrees steep. To add to this, the trail is covered with a carpet of dry leaves. The carpet is so thick that you wouldn't even know what is beneath you. This makes the trail slippery. All these elements make it a difficult day.

Once you conquer the steep ascent, the next adventure is to trek on a narrow ledge. This ledge trail is so narrow that only one person can navigate at at a time. Make sure you’re always on the mountainside. Trekking on this narrow ledge hugging the mountainside is an adventure to cherish for a lifetime.

Continue trekking on a ledge to reach Chitra Vadaar. Vadaar in the local language means cave. It’s named Chitra Vadaar as the shepherds who have come here have drawn on the walls of the cave. Chitra Vadaar is a small cave that has an arch-like opening. Easily 5-6  people can stay here without pitching tents. But if you’re trekking with Indiahikes, this is not where you’re going to stay. Our campsite is just 700 metres away.

Chitra Vadaar campsite is a small clearing. It offers you great views of the surrounding mountains. You can even see Deoriatal and Sari from here. Helicopters flying below you look like flies. At night, you see the villages lit up. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.

Day 5: Trek from Chitra Vadaar to Bisudi Tal via Bisudi Top and back to Chitra Vadaar

Trek distance: 9 km | Duration: 12 hours
Altitude gain and loss: 11197 ft to 12683 ft via 13160 ft and back to 11197 ft
Trek gradient: Moderate-Difficult. Starts with a ledge walk in the meadows from Chitra Vadaar and ascends steeply to Bisudi Top. Gradual descent to Bisudi Tal.

Highlights: Never-ending meadow walks. Watch out for the gorgeous views of snow-clad mountains and an up close view of Mt Chaukamba

After a hard ascent the previous day, this day is a treat to your eyes. It’s all lush green meadows from Chitra Vadaar. However, it’s not just a plain walk in the meadows, there are ascents and descents. But this trail has so much to offer that it makes all of your struggles worth it.

From Chitra Vadaar, continue to walk on the ledge. Immediately, you come across another water stream that you have to cross across. It’s again a deep gorge so be mindful of your footsteps. 

After this, the trail opens up a bit. Just about 800 metres into this trail, you come across a forked path. One descends down and leads to the Tingri Bugyal and eventually to Burua village. Another one circumnavigates Bisudi Mountain and takes you to Bisudi Top. Take this trail. 

After 300 metres of the trek on this trail, you come across another landslide zone. From here to Bisudi meadows, it’s a steep ascent of about 1.3 km. But enthralling views of Kedarnath, Kedarnath Dome, Jaonli, Jankhut and Mandani take your attention away from the hard ascent. 

You reach Bisudi meadow. You have the undulated, unending lush green meadows on your left. You walk on a ridge on this beautiful setting for about 1 km. This is the most picturesque and rewarding day of the trek. The wildflowers of pink, yellow and purple add to the charm of the place. The massif Mt Chaukamba starts making its appearance. It’s 10x magnified compared to what you saw from Deoriatal. From here, it stays with you for the rest of the trek until you reach Bisudi Tal. You don’t get to see Chaukamba this close on any of our other treks.

At the end of a kilometre of ridge walk, you’re at the Bisudi Top. It’s the highest point of the trek. You get an aerial view of Bisudi Tal and Kshetrapal Mandir from here. To Bisudi Tal, it’s a gradual descent. You have the perfectly manicured high-altitude meadows and snow-clad mountains on one side and a lush green forest section on the other. Descend along for about 800 metres to reach Bisudi Tal.

Bisudi Tal is a small pond of about 100-150 metres in diameter. Situated in the middle of the undulating meadows, next to Kshetrapal Mandir, the serenity of it is what you exactly need at the summit of the adventurous trek. Sitting on the bank of the Tal, while you enjoy your packed lunch, savour the up-close view of mount Chaukamba and other range of mountains.

Descend back to Chitra Vadaar Campsite and stay there for the night.

Day 6: Trek from Chitra Vadaar to Tali 

Trek distance: 10.5 km | Duration:  7 hours
Altitude loss: 11197 ft to 8346 ft
Trek gradient: Moderate - Difficult. Steep descent in the dense forest section.

The trail back to Taali is on the same path that you took on Day 4. 

Day 7: Trek from Tali to Gadgu and Drive to Rishikesh from Gadgu

Trek distance: 6 km | Duration: 3 hours
Altitude loss: 8346 ft to 5583 ft
Trek gradient: Easy. Gradual descent to Gadgu village from Tali. 

Highlights: Leisurely descent for about 6 km in the dense rhododendron forest. 

From Tali, trace back the same route as Day 3 until Patpdia Bugyal. From there, take a downward trail through the forest. It takes you to Gadgu village. It’s lush green all around. It’s an easy descent and not as taxing as other days.

The entire trail is populated by rhododendron trees.  A leisurely descent in the forest section is exactly what you need on the last day of your adventure. 

As you descend to Gadgu village, observe the surroundings. It gives you a sneak peek into the culture of the region. You see traditional houses. You see step farming being practiced here. It’s a beautiful village to walk in.

Once you reach Gadgu village, drive back to Rishikesh on the same day.

How To Plan Your Travel

It is great to see you going on the Bisudi Tal Trek. While it is a great trek to do, you need to get your travel plan worked out perfectly. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do next. Use this guide and nothing else to plan your travel.

1. Here’s a quick view of how to plan your travel

Book your air ticket to Delhi or Dehradun. If Dehradun, proceed to Rishikesh. If Delhi, book a night train/bus to Haridwar.

Day 1 (Pick-up Day): Rishikesh to Sari drive. It is a 7-8 hours drive from Rishikesh. Sari is the base camp for your trek. 

Day 2: Trek from Sari (6,381 ft) to Deoriatal (7,950 ft); 4.1 km, 2.5 - 3 hours

Day 3: Trek from Deoriatal (7,950 ft) to Tali (8,346 ft) via Rohini Bugyal; 8.5 km, 5 hours

Day 4: Trek from Tali (8,346 ft)  to Chitra Vadaar (11,197 ft); 10.5 km, 8 hours

Day 5: Trek from Chitra Vadaar (11,197 ft) to Bisudi Tal (12,683 ft) via Bisudi Top (13,160 ft) and back to Chitra Vadaar (11,197 ft); 9 km, 12 hours

Day 6: Trek from Chitra vadaar to Tali; 10.5 km, 7 hours

Day 7: Trek from Tali to Gadgu. Drive from Gadgu to Rishikesh; 6 km, 3 hours

Day 8: Book a return train ticket to Delhi from Haridwar (Nanda Devi or Mussoorie express). Or book a direct air ticket from Dehradun.

|Note:

1. While getting to Sari, we recommend you arrive a day earlier and stay at Rishikesh (Day Minus One). Our vehicles can pick you up at Rishikesh as it falls on the way (on Day 1). Staying at Rishikesh gives you a well-deserved rest for the night. Plus some bonus sightseeing.
2. On your return from the trek, you can get off at Rishikesh. If you do not want to get off at Rishikesh, the final stop of the vehicle is at Rishikesh. You reach Rishikesh between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. 

Your travel route to the Sari basecamp passes through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Ukhimat.

2. Planning your onward flight/train booking

If you are travelling from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai or any other city, book your air tickets for Day Zero, which is the day before Day 1 on the itinerary. If your trek start day is 25 August, book your air tickets for 24 August to either Delhi/Dehradun. 

There are two options for your flight booking.

Option 1: Fly directly to Dehradun

We recommend this. It gives you an added rest day at Rishikesh. Most metros are directly connected to Dehradun. However, if the cost of the flight ticket to Dehradun is too high, book to Delhi and connect to Rishikesh by train/bus.

Tip: Dehradun Airport is Jolly Grant is closer to Rishikesh than Dehradun. It is 20 km from Rishikesh and 35 km from Dehradun.  

The Dehradun airport is somewhat inconvenient when it comes to city connectivity (either to Rishikesh or Dehradun). Airport buses that ply between Rishikesh to Dehradun via the airport run every hour. In our experience, the hour can stretch to even 1½ hours. 

Taxis are available from the airport (plenty). Prepaid taxis are available (look for the pre-paid taxi counter just out of the conveyor belt at the arrivals). You can also flag down a taxi (bargain a bit) with taxis outside the airport. Airport taxis are exorbitant. They usually charge between Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 to Rishikesh. 

Usually, most passengers take taxis from the airport. Try to hook up with co-passengers on the flight for your taxi ride to Rishikesh or Dehradun. 

Pro Tip: If you want to save real money try to catch an auto just outside the airport terminal complex. They usually come there to drop passengers off. Autos are not allowed to enter the airport complex. They charge approximately Rs 300 to Rishikesh. 

If autos are not available, walk for a further 1.5 km to get to the Rishikesh Dehradun highway. From the highway, you can flag down regular town buses or shared autos (shared autos are called Vikram's). Bus fare is about Rs 30 to Rishikesh. Shared autos charge about Rs 20. 

Option 2: Flying to Delhi

Flying to Delhi may be a lot cheaper than getting to Dehradun. Make sure to book a flight that reaches Delhi by 8.00 pm. You must arrive in Delhi on Day Zero and not on Day 1.

Note: If you notice the difference in air ticket prices between Delhi and Dehradun is less than Rs 1000 then book directly to Dehradun. The rest and shorter travel time are worth the difference.  

Next, book yourself on the Kota Express to Haridwar (Train No: 12401). It is a fully AC train that leaves at 23.45 hrs from Hazrat Nizamuddin and gets to Haridwar at 3.50 am. 

Note: Earlier the Kota Express would depart from the New Delhi railway station. Now, it leaves from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train now comes from Kota. So expect about 15 to 30 mins delay in arrival. The train number has changed too from 12206 to 12401.

For Metro train connectivity from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, take a metro to Dhaula Kuan metro station. Get off and walk down to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus metro station (there are convenient traveller belts over a skywalk). Take a metro to Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station over the pink line. It takes about 45 mins to an hour to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin over the metro.

Caution: Do not book on any other train except the Kota Express. The other option, Mussoorie express, is notorious for its delay. Your pickup vehicle may leave without you. If you do not get tickets on the Kota Express, take a bus from Delhi to Rishikesh, but do not book on the Mussoorie express.

Bus

If in case you do not get a train ticket, there are regular Volvo AC buses from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Rishikesh. You also get Non-AC buses. Buses are frequent and not usually crowded. You can get a bus almost every half hour. Buses take 7-8 hours to get to Rishikesh from Delhi. AC bus tickets cost about Rs.700.  

3. Planning your return flight/train booking

Next, if your onward flight departs from Delhi, then book flight tickets for Day 8. 

Sometimes trekkers worry if they can book an early morning flight out of Delhi on Day 8. Yes, you can. But book flights that depart only after 8.00 am. Do not book any flight between 6.00 am and 8.00 am. You may not reach Delhi in time. 

How to get to Delhi on time for an early morning flight. 

If your flight is early, say between 8.00 and 9.00 am, then there are two options. 

Train: Take the Kota Express from Haridwar (12402) that leaves Haridwar slightly past midnight (00.17 hrs) to get to Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 4.50 in the morning. From Hazrat Nizamuddin, you get airport buses from outside the station as well as taxis. For the Metro train walk down to the Hazrat Nizamuddin metro station, take a metro to Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus, get off and connect to the Dhaula Kuan Airport line metro station (there are convenient travelator belts over a skywalk). From Dhaula Kuan you get the metro train to the airport. 

Note: Earlier Kota Express would arrive at the New Delhi railway station. From 26 August 2019, it has been extended up to Kota. It no longer goes to the New Delhi railway station. Instead, it goes to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. The train number has changed from 12206 to 12402.    

Bus: The other option is to take a bus from Rishikesh. It is about a 5½ – 6 hrs journey to Delhi. From Rishikesh add another hour to the journey. So if you take a bus that leaves around 9.00 pm, then expect to reach Delhi at around 3.00 am (ISBT Kashmiri Gate). A bus that leaves at 10 pm will reach Delhi around 4.00 am. AC Volvo buses are the fastest, so opt for them. Non-AC buses can take up to 7-8 hrs for the journey. 

From Kashmiri Gate ISBT you get Airport buses or taxis.

Note: Metro trains in Delhi do not start before 5.00 am.  

If you are taking a flight out of Dehradun then book yourself on Day 7. Most metros are now well connected by Dehradun by flight. 

4. Planning your hotel/stay

Hotel options at Rishikesh

➤ Zostel is a modern backpackers hostel, excellent for women travelling alone. It has basic amenities such as bunk beds, towels, good bathroom. The entire premises is quite hygienic. Bathrooms are shared. The average cost is Rs 400 – 800 per bed. Rooms start at about Rs 1,200 https://www.zostel.com/ (for online booking). Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ugqLXUBcbgxnFt638

➤ SK International which is next to Zostel is another good option. It has clean rooms with good amenities. Charges are about Rs 1,000 – Rs 1,200 per night. Phone: 013-524-42943. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3nWu58ynjFyNn6on8

Shiv Shakti Hostel is another good, decent option at a similar price range to Zostel. This is a hostel like Zostel. They also have rooms. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qLs5wAThyyP8cmfR8

Hotel options at Haridwar

➤ Bedhubs are a good bunk bed stay in Haridwar — which is rare amongst the Dharamshalas and Ashrams of Haridwar. It is quite close to the heart of the action at Haridwar, approximately 500 m from Har Ki Pauri, Ram Ghat. Charges are around Rs 800 -1,000. Phone: 01334 224 567. Location: https://g.page/bedhubs?share

➤ Hotel Radiant near the Haridwar railway station has decent spacious rooms. Room rates are around Rs 750 for a non AC room and Rs 1,050 for an AC room. Contact person – Nitin Sharma – 9557155557. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/1AdiMiTtnAeGfF4Y8

➤ Hotel Rahi, a government-owned GMVN property is fairly decent. Spacious but old building. Almost opposite the Haridwar railway station, just past the bus stop. Prices start at around Rs 700 for a room. Phone: +91-135-2431793 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/bH25Zp8Di9SE3p757

Hotel options at Dehradun

➤ Hotel Drona, which is a government property owned by the GMVN is decent. It is an old, but large and spacious property. It is about 1.5 km from Dehradun railway station. Rooms start at Rs 750. Phone: +91-135-2746847.
Book online: http://gmvnl.in/newgmvn/online_reservation/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sjWSkGhe5LfAN8wDA

➤ MyRoom252 is a new backpacker facility in Dehradun. Modern, colourful and clean. Bunk beds start at Rs 300. Rooms are available too. It is not too far from the Dehradun Railway station. Shared autos (which are called Vikrams) can get you there. For online booking: http://www.myroom252.com/. Phone: 086308 81083.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/p5xkbMyUF4X5VHwx9

Nomads House is another new backpacker hostel in Dehradun. The atmosphere is good. The place is neat and clean. Indiahikes trek leaders love Nomads House. It is about 10 mins from the Dehradun railway station. Bunk beds start at Rs 400, rooms start at Rs 800. Shared autos are easily available to get to Nomads House. Phone: 9760596464 Location: https://g.page/NomadsHouse?share

5. Reaching Sari from Rishikesh by Public Transport System

Here is how you can get to Sari base camp on your own. 

If you are at Haridwar, take a bus to Rishikesh as quickly as you can. A bus generally leaves every 15 mins from Haridwar to Rishikesh.

From Rishikesh take the first available bus to Rudraprayag. Buses leave at 6.00 am and 8.00 am. Generally, all buses headed in the Badrinath direction pass by Rudraprayag. If you do not get a bus at the government bus stand, try the private bus stand, which is right next to it.

Rudraprayag is about 5 hours by bus from Rishikesh. On the way, the bus passes Devprayag and Srinagar (the Uttarakhand Srinagar, not the Kashmir one).

At Rudraprayag, from the main market buses leave for Ukhimat every two hours. The last bus is at 2.00 pm. You also get shared taxis from the main market, but after 2 pm vehicles are scarce.

It takes about 3 hours to get to Ukhimat. Ukhimat is 15 km prior to Sari. So it is almost there. From Ukhimat you get the last bus to Sari at 6.00 pm.

How Difficult Is Bisudi Tal Trek

A Reality Check on the Difficulty Level of this Trek

Is Bisudi Tal Trek Safe?
Defining Safety Standards of Trekking

Yes. Trekking to Bisudi Tal is safe. That's because the trail is remote, away from civilization. Most of the time it's just your group trekking on your own in nature.

Coming back to the trail, being mentally prepared for the trek is as important as being physically prepared to stay safe. For this, it is crucial to have a clear mental picture of the trek. Quickly, here it is:

| Trek in a nutshell: On the Bisudi Tal trek you go up to an altitude of 13,160 ft. You will be trekking and camping at altitudes above 10,000 ft on two days. It is possible that you could be hit by AMS on any of these days. At Indiahikes, we believe that as long as you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can easily survive at high altitudes.

To do this effectively, let’s break down and examine various aspects of Bisudi Tal trek from the perspective of safety:

• Safety while trekking in Kashmir
• What you must know about AMS
• Exit points on Bisudi Tal trek
• The closest hospital to Bisudi Tal trek

Safety while trekking

Safety - Terrain Wise

You will trek a total distance of over six days. Some days will be longer than others. 

On the summit day, you will trek approximately 10 km and on Day 4 — the most challenging day of the trek — you will trek 10.5 km as you climb from Tali  (8,346 ft) to Chitra Vadaar (11,197 ft).

During this climb, you will encounter a risky section traversing from a gorge to Chitra Vadaar wherein you gain an altitude of about 2500 ft in just 2.2 km. This must be done only with the help of technical safety equipment and a competent technical safety team.

Your summit day from Chitra Vadaar to Bisudi Tal is steep and gets steeper from the landslide zone. This is a steep ascent in the rocky terrain to the Bisudi meadow. 

Note: If you are trekking with Indiahikes, your Trek Leader will tell you when to wear the microspikes. Indiahikes technical team will lead in this section to make the footholds required for trekkers to step on.

Safety - Altitude wise

At altitudes above 10,000 ft, the chances of being hit by Acute Mountain Sickness are real. Altitude sickness does not distinguish between a first-timer and an experienced trekker. Even experienced trekkers can get affected.

Fitness helps in making your trek easier. But do not forget that even a fit person climbing too high too soon runs an equal risk of developing AMS.

Some symptoms to watch out for: (a) Persistent headache (b) Feeling fatigued or weak (c) Feel nauseous or vomit (d) Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, often while sitting up or standing suddenly (e) You don’t feel like eating, you have a loss of appetite (f) You don’t sleep very well at night.

The itinerary of the Bisudi Tal trek allows you to acclimate well. And yet, you must stay alert for any signs of AMS.

To help you understand AMS better, we've put together a complete guide about it. This is a series of videos you must watch before you get onto any high-altitude trek:

1. What Is Altitude sickness? A Quick Look At AMS, HAPE And HACE
2. How To Treat Altitude Sickness – AMS, HAPE, & HACE
3. How To Prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), HAPE and HACE
4. 3 Life Saving Drugs You MUST Have To Tackle Altitude Sickness – AMS, HAPE and HACE

If you experience any symptoms of AMS, even in the slightest, start taking steps to treat the sickness.

At Indiahikes, our Trek Leaders are trained and equipped to take care of any emergencies related to AMS.

Safety - Weather wise

Weather plays a big role in your safety on the trek. Here are some of the weather-related issues that can play an important role in your Bisudi Tal trek.

At altitudes above 10,000 ft, snowfall can happen anytime. A spell of rain on the lower slopes almost usually leads to light or heavy snow in the upper regions.

It can rain or snow abruptly at any time at such high altitudes. A rainfall or snowfall that lasts more than four hours can change your trek plans. Rain can flood the trails or make them too slushy to walk safely on. Some normal sections can become very slippery.

The Indiahikes technical team along with the Trek Leader takes a call on when to proceed with the trek and when to stay back. A team may have to turn around from the highest camp if the weather turns worse.

Emergency Exits on Bisudi Tal Trek

Medical Emergencies can strike on any trek. The key to dealing with them lies in knowing your exit points. Know how to get out and reach the nearest hospital quickly.

On Bisudi Tal trek, your best bet to descend depends on where you are on the trek.

If you haven’t crossed the Jhandi Top, then Sari is the best option. 

If you are between Tali and Chitra Vadaar, then Gadgu is the best option.

If you have crossed Chitra Vadaar, then descending to Burua via Tingri Bugyal is the best option.

Closest Hospital to Bisudi Tal Trek

If a medical emergency occurs before or after the summit climb, then Ukhimath is where you would need to go to get to a hospital. 

From Sari, Gadgu and Burua, it’s just half an hour drive to Ukhimath.

Best Time to do Bisudi Tal Trek

Experience the Trek in Different Months

The best time to do the Bisudi Tal trek is from May to the second week of June  and from the second week of October to November.

Summer and autumn are the only season when you can trek to Bisudi Tal. During other times of the year, the trail will be covered in snow and becomes inaccessible. 

Bisudi Tal in Summer

Summers bring out a green color palette on this trek, one that you might not witness in any other season. 

The forests and meadows look bright and sunny during May-June.

As the snow melts, the high altitude meadows of Bisudi mountain turn lush green  and is the best time to witness this picturesque setting.  

The gorges that are to be crossed will have the less water flow and will make the trek slightly easier. 

Bisudi Tal in Autumn

Autumn is the best time to witness clear skies and crisp mountain views.  

The meadows turn golden brown and is a stunning sight to witness.

As the chances of snow and rainfall are less, the trek is accessible during this season.

Weather And Temperature On Bisudi Tal Trek

On Bisudi Tal trek, the weather or temperature doesn't fluctuate much between campsites. But yes, there is a considerable change between the daytime and nighttime temperatures. 

With that setting in mind, let's dive into the details of weather and temperature.

From May to mid-June 

During summer, day temperatures hover around 20 - 22° C when you start from Sari. As you go higher, the temperature drops by 5 to 10° C. Expect cloud cover or rain to decrease this range by  8 to 10° C.  At the highest point, that is at bisudi Top, you can expect it to be around 1 - 3° C. At higher altitudes, nights tend to be balmy around 1 - 3° C.

From mid-October to November

During autumn, day temperature hover around 18-20° C when you start from Sari. As you go higher, the temperature drops by 5 to 10° C. Expect cloud cover or rain to decrease this range by  8 to 10° C.  At the highest point, that is at bisudi Top, you can expect it to be around 0 - 3° C. At higher altitudes, nights tend to be balmy around 1 - 3° C.

What To Pack For The Trek

A Packing Check-List

Things to take for the Bisudi Tal Trek

Bisudi Tal  is a very high altitude trek. The trekking gear you need to carry for this trek is different from regular treks. So pay careful attention to this entire section.

• A list of everything you need for the trek
• A list of medicines for your trek

First, The Essentials. You cannot do the trek without these.

1. Trekking Shoes:

Bisudi Tal trek requires trekking shoes that are sturdy, have good grip, have ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There really isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

2. Backpack:

For a trek like Tarsar Mrasar, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

3. Clothes:

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Base layer:

3 T-shirts:

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Buying tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends, Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is a blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space, since you’re already carrying them. 

3 Insulation layers:

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 13,200 ft. At these altitudes it can get freezing cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.

You will need 2 light fleece layers, 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

1 Outer layer:

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t really need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

Note: Down/feather jackets are really not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.

Two trek pants:

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.

| Buying tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

| Track pants or trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants -- so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek. 

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Bisudi Tal without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

1. Sunglasses:

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Bisudi Tal, especially in early July expect to walk on long stretches of snow. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.

| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.

Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section you must absolutely never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.   

2. Suncap:

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sun strokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woolen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sun burns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

3. Synthetic hand gloves:

On a trek like Bisudi Tal you are going to be handling snow quite a bit if your trekking in early July You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek. These are also very useful when it rains to keep your hands dry and warm.  

4. Woollen cap or Balaclava:

Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. Which is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is absolutely essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woolen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

5. Socks (3 pairs):

Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug in the night. If you cannot get woolen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

6. Headlamp:

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Bisudi Tal trek you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.

| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you. 

7. Trekking pole (a pair):

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Bisudi Tal trek there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

8. Rainwear:

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.

Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are really not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.

9. Rain cover for your backpack:

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes, your warm gear in your backpack. It is important that your backpack stays dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain covers. If your back pack does not have a rain-cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic. 

| Pro tip: It's good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

10. Daypack (20-30 ltrs, optional):

Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a porter on the Bisudi Tal  trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.

A day pack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them.

Other mandatory requirement

1. A toilet kit:

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics -- toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Bisudi Tal.

| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose your sanitary waste.

2. Cutlery:

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leak proof. You are expected to wash your own cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, bacteria to settle on your cutlery. Incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.

| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.

3. Two 1 litre bottles or a 2 litre hydration pack:

Bisudi Tal has long walking days. You need to carry two one litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.

4. Plastic covers:

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Personal medical kit

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times.

1. Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend down to Gadgu. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Bisudi Tal  trek.    
2. Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain
3. Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one, a half hour before the start of your road journey.
4. Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 
5. Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 
6. ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.
7. Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

How to Get Fit for Bisudi Tal Trek

A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Well

Cardiovascular endurance

This trek requires a good amount of cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Start jogging at a slow pace and then keep increasing your pace day by day. In order to be prepared for high altitude trek, you should have a combination of distance and speed targets.

Here’s a fitness routine that works:

• -->Target completing 5 km in 45 minutes when you begin.
• -->Gradually increase your pace by running 4 times a week and bring it down to 5 km in less than 37 mins.
• -->If you are 45 years old and above and are more comfortable with long distance walking than jogging, then before you go on the trek, you should be able to walk at least 10 km at a stretch. Target completing this in 90 minutes.
  If jogging is fine for you, your target should be completing 5 km in 50 minutes initially, and 5 km in less than 45 minutes before you go on the trek.
• -->If you are somebody who prefers cycling over running, your target must be to cover 22 km in 60 minutes.

Working out indoors

If you can’t go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here’s a video you can use to work out indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bisudi Tal Trek

1. How long is the Bisudi Tal trek?

The Bisudi Tal trek is 48.6 km long. You gain 6,780 ft in total on the Bisudi Tal trek. The safest way to do this trek is to cover this distance in seven days as it allows enough time for your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. It’s easier and makes trekking more enjoyable.

As a chunk of this trek lies above 10,000 ft, watch out for signs of AMS if you cut the itinerary short.

2. Where is Bisudi Tal trek?

The Bisudi Tal trek starts from Sari which is also the basecamp of Deoriatal Chandrashila trek.

Sari is 190 km away from Rishikesh and is about 8 hours drive from Rishikesh.

3. What are my stay options at Sari?

Sari is a small village. But there are a few homestays at Sari where you can stay.  Check out the link for more options.

4. Can Bisudi Tal trek be done on your own?

Yes. Bisudi Tal trek can be done on your own provided you have enough high-altitude trek experiences and are fit enough.  But you need to take a guide along with you. Also, make sure you have the gpx file of the trek downloaded.

5. Do you need any permission for the Bisudi Tal trek?

Yes. There is a forest check post near Deoriatal. There you need to take permission for the Bisudi Tal trek.

6. What are treks close by to Bisudi Tal trek?

Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is the closest to Bisudi Tal trek. This trek also starts from Sari and the route is same until you reach Bhagdwal Dhar on Day3. From there you take a deviation to Chandrashila peak.

Trek Contrubution

Trek explored by Gautam Singh.

Photos contributed by Gautam Singh and Jothiranjan.

Photo edited by Sneha.G.Iyer

Trek written by Gautam Singh and Manasa N L.