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Saru Tal Trek

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Moderate8 daysBest May–Jun, Sep–NovSnow trek

Snow-covered Himalayan range above forested valleys, seen from the meadow and snow patches of Phulara Ridge on the Saru Tal route4,200 mhighest point2 Photos
Max altitude
4,200 m
Days
8 days
Distance
62.5 km
Difficulty
Moderate

Best months May–Jun, Sep–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

About 62 km over six walking days, with 10-13 km days, a pre-dawn Kedarkantha summit climb on day 3 and two nights above 3,700 m; operators rate it moderate to moderately difficult and advise some prior trekking experience.

Photos

On the trail

Snow-covered Himalayan range above forested valleys, seen from the meadow and snow patches of Phulara Ridge on the Saru Tal route
Snow-covered Himalayan range above forested valleys, seen from the meadow and snow patches of Phulara Ridge on the Saru Tal routePhoto: Pathaharapathik · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 2

The route

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Dehradun → Sankri

    By road · 9 h · Hotel

    640 m → 1,920 m

  2. Day 2

    Sankri → Kedarkantha Base Camp (via Juda Ka Talab)

    8 km · 6.5 h · Camp

    1,920 m → 3,400 m

  3. Day 3

    Kedarkantha Base Camp → Dunda Thach (via Kedarkantha summit)

    10.5 km · 7 h · Camp

    3,400 m → 3,800 m → 3,200 m

  4. Day 4

    Dunda Thach → Taloti Thach

    11 km · 6 h · Camp

    3,200 m → 3,789 m

  5. Day 5 · highest point

    Taloti Thach → Saru Tal

    10 km · 6 h · Camp

    3,789 m → 4,200 m

  6. Day 6

    Saru Tal → Taloti Thach

    10 km · 6 h · Camp

    4,200 m → 3,789 m

  7. Day 7

    Taloti Thach → Taluka (drive to Sankri)

    13 km · 8 h · Hotel

    3,789 m → 1,920 m

  8. Day 8

    Sankri → Dehradun

    By road · 9 h · No overnight

    1,920 m → 640 m

Ups and downs

Altitude profile

1,5002,5003,5004,500Sankri: 1,920 m, 0 kmKedarkantha Base Camp (via Juda Ka Talab): 3,400 m, 8 kmDay 3 high point: 3,800 m, 13.3 kmDunda Thach (via Kedarkantha summit): 3,200 m, 18.5 kmTaloti Thach: 3,789 m, 29.5 kmSaru Tal: 4,200 m, 39.5 kmTaloti Thach: 3,789 m, 49.5 kmTaluka (drive to Sankri): 1,920 m, 62.5 km
Metres above sea level · distance 62.5 km

Where it is

Map

Download GPX waypoints

Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.

Weather

Next 5 days on the trail

Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.

Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h

Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.

Plan the trip

How to reach

Trailhead
Sankri
Nearest railway
Dehradun
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
By road
Dehradun (about 190-210 km via Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola and Mori)
Drive
About 9 h from Dehradun

Plan the trip

Permits and fees

We could not confirm the current permit rules and fees from an official source. Check with the local forest department or tourism office before you go.

Plan the trip

Cost

Self-guided

₹8,000–13,000

With an operator

₹13,500–18,000

Per person, ex-Dehradun. Guided prices published October 2026: Himalayan Hikers ₹15,000 + 5% GST + ₹320 insurance (Dehradun to Dehradun); Danu Adventure ₹16,000 (offer price, listed ₹18,000); Himalayan Daredevils ₹16,999 + 5% GST; Himalayan Sunshine from ₹12,000 with Dehradun transport paid separately (about ₹5,500 per vehicle one way). Self-guided is an estimate: shared jeep or bus to Sankri, two hotel nights, a local guide and porter for six camping days, tent and stove hire, and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary entry fees.

Gear

Top picks for this trek

The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.

See the full packing checklist

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Packing checklist

Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.

Packed 0 of 31

Nights near 4,200 m can drop close to freezing even in summer. Pack one more warm layer than you think.

Tick each item as it goes in the bag.

What to wear
Pack and gear
Sleeping

Many trek operators provide tents and sleeping bags. Ask before you buy.

Safety
Water and food
Documents and money
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Know before you go

Good to know

Mobile network
Weak or no mobile signal in Sankri; no mobile connectivity on the trail beyond Sankri.
Last ATM
Purola, on the road to Sankri
Nearest hospital
Mori and Purola for first care; AIIMS Rishikesh for serious cases
Water
Streams in the forest and meadow sections and near the high camps; snowmelt early in the season. Boil or treat all water.

Highlights

  • A remote alpine lake at about 4,200 m above the tree line, ringed by meadows and wildflowers in early summer
  • Sunrise from Kedarkantha summit (3,800 m) on the way in, with views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak
  • Wide high meadows (thach) at Dunda and Taloti inside Govind Wildlife Sanctuary
  • A quiet, little-walked route compared with the busy Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun trails

Risks

  • July, August and early September are advised against: monsoon rain brings landslide risk and slippery trail.
  • Winter (December to April) brings heavy snow and a frozen lake; operators do not advise the trek then.
  • Two nights above 3,700 m and a 4,200 m high point: acclimatise and turn back if altitude-sickness symptoms grow.
  • No mobile signal beyond Sankri and long distances to a hospital; carry a first-aid kit and go with a guide.

Know before you go

Questions

How long is the Saru Tal trek?

The common route from Sankri via Kedarkantha, Dunda Thach and Taloti Thach is about 60-64 km of walking over 8 days from Dehradun. A shorter 7-day variant via Sikolta, Bhoj Gadi and Pushtara is about 48 km.

What is the best time to do Saru Tal?

May-June and September-November. Avoid the July-August monsoon because of landslides and slippery trail; from December to April the lake is frozen and the route is under heavy snow.

Where does the Saru Tal trek start and how do I reach it?

It starts and ends at Sankri in Uttarkashi district, about 190-210 km from Dehradun, an 8-9 hour drive. Operators run a morning pickup from Dehradun railway station.

Is Saru Tal suitable for beginners?

Operators rate it moderate to moderately difficult because of the length and the 4,200 m altitude. Fit beginners can do it, but prior trekking experience is recommended.

Do I need a permit for Saru Tal?

The route lies in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, so forest entry and camping fees apply. Guided packages include them. We could not confirm the current official fee, so self-guided trekkers should check at the forest office in Sankri.

Your 8-week plan for this trekModerate grade. Start about 8 weeks before you travel.
SOS

In an emergency

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You are in

District: UttarkashiUttarakhand

Nearest hospital
Mori and Purola for first care; AIIMS Rishikesh for serious cases
Last ATM
Purola, on the road to Sankri
Phone network
Weak or no mobile signal in Sankri; no mobile connectivity on the trail beyond Sankri.

Before you set off

  1. Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
  2. Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
  3. Download an offline map of the route.
  4. Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
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Where this comes from

Sources

Last reviewed:

  1. Sarutal Trek 2026 The Stunning Hidden Lake in Meadows — Himalayan Hikers
  2. Saru Tal Trek Complete Guide — Danu Adventure
  3. Sarutal Trek Uttarakhand Longest Trek — Himalayan Daredevils
  4. Sarutal Trek - Himalayan Sunshine — Himalayan Sunshine
  5. Saru Tal Trek - Pushtara Meadows, Starts from Sankri — Himalaya Shelter
  6. Kedarkantha And Har Ki Dun Trek Together With Saru Tal — Himalayan High
  7. SARU TAL TREK TOUR (Royal Hiker) — Royal Hiker
  8. Saru Lake — Travel Coffee

Photos: Pathaharapathik, CC BY-SA 4.0; Vaibhav78545, CC BY-SA 4.0

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