Deoban

A Rare Weekend Forest Trail Near Chakrata

TREK DIFFICULTY

Easy

TREK DURATION

2 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

9,279 ft

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.

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 - 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 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.

Deoban Trek Videos

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek

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, and 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. 

Trek Focus

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

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.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

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.

Request Jain/Vegan-friendly food

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Fresh, nutritious food at every camp

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

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