It would take hours and hours and may be days to discuss treks to various places in the Garwhal Hills - But yes Dodital has been one fascinating experience, I have had the privilege to visit this extra ordinary locale in the summer of 2003, however the locals say it is the best to visit the same when Dodital is covered with snow. You can see the pics of Dodital covered with snow in all the small / big lodges in Uttarkashi. One important fact of Dodital is the mystic and the picturesque lake, where one is totally forbidden to swim except fishing from the banks, Legend says that couple of Englishmen tried to swim across the lake but were drowned in it. The Lord Ganesh temple is something which one can never forget-at such a height the priest (albeit with tobacco and cigarretes)does a fantastic job,Garhwal Nigam has a lodge up there but staying in natural huts on concerete flooring is the best way to explore the place. Try to meet the gujjars for the milk supply and Manjhi is one place where you get endless glasses of milk and buttermilk. Do not forget to bow before the small temple of the Goddess just before you reach Dodital and i am sure u will have a great time out there.Hari Om
we trekked to dodi tal from hanuman chatti that too froma little used route with many steep descents and river log crossings. the whole experience was ethereal. it was only after we were more than halfway down from Sonapra top that we could see Dodi tal. i've rarely seen a more welcome sight. We finally trekked out to civilisation via aghora village.
I am a coastal plainsman.NDA,Kharakwasla gave me a golden opportunity of making it in the first mountaineering team to Bandar Punch in the summer of 1963.The route took us to base camp via UKashi, Agorha,Dodi Tal & Darua ridge(12500ft) before we descended to the banks of the Hanuman Ganga/Bhageerathi.All tis was God's own country. 2.Both while going up & coming down we camped at Dodi-Tal for trout fishing & I have not enjoyed angling more t any other site! 3.Newly married couples could be seen bathing in icy-cold waters flowing out of the lake,I believe as a fertility ritual.There were no pandits camping there then.I suppose this venue now attracts many more visitors,& so the establishment of a pandit now is probably more viable. 4.A visit to the Northern side of Darua ridge soon after the snow melts will give boundless joy as the wide range of flowers bloom in glorious colours.Todays digital cameras would capture this pristine beauty for ever. Happy trekking in UKashi/Didi-Tal.
Nostalgia.Wow!! It was Jan 19. 1975, I was 15 sitting on the banks of Dodi Tal angling for trout and at the same time lookiong into the thick for the Monal Pheasant!!
Two great things about Dodi Tal you missed sharing??! We had to melt a hole in the ice to drop our fishing line! How about those dingy but "only solace" log huts? Are they still there??
Of course after a day's rest at Dod we went up to touch Bandar Punch. Literally crawing through 3-4 feet of snow!! We could not make it but then we almost were there on top.
How I wish to go again and with my kids and wife.Thanks for reminding me.
I had been to Dodital in the year 2001. The toughest part was Dodital to Darba top. Darba top is at a height of 12,500 ft. We had camped at Dodi Tal, it was April end, and we could see the snow at some distance and also at some places around the lake. We started at at 6:30 AM in the morning and by 9:00 AM we were walking on snow. The climb was steep, and we would get exausted after every 10 steps. We reached the top by around 12 noon. It was hugely satisfying and it felt like scaling the Mt. everest. Coming down was a lot fun, we skid down the slopes on our plastic raincoats. Reached the base camp arnd 4:00 PM and I was never so much tired in my life!!! So, if u want to strech yrself try this extended trip.
I had been to dodital almost 12 years back along with my collegemates. This is a amazing place to visit. The best part was that we visited during monsoon time and we found lots of lanslide enroute. I still remember that one wonderful trek.
Nice to read ankita\\\\\\\'s traveloge about Dodi tal. We had been there in June 2000 with our batchmates of ST\\\\\\\'99 from tata steel. Its nice experience and something like God\\\\\\\'s country. There is one Ganesh Temple at dodi tal. We went to Dharwa Pass which is again 500 ft higher that Dodital.
it was really one of my most memorable trekking expeditions i took--a trip to doditaal. it was summers of 2004 when i along with my 10 other friends went for that trip.Well, it was my 1st year at iit r and we being a part of expedition club (himalayan explorers club of iitr)went on for that trip.what amazing about that place is that u dont find any population staying there and it gets snowfall during summers!!
