Where Ganesha was born
Dodital is believed to be the birthplace of Ganesha, and a Ganesha temple stands on its shore. Wikipedia says the name comes from a sage called Dodi; Himalaya Shelter says dodi is the local word for trout.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Dodital is a forest lake trek near Uttarkashi, with a steep day out to Darwa Top.
4,150m
Darwa Top
3,024m
Dodital lake
44km
Walking, over 4 days
164km
From Dehradun
💪 Moderate🌸 Apr–Jun🍂 Oct–Dec⛺ 3 nights in tents
Day by day
Six days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Its day figures add up to 44 km, though its page says 40.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Dehradun → AgodaVia Uttarkashi164 km · about 7 h🛏️ Homestay · 2,251 m
- Day 2Agoda → ManjhiPast Bebra9 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Tents · 2,880 m
- Day 3Manjhi → DoditalTo the lake8 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents · 3,024 m
- Day 4Dodital → Darwa Top → DoditalSteep climb, then back12 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Tents at Dodital
- Day 5Dodital → AgodaThe long descent15 km · 6–7 h🛏️ Homestay in Agoda
- Day 6Agoda → DehradunThe drive home164 km · about 7 h
Stories and nature
Ganesha's lake
A British gift
Trout were put into Dodital in 1862 by the British eccentric known as Pahari Wilson. Bikat lists golden, snow and brown trout in the lake today.
The night of 3 August 2012
A cloudburst high in the Assi Ganga valley sent a flash flood down to Uttarkashi. Nineteen labourers at the Assi Ganga hydel project were reported missing, and the river's trout were wiped out.
The monkey's tail
Bandarpunch, 6,316 m, fills the view from Darwa. Hanuman is said to have put out his burning tail on its summit. Tenzing Norgay was in the team that first climbed it, in 1950.
When to go
Spring and early winter
Bikat runs the trek in April–June and October–December. Himalaya Shelter says snow usually reaches the lake from mid-December to March.
April–June
About 15–20 °C by day and 5–10 °C at night.
July–August
Monsoon. Neither Bikat nor Himalaya Shelter recommends these months.
Sep–Nov
Himalaya Shelter's autumn window: clear and cool.
Dec–March
Snow on the trail and a frozen lake. Nights fall to −10 °C, and to −15 °C at the lake in mid-December.
Plan your trip
Getting to Agoda
Uttarkashi is the last town. Taxis go on to Agoda.
- Dehradun🚌 145 km, 5–6 h by bus or shared taxi
- Uttarkashi🚕 About 20 km, 45–60 min
- Agoda
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Trains run to Dehradun and Rishikesh. Rishikesh to Uttarkashi is about 162 km.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹11,600 + 5% GST, Agoda to Agoda. Transport from Dehradun is ₹2,500 return extra.
Permits
Dodital is in the Uttarkashi Forest Division. The district's Explore Uttarkashi portal lists the trek; you apply through a registered agency with ID, a medical certificate and an affidavit.
Cash
The last ATMs are in Uttarkashi. Agoda is very small.
Network
Phones work up to Uttarkashi. Signal returns about an hour into the drive out of Agoda.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
Uttarkashi has the last reliable ATM. There is none on the trail, and cards are not accepted there. Trekkaro
Phone signal
Agoda is the last place with a steady signal, and only Jio works well there. Expect no reliable signal after Agoda. Trekkaro
No power on the trail
There is no electricity beyond the base village. Carry a power bank. Himalayan Hikers
Medical certificate
Uttarkashi's trek portal asks for ID, a medical fitness certificate and an affidavit before a permit is issued. Allow 2–3 working days. Explore Uttarkashi
Group rules
Uttarkashi's trek portal lists Sangam Chatti–Dodital for ages 18–60, in groups of up to 10. Explore Uttarkashi
Trained guides
Since December 2025, every agency on Uttarkashi's trek portal must register at least two trained guides. The Daily Jagran
Offloading
Trekkaro carries your bag for ₹1,000 + 5% GST for the whole trek, up to 9 kg. Trekkaro
Porters at Agoda
Himalayan Hikers says a porter costs ₹400 a day, paid at Agoda, for bags of 8 kg or more. Himalayan Hikers
Shared cab
A cab from Dehradun railway station to Agoda costs about ₹6,500 for a 5–6 seater, split between trekkers. The return costs the same. Trekkaro
Free gear
Trekkaro lends shoes, a pole, a padded jacket, gaiters and microspikes free, against a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. Trekkaro
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Dodital things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
DecathlonBuy · thermals, socks, fleece, gloves, torch, polesPlot 1591, Haridwar Bypass Road · Website
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · per day (1 day / 3+ days): high-ankle shoes ₹400/₹200, jacket ₹200/₹100, bag ₹200/₹100, poles ₹100/₹50, power bank ₹200/₹100, gaiters ₹5010 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Dodital page in October 2026. Start points differ (Agoda, Uttarkashi or Dehradun), so compare what each price covers; only Trekkaro lists dates.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.