Surya Top Trek

Your journey to the mesmerizing Surya Top begins as soon as you reach the Dehradun Railway Station. On this first day of our trek we need to travel from Dehradun to Raithal which is our base camp for Surya Top Trek.  The drive to Raithal takes approximately nine hours, you will be passing through scenic landscapes, winding mountain roads, and picturesque villages. Through this drive you will get a glimpse of true Uttarakhand and the surprises awaiting you at Surya Top.

Between Mussoorie and Uttarkashi, you will get to see a lot of viewpoints that offer breathtaking views of almost the entire Garhwal Himalayas. You can see stunning views from the mountains near Himachal (Swargarohini and adjoining peaks) to Mt Bandarpoonch, Mt Srikanth, the Gangotri Peaks, the Chaukhamba massif, and to Mt Nanda Devi. The glow of the mountain peaks makes you feel like they are blushing for you.

Upon reaching Raithal, trekkers settle into the base camp. Raithal is a quaint town in Bhatwari Tehsil, Uttarkashi District. Raithal treats you with stunning views of Srikanth and Gangotri.  This first day is your acclimation day. Enjoy the nearby parts and rest for the adventure that is waiting for you tomorrow.

It’s the day of adventure. Waking up in the lapse of nature gives you fresh energy. After breakfast, trekkers drive from Raithal to Barsu, covering a short distance of 20 km in approximately one hour. Barsu, a tiny Himalayan village, serves as the starting point of our Surya Top Trek. In Barsu you will able to find small tea stalls and locals that are warmly welcoming. On the second day we have to trek around 5 km. The trek begins with a steady ascent through lush forests, meadows, and mountain trails. You can expect marvelous views of the snow capped peaks and occasional sightings of local wildlife.

The initial trail provides enough time to observe the villagers going about their daily activities. When you almost reach halfway, you will get clearings to get a proper view of the peaks that are calling you. This clearing is Barnala. On this day, you will enter one of the trek’s most dense forest sections. You enter a forest dominated by green and brown oaks (moru and kharsu), as well as rhododendrons. Upon reaching Pichkiya settle down on your campsites and enjoy a night full of stargazing.

Day 3 of your Surya Top Trek with Himalayan Daredevils starts with a hearty breakfast. After breakfast do some stretches that will prepare you for the day. On this day we have to trek to Siyari campsite. The trekking trail from Pichkiya to Siyari continues to ascend, giving us breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. During the ascend, you will be able to find a thick layer of oak, deodar, and rhododendron trees. The birds will fly around you with their chirping voice encouraging you to walk. While you walk the Yamunotri Range will be in front of you smiling at and Gangotri Range at your back. You can also spot many streams flowing downhill. As you walk the Dayara Bugyal meadows will unfold in front of your eyes giving a hint of what are going to experience.

Here you have a small descent coming, after that, you will reach our campsite for today, Siyari. From here you get good views of Bandarpoonch, Srikanth, and Draupadi Ka Danda 2. Siyari is a beautiful campsite with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Get into your campsite and rest well because tomorrow is the day you were waiting for – The Surya Top.

This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. After a healthy breakfast let’s start our trek to Surya Top. The climb is strenuous but exciting, offering spectacular views of Bandarpoonch, Draupadi ka Danda, and other Himalayan peaks. The last stretch to Surya Top is a steep climb, after that get ready to be amused by the best meadows of India. From Surya Top you will get a proper 360 view of Himalayan Peaks and Valleys we were waiting for. Spend ample amount of time walking, meditating and taking photographs. Before starting the descent to Devkund, take a mind picture of the canvas in front of you. In the years coming up, this mind picture will motivate you to fight against the obstacles that life will throw at you.

Now you have started to descend to Dvekund. This path is a little tricky, you need to be extra careful while doing this. A 4.5-kilometer ridge walk with the Gangotri ranges on the left and Yamunotri on the right. During the autumn season, this ridge transforms into a heavenly path lined with colorful flowers. As you travel through this vast expanse, the mountains will play hide and seek, adding to the excitement of your journey. Descend from the ridge to arrive at the day’s campsite, Devkund.

 This 5th day marks the start of our descent from meadows. After your breakfast say goodbye to the Devkund. The descent from Devkund to Chilapada is relatively short and easy. The trail meanders through alpine forests, with glimpses of the glittering mountains along the way. After trekking for 4-5 hours, trekkers reach Chilapada, a scenic spot surrounded by pine and oak trees. As you near Chilapada, the forest opens up, revealing a peaceful campsite surrounded by towering trees. Chilapada is known for its peaceful setting, which allows trekkers to unwind and soak up the tranquility of the mountains. This campsite provides a perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on the journey so far before the final descent the next day.

 Following breakfast at the Chilapada campsite, you begin your descent. The last day of trekking involves a steady descent from Chilapada to Raithal. The trail meanders through dense oak and pine forests. Along the way, you will hear birds singing and leaves rustling, adding to the peacefulness of the journey. As you descend, the landscape changes from alpine vegetation to a mixture of farmlands and village paths. The trail passes through dense forests and charming mountain villages. Upon reaching Raithal trekkers celebrate the successful completion of their journey. The evening is spent at the base camp, sharing experiences and enjoying a well-earned meal.

 On this last day of Surya Top Trek, we will drive from Raithal to Dehradun. After a week of trekking through the serene landscapes in the Himalayas, the drive back allows you to relax and think of the amazing experience you had. As you reach Dehradun, you will say goodbye to your fellow trekkers and start the journey back home with a heart full of happiness and peace.