Mugdha Tal & Thekaria Top

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Dehradun – Uttarkashi – Kuflon

Driving – 160kms

Start in the morning from Dehradun or Rishikesh to Uttarkashi. The massive Tehri Dam Lake also comes into view as you proceed towards Chilianisaur.

Buy all necessary items from Uttarkashi if you left out on anything. Kuflon is just 10kms from Uttarkashi at an elevation of 1,300mts above sea level. The trek to Mugdha Tal commences from Kuflon, estimated time to reach is 2pm. After reaching Kuflon it’s a brisk hike of 5 to 10 minutes and you will reach our base camp.

Day 02: Kuflon – Shila Dhuni – Kori

Trek – 8kms

Kuflon village is in between a narrow gorge of mountains with Assi Ganga River flowing just below the mountain. The sun comes out pretty late so during winters it could be pretty cold till noon. As you start from Kuflon you will see a trail going up towards your left, the trail is steep till you reach a point where the trail turns towards right almost like a small switchback. From this point one can see the complete view of Asi Ganga River coming from Sangam Chatti.

As you walk, the gradient becomes easier and you are welcomed by dwarf rhododendron trees which look almost as if they were bent by the weight of snow pouring on them every year. The end of steep trail marks the beginning of Shila Dhuni, a small meadow encircled with forest. The trail goes towards the left side from here and the dense jungle to Kori begins.

As you enter the forest, trail becomes less steep and kind of easy. This is the best place if you love forest and you like to hear the sound of the nature. You’ll hear the crickets singing, birds chirping around you and if you are lucky you might just spot some wildlife as deer, barking deer and swamp deer are common in these forests. It takes around 2-3hours from Shila Dhuni to reach Kori campsite. Kori is the perfect setting for a sunset view, experience the golden hour at its best.

 

Day 03: Kori – Mughda Tal – Siyari Bugyal

Trek – 8kms

This trekking stretch is demanding but it comes with rewards too. Follow the trail that is going up from Kori, after a climb of about 2 hours you will reach Chai Thathar (used to be a tea hut) from where you follow the trail on the left side to get to Damini Ridge.

The trail near Damini Ridge is steep and narrow, watch your step here. This will be one of the destinations during this trek where you’ll get to see a bird’s eye view. An hour from Damini Ridge will get you to Mugdha Tal. There are a couple of shepherd huts at Mughda Tal which serves as temporary shelter for Gujjarswho are on the move with their animals. Mughda Tal is a small pond situated below Thekaria Top. Continue climbing towards Siyari Bugyal.

Siyari Bugyal is a meadow which also acts as an adjoining ridge of Kanatal Top & Thekaria Top. Camp at Siyari Bugyal only if there is water source available, else camp at Mughda Tal. Both the tops are visible from the campsite.

 

Day 04: Siyari Bugyal – Thekaria Top – Siyari Bugyal

Trek – 7kms

It takes just 1 hour to reach Kanatal Top from Siyari Bugyal. From the summit one can get a panoramic view of the Himalayas around the Barahat Ranges. On your east would be the Bhagirathi group of ranges which include some six thousanders like Draupadi ka Danda, Jaonli & Mt. Srikanth. On your west will be Banderpoonch Massive, Kala Nag and Yamunotri Ranges. If sky clears up you can also witness bird’s eye view of the town of Uttarkashi which would be around 8000ft below you in the distant. Kanatal Top is named after a small pond on the top. Trek down from the summit and head back to Siyari Bugyal.

Considering both these summits are in the proximity of Siyari Bugyal, you can live the best of two moments here. Hike up to Kanatal Top during sunrise, trek back to Siyari Bugyal and head up towards Thekaria Top during sunset.

 

Day 05: Siyari Bugyal – Sheku Village

Trek – 13kms

This is the day you’ve been waiting for, downhill trail. From Siyari Bugyal we’ll take a different trail which that leads you down Chaadu. You’ll encounter several Gujjar hutsin this trail. The trail to Dodi Tal is also visible across the Asi Ganga River. Going further down we would get connected to the old Dodital trail which was partially washed away due to flash floods, this old trail was once a road.

Once we reach Sheku Village you can get ready for a one of a kind homestay experience. In the evening you can go out to meet the locals see how the village works and off course take a lot of pictures.

 

Day 06: Sheku Village – Sangam Chatti – Uttarkashi – Dehradun

Trek – 2kms | Drive: 164kms

After breakfast, trek down 2kms to reach Sangam Chatti. You can hire a cab from Sangam Chatti to Uttarkashi and thereon proceed towards Dehradun/Rishikesh.