Everthing You Need To Know About Deoriatal Chandrashila

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Everthing You Need To Know About Deoriatal Chandrashila

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By Aayush Jakhete

2022-08-24

How long is the Chandrashila trek?

The Deoriatal Chandrashila covers around 27 km in 4 days. (6 days including the drive to and from the trek). The altitude ranges from 6,381 ft in Sari to Chandrashila top at 12,083 ft.

How difficult is the Chandrashila trek?

The Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is an easy-moderate one. It does not have too many steep climbs (except the summit push to Chandrashila). It does not have many long days.

Compared to all our Himalayan treks, this is perhaps the easiest one. It's a good trek for beginners, families and children.

Having said that, it is still a trek in the Himalayas with terrain, temperatures and weather difficulties. 

Is there snow in Chandrashila?

There is snow on the Chandrashila trek from December to the end of April. The first winter snow falls by mid-December, and the trail usually remains accessible till the end of December.

The trails become slightly difficult and adventurous between January and February, which are peak winter months because of high snow.

At the beginning of March, when the snow starts melting slightly, it is one of the best times to do the trek. The best time to do the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek would be the months of March and April, when there is still a lot of snow, lush greenery and flowering rhododendron forests.

How fit do I need to be to do the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek?

A trek like Deoriatal Chandrashila requires a good fitness level. There are gradual ascents, steep ascents to the top and 5-6 hours of trekking daily. As a measure of your fitness, we need you to:

Run at least 5 km in 38 minutes before your trek. Consistency of your workout also matters, so aim to jog 20 km a week or 80 km a month. It's our minimum mandatory requirement.

OR

Alternatively, cycle for at least 22 km in 60 minutes. Aim to cycle 110 km a week or 440 km in a month. However, running is better suited for your trek preparation.

Once you get confirmed for your trek, we will diligently follow up on your fitness routine. Our team will also assist in putting you through a fitness plan. It will ultimately help you have a safe trek experience.

How to Get Fit for Your Trek

How many trekkers are in a single group?

On the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek, we usually take around 20- 23 trekkers.

Can I take my child along on this trek? What is the age limit?

Deoriatal Chandrashila is an easy-moderate trek and requires trekkers to be physically fit. The minimum age for eligibility is 8 years. If your child meets this criterion and is physically fit, you can take them along.

What are the washroom/toilet facilities like on the trek?

Our Campus at Sari will have concrete toilets. On Trek days, toilet tents will be set up along each campsite. A toilet tent will have a deep pit, where one can answer nature's call. There will be a mound of soil and a shovel to cover it up. These are dry toilets, where you'll have to use toilet paper. There will be a room freshener as well. It's the most hygienic and convenient way to answer nature's call in the wild. 

Please use plain toilet paper and refrain from using wet wipes since these are not biodegradable.

What Happens To Your Poop in the Mountains? | Green Trails | Indiahikes

Will I get a mobile network and charging points during the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek?

You'll find a good network all across your trek when it comes to a mobile phone network and an internet connection. You will get a 4G network even at Chandrashila Top!

As for electricity, Sari Campus is the last point with electricity. At the Indiahikes base camp in Raithal, all the rooms are equipped with plug points for trekkers to charge their electronic devices.

However, once you leave the base camp, there is no electricity. We suggest you bring additional batteries for your cameras and a power bank with more than 10,000 mAh to last you the entire trek.

Which is the nearest ATM to the Chandrashila Trek?

Rishikesh is your best bet to make last-minute cash withdrawals.

We advise you to carry around Rs 4-5k in cash to pay for your transport to the basecamp, for rental gear deposit and personal expenses en route to the basecamp. We advise you to carry more if you plan to visit other attractions after the trek. 

If you're an Indiahikes trekker,  there is no major need for cash once you arrive at the base camp. All meals, accommodations, permits, and related expenses are taken care of by Indiahikes.

Can I keep extra luggage at the base camp in Sari?

Yes, you can keep the extra luggage at the base camp. Once the trek ends, you will be able to collect the luggage. Our team will arrange for this. 

Ensure you do not keep any valuables at the base. Laptops, mobile phones, cash or any important items cannot be kept here.

What is the style of accommodation on this trek?

Deoriatal Chandrashila is a 6-day trek. On other trek days, you will stay at our campus in Sari and in tents. Each tent accommodates 3 trekkers.

I am more than 58 years old. Can I do this trek?

Yes, you can!

If you are above the age of 58, you'll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration. Apart from this, you should also be able to jog 5 km in 45 minutes.

Is offloading available for this trek?

Having more footprint through porters, horses or mules on any trail isn't good for the ecosystem. This is why, at Indiahikes, we do not encourage offloading. A trekker carries his/her backpack in the true spirit of trekking.

But if — due to a medical condition — you cannot carry your backpack, you may offload your backpack. 

The cost of offloading on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is Rs 1,200 for the trek.

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Aayush Jakhete

About the author

Born & brought in Mumbai, trekking in the Sahayadris has been a huge part of Aayush's life. He holds a bachelors degree in computer science & a master's degree in finance.

Aayush deeply resonates with the vision of "everyone must trek" and wishes to impact peoples lives through trekking. He believes that trekking has an intangible way of transforming people from all ages and walks of life. This stemmed from his own experience at the Gaumukh Tapovan trek.

Apart from work, Aayush likes trekking, reading, football and investing.