November & December in Sari Village: Winter Travel Guide to Chopta, Deoria Tal & Tungnath
Plan a calm winter trip from Sari Village with practical advice for Deoria Tal, Chopta, Tungnath, temple closing dates, local festivals, food and cold-weather travel.
In this guideOpen
Winter travel from Sari Village
November and December show a quieter side of the Garhwal Himalayas. The mornings are colder, the air often feels clearer and the higher routes around Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila may start receiving snow. Lake Haven Resort is in Sari Village, close to the Deoria Tal trailhead, so it works well as a comfortable base for a winter trip.
This guide keeps the plan simple: understand the weather, know the 2026 temple closing dates, keep your itinerary flexible and check local road conditions before every high-altitude outing.
November
What November feels like
November is a transition month. The monsoon has ended, the weather is generally drier and good-weather days can bring very clear mountain views.
Daytime sunshine can feel comfortable, but mornings and evenings become cold quickly. Carry proper winter clothing even if the afternoon feels warm.
It is a good month for the Deoria Tal trek, village walks, photography, a road trip to Chopta and temple visits before the seasonal closures.
December
Proper winter begins
By December, temperatures fall further, especially at night and early in the morning. Snowfall becomes possible in higher areas such as Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila.
Snow is never guaranteed on a particular travel date. Sari Village is lower than Tungnath and Chandrashila, so conditions can be completely different on the same day.
Always check the latest road and weather information before leaving for Chopta. A flexible day is much better than forcing a mountain itinerary in poor conditions.
Short winter trek
Deoria Tal in November and December
Sari Village is the usual starting point for the Deoria Tal trail. The route is short compared with many Himalayan treks, but winter frost, ice, mud or snowfall can make it more difficult.
Important 2026 dates
Temple closing dates to know before you travel
Several important temples in the Kedarnath and Panch Kedar region close during November for the winter season. These dates matter if temple darshan is part of your trip.
6 Nov 2026
Tungnath Temple
After the winter closing, worship continues at Makkumath. Travellers can still visit the Chopta area later if road and weather conditions are safe, but temple darshan will be closed.
11 Nov 2026
Kedarnath Temple
After Kedarnath closes for winter, Lord Kedarnath is worshipped at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
16 Nov 2026
Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Winter worship also moves to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath after the seasonal closing.
Winter pilgrimage
Ukhimath and Makkumath remain important after the closures
After Kedarnath closes, winter worship continues at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Madhyamaheshwar is also worshipped there during winter.
After Tungnath closes, winter worship continues at Makkumath. These lower-altitude winter seats give travellers a meaningful spiritual option even after the high-altitude temples close.
From Sari Village, Ukhimath can be included easily in a local winter plan. Read our Omkareshwar Temple guide for more context.
Local culture
Igas Bagwal – 20 November 2026
Igas Bagwal is one of Uttarakhand's best-known traditional festivals and is celebrated in many Garhwali communities after the main Diwali period.
Celebrations can include local food, folk songs, community gatherings and the traditional Bhailo practice. Customs vary from village to village, which is part of the festival's charm.
If you are staying in Sari Village around 20 November 2026, ask locally about celebrations rather than expecting a staged tourist event. The best cultural experiences are often simple village moments.
Food at the resort
Warm food after a cold mountain day
At Lake Haven Resort, Humari Rasyan serves Garhwali dishes along with familiar North Indian and Indo-Chinese options. Ask the team about the current menu and dietary needs when you book.
Packing
What to carry for a November or December trip
Simple itinerary
A relaxed 3-day winter plan
Day 1
Arrive in Sari Village
Check in, rest after the mountain drive and spend an easy evening in Sari Village.
Day 2
Deoria Tal
Start in the morning, enjoy the trail at a comfortable pace and return before the cold evening sets in.
Day 3
Chopta or Ukhimath
Choose Chopta when road and weather conditions are good. After the temple closures, Ukhimath and Omkareshwar Temple are excellent winter alternatives.
Plan your stay
Use Sari Village as a calm winter base
Stay close to the Deoria Tal trailhead and plan Chopta, Ukhimath, Tungnath-area sightseeing and local winter experiences according to the day's weather.
