The next day started and we woke up early.
I am not one of the early risers, but whenever I am in mountains, I try to make an effort and witness the miracle sunrise neglecting my sleepy demons.
Then we finished our morning chores and got ready with our rucksacks.
I planned to do the trek without a guide. But it was winter and off-season. All the checkpoints and stay options in the midway were closed. We had to cover the complete 16kms and reach Dodital. And I was skeptical about finding an accommodation there.
Moreover, there was a teen with me, for whom I felt responsible. Lol.
So without much ado, I enquired about hiring a guide from the homestay owner. He suggested to take two, who would carry the required resources if we want to stay in the midway and cover the journey in two days, the usual way.
But I asked him to send one, as we planned to stay in settlements.
All these settlements in the trek are owned by villagers. But during winters, they lock them and come down because of off-season and snow. So only limited options are available during end December, only at Dodital and almost none after mid January.
Finally he sent his younger brother named 'Krishna', a 24 year old happy and hardworking soul. He prepared our food and was serving us throughout the previous day.
And we began. And so does the journey.
Excitement was at peak, we were steadily covering a well marked trail. Meanwhile Krishna kept telling us about the visible mountain range, the waterfalls, the farm lands and everything else that came in the way.
Sun was shining and view looked like the kind of landscapes we used to paint during school. Just more real than ever.
Soon we encountered a water stream. The flow was fierce, and the water was running straight from the glaciers. I couldn't imagine touching it. Worse, falling into it. So I crossed carefully.
And we reached the first checkpoint, village Bewra.
The village had a few settlements and shops. And all of them were closed. Some folks only come up till here to camp and have fun.
We kept on moving and then had to cover a stretch of steep hike. There was a more smoother way though, but Krishna told us that it would be an hour longer.
After the steeper climb we reached the second stop, Chhatri - at 6 kms. It was an open hatch but made of aluminum and painted green. Small groups, total 8-9 people who were hiking down were already present there.
They all were having their snacks, drinks and meals.
Krishna brought packed lunch with him. And we were hungry.
So we had the Chapattis with fried potatoes. While listening to the experiences of people who were returning back.
Then we continued with our journey. The hike wasn't hard further ahead. After a series of ups and down the views changed. And the sun was hidden for most time. The snow clad mountain peaks revealed themselves more clearly.
The beauty was mesmerizing. In between we had to stop to give way to the porters. Through the big rocks, trees and meadows we pushed forward.
Suddenly snow could be seen in the way and gradually the ground got covered in a white carpet. And the trees. And the bushes. And everything else.
At a point we found a large pattern at a mountain across us, resembling a fish. Dodital is a place with religious significance but also famous for being the highest fresh water lake to breed Trout fish. It might just have been a coincidence. I am not sure.
After hiking for some more time we reached our third and last checkpoint Manjhi village. It had some huts crowned with thick layers of snow. And then snow everywhere.
We had already covered 10km of distance. And we were tired.
Fortunately Krishna had the keys to one of the huts. We threw our bags outside and squeezed ourselves inside.
The hut had no electricity but it had a trunk and wooden structure to sit and lay down. Krishna pulled out some utensils and also tea and sugar out of the trunk and burned a fire while we settled down.
He then made us some tea, and we had some biscuits while enjoying the warmth of fire. It was such a nice and refreshing experience.
After gaining some energy we started walking again, slowly but steadily. And carefully, so we don't slip down. As the trail ahead was full of snow. But Krishna was always there to help us cross the tricky sections.
I couldn't help getting clicked some pictures to flaunt 😜
The sun disappeared around 5, and it started getting dark.
We increased our speed to cover maximum distance while there was still some light.
It got dark till we reached the Bhairav Mandir. Dodital still remained 1.5kms away.
We equipped our heads with torch lights. And the two in one lamp with Bluetooth speaker was turned on by my friend.
Fortunately route from there was a gradual descend. I fell down at a point and scraped my knee.
After an hour we finally reached Dodital. Went straight inside the tea house as it was dark.
There was a man in his mid forties, official forest guard. Only he stays up there till this late and until mid January. He is well known to the villagers. And also serves people who come to visit here.
There was another guy from Mumbai with his guide, they also met us in Uttarkashi. They celebrated when we reached there and said "We were waiting and knew you guys would arrive". Well, it's always better to have some company.
Krishna brang us lots of lukewarm water and some tea and snacks. While we sat in there, acquainting with each other. And then exchange of discussions broke the formal boundaries. And we got immersed in each other's stories.
The Guard told us about the night he had to spend under a big rock while hiking up here. As he got late and it started to snow heavily.
They cooked us a curry of Paneer and mixed veg and Chapattis and Rice. We all then had the dinner and some fun chit chats.
At around 9:30 we went to the adjacent hut with more beds.
Temperature was around -10 C. Capable of making you automatically shiver as soon as you stepped outside. Feeling it made me remember to pee, so I don't have to get out of my cozy bed in the midnight.
The day was strenuous and tiresome for sure. But there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Stay tuned for the magnificent views next morning, and my further journey to the Dawra Pass.
In Case You Missed
Travel Log - The Place, Geography & Day Zero - Dodital Dawra Pass Trek Experience, Journey & Guide
Travel Log - Day One & Two - Dodital Dawra Pass Trek Experience, Journey & Guide
