Nachiketa Tal
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India • 30.79°N, 78.52°E
📖 About Nachiketa Tal
- ✦Sacred alpine lake at 2,311 metres (7,582 ft) named after sage Nachiketa
- ✦3 km trek from Chaurangikhal village gains 300 metres through deodar forests
- ✦July monsoon brings 229 mm rainfall - September to November stays clearer
- ✦No shops or accommodation at the lake - carry all supplies from Uttarkashi
A 3 km uphill trek from Chaurangikhal village leads to Nachiketa Tal, a small glacial lake at 2,311 metres in Uttarkashi district. The trail starts at 2,000m and climbs 300 metres through deodar and oak forests, taking most trekkers 2 to 3 hours. Hindu mythology links the lake to Nachiketa, a young sage from the Katha Upanishad who questioned Yama about death and immortality. May highs reach 13.9°C (57°F) at this elevation while January minimums drop to -21.9°C (-7.4°F) with guaranteed snowfall covering the trail and lake surface completely.
The lake measures roughly 60 metres across - smaller than Deoria Tal or Dodital - and sits in a clearing surrounded by rhododendron and fir trees that bloom red in April and May. A small Nag Devta temple stands at the western edge where locals perform puja during the July-August monsoon season despite 229 mm rainfall in July and 208 mm in August turning the trail slippery. Trout swim in the clear water but fishing is prohibited due to religious significance. The forest department maintains a basic rest house 500 metres before the lake with four rooms available on first-come basis - no advance booking system exists.
Solo trekkers and families with older children manage the moderate trail easily from April through November when daytime temperatures stay between 7.1°C (44.8°F) and 16.4°C (61.5°F). Chaurangikhal has no ATM, no petrol pump, and mobile connectivity works only on BSNL - carry cash from Uttarkashi 25 km away and download offline maps before the drive up.
🎯 Things to Do in Nachiketa Tal
The 3 km trail from Chaurangikhal village parking climbs 300 metres through deodar forests with three marked rest points - most trekkers complete it in 2.5 hours uphill and 1.5 hours down. The path stays shaded until the final 500 metres where it opens to meadows around the lake - no entry fee but forest guards check trekker registers at the start. Weekends from May to June see 20 to 30 trekkers daily while monsoon months of July-August bring solitude with only 2 to 3 visitors.
Flat camping grounds spread 50 metres from the lake's eastern shore with space for 8 to 10 tents - no camping fee charged but you must register with the forest rest house caretaker. Carry all camping gear, food, and fuel from Uttarkashi as Chaurangikhal has one small provision shop selling only biscuits and instant noodles. October nights drop to -7.2°C (19°F) requiring winter-rated sleeping bags and September still sees 111 mm rainfall soaking tents without proper rain flies.
The small stone shrine dedicated to Nag Devta stands at the lake's western edge, 100 metres from the main camping area - locals consider the lake sacred to this serpent deity. The temple has no priest or fixed puja timings, just oil lamps that visitors light themselves after leaving offerings of flowers or rice. During Nag Panchami in July-August, 40 to 50 villagers trek up for ritual worship despite monsoon rains.
The mixed oak-deodar forest between Chaurangikhal and the lake holds Himalayan woodpeckers, khalij pheasants, and occasional koklass pheasants visible from the trail itself - early morning walks from 6 AM to 8 AM offer best sightings. Carry binoculars as birds stay in the canopy 15 to 20 metres high, and the forest department guide at the rest house identifies calls for Rs 300 per group (confirm locally — rates vary by season). May and June mornings at 13.9°C (57°F) maximum stay comfortable for 2 to 3 hour forest loops.
Sahastra Tal, another small lake, lies 4 km beyond Nachiketa Tal at 2,600 metres - the connecting trail climbs 290 metres through rhododendron forests with no clear path markers. Local guides from Chaurangikhal charge Rs 500-700 for the round trip taking 6 to 7 hours total including rest stops at Nachiketa Tal (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Most trekkers skip Sahastra Tal as Nachiketa itself satisfies the lake experience and the unmarked route risks getting lost in monsoon fog.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -21.9 | 1.5 | 43 | 66% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -21.1 | 3.6 | 42 | 70% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -16.8 | 7.1 | 53 | 74% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | -10.9 | 10.3 | 42 | 69% |
| May | 🌤️ | -5.1 | 13.9 | 59 | 69% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | -1.5 | 16.4 | 90 | 74% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 3.1 | 16.8 | 229 | 87% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 3.4 | 15.7 | 208 | 88% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | -0.3 | 14.2 | 111 | 80% |
| Oct | 🧊 | -7.2 | 11.1 | 19 | 65% |
| Nov | 🧊 | -11.5 | 7.5 | 9 | 55% |
| Dec | 🧊 | -17.8 | 5.0 | 12 | 53% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Uttarkashi region, not exclusively Nachiketa Tal. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Nachiketa Tal
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack warm layers for the 2,311 metre elevation - May maximums reach only 13.9°C (57°F) and October minimums drop to -7.2°C (19°F), so carry fleece jackets and windproof shells even in summer months.
Book the forest rest house rooms at Chaurangikhal through Uttarkashi forest division office one week ahead during May-June peak season - no online booking exists, call the range office directly for availability.
The 8 km Kalyani to Chaurangikhal road suits hatchbacks in dry months but needs an SUV during July-August when 229 mm and 208 mm rainfall create mud patches and small landslides blocking passage temporarily.
Chaurangikhal has no ATM and shops accept only cash - withdraw from State Bank of India or Uttarkashi Gramin Bank in Uttarkashi town 25 km away, and UPI fails completely due to poor Airtel-Jio signals throughout the trek area.
Stay options exist only in Uttarkashi town 25 km away with budget lodges near the bus stand from Rs 600-1,000 and mid-range hotels on Bhatwari road from Rs 1,800-3,000 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
📍 More Places in Uttarkashi
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Nachiketa Tal
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Nachiketa Tal covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Nachiketa Tal is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 2311 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.