Quick answer: Trekkaro's winter treks from Rishikesh pick the group up at Jumping Heights in Tapovan: Brahmatal (6 days, 3,734 m, about 250 km to Lohajung), Kuari Pass (6 days, 3,815 m, about 215 km to Pipalkoti) and Chopta Chandrashila (5 days, 3,962 m, about 185 km to Sari). Each starts with a full day on the road into Chamoli or Rudraprayag.
Which treks start from Rishikesh?
These are multi-day Himalayan treks, not day hikes: each one has a road day at each end and three nights in tents in between. Here is how they compare.
| Fact | Brahmatal | Kuari Pass | Chopta Chandrashila |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Pickup | Jumping Heights, Tapovan | Jumping Heights, Tapovan, or Dehradun Railway Station | Jumping Heights, Tapovan |
| Highest point | Brahmatal Top, 3,734 m | Kuari Pass, 3,815 m | Chandrashila, 3,962 m |
| Grade | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| Minimum age | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Season | October to March | October to April | October to June |
| District | Chamoli | Chamoli | Rudraprayag |
| Fee with GST | ₹9,450 | ₹9,870 | ₹8,662.50 |
The Brahmatal Trek crosses a snow ridge to two lakes and a summit. The Kuari Pass Trek climbs through forest to a pass with fourteen peaks on its skyline. The Chopta Chandrashila Trek links Deoriatal, the Rohini Bugyal meadow, the Tungnath temple and the Chandrashila summit.
How far is each base from Rishikesh?
Each drive takes 8 to 10 hours, so the first and last days are road days. Plan to arrive in Rishikesh the day before your trek starts.
| Trek | Base and height | Drive from Rishikesh | On the way | Drive back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brahmatal | Lohajung, 2,316 m | About 250 km, 8 to 10 hours | Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag | About 250 km, 8 to 10 hours |
| Kuari Pass | Pipalkoti, 1,883 m | About 215 km, about 9 hours | The Badrinath Road | 8 to 10 hours, depending on the road |
| Chopta Chandrashila | Sari, 2,012 m | About 185 km, 8 to 9 hours | Devprayag, Rudraprayag and the town of Srinagar | About 200 km from Baniyakund, 8 to 9 hours |
Chopta Chandrashila starts and ends in different places, Sari and Baniyakund. Kuari Pass also has a pickup at Dehradun Railway Station, and the cab between Pipalkoti and the Dhak trailhead on Days 2 and 5 is part of its fee. For the treks that start from Dehradun instead, see our guide to treks near Dehradun.
How much snow does each trek from Rishikesh get?
On Brahmatal, from December to February snow lies 2 to 4 feet deep on the trail above Lohajung, and both of its lakes are fully frozen. On Kuari Pass the forest is under thick snow from December to March, deepest in January on the climb from Khullara to the pass. On Chopta Chandrashila snow lies on the higher sections, Rohini Bugyal and the summit from December to April.
| Winter figure | Brahmatal | Kuari Pass | Chopta Chandrashila |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter nights | -15°C to -5°C at base camp | -14°C to -8°C | -10°C to -6°C |
| Where snow is deepest | Tilandi, above Bekaltal, in late January | Khullara to the pass, in January | Baniyakund to Chandrashila, in January |
| Snow months | First snow in November; deep from December to February | December to March | December to April, on the higher sections |
Ask Trekkaro's trek leaders for the best month on these winter treks and the answer is February; the busiest weeks are in late December. Check the forecast for Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts on the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre before you travel.
Which trek from Rishikesh suits a first-timer or a family?
Brahmatal has the lowest minimum age of these treks: it is graded Easy to Moderate, needs no previous trekking experience and takes children from age 7, with a parent or guardian for anyone under 18. Its hardest stretch is the Day 3 climb of about 800 m from Bekaltal to Jhandi Top, which our Jhandi Top guide describes.
Kuari Pass is also Easy to Moderate, from age 8. Its biggest climb is Day 2, about 850 m from Dhak to Gulling; Day 3 to Khullara is short, and the summit day is 13 km in 8 to 9 hours. Chopta Chandrashila, from age 8, is graded Moderate because of the nearly 16 km Day 3, 7 to 8 hours, and the steep summit climb: an 11 km day of 8 to 9 hours past Tungnath to 3,962 m, the highest point on these treks.
How does the Rishikesh pickup work?
On Day 1 the shared cab leaves Jumping Heights in Tapovan, Rishikesh, in the morning. The cab is not part of the trek fee on any of these treks. We help the group book shared cabs at ₹6,500 one way per 5 to 6 seat vehicle, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, which is ₹1,083 each when six share. Booking for a batch closes at 5 PM (India time) the day before it starts.
Cash, signal and luggage differ by trek, so sort them out in Rishikesh:
| Trek | Last reliable ATM | Last stable signal | Free luggage store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brahmatal | Dewal, before Lohajung | Lohajung | Lohajung |
| Kuari Pass | No ATM at Pipalkoti; bring cash | Patchy at Pipalkoti | Pipalkoti |
| Chopta Chandrashila | Rudraprayag, before Sari | Sari | None; leave extra bags at your hotel in Rishikesh |
Carry cash in small notes on every one of these treks.
What comes with each of these treks?
Each of these treks includes the Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, against a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. Meals on the trek are pure vegetarian, tents are shared by three with men and women in separate tents, and the sleeping bags are rated to -20°C.
On each trek your SpO2 and pulse are checked twice a day at every campsite, the trek leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and lead with local guides, and one oxygen cylinder and one stretcher travel with every batch. A batch takes up to 20 trekkers, with one trek leader or guide for every 8. The Brahmatal fee is ₹9,000 per person plus 5% GST (₹9,450 with GST), the Kuari Pass fee is ₹9,400 per person plus 5% GST (₹9,870 with GST), and the Chopta Chandrashila fee is ₹8,250 per person plus 5% GST (₹8,662.50 with GST).
Every trekker brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor (the form is in My Bookings), and travel insurance is mandatory and not included. See each trek page for live batch dates.
See Brahmatal Trek dates and book | Brahmatal vs Kuari Pass | Best winter treks for beginners
Frequently asked questions
How much snow do the treks near Rishikesh get?
Brahmatal has 2 to 4 feet of snow on the trail from December to February, with both lakes frozen. Kuari Pass is under snow from December to March, and Chopta Chandrashila's higher sections from December to April.
Which is the easiest trek from Rishikesh?
Brahmatal and Kuari Pass share the easier grade, Easy to Moderate. Brahmatal needs no previous trekking experience and is open from age 7; Kuari Pass is open from age 8.
Is transport from Rishikesh included in the trek fee?
No. The group travels in shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. On Kuari Pass the short cab between Pipalkoti and the Dhak trailhead is included.
Where is the pickup point in Rishikesh?
The shared cab leaves from Jumping Heights in Tapovan, Rishikesh, on the morning of Day 1. Kuari Pass also has a pickup at Dehradun Railway Station.
Which trek from Rishikesh goes highest?
Chopta Chandrashila, whose summit is at 3,962 m (13,000 ft). Kuari Pass reaches 3,815 m and Brahmatal Top 3,734 m.
