Dudhatoli Trek
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Dudhatoli Trek — Guide, Dates & Cost
Dudhatoli Trek is a 5-day easy–moderate trek in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,042 m (9,982 ft). It covers about 33 km on foot and starts at Peethsain and ends at Bhararisain. Best time: April to June and September to November. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
Updated
District: Pauri Garhwal
Duration: 5 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy–Moderate
Highest Altitude: 3,042 m / 9,982 ft
Trekking Distance: 33 Km
Temperature: Spring/Summer (Apr-Jun): Day 12°C to 22°C, Night 2°C to 10°C | Autumn (Sep-Nov): Day 8°C to 18°C, Night -3°C to 6°C
A forest so dense and so high that the Garhwalis called it the cauldron of milk, after the herds that summered on its grass. The Dudhatoli trek walks the length of this ridge in the centre of Uttarakhand, from an old Shiva temple among giant deodars to meadows at 3,042 m (9,982 ft) with the snow peaks of Garhwal and Kumaon standing on both horizons, and it does it without a single hard day. Nowhere else in the state do you get this much untouched forest for this little effort.
The Dudhatoli trek lies in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, on the Dudhatoli range that runs north to south near the geographic centre of the state, which is why old writers called it the Pamir of Uttarakhand. We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM and drive about 213 km through Devprayag and Srinagar and up the Nayar valley through Thalisain to the road head at Peethsain at 2,260 m (7,414 ft). From Peethsain the trail climbs to the Binsar Mahadev temple at 2,514 m (8,238 ft), the meadow camp of Udayaramun Kharak at 2,684 m (8,805 ft) and the top of the range at Dudhatoli at 3,042 m (9,982 ft), before dropping down the far side to Bhararisain at 2,270 m (7,450 ft), near Gairsain in Chamoli district.
It is a 5-day trek of about 33 km on foot, Rishikesh to Rishikesh, and it is a crossing: you start on the Pauri side of the range and finish on the Chamoli side, so no stretch of trail is walked twice. The Dudhatoli forest is one of the largest and densest temperate forests left in Uttarakhand, the source of the Nayar and the western Ramganga rivers, and the place where the freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali asked to be remembered. Few trekkers have heard of it, which is exactly the point.
The Cauldron of Milk – What Makes the Dudhatoli Trek Unmissable
The forest is the reason to come. From Peethsain almost to the top of the range, the trail runs through ancient oak, rhododendron, deodar, fir and spruce, with maple and chestnut lower down and birch near the ridge, a forest that was logged hard in the 1970s and has been quietly recovering ever since. It is home to leopards, bears, ghoral and a great many pheasants, and on a still morning you walk for hours with nothing but birdsong and the creak of old trees. In April the rhododendrons turn whole slopes red, and in October the maples and chestnuts go gold.
The meadows above the forest are the second reason. Dudhatoli takes its name from the Garhwali for a cauldron of milk, after the enormous herds of cows and buffaloes that the herders of Pauri and Chamoli once drove up to its grass every summer, living in temporary barns called kharaks. Udayaramun Kharak, where you camp on Day 3, is one of those old summer stations, a wide clearing in the forest where a few shepherd huts still stand. From the top of the range at Dudhatoli the view opens in a full circle: the Garhwal peaks to the north and north-west, the Kumaon ranges to the east, and ridge after forested ridge falling away towards the plains.
Then there is the history. Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, the soldier who refused to fire on an unarmed crowd at Peshawar in 1930 and became one of Garhwal’s best-known freedom fighters, loved this ridge above all other places and asked that he be remembered here. A memorial to him stands among the oaks near the top, and a statue at Bhararisain on the far side, and every June the villages of both districts gather on the meadow for a fair in his name. The Binsar Mahadev temple at the start of the trek, a stone Shiva temple ringed by giant deodars, is older still.
The Trail Itself
For a 33 km trek, Dudhatoli is gentle in shape: a steady climb spread over three days and one long descent. Day 1 is the drive from Rishikesh to Peethsain, with the night in a guesthouse at the road head. Day 2 is the longest climb, about 11 km and 5–6 hours through oak and rhododendron forest and small clearings with shepherd huts to the Binsar Mahadev temple, with a height gain of about 250 m spread over the day. Day 3 is short, about 5 km and 3–4 hours up through the forest to the meadow of Udayaramun Kharak. Day 4 is another short day, about 5 km and 3–4 hours, climbing out of the trees onto the top of the range at Dudhatoli, with the afternoon free on the meadow. Day 5 is the long walk down, about 12 km and 6 hours through forest to the road at Bhararisain, and the drive back to Rishikesh.
There is no technical ground, no river crossing and no exposure. The challenges are the length of Day 2 for a first-time trekker, the knee-testing descent on Day 5, and the weather: the range is the first place in Pauri to get snow, so snow patches can lie on the top in early April and a first snowfall is possible in late November, when microspikes come out.
Who Is This Trek For?
The Dudhatoli trek is graded easy to moderate, and we recommend it for beginners, families with older children, solo trekkers and groups of colleagues who want a quiet forest trek without high altitude. The hardest day is Day 5: about 12 km and 6 hours on foot from Dudhatoli down to Bhararisain, losing about 770 m through forest. Day 2, at about 11 km and 5–6 hours, is the longest climb. We recommend four to six weeks of preparation, with regular walking or jogging and a couple of weekend walks of three hours with a loaded backpack. Children aged 10 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: April to June and September to November.
Key Highlights of the Dudhatoli Trek
- The Dudhatoli forest – one of the largest and densest temperate forests in Uttarakhand, with oak, deodar, fir, spruce, maple and rhododendron
- The top of the range – open meadows at 3,042 m (9,982 ft) with a full-circle view of the Garhwal and Kumaon ranges
- Binsar Mahadev temple – an old stone Shiva temple in a ring of giant deodars, with tea stalls beside it
- Udayaramun Kharak – an old herders’ summer station, now a wide meadow camp under the stars
- Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali – the memorial to the freedom fighter who asked to be remembered on this ridge
- Spring and autumn colour – red rhododendrons in April, gold maples and chestnuts in October
- Shepherd country – clearings with huts at Dhanjhar and Khaidanda, and flocks on the grass in summer
- A true crossing – from Peethsain in Pauri to Bhararisain in Chamoli without retracing a step
Best Time to Do the Dudhatoli Trek
The Dudhatoli trek runs in two windows: April to June, before the monsoon, and September to November, after it. The forest is the constant; what changes is the colour, the clarity of the air and the cold at night. July and August bring heavy rain, slippery trails and leeches in the lower forest, and from December to March deep snow covers the range, which is the first place in Pauri to get it.
April to June – Spring and Summer (The Rhododendron Season)
In April the rhododendrons are in flower along the whole climb from Peethsain to Binsar, and old snow can still lie in patches on the top of the range early in the month. By May the meadows are green and the herders begin to arrive with their flocks, and June is warm in the valleys with the first afternoon clouds building before the monsoon. Days are mild, from 12°C on the ridge to 22°C at Peethsain, while nights range from 10°C at the road head down to 2°C at Dudhatoli, with frost on the tents on the colder mornings in April.
September to November – Autumn (The Clear-Sky Season)
After the monsoon the air is washed clean and the views from the top of the range are at their best, with the snow peaks sharp against a deep blue sky from October onwards. The forest turns in October, with the maples and chestnuts going gold, and by November the grass on the meadows is brown and the mornings are crisp. It is colder than spring: days range from 8°C to 18°C, and nights drop from 6°C at Peethsain to -3°C at Dudhatoli by November. A first snowfall on the top is possible in late November, and the trek team carries microspikes for it.
Dudhatoli Trek Cost and Booking in 2026
The Dudhatoli trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 5 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, 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 Rishikesh 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 Dudhatoli Trek: April to June and September to November. Still choosing dates? Compare all treks in October, treks in November, treks in April and treks in May.
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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 Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM to Peethsain. Your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
Day 1: Rishikesh to Peethsain
Route Details:
Drive: Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Thalisain → Peethsain | Distance: about 213 km | Duration: 7–8 hrs | Altitude: 340 m → 2,260 m
We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 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 Garhwal hills, about 213 km and 7–8 hrs, up the Ganga to Devprayag and on along the Alaknanda to Srinagar, before turning off the highway into the Nayar valley. 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.
Beyond Srinagar the road leaves the pilgrim traffic behind and climbs through quiet hill country, past terraced villages and pine forest, to Thalisain, the small tehsil town that is the last bus terminus on this side of the range. There are stops for breakfast and lunch along the way; meals on the drive are paid by you. Thalisain has the last ATM before the trek, so draw cash here if you have not already, and make your calls from the town, as the signal fades beyond it.
From Thalisain the road winds for about 22 km to Peethsain, a village at 2,260 m (7,414 ft) at the edge of the old oak forest that gives the range its name. The air is noticeably cooler here, and the forest closes in around the last stretch of road. You should arrive by late afternoon, with time to walk through the village and look up at the dark ridge of Dudhatoli that you will climb over the next three days.
You stay tonight in a simple guesthouse at Peethsain, with a hot dinner and a briefing from the trek leader on the days ahead. Lay out tomorrow’s clothes, fill your bottles and pack your day bag before you sleep: Day 2 is the longest climb of the trek and starts soon after breakfast. The night is mild compared with the camps above, and a good sleep after the long drive sets up the whole trek.
What to Expect:
- Meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM
- Shared cab to Peethsain via Srinagar and Thalisain, about 213 km, 7–8 hrs (not included)
- Last ATM at Thalisain; signal fades beyond it
- Edge of the old oak forest at Peethsain
- Briefing from the trek leader after dinner
- Overnight: guesthouse at Peethsain
Day 2: Peethsain to Binsar Mahadev
Route Details:
Trek: Peethsain → Binsar Mahadev | Distance: 11 km | Duration: 5–6 hrs | Altitude: 2,260 m → 2,514 m
The longest climb of the trek begins after an early breakfast. The trail leaves Peethsain on a village path and enters the forest almost at once, old oak and rhododendron with moss on the trunks and a thick carpet of leaves underfoot. The height gain is small, about 250 m over 11 km, but the path rises and falls as it rounds the side valleys, so the day is longer than the figures suggest. Settle into a steady pace and let the trek leader set the rhythm.
In April the rhododendrons are in flower along this whole stretch, and whole slopes turn red above and below the path. The forest is shaded and cool even on a bright day, so keep a light layer handy, and eat something at each rest stop. Streams cross the trail in the folds of the hillside, so you can refill on the way, and small clearings with shepherd huts open now and then to give a view back over the Nayar valley and the villages you drove through yesterday.
Packed lunch is eaten in one of these clearings, and the afternoon continues through deeper forest, where the oaks give way to deodar and the trees grow taller and older. The path at Bharmdhungi passes a great rock with a small Shiva shrine at its foot, and the forest around it is some of the oldest on the range. Walking poles help on the short, steep rises, and the last hour feels longer than it is as the light under the trees begins to soften.
Binsar Mahadev sits in a ring of giant deodars at 2,514 m (8,238 ft), an old stone temple to Shiva that draws villagers from all over this part of Pauri on its festival days, with a couple of tea stalls beside it in season. Tents are pitched on the flat ground near the temple. After tea the trek leader runs the daily SpO2 and pulse checks, and the evening is quiet under the trees, with the first stars appearing between the deodar tops.
What to Expect:
- Longest climb of the trek: about 11 km, 5–6 hrs
- Old oak and rhododendron forest, in bloom in April
- Streams to refill and clearings with shepherd huts
- The Shiva shrine at the great rock of Bharmdhungi
- Binsar Mahadev temple in a ring of giant deodars
- Overnight: camping near Binsar Mahadev
Day 3: Binsar Mahadev to Udayaramun Kharak
Route Details:
Trek: Binsar Mahadev → Udayaramun Kharak | Distance: 5 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 2,514 m → 2,684 m
Today is short on purpose, about 5 km and 3–4 hours, so there is time for a slow morning at the temple before the group packs up. The trail climbs gently out of the deodars and into mixed forest of oak, fir and birch, with the trees thinning as you gain height and the first open grass appearing between them. The gradient is easy, and the walk is more about looking than pushing: for pheasants in the undergrowth, for the odd set of bear scratches on a trunk, and for the views that open to the north as the forest breaks.
About halfway, the path passes Finchu Udyar, a natural cave in the hillside that is loud with birds in the morning, and a little further on the clearing of Dhanjhar, where herders’ huts stand on a patch of grass. These kharaks are the old summer stations of the range, and in May and June you may find a family and their flock in residence. Please keep dogs at a distance and ask before taking photographs.
Udayaramun Kharak is a wide, open meadow at 2,684 m (8,805 ft), the largest of the old herders’ stations on the climb, with forest all around and a stream below for water. You arrive by lunch, which leaves the whole afternoon free. It is a good place to lie in the grass, walk up to the edge of the trees for the view, or simply rest your legs after yesterday’s long day.
The evening at Udayaramun Kharak is one of the best of the trek. With no village lights for miles, the sky over the meadow fills with stars once the sun is down, and the only sounds are the stream and the wind in the trees. After dinner the trek leader runs the daily health checks and briefs the group on the walk to the top tomorrow. Sleep in your thermals, as the night on the open meadow is colder than it was under the deodars.
What to Expect:
- Short, gentle climb of about 5 km
- Mixed oak, fir and birch forest opening into grass
- Finchu Udyar cave and the herders’ huts at Dhanjhar
- Wide meadow camp with a stream below for water
- Free afternoon and a night sky full of stars
- Overnight: camping at Udayaramun Kharak
Day 4: Udayaramun Kharak to Dudhatoli
Route Details:
Trek: Udayaramun Kharak → Dudhatoli | Distance: 5 km | Duration: 3–4 hrs | Altitude: 2,684 m → 3,042 m
The walk to the top of the range is another short day, about 5 km and 3–4 hours, with a height gain of about 360 m. After breakfast the group leaves the meadow and climbs through the last of the forest, birch and rhododendron with the trees growing shorter and more wind-bent as the ridge comes closer. Early in April there can be patches of old snow in the shaded gullies on this stretch, and microspikes from your Free Trekking Gear go on if it is hard underfoot.
The path passes the grassy field of Khaidanda, with its shepherd huts and the first long views along the ridge, and then the large boulder the herders call Muskhor, riddled with the burrows of mice. From here the trees fall away and the trail comes out onto the top of the Dudhatoli range, a long rolling crest of meadow at about 3,000 m with the forest lapping its edges on both sides.
The camp at Dudhatoli is on the meadow at 3,042 m (9,982 ft), the highest point of the trek. On a clear day the view runs in a full circle: the snow peaks of Garhwal to the north and north-west, the Kumaon ranges to the east and ridge after forested ridge dropping away south towards the plains. A short walk along the crest brings you to the memorial to Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali among the oaks, the place he asked to be remembered, and a quiet spot to sit for a while.
The afternoon is free to wander the meadow, and the sunset from the crest, with the peaks turning pink and then grey, is the moment the trek has been building towards. It is the coldest night of the trek: the wind reaches the top of the range even when the forest below is still, so put on your warm layers early, keep your water bottle inside your sleeping bag and get to bed soon after the daily health checks, as tomorrow is the longest walk.
What to Expect:
- Short climb of about 360 m out of the forest
- Snow patches in the gullies in early April
- Khaidanda meadow and the mouse-burrowed boulder of Muskhor
- Highest camp of the trek at 3,042 m, with a full-circle view
- Memorial to Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali on the crest
- Coldest night of the trek
- Overnight: camping at Dudhatoli
Day 5: Dudhatoli to Bhararisain and drive to Rishikesh
Route Details:
Trek: Dudhatoli → Bhararisain | Distance: 12 km | Duration: about 6 hrs | Altitude: 3,042 m → 2,270 m | Drive: Bhararisain → Rishikesh, about 208 km, 6–7 hrs
The longest walking day is the walk out, about 12 km and 6 hours from the top of the range down to the road at Bhararisain, on the Chamoli side. The group is up before sunrise for one last look at the peaks from the crest, then packs up after breakfast and leaves the meadow by the path that drops east off the ridge. The descent is steady rather than steep, but it is long, so take shorter steps, keep your trekking poles in use and let them take some of the load on your knees.
The forest on this side is as dense as the climb was, fir and spruce giving way to oak and then to mixed broadleaf woodland with maple and chestnut, which turn gold in October. Streams cross the path on the way down, so you can refill, and the first clearings with huts and then the first fields mark the return to village country. Packed lunch is eaten in the forest, and mobile signal returns in patches as you lose height.
The trail ends at Bhararisain at 2,270 m (7,450 ft), the hill above Gairsain that holds the summer assembly of Uttarakhand, where a statue of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali looks back up at the range. The trek finishes here in the early afternoon, and the cabs are waiting. The drive back to Rishikesh is about 208 km and 6–7 hrs via Gairsain, Karnaprayag and the Alaknanda highway. 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 Rishikesh between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, depending on the road and the stops; meals on the drive are paid by you. Return your Free Trekking Gear to the trek leader at the end of the drive; the deposit is refunded by UPI within 2 working days after we check the returned gear. We recommend staying the night in Rishikesh and travelling home the next morning, or booking a night train or bus from Haridwar or Rishikesh that leaves after 10 PM, so that a slow road does not put your journey at risk.
What to Expect:
- Longest walking day: about 12 km, 6 hrs, losing about 770 m
- Forest of fir, spruce, oak, maple and chestnut on the Chamoli side
- Trek ends at Bhararisain above Gairsain in the early afternoon
- Shared cab to Rishikesh, about 208 km, 6–7 hrs (not included)
- Reach Rishikesh between 8:00 and 9:00 PM
- Overnight: no stay (trek ends)
How To Reach
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED), about 21 km from Rishikesh, with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. A taxi from the airport reaches Rishikesh in about 45 minutes to 1 hr. Fly in the day before the trek and stay the night in Rishikesh, as the pickup is at 6:00 AM.
From Rishikesh to Peethsain: about 213 km, 7–8 hrs by shared cab via Devprayag, Srinagar and Thalisain. The meeting point is Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1.
Return: The trek ends at Bhararisain in the early afternoon of Day 5, and the drive to Rishikesh arrives between 8:00 and 9:00 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 from Dehradun for the day after Day 5.
Nearest railway station: Yog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK), the meeting point for this trek, with Haridwar (HW) about 25 km away as the better-connected junction and Dehradun (DDN) about 45 km away. Kotdwar (KTW) is the closest railhead to Thalisain by road, but the group meets at Rishikesh, which has far more trains.
- Overnight trains from Delhi to Haridwar – several services arrive early in the morning, and a taxi reaches Rishikesh in about 1 hr; the Yoga Express and a few others run on to Rishikesh.
- Daytime trains – the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat to Haridwar and Dehradun take 4–5 hrs; take one the day before and stay the night in Rishikesh.
Check current timings before you book.
From Rishikesh to Peethsain: about 213 km, 7–8 hrs by shared cab. Be at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station by 6:00 AM on Day 1; we recommend reaching Rishikesh the day before.
Return: The group reaches Rishikesh between 8:00 and 9:00 PM on Day 5 by shared cab from Bhararisain (not included; paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers). Plan your train home from Haridwar or Rishikesh 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 Rishikesh, about 240 km and 6–7 hrs, through the day and overnight. Get down at Rishikesh ISBT or Natraj Chowk; the railway station is a short auto ride away. Arrive in Rishikesh the day before, as the pickup is at 6:00 AM.
From Rishikesh to Peethsain: about 213 km, 7–8 hrs. The meeting point is Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1, and the group travels together to Peethsain by shared cab. Government buses run from Rishikesh and Kotdwar to Thalisain, but they are slow and do not go on to Peethsain, so the shared cab keeps the group together and saves hours.
Return: The shared cab from Bhararisain (not included in the trek fee; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare) reaches Rishikesh between 8:00 and 9:00 PM on Day 5. Night buses to Delhi leave Rishikesh and Haridwar through the evening; book a departure after 10 PM, or stay the night and travel the next day.
Things To Carry
Dudhatoli means long hours under dense forest, three nights in a tent with the coldest on an open ridge at 3,042 m, snow patches early and late in the season and a 12 km descent, so pack for damp shade, chilly evenings and tired knees.
- 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 Dudhatoli trek range from 10°C to 2°C between April and June and from 6°C to -3°C between September and November; pack three warm layers for spring and summer and four for autumn (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
Dudhatoli Trek is a 5-day easy–moderate trek in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,042 m (9,982 ft). It covers about 33 km on foot and starts at Peethsain and ends at Bhararisain. Best time: April to June and September to November. Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon shoes, -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes) comes with this trek: ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing.
The Dudhatoli trek is in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, on the forested Dudhatoli range near the centre of the state, and it starts on foot from Peethsain, a village about 22 km beyond Thalisain. We meet at Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 AM on Day 1 and drive about 213 km via Srinagar and Thalisain to Peethsain. The trail climbs to the Binsar Mahadev temple, the meadow camp of Udayaramun Kharak and the top of the range at 3,042 m (9,982 ft), then drops down the Chamoli side to Bhararisain, above Gairsain, on Day 5.
The Dudhatoli trek takes 5 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, covering about 33 km on foot.
- Day 1: Drive Rishikesh to Peethsain, about 213 km
- Day 2: Peethsain to Binsar Mahadev, 11 km
- Day 3: Binsar Mahadev to Udayaramun Kharak, 5 km
- Day 4: Udayaramun Kharak to Dudhatoli, 5 km
- Day 5: Dudhatoli to Bhararisain, 12 km, and drive to Rishikesh
You reach Rishikesh between 8:00 and 9:00 PM on Day 5, so book your train or bus home for after 10 PM or, better, for the next day.
The maximum altitude on the Dudhatoli trek is 3,042 m (9,982 ft), at the camp on the top of the range on Day 4. The trek starts at Peethsain at 2,260 m (7,414 ft), and the camps are at Binsar Mahadev at 2,514 m (8,238 ft) and Udayaramun Kharak at 2,684 m (8,805 ft), so the height is gained in small steps over three days. The highest ridge of the range, Musa-ka-kotha, is a little over 3,100 m. Altitude sickness is rare at this height, and the trek suits a first-timer or a family.
The Dudhatoli trek is graded easy to moderate, and the grade comes from the length of two days rather than from the terrain. Day 2 is about 11 km and 5–6 hours through forest with a modest height gain, and Day 5 is about 12 km and 6 hours downhill to Bhararisain, which is hard on the knees. The two middle days are short, around 5 km each. There is no technical ground, no river crossing and no exposure. Four to six weeks of regular walking or jogging and a couple of three-hour weekend walks will prepare you well.
The best time for the Dudhatoli trek is April to June for rhododendron bloom and green meadows, and September to November for the clearest views of the snow peaks from the top of the range. In April the forest is in flower and old snow may lie in patches on the top; by May the herders arrive on the meadows. After the monsoon the skies are clear, the maples turn gold in October and the nights are colder. The trek does not run in July and August, when rain and leeches make the forest unpleasant, or from December to March, when snow covers the range.
In early April the Dudhatoli trek can have patches of old snow in the shaded gullies on the climb to the top of the range, and sometimes on the meadow at Dudhatoli itself, as the range is the first place in Pauri to get snow each year and the last to lose it. Microspikes and gaiters come with Free Trekking Gear for these sections. By May the snow has gone, and from September to early November the trail is dry, though a first snowfall on the top is possible in late November.
On the Dudhatoli trek, nights range from 10°C to 2°C between April and June and from 6°C to -3°C between September and November, with the camp on the top of the range at 3,042 m the coldest and November the coldest month. Days are mild: 12°C to 22°C in spring and summer and 8°C to 18°C in autumn, cooler under the forest canopy than the figures suggest. Pack three warm layers for spring and summer and four for autumn, 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 Dudhatoli trek is 10 years, for children who already walk regularly and can manage an 11 km day in the forest. Trekkers under 18 must come with a parent or guardian. The low altitude, gentle gradients and short middle days make this one of the better treks in Garhwal for a family with older 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 Dudhatoli trek, reach Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station by 6:00 AM on Day 1; we recommend arriving the day before. Overnight trains from Delhi reach Haridwar early in the morning, about 1 hr from Rishikesh by taxi, and buses from Delhi take 6–7 hrs. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 21 km from Rishikesh. Kotdwar is the closest railhead to Thalisain, but the group meets at Rishikesh.
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 Rishikesh to Peethsain on Day 1 and Bhararisain back to Rishikesh on Day 5; your trek coordinator will confirm the cab fare.
The Dudhatoli trek costs the amount shown in the price box on this page, for 5 days from Rishikesh to Rishikesh. 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 guesthouse at Peethsain and three nights of camping in 3-person tents, with sleeping bags and mats
- All vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 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 Dudhatoli trek is at Thalisain, and there is no usable mobile signal between Peethsain and the descent to Bhararisain. Draw cash in Srinagar on the drive up, where the machines are more reliable, and keep it in small notes for the tea stalls at Binsar. Jio, Airtel and BSNL work well until Srinagar, BSNL and Jio work in Thalisain and in patches at Peethsain, and on the trail expect nothing beyond a few spots on the open crest. Signal returns at Bhararisain and Gairsain. Charge your phone and power bank fully, and make your important calls before you leave Thalisain on Day 1.
Yes, the Dudhatoli trek needs a forest entry permit from the Pauri Garhwal forest division for the reserve forest and the camps on the range, 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 Dudhatoli 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) small. The highest camp is at 3,042 m, reached in small steps over three days, 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. The forest is home to bears and leopards, so the group walks together, keeps food sealed and does not wander after dark. Report any headache, nausea or breathlessness at once.
Yes, a first-time trekker can do the Dudhatoli trek, and it is one of the better first treks in Garhwal: low altitude, no technical ground, two short middle days and a forest that keeps the sun off you. What you need is the stamina for the 11 km climb on Day 2 and the 12 km descent on Day 5. We recommend four to six weeks of training, building up to jogging 5 km in about 40 minutes or walking briskly for an hour a day, with a couple of three-hour weekend walks carrying a loaded backpack. Batches are capped at 20 trekkers, so the trek leader can keep an eye on each first-timer.
For the Dudhatoli 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 40–60 L backpack with rain cover, and a small day pack if you offload
- Thermal inners, one or two fleece or woollen layers and a rain jacket or poncho
- Woollen cap, gloves and three pairs of socks, including woollen socks for the night
- UV sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm for the open crest
- Headlamp, two 1 L water bottles, a lunch box and personal medicines
On the Dudhatoli trek you stay one night in a guesthouse at Peethsain, on Day 1, and three nights in 3-person tents, near Binsar Mahadev, at Udayaramun Kharak and on the meadow at Dudhatoli, with sleeping bags and mats provided. Each campsite has a dining tent and a toilet tent. Food is simple, freshly cooked vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to the packed lunch on Day 5: 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: guesthouse at Peethsain, on a sharing basis
- Day 2: camping in 3-person tents near Binsar Mahadev
- Day 3: camping in 3-person tents at Udayaramun Kharak
- Day 4: camping in 3-person tents at Dudhatoli meadow
- Sleeping bags and mats provided at each camp
3. Meals
- All meals from Day 1 dinner at Peethsain to Day 5 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 5-day trek
- Cook, helpers and support staff
1. Transport
- Not included: Rishikesh to Peethsain, and Bhararisain back to Rishikesh
- 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 Rishikesh, arranged by you
2. Food During Transit
- Meals on the drive between Rishikesh and Peethsain
3. Backpack Offloading (optional)
- ₹1,400 + 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 Dudhatoli Trek
- Highest point: 3,042 m (9,982 ft)
- Day 5 is long: about 12 km and 6 hrs downhill through forest to Bhararisain, hard on the knees
- Dense forest with bears and leopards: stay with the group, keep food sealed and never walk alone after dark
- Snow patches on the top of the range in early April and a possible first snowfall in late November, crossed with microspikes where needed
- Long mountain drives of 6–8 hrs on Day 1 and Day 5, 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 Dudhatoli 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 Dudhatoli 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: Thalisain, the last town before Peethsain; the more reliable machines are in Srinagar on the drive up
- There is no ATM at Peethsain, anywhere on the trail or at Bhararisain; the first ATMs on the way out are at Gairsain
- Carry small notes: cards are not accepted on the trail
2. Mobile Network
- Jio, Airtel and BSNL work in Rishikesh and Srinagar; BSNL and Jio work in Thalisain and in patches at Peethsain
- Expect no usable signal at Binsar Mahadev, Udayaramun Kharak or on the top of the range, except for a few spots on the open crest
- Signal returns in patches on the descent and properly at Bhararisain and Gairsain
- Make your important calls and tell your family about the limited connectivity before you leave Thalisain 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!"
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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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