Chirbatiya Trek
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Chirbatiya Trek — Guide, Dates & Cost
Chirbatiya Trek is a 3-day easy trek in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,561 m (8,402 ft). It covers about 13 km on foot and starts at Chirbatiya and ends at Kund. Best time: September to April. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
Updated
District: Rudraprayag
Duration: 3 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Highest Altitude: 2,561 m / 8,402 ft
Trekking Distance: 13 km
Temperature: Autumn (Sep-Nov): Day 12°C to 20°C, Night 3°C to 10°C | Winter (Dec-Feb): Day 5°C to 14°C, Night -4°C to 4°C | Spring (Mar-Apr): Day 12°C to 22°C, Night 2°C to 10°C
A path through the pines, which is what the name means, that climbs in a single easy day to a meadow with nine of Garhwal’s great peaks lined up across the sky. The Chirbatiya trek is one of the quietest weekend treks in Uttarakhand: a forest of chir pine, oak and rhododendron loud with birds, two shepherd clearings with old temples, a camp on open grass at 2,561 m (8,402 ft) and a sunrise over the Ghansali valley that rivals anything on the Deoriatal–Chandrashila trail next door. Three days from Dehradun, and almost nobody on the path.
The Chirbatiya trek lies in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, on the border with Tehri, in a range of forested hills north of Rudraprayag town above the Ghansali valley. We meet at Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM and drive about 210 km through Rishikesh, Chamba and New Tehri, past the Tehri dam lake and up through Ghansali, to the hamlet of Chirbatiya at 2,191 m (7,188 ft), which sits on a pass on the Ghansali–Mayali road. From Chirbatiya the trail climbs through the forest to the camp at Rai at 2,408 m (7,900 ft), then on to the meadows of Patangnia at 2,561 m (8,402 ft), the high point of the trek, before dropping to the road head at Kund at 2,286 m (7,500 ft), a short drive from Chirbatiya.
It is a 3-day trek of about 13 km on foot, Dehradun to Dehradun, with one night in a homestay at Chirbatiya and one night in tents at Rai, and it is a small crossing: you start at one road head and finish at another. In Garhwali, ‘chir’ is the chir pine and ‘batiya’ is a path, and the trek earns the name in its first hour, when the trail leaves the road and the smell of pine resin closes in around you.
Nine Peaks from a Pine Path – What Makes the Chirbatiya Trek Unmissable
The view from Patangnia is the reason to come. The meadows sit on the crest of the range with nothing in front of them, and on a clear morning the panorama runs through roughly 270 degrees. From left to right you pick out Chaukhamba and the Kedarnath peaks above the Mandakini valley, Mandani Parbat and Janhukut, Neelkanth above Badrinath, and then the Nanda Devi group far to the east: Dronagiri, Changabang, Nanda Devi itself and the three-pronged Trishul. The lesser ranges roll away in blue folds in front of them, and the Ghansali valley lies at your feet. Chirbatiya gets this view with a fraction of the climb that the better-known trails demand.
The forest is the second reason. The trail climbs from the pass through chir pine into oak, deodar and rhododendron, and the woods are full of birds: in spring the Forest Department runs a small nature festival at Chirbatiya for exactly this reason, and you are likely to see woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, flycatchers and, with luck, a koklass or kalij pheasant on the path. In March and April the rhododendrons turn the hillside red. In autumn the air is clean and the oaks drip with mist in the early morning. In winter the upper meadows can carry a dusting of snow, and the peaks stand out white against a hard blue sky.
The third reason is how little is here. The clearings on the way up hold a chhaani, a shepherd’s stone hut, and two small temples under the trees at Patangnia where the villagers of the valley come up on festival days, and that is all. There is no tea stall on the trail, no village between the pass and the road head at Kund and no other group at the camp. For a trek that is only a long weekend from Delhi, that is rare.
The Trail Itself
For a 13 km trek, Chirbatiya is gentle in shape: one short climbing day and one longer ridge day. Day 1 is the drive from Dehradun to Chirbatiya, with the afternoon free on the pass and the night in a homestay. Day 2 is the climb to Rai, about 5.5 km and 3–4 hours, through pine and then oak and rhododendron forest, with one steeper stretch of about 45 minutes in the middle and a first clearing with a view of the snow peaks before camp. Day 3 is the longest day, about 7.5 km and 5–6 hours: a pre-dawn walk of twenty minutes up to the ridge above Patangnia for sunrise, breakfast at camp, a walk across the meadows past the two temples, and then a long, steady descent through the forest to the road head at Kund, followed by the drive back to Dehradun.
There is no technical ground, no river crossing and no exposure, and the highest point is well below the altitude where mountain sickness is a concern. The challenges are the length of Day 3 for a first-time trekker, the pre-dawn start in the cold, and the weather: frost on the meadows from November, snow on the upper trail in December, January and February, when microspikes come out, and the long drive on either side.
Who Is This Trek For?
The Chirbatiya trek is graded easy, and we recommend it for first-time trekkers, families with children, solo trekkers and groups of colleagues who want a Himalayan view without a hard climb. The hardest day is Day 3: about 7.5 km and 5–6 hours on foot from Rai up to the Patangnia ridge and down to Kund, with a pre-dawn start. Day 2, at about 5.5 km and 3–4 hours, is a short, steady climb. We recommend three to four weeks of preparation, with regular walking or light jogging and a couple of two-hour weekend walks. Children aged 8 and above who walk regularly can join with a parent or guardian. Above 60: a doctor’s fitness certificate is needed, and an ECG or TMT report is recommended. Season: September to April.
Key Highlights of the Chirbatiya Trek
- The Patangnia panorama – a 270-degree view of Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Mandani, Janhukut, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Changabang, Nanda Devi and Trishul from the meadows at 2,561 m (8,402 ft)
- Sunrise over the Ghansali valley – a twenty-minute walk up to the ridge above camp before dawn on Day 3
- The path through the pines – chir pine giving way to oak, deodar and rhododendron, in flower in March and April
- Birds everywhere – woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, flycatchers and pheasants in a forest the Forest Department celebrates with a spring nature festival
- Shepherd clearings and temples – a stone chhaani on the climb and two small temples under the trees at Patangnia
- A quiet camp – one night on open grass at Rai, with no other group and no village lights
- Chirbatiya pass – sunset from the hamlet on the first evening, looking out over the Ghansali valley
- A long weekend from Delhi – three days from Dehradun, with only 13 km on foot
Best Time to Do the Chirbatiya Trek
The Chirbatiya trek runs from September to April, across three seasons: autumn, winter and spring. The forest and the view are the constants; what changes is the colour of the hillside, the clarity of the air and the cold at night. May and June are hazy and warm in the low hills, and July and August bring heavy rain, leeches and landslide risk on the drive, so the trek does not run in those months.
September to November – Autumn (The Clear-Sky Season)
After the monsoon the air is washed clean and the panorama from Patangnia is at its sharpest, with the peaks standing against a deep blue sky from October onwards. The grass on the meadows is green in September and gold by November, the oaks hold the mist in the early morning and the first frost settles on the tents at Rai towards the end of the season. Days are pleasant, from 12°C on the ridge to 20°C at Chirbatiya, while nights range from 10°C at the pass in September down to 3°C at Rai in November.
December to February – Winter (The Snow Season)
Winter turns Chirbatiya into a different trek. The upper forest and the meadows at Patangnia can carry snow from late December, the peaks are brilliant white and the air is the clearest of the year. The trail is short enough that the cold is a pleasure rather than a hardship, and microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear go on where the path is hard with ice. Days range from 5°C at the ridge to 14°C in the sun at Chirbatiya, and nights drop from 4°C at the pass to -4°C at Rai in January, so this is the season to pack every warm layer.
March to April – Spring (The Rhododendron Season)
In March the rhododendrons flower along the whole climb from Chirbatiya to Rai and the birds are at their busiest, which is why the Forest Department holds its nature festival at Chirbatiya in the middle of the month. Patches of old snow can still lie in the shaded gullies early in March, and by April the meadows are green again and the days are warm. Days are mild, from 12°C to 22°C, and nights range from 10°C at the pass in April down to 2°C at Rai in early March. The views are still clear in March and begin to soften with haze towards the end of April.
Chirbatiya Trek Cost and Booking in 2026
The Chirbatiya trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 3 days from Dehradun to Dehradun, with Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes. Meals on the trek, stays, permits and a certified trek leader are included; transport between Dehradun and the two road heads is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Book online on this page by choosing a batch date. Booking closes at 5 PM on the day before the trek, and you can reschedule once, free of charge, up to 8 days before departure.
📅 Best months for the Chirbatiya Trek: most of the year (September to April). Still choosing dates? Compare all treks in October, treks in November, treks in December and treks in January.
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Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, from Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM to Chirbatiya. Your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
Day 1: Dehradun to Chirbatiya
Route Details:
Drive: Dehradun → Rishikesh → Chamba → New Tehri → Ghansali → Chirbatiya | Distance: about 210 km | Duration: 6–7 hrs | Altitude: 640 m → 2,191 m
We meet at Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM, where your trek leader checks your documents, hands over your Free Trekking Gear and takes your first health readings. The group then sets off on the drive into the Tehri hills, about 210 km and 6–7 hrs, through Rishikesh and up the winding road to Chamba and New Tehri, with the first views of the Tehri dam lake below the road. This drive is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers.
There are stops for breakfast and lunch along the way; meals on the drive are paid by you. Beyond New Tehri the road drops to the Bhilangana river and follows it up to Ghansali, a small market town and the last place with an ATM and a reliable signal before the trek, so draw cash and make your calls here. From Ghansali the road climbs out of the valley for the last stretch to the pass.
Chirbatiya is a small hamlet of a few houses on a saddle at 2,191 m (7,188 ft), where the road from Ghansali crosses the ridge towards Mayali. You should arrive by mid-afternoon, with time to walk a little way along the ridge, look out over the Ghansali valley and, on a clear day, catch the first glimpse of the snow peaks you will see properly tomorrow. The pass faces both ways, and the sunset from the hamlet is the first highlight of the trek.
You stay tonight in a simple homestay at Chirbatiya, with a hot dinner and a briefing from the trek leader on the two days ahead. Lay out tomorrow’s clothes, fill your bottles and pack your day bag before you sleep. The night on the pass is cool rather than cold, and a good sleep after the long drive sets up the climb to Rai in the morning.
What to Expect:
- Meet at Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM
- Shared cab to Chirbatiya via New Tehri and Ghansali, about 210 km, 6–7 hrs (not included)
- Views of the Tehri dam lake on the way
- Last ATM and reliable signal at Ghansali
- Sunset over the Ghansali valley from the pass
- Overnight: homestay at Chirbatiya
Day 2: Chirbatiya to Rai
Route Details:
Trek: Chirbatiya → Rai | Distance: 5.5 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 2,191 m → 2,408 m
The trek begins after breakfast with a short walk along the road from the hamlet to the start of the trail, marked by a small Ganesha shrine at the edge of the forest. From here the path climbs gently through chir pine, the tree that gives the trek its name, with the smell of resin in the air and the needles soft underfoot. The gradient is easy, the day is short, about 5.5 km and 3–4 hours, and there is no reason to hurry: this is a walk for looking and listening.
Within the first hour the pines give way to oak, deodar and rhododendron, and the birds begin. Keep your voice low and your eyes on the branches: woodpeckers, laughingthrushes and flycatchers are common, and pheasants cross the path early in the morning. In March the rhododendrons are in flower along this whole stretch. There are one or two small water sources in the folds of the hillside, so you can refill, but fill both bottles at Chirbatiya to be safe.
About halfway up the trail reaches its first clearing, a patch of grass with a chhaani, a shepherd’s stone hut, and the first open view of the snow peaks beyond the ridges to the north. This is where packed lunch is eaten. Beyond the clearing comes the only real climb of the day, a steeper section of about 45 minutes through the forest, and then the path eases again as it approaches camp.
Rai is an open clearing on the hillside at 2,408 m (7,900 ft), with forest on three sides and the valley opening out below. Tents are pitched on the grass, and you arrive in the early afternoon with time to rest, explore the edge of the clearing and watch the light change on the ridges. After tea the trek leader runs the daily SpO2 and pulse checks, and the evening is quiet, with no village lights and a sky full of stars once the sun is down. Sleep in your thermals and keep your headlamp handy for the pre-dawn walk tomorrow.
What to Expect:
- Ganesha shrine at the start of the trail
- Chir pine giving way to oak, deodar and rhododendron
- Birds all the way: woodpeckers, laughingthrushes and pheasants
- First clearing with a chhaani and the first view of the snow peaks
- One steeper stretch of about 45 minutes
- Overnight: camping at Rai
Day 3: Rai to Patangnia and Kund, drive to Dehradun
Route Details:
Trek: Rai → Patangnia → Kund | Distance: 7.5 km | Duration: 5–6 hrs | Altitude: 2,408 m → 2,561 m → 2,286 m | Drive: Kund → Dehradun, about 215 km, 6–7 hrs
The day starts in the dark. The wake-up call comes about an hour before sunrise, and after a hot drink the group walks up from camp with headlamps on to the ridge above the Patangnia meadows, about twenty minutes of easy climbing. As the light comes up over the Ghansali valley, the peaks appear one by one: Chaukhamba and Kedarnath to the north-west, Mandani and Janhukut, Neelkanth, and then Dronagiri, Changabang, Nanda Devi and Trishul far to the east. On a clear morning the panorama runs through roughly 270 degrees, and this is the moment the trek has been building towards.
Back at camp for breakfast, the tents come down and the group sets off across the meadows at 2,561 m (8,402 ft), the highest point of the trek. The grass is open and gently rolling, with the forest lapping its edges, and two small temples stand under the trees on the far side, where the villagers of the valley come up on festival days. In winter the meadows can carry snow, and microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear go on where the path is icy; in spring the ground is soft and green.
From the temples the trail turns down into the forest for a long, steady descent of about 275 m to the road head at Kund, through oak and rhododendron and then pine again as you lose height. Keep your trekking poles in use and take smaller steps on the loose, leafy sections. Packed lunch is eaten on the way, and the first terraced fields and the sound of the road mark the end of the walk.
The trek ends at Kund at 2,286 m (7,500 ft), also known locally as Khalawa Tok, in the early afternoon. A short drive of about 5 km takes you back through Chirbatiya, and then the long road down through Ghansali and New Tehri to Dehradun, about 215 km and 6–7 hrs; meals on the drive are paid by you. This cab is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Expect to reach Dehradun between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, so book your journey home for after 10 PM or the next day, and return your Free Trekking Gear at the end of the drive.
What to Expect:
- Pre-dawn walk of about 20 minutes to the ridge for sunrise
- 270-degree view from Chaukhamba to Nanda Devi and Trishul
- Patangnia meadows and the two temples under the trees
- Long, steady descent of about 275 m to Kund
- Shared cab to Dehradun, about 215 km, 6–7 hrs (not included)
- Reach Dehradun between 7:00 and 8:00 PM
- Overnight: no stay (trek ends)
How To Reach
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED), about 25 km from Dehradun Railway Station, with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. A taxi from the airport reaches the station in about 45 minutes to 1 hr. Fly in the day before the trek and stay the night in Dehradun, as the pickup is at 6:30 AM.
From Dehradun to Chirbatiya: about 210 km, 6–7 hrs by shared cab via Rishikesh, Chamba, New Tehri and Ghansali. The meeting point is Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM on Day 1.
Return: The trek ends at Kund in the early afternoon of Day 3, and the drive to Dehradun arrives between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare. Book your flight home for the day after Day 3.
Nearest railway station: Dehradun (DDN), the meeting point for this trek, with direct trains from Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata and Mumbai. Haridwar (HW) is about 55 km away and has more trains, with taxis and buses to Dehradun through the day.
- Overnight trains from Delhi – the Nanda Devi Express and the Mussoorie Express reach Dehradun early in the morning, in time for the 6:30 AM pickup.
- Daytime trains – the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat take 4–5 hrs from Delhi; take one the day before and stay the night in Dehradun.
Check current timings before you book.
From Dehradun to Chirbatiya: about 210 km, 6–7 hrs by shared cab. Be at Dehradun Railway Station by 6:30 AM on Day 1.
Return: The group reaches Dehradun between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 3 by shared cab from Kund (not included; paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers). Plan your train home from Dehradun for after 10 PM, or for the next day.
By bus: Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses run from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar) to Dehradun ISBT, about 260 km and 6–7 hrs, through the day and overnight. The railway station is about 6 km from the ISBT, a short auto or taxi ride. Arrive in Dehradun the day before, or on an overnight bus that reaches the city by 5:30 AM at the latest.
From Dehradun to Chirbatiya: about 210 km, 6–7 hrs. The meeting point is Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM on Day 1, and the group travels together by shared cab. Government buses run from Rishikesh to Ghansali, but they are slow and do not go on to Chirbatiya, so the shared cab keeps the group together and saves hours.
Return: The shared cab from Kund (not included in the trek fee; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare) reaches Dehradun between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 3. Night buses to Delhi leave Dehradun ISBT through the evening; book a departure after 10 PM, or stay the night and travel the next day.
Things To Carry
Chirbatiya means a night in a tent on an open clearing, a pre-dawn walk to the ridge for sunrise, snow on the meadows in winter and a long descent, so pack for cold mornings, a damp forest and tired knees rather than for altitude.
- Trekking shoes – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear (one refundable deposit of ₹3,000 + ₹200 washing charge covers the whole kit); your own broken-in pair with ankle support is welcome too.
- Trekking poles – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear; they save your knees on the descents.
- Microspikes and gaiters – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear, for the snow sections.
- Backpack (40–60 L) – with a rain cover.
- Day pack (20–30 L) – needed if you offload your main backpack; carries water and a warm layer.
- Two water bottles (1 L each) – an insulated one in the cold months.
- Headlamp – with spare batteries, for early starts and camp evenings.
- Lunch box – reusable, for packed lunch on the trail.
Nights on the Chirbatiya trek range from 10°C to 3°C between September and November, from 4°C to -4°C between December and February and from 10°C to 2°C in March and April; pack three warm layers for autumn and spring and four for winter (thermal top and bottom, one or two fleece or woollen layers and a padded jacket).
- -10°C padded jacket – Provided free with Trekkaro’s Free Trekking Gear; your main warm layer at camp and on the high sections.
- Thermal inners (top and bottom) – 1 set, for camp and the night.
- Fleece jackets or woollen sweaters – 1 in the warmer months, 2 in the cold months.
- Rain jacket or poncho – for sudden showers or wet snow.
- Trek pants x2 – quick-dry, no jeans.
- Quick-dry collared T-shirts x2–3 – full sleeves protect from sun.
- Socks – 3–4 pairs: sports socks for walking and woollen socks for the night.
Keep these handy for the bright open sections and the cold evenings.
- Sun cap – for the open ridges and meadows.
- Woollen cap – covering the ears.
- Balaclava or buff – a balaclava in winter, a buff or scarf in other months.
- Gloves – a woollen pair plus a waterproof pair (essential in snow).
- UV sunglasses – for sun and snow glare.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm – for the exposed sections.
- Quick-dry towel and toiletries – small and light; no wet wipes, as they are not biodegradable.
- Plastic or ziploc bags – for wet clothes and to carry back your waste.
- Snacks – dry fruits, energy bars and chocolates for the trail.
- Power bank – there is no charging point on the trail.
- Personal medicines – and a small first-aid pouch; tell the trek leader what you carry.
- Cash in small notes – cards are not accepted on the trail.
- Original government photo ID – Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID, with a photocopy.
- Medical certificate signed by a doctor – download the format from your booking.
- Signed disclaimer form – from your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chirbatiya Trek is a 3-day easy trek in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,561 m (8,402 ft). It covers about 13 km on foot and starts at Chirbatiya and ends at Kund. Best time: September to April. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
The Chirbatiya trek is in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, on the border with Tehri, in the forested hills above the Ghansali valley north of Rudraprayag town, and it starts on foot from the hamlet of Chirbatiya on the Ghansali–Mayali road. We meet at Dehradun Railway Station at 6:30 AM on Day 1 and drive about 210 km via New Tehri and Ghansali to Chirbatiya. The trail climbs through the forest to the camp at Rai, crosses the Patangnia meadows at 2,561 m (8,402 ft) and comes down to the road head at Kund, about 5 km by road from Chirbatiya, on Day 3.
The Chirbatiya trek takes 3 days from Dehradun to Dehradun, covering about 13 km on foot.
- Day 1: Drive Dehradun to Chirbatiya, about 210 km, with the night in a homestay
- Day 2: Chirbatiya to Rai, 5.5 km, 3–4 hrs, camping at Rai
- Day 3: Rai to Patangnia for sunrise and down to Kund, 7.5 km, 5–6 hrs, then drive to Dehradun
You reach Dehradun between 7:00 and 8:00 PM on Day 3, so book your train or bus home for after 10 PM or, better, for the next day. Leaving Delhi on a Thursday night makes it a long-weekend trek.
The maximum altitude on the Chirbatiya trek is 2,561 m (8,402 ft), on the Patangnia meadows and the ridge above them, where you watch the sunrise on Day 3. The trek starts at Chirbatiya at 2,191 m (7,188 ft), the camp at Rai is at 2,408 m (7,900 ft) and the trail ends at Kund at 2,286 m (7,500 ft). The total climb is only about 370 m, and the whole trek stays well below the height at which altitude sickness becomes a concern, which is why it suits children and first-time trekkers.
The Chirbatiya trek is graded easy, and it is one of the gentlest treks in Garhwal with a true high-Himalayan view. Day 2 is about 5.5 km and 3–4 hours with one steeper stretch of about 45 minutes, and Day 3 is about 7.5 km and 5–6 hours, with a pre-dawn walk to the ridge and a long descent to Kund that tires the knees. There is no technical ground, no river crossing and no exposure. Three to four weeks of regular walking or light jogging, with a couple of two-hour weekend walks, will prepare you well.
The best time for the Chirbatiya trek is October to November for the clearest views of the peaks, December to February for snow on the meadows, and March to April for rhododendron bloom and birds. The trek runs from September to April. Autumn gives the sharpest panorama from Patangnia; winter brings snow on the upper trail and the coldest nights; and spring is when the Forest Department holds its nature festival at Chirbatiya in mid-March. The trek does not run from May to August, when haze, heat and then the monsoon spoil the views and the drive.
Yes, from late December to February the Chirbatiya trek can have snow on the upper forest trail and on the Patangnia meadows, and the path to the ridge for sunrise may be icy. Microspikes and gaiters come with Free Trekking Gear for these sections. The snow is light compared with the higher treks of Garhwal and does not stop the trek; it makes the peaks stand out white and the forest very quiet. By March only patches remain in the shaded gullies, and from September to November the trail is dry.
On the Chirbatiya trek, nights range from 10°C to 3°C between September and November, from 4°C to -4°C between December and February and from 10°C to 2°C in March and April, with the camp at Rai colder than the homestay at Chirbatiya and January the coldest month. Days are mild: 12°C to 20°C in autumn, 5°C to 14°C in winter and 12°C to 22°C in spring. Pack three warm layers for autumn and spring and four for winter, including the -10°C jacket that comes with Free Trekking Gear, plus a woollen cap, gloves and woollen socks for the night.
The minimum age for the Chirbatiya trek is 8 years, for children who already walk regularly and can manage a 7.5 km day. Trekkers under 18 must come with a parent or guardian. The low altitude, short distances and the night in a homestay before the camp make this one of the better treks in Uttarakhand for a family with young children.
There is no upper age limit. Trekkers above 60 are welcome if they are fit and in good cardiovascular health; along with the medical certificate signed by a doctor that all trekkers bring, we recommend an ECG or TMT report.
For the Chirbatiya trek, reach Dehradun Railway Station by 6:30 AM on Day 1; overnight trains from Delhi such as the Nanda Devi Express and the Mussoorie Express arrive in time, and buses from Delhi take 6–7 hrs. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, about 25 km from the station; fly in the day before and stay the night in Dehradun.
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. This covers Dehradun to Chirbatiya on Day 1 and Kund back to Dehradun on Day 3; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
The Chirbatiya trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 3 days from Dehradun to Dehradun. The trek fee includes:
- Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes (₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing)
- One night in a homestay at Chirbatiya and one night of camping in 3-person tents at Rai, with sleeping bags and mats
- All vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 3 packed lunch
- Forest permits and camping fees
- A certified trek leader, local guide, cook and support staff
Transport, meals on the drives, backpack offloading and single tents are extra; see Terms & Conditions. Booking closes at 5 PM the day before the trek.
The last ATM on the Chirbatiya trek is at Ghansali, and the last reliable mobile signal is there too. Draw cash in New Tehri or Chamba on the drive up, where the machines are more dependable, and keep it in small notes. Jio and BSNL work in Ghansali and in patches at Chirbatiya itself; on the trail expect only a weak, intermittent signal, and none at the camp at Rai. Signal returns in patches at Kund and properly at Ghansali on the way back. Charge your phone and power bank fully, and make your important calls before you leave Ghansali on Day 1.
Yes, the Chirbatiya trek needs a forest entry permit for the reserve forest and the camp at Rai, and we arrange it for the group; the fees are included in the trek price. You only need to carry an original government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID) and a photocopy, along with the medical certificate signed by a doctor. Please share your ID details when you book so the permit can be processed before the batch date. Foreign nationals should carry their passport and visa.
The Chirbatiya trek is safe when the itinerary, the team and the trekker are well prepared, and its low altitude keeps the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) very small: the highest point is 2,561 m, and the trek leader still checks your SpO2 and pulse every day. Trek leaders are NIM (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) certified or equivalent, and the team carries oxygen cylinders, a first-aid kit and stretchers. On the pre-dawn walk to the ridge the group stays together with headlamps, and in winter microspikes go on where the path is icy. Report any headache, nausea or breathlessness at once.
Yes, a first-time trekker can do the Chirbatiya trek, and it is one of the best introductions to Himalayan trekking in Uttarakhand: low altitude, a short first day, a homestay before the camp and a view at the end that bigger treks work much harder for. What you need is the stamina for the 7.5 km day on Day 3 with its early start and long descent. We recommend three to four weeks of regular walking or light jogging, building up to an hour a day, with a couple of two-hour weekend walks. Batches are capped at 20 trekkers, so the trek leader can keep an eye on each first-timer.
For the Chirbatiya trek, the main gear comes with Free Trekking Gear: Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, for a ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing. You bring:
- A 40–50 L backpack with rain cover, and a small day pack for the sunrise walk
- Thermal inners, one or two fleece or woollen layers and a rain jacket or poncho
- Woollen cap, gloves and two pairs of socks, including woollen socks for the night
- UV sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm for the open meadows
- Headlamp, two 1 L water bottles, a lunch box and personal medicines
On the Chirbatiya trek you stay one night in a homestay at Chirbatiya, on Day 1, and one night in 3-person tents at Rai, with sleeping bags and mats provided. The campsite has a dining tent and a toilet tent. Food is simple, freshly cooked vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner at Chirbatiya to the packed lunch on Day 3: breakfast, a hot or packed lunch, evening tea with snacks and dinner, with soup and hot drinks on the cold evenings. Meals on the drives are paid by you. Single tents are available at extra cost.
Terms & Conditions
1. Free Trekking Gear (FTG)
- Decathlon trekking shoes
- Decathlon jacket rated to -10°C
- Trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes
- No rental fee: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge
2. Accommodation
- Day 1: homestay at Chirbatiya, on a sharing basis
- Day 2: camping in 3-person tents at Rai
- Sleeping bags and mats provided at camp
3. Meals
- All meals from Day 1 dinner at Chirbatiya to Day 3 packed lunch on the trail
- Simple, freshly cooked vegetarian food
- Tea, coffee, soup and snacks on the trail and at camp
4. Permits & Camping Fees
- All forest permits and entry charges for the trek
5. Camping & Safety Equipment
- Tents, sleeping bags and mats for the nights at camp
- Dining tent and toilet tent at the campsite
- First-aid kit on the trek
- Pulse oximeter and blood-pressure checks during the trek
6. Trek Team
- Certified trek leader and local guide throughout the 3-day trek
- Cook, helpers and support staff
1. Transport
- Not included: Dehradun to Chirbatiya, and Kund back to Dehradun
- Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
- Travel to and from Dehradun, arranged by you
2. Food During Transit
- Meals on the drive between Dehradun and Chirbatiya
3. Backpack Offloading (optional)
- ₹1,000 + 5% GST for the entire trek
- Maximum weight: 9 kg; no suitcases, trolleys or duffel bags
4. Single Tent Occupancy (optional)
- ₹2,000 + 5% GST per tent for the entire trek
5. Personal Equipment
- Your backpack, clothing and other personal gear (trekking shoes, jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes come with Free Trekking Gear)
6. Trek Insurance
- Travel insurance is mandatory and not included. It must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.
7. Anything Not Mentioned Under Inclusions
- Personal expenses and tips
We know that cancelling a trek can be genuinely disappointing. Plans change, life intervenes, and sometimes the mountains have to wait. That is why Trekkaro has designed one of the most trekker-friendly cancellation policies in the industry — to reduce the financial impact on you and give you real options when things do not go as planned.
Important: Bookings made on trekkaro.com are cancelled online from My Bookings. Bookings made offline with our team must be cancelled in writing by e-mail by the person who originally booked the trek. Requests over the phone, via WhatsApp, or through third parties are not accepted.
How to Cancel Your Trek
Booked online on trekkaro.com:
- Log in and open My Bookings.
- Choose Cancel Booking on the trek you want to cancel.
- Pick a refund (as per the charges below) or Get TrekCash Voucher instead — the voucher is issued instantly and appears under My TrekCash Vouchers.
Booked offline with our team:
- Compose an e-mail from the registered e-mail ID used at the time of booking.
- Attach a copy of your tax invoice to the e-mail.
- Send both to info@trekkaro.com.
- Your cancellation is effective from the date Trekkaro receives and acknowledges your e-mail.
How to Reschedule Your Trek (Free)
- Once per booking, to another batch of the same trek, free of charge. A request we decline doesn’t count.
- Up to 8 days before departure, also in the 8–14-day window when there is no cash refund. The new batch must start at least 7 days after the day you ask.
- Subject to seat availability for every trekker on the booking.
- Not available for bookings paid fully or partly with a TrekCash Voucher.
- No fee or price difference; add-ons and the number of trekkers stay as booked.
Booked online: My Bookings → Reschedule free → pick a batch. Our team confirms by e-mail and your booking moves once approved. Booked offline: e-mail info@trekkaro.com.
How to Transfer Your Booking
You can give your booking to another trekker up to 8 days before departure. E-mail info@trekkaro.com from your registered e-mail ID with your booking ID and the new trekker’s name, age, phone number and ID proof. The new trekker must meet the fitness, age and document rules of the trek. We confirm the transfer by e-mail.
Cancellation Charges
| When you cancel | Cash refund | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days or more before departure | 70% refund (30% cancellation charge) | Or instead: a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule or a transfer |
| 15 to 29 days before departure | 50% refund (50% cancellation charge) | Or instead: a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule or a transfer |
| 8 to 14 days before departure | No cash refund of the trek fee | You can take a 100% TrekCash Voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule (once per booking) or a transfer to another trekker |
| 7 days or less before departure, or no-show | No refund of the trek fee | None: no voucher, reschedule or transfer |
A 100% voucher instead of a refund. From the day you book until 8 days before departure, you can take a TrekCash Voucher worth 100% of the amount paid, valid for 1 year on any Trekkaro trek. This works in every slab above, including 8–14 days, when there is no cash refund. Online bookings take the voucher from My Bookings → Cancel Booking (issued instantly). Offline bookings ask for it by e-mail to info@trekkaro.com.
If you paid the FTG security deposit and the washing charge, both are refunded in full when you cancel before the trek starts, in every slab.
Cancellation of Voucher-Based Bookings
- The standard cancellation policy applies to voucher-based bookings in the same way it applies to direct bookings.
- Any remaining balance after the applicable cancellation charge has been deducted will be credited back to your Trekkaro account as a new voucher.
- If your voucher has already expired at the time of cancellation, no refund, credit, or extension will be issued under any circumstance.
- If a voucher is set to expire on a Sunday or public holiday, it must be redeemed before the expiry date.
Additional Terms
- Free Rescheduling: Switching to a different batch of the same trek is free of charge once per booking, up to 8 days before departure, subject to seat availability. Not available for bookings paid with a TrekCash Voucher. See “How to Reschedule Your Trek” above.
- Trek Transfers: You can transfer your booking to another person up to 8 days before departure, by e-mail. The new trekker must meet the fitness, age and document rules of that trek. See “How to Transfer Your Booking” above.
- No Refund Post-Commencement: Once the trek has commenced from Day 1 of your confirmed itinerary, no refunds or TrekCash Vouchers will be issued for any reason, including early exit, illness, or dissatisfaction with services.
- Policy Changes: Trekkaro reserves the right to amend or withdraw this cancellation policy at any time without prior notice. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation governs your booking.
Early Exit or Removal from Trek
A trekker may be required to leave the trek before completion for health concerns (AMS, hypertension, cardiac symptoms, or fitness that poses a safety risk), rule violations (alcohol or non-prescribed drugs on trail, smoking in prohibited zones, reckless behaviour, or misconduct), or by their own decision. In all cases of early exit or removal, no refund, partial refund, or TrekCash Voucher will be provided, and any additional transport or exit expenses are the trekker's responsibility. The trek leader's decision on health and safety grounds is final.
If Trekkaro Cancels Your Trek
In rare circumstances beyond our control — natural disasters (extreme snowfall, avalanche, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unforeseen civil events (government curfews, lockdowns, political unrest) — Trekkaro will issue a TrekCash Voucher for the full trek fee paid, valid for 12 months on any trek listed on Trekkaro.com. If the new trek costs more, the difference is payable by the trekker. The voucher is sent to your registered e-mail within 10 working days and may be transferred to another person who meets Trekkaro's eligibility requirements.
Refund Processing
Refunds are processed within 10 working days of cancellation approval and credited to the original payment method only (credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, or wallet). Your bank may take another 3–5 business days. Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.
The full policy is part of our Terms & Conditions (Section 09).
Oxygen, first aid, daily SpO₂ checks, trained leaders — tap to read
1. Trained Trek Leaders
- Trek leaders hold NIM (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) certification or an equivalent qualification
- Their training covers casualty assessment, high-altitude medical response, rope work and evacuation
2. Daily Health Checks
- Blood oxygen (SpO2) and pulse are checked for every trekker every day
- A falling SpO2 reading is acted on early, before it turns into Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
- If you are not fit to continue, the trek leader will ask you to rest or descend; the trek leader’s decision on health and safety is final
3. Emergency Equipment
- Portable oxygen cylinders carried with the group
- First-aid and medical kit with the trek team
- Stretchers for emergency evacuation
- Radio communication across the trek team, as mobile signal is not reliable on the trail
4. Proper Trekking Gear
- Free Trekking Gear, with no rental fee: Decathlon trekking shoes with good grip, a jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes
- No one walks in worn-out or wrong gear, the cause of many slips and cold injuries
5. Tents and Sleeping Bags
- Sleeping bags rated to -20°C, and tents shared by three trekkers, with men and women in separate tents
6. Snow and Steep Sections
- On snow, ice or exposed ground, the trek team fixes ropes and cuts steps where needed and helps you across
7. Risks on the Chirbatiya Trek
- Highest point: 2,561 m (8,402 ft)
- Day 3 is long: a pre-dawn start, about 7.5 km and 5–6 hrs, with a steady descent to Kund that is hard on the knees
- Snow and ice on the upper trail and the Patangnia meadows from late December to February, crossed with microspikes where needed
- Frost and nights down to -4°C at Rai in winter: pack every warm layer
- Long mountain drives of 6–7 hrs on Day 1 and Day 3, with the risk of road blocks after heavy rain
8. Your Part
- Build your fitness before the trek with running, cycling or swimming
- Tell the trek leader about any medical condition and the medicines you carry before Day 1
- Report a headache, nausea, dizziness or breathlessness to the trek leader at once
- Carry travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
What a day on the trek feels like — tap to read
1. What You Can Expect From Us
- Safety first on the Chirbatiya trek: daily SpO2 and pulse checks, oxygen cylinders and a stretcher with the group
- Personal attention: batches of up to 20 trekkers, so the trek leader knows each trekker’s health and pace
- NIM-certified trek leaders (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, or an equivalent qualification), with local guides who know the Chirbatiya route, its weather and its campsites
- An itinerary planned for altitude, with daily distance and height gain set so your body can adjust
- Clear pricing: everything included and excluded is listed under Terms & Conditions, with the price of each optional add-on
2. What We Expect From You
- A willing attitude: cold nights, steep climbs and sudden weather changes are part of the mountains
- Physical preparation: you do not need to be an athlete, but train before the trek so the longest day feels comfortable
- Trust in your trek leader: follow their calls on route, pace, start times and turning back, as they are made for the group’s safety
Last ATM and phone network on the route — tap to read
1. Last ATM
- Last ATM: Ghansali, the last town before Chirbatiya; the more reliable machines are in New Tehri and Chamba on the drive up
- There is no ATM at Chirbatiya, on the trail or at Kund
- Carry small notes: cards are not accepted on the trail
2. Mobile Network
- Jio, Airtel and BSNL work in Dehradun, Rishikesh, Chamba and New Tehri; Jio and BSNL work in Ghansali and in patches at Chirbatiya
- Expect only a weak, intermittent Jio or BSNL signal on the trail and none at Rai
- Signal returns in patches at Kund and properly at Ghansali on the drive back
- Make your important calls and tell your family about the limited connectivity before you leave Ghansali on Day 1
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What Trekkers Say About Trekkaro
Reviews left on trekkaro.com by trekkers across our treks.
"Winter Kuari Pass trek with the team of Trekkaro. Food was amazing for breakfast, lunch and diner. Views on top and during the track are amazing. Trek in total was completely amazing. Big thanks to all of hard work from trek leader, superhuman cooks, the mule team, our driver."
"I have trek with Trekkaro for kuari pass and it was an amazing experience ,food was excellent and experience trek trainer."
"Trekkaro was simply amazing from the guidance to food to stay everything was very good!!! Local guides and trek leaders where always motivating, fun and made sure entire group had always been together and interacted with each other!!!"
"Had an amazing experience! Thanks for making this an amazing experience - Trekkaro Team"
"Trekkaro has a amazing team capable of leading anyone over a trek. Had an amazing experience!"
"Very amazing experience with Kedartal trek. Awesome views, Trek leaders and coordinators were very helpful."
Why Trekkaro?
Leaders in providing Free Trekking Gear for 8+ years — redefining the way everyone must trek.
World's first free trekking gear company — Decathlon trekking shoes, -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters & microspikes. ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge.
Up to 8 days before departure, reschedule to another batch for free or take a TrekCash Voucher worth 100% of your amount — valid for 1 year on any future trek.
Rated 4.9/5 on Facebook & 4.7/5 on Google by trekkers who trekked with us.
We keep you safe from the moment you book to the moment you head home — certified leaders, first aid & emergency support.
Well-planned itineraries balanced with the freedom to make the experience your own — no matter the trek difficulty.
Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to making trekking a force for good — for people and the planet.
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