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Located in the Garhwali Himalayas, Chopta Tungnath is an easy-to-moderate weekend trekking trail with a maximum elevation of 13,000 ft above sea level.
The Chopta Tungnath trek, also known as the Chandrashila Summit trek, requires 3–6 days of daylight trekking through the mountains of Uttarakhand, India. The ideal time to do the trek comfortably is between April to November. Trekkers can see a myriad of picturesque vistas, including the bloom of rhododendron forests, if they visit between February and July. In winter, it can get risky to trek certain parts of the trail due to landslides and avalanches.
Trekkers will have to begin their journey from Haridwar and drive to Ukhimath before starting their hiking journey to the destined elevation, surpassing the misty coniferous forest.
Chopta is a small village in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is 400 km (249 miles) from the national capital Delhi and easy to reach by road. The only route reaching Tungnath in the Chopta Tungnath trek is the uphill hike from Chopta.
The captivating beauty of the red, scarlet, and pink rhododendron forest on the trail from Chopta to Tungnath, followed by dense coniferous trees like oak, maple, and pine forests.
Hike to the oldest Shiva Temple in the world, at 12,000 ft elevation, amidst snow-capped mountains.
Breathtaking views of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Bandarpuch, Chaukhamba, and Trishul while trekking from Chopta to Tungnath, which get even better at the summit.
Beginning at the Sari village, the trail offers a close view of the rural Himalayan civilisation, especially the ancient Garhwali culture among the locals.
Experience the stunning beauty of the Deorital Lake at a 3 km elevation from Sari village en route to the Ukhimath-Chopta road.
Walking through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, hikers can witness flocks of migratory birds throughout their Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek journey.
The most exciting adventure on this trek starts on day 3 in the early morning hours, ideally an hour before sunrise. The concrete road from Chopta to Tungnath is safe for travel at this hour. A steep climb and a few road bends will take the hikers to a sharp turn and further to the location of temples and religious flagpoles.
The Chopta Tungnath trek starts from Haridwar, which is well-connected by roads from Delhi. Hikers willing to experience the Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila trek must travel to the capital city of India either by flight or by air.
The Chopta-Tungnath trail is as entertaining to nature lovers as it is to adventure enthusiasts and veteran trekkers! From the start to overnight camping at the Chopta Tungnath summit, it is a traveller's paradise.
One will pass several outstanding locations during the Chopta-Tungnath trip.
Tungnath Temple is the oldest Shiva temple in the world, established 1000 years ago by the local Garhwali people. The temple is 4 km uphill from Chopta and easy to reach by car and on foot. The Tungnath Temple is highly revered as one of Uttarakhand's five Panch Kedar Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Located at 12,110 ft, this summit is a viewpoint for all major Garhwali peaks and is religiously significant. It is believed that Lord Rama meditated here after defeating Ravana in Lanka. Legend also says Lord Chandra spent his penance here, from which the peak gets its name. 'Chandrashila' literally translates to a moon rock.
The first campsite of the Chopta Tungnath trek route, Sari village, nestles in the lap of rhododendron forests on the slopes of the Garhwal Himalayas. The top attractions here are the beautiful snow-scattered Deoria Tal Lake and a glimpse of the local culture.
The Omkar Ratnashwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Naga Devta or Nagraj, the snake Lord Shiva carries around his neck. The temple is located on the return route from Deoria Tal Lake to Sari Village. 'Nag Panchami' is a massive festival at the temple, but avoid visiting at the time if you dislike crowds.
Located at 6,000 ft on the banks of the Saraswati River, Kalimath is one of the 108 Siddha Peethas of Goddess Kali. This spot is believed to be where Kali killed the demon Raktavija. This is the only temple where Kali is worshipped with Lakshmi and Saraswati. However, no idol is worshipped here. Instead, the Sri Yantra is the object of devotion. It is located 50 km away from Chopta towards Sari.
Located 7 km before Chopta, Dugalbitta is a scenic spot in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a vibrant spot for photography and also a lovely camping site. Birdwatching, hiking, and cycling are fun activities to do here.
A 7 km turn towards the Chopta-Gopeshwar road can land visitors in a serene location with rich flora and fauna. The Kanchula Kharak Musk Deer Sanctuary is an ideal location to spot Askot Musk Deer and other Himalayan wild birds and animals.
Chopta is sometimes referred to as the mini-Switzerland of India because of the lush greenery of spring, the burst of red rhododendrons during summer, the fiery orange of autumn, and carpets of fallen snow in winter.
Here is a list of activities for anyone to enjoy the time they spend in Chopta.
Chopta's landscape comprises rolling meadows and Himalayan peaks on all sides, making it an ideal camping spot with memorable nighttime bonfires. The location is 8464 ft from the sea level, easy to travel by motor vehicles, and the Deoria Tal is within an hour of walking distance. Tourists find camping in Chopta a soul-charging activity, especially for the colourful rhododendron trees surrounding the entire place.
Chopta is the hub of almost all the important treks of the Uttarakhand region. The famous Valley of Flowers Trek, Kuari Pass Trek, and the Panch Kedar Trek pass through the Chopta region. Pilgrim visits of the Kedarnath, Rudranath – Kalpeshwar, Madmaheshwar and Kali Shila Trek surpass the Chopta region for the easy-to-access location.
Chopta is famous as a birdwatching location alongside a popular trekking route. Nearly 240 species of birds can be spotted in Chopta, including the local Himalayan monal, Himalayan griffon, and some migratory birds like the scarlet finch. The slopes of Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath are ideal for tourists to witness the wildlife, especially on the way to Tungnath peak.
Mountain Rappelling is one of the trendy adventure sports around the Chopta region, where a person gets to climb down a rock with a rope tied around their torso. The point of the sport is to experience the adrenaline of descent along the mountainous slope but without the risks associated with doing it freehand.
April to June, followed by September to November, are the ideal periods to experience the Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath trek. During this time, you will get clear skies and pleasant weather.
During summer, the Tungnath trek from Chopta is pleasant, with the temperature reaching around 22 degrees Celsius during the day and a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius at night.
The Chopta and Chandrashila trek sees an average of 2 degrees Celsius temperature in winter mornings. It goes down to a maximum of -8 degrees Celsius at night. It is not an ideal time to visit. From late winter, the snow begins to thaw, making way for trekkers to visit again.
The average monsoon temperature is around 19 degrees to 4 degrees Celsius from morning to night for the entire trek from Chopta to Tungnath region. It is better to avoid monsoon season, as the terrain will be slippery and hard to travel on.
The Chopta Tungnath trek features the 1000-year-old Shiva Temple at the summit, which has rich lore connected to it. Tungnath, meaning the Lord of the Peaks in Sanskrit, forms the river valleys of Mandakini and Alakananda. The Tungnath Temple is one of the five holy sites that form Panch Kedar. Local legends state that when the Pandavas came looking for Lord Shiva in the mountains of Garhwal, he disappeared and later reappeared in five different parts to avoid the brothers as he was incensed about the bloodbath of Kurukshetra. Tungnath was one of the places Lord Shiva's arms surfaced here after his disappearance.
The Chandrashila peak, located a little above Tungnath, is believed to be the spot where Lord Rama penanced for the brutalities of his war with Ravana. He prayed to Shiva to wash away the sins he committed by murdering Ravana and his army.
Aloo parathas with special Himalayan pickles are a commonly savoured dish at Chopta Tungnath trip homestays. Many roadside shacks serve authentic North Indian delicacies in and around Sari. Expect the cuisine to be mostly vegetarian.
Before the trek commences, you will reach Haridwar from Delhi Haridwar via the NH 334 highway running along the Bhagirathi and Alakananda Rivers. The time taken is approximately 5 or 6 hours for the 242.6 km distance. The train route requires approx 7 hours to reach Haridwar railway station.
The trek towards Chopta begins the next day. Start early to cover a considerable distance by nightfall. The trail initially passes through the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary with a mix of upward and downhill elevation till Tungnath. The altitude here is around 9,600 ft. Certain stops will give a clear view of the Chandrashila summit.
After crossing a ridgeback of a mountain, trekkers will reach a resting point in Sari village. It is built and controlled by the Uttarakhand Forest Department of India. The trail becomes slightly difficult with a constant uphill elevation.
Depending on the walking speed, you can spend 20 minutes at the resting spot. The breathtaking views and fresh mountain breeze will refresh and energize everyone for further climbing.
After a hike for an hour or two, you can see Deoria Tal, where you will camp for the night.
The next day, the trail familiarises hikers with the Himalayan atmosphere with a view of Kedarnath's summit at a distance. The initial route will be lined with the iconic colourful flags of the Buddhist faith along the ascent via Rohini Bugyal. Here you will also spot many rhododendron plants.
You can expect to spot some wildlife in the oak forests, such as bison, deer, and red-tailed fox. The overall uphill trek for 7-8 hours will lead to the Chopta campsite, accompanied by a breathtaking sunset.
The most exciting adventure on this trek starts on day 3 in the early hours of the morning, ideally an hour before sunrise. The concrete road from Chopta to Tungnath is safe for travel at this hour. A steep climb and a few road bends will take the hikers to a sharp turn and further to the location of temples and religious flagpoles.
On the 10th turn, hikers can get a stunning view of the Chandrashila summit, followed by the next bend taking them directly to the Tungnath top.
Tungnath gives a superb 360-degree view of the Kumaon and Garhwali Himalayas on all flanks. The snow-covered crowns of Dronagiri, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, and Chaukhambi peaks can be spotted at a distance. A slight glimpse of the Gangotri and Thalaysagar range is also possible if the sky is clear.
You will retrace your steps and return to Chopta the same day.
Chopta has a lot of wonderful places for tourists, like the Tattva, Birdsong & Beyond, The Meadows Resort & Camp, and the very famous Blue Poppy Resort for the luxury living experience. Homestays like the Himalayan Homestays, Neelkanth homestay, or the Stop-off Café & stays provide tourists with a local lifestyle experience!
The Chopta Tungnath trek is a climb of moderate difficulty. Anyone who is fit and has no physical ailments level can trek along the trails of Tungnath.
April to June and September to October is the ideal time to trek Chopta-Tungnath.
Warm, woollen clothes layered with wind-cheater jackets will be adequate to beat the cold. Make sure to carry a pair of thermals, a fleece jacket, woollen caps, and socks for a comfortable trip. Wearing trekking boots is a must.
Chopta to Tungnath and Chandrashila trail has no mobile connectivity. In the villages below Chopta, BSNL and Airtel provide connectivity.
Hikers can get a clear view of Chandrashila Peak, located at an elevation of 3,690 m from the Tungnath summit. Bandarpunch, Trishul, Kedar, Nandadevi and the Chaukhambi are also visible from Tunganath.
The Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek is one of the wonderful trek routes in Uttarakhand, India, where a person can witness Himalayan wildlife and thick coniferous forests while walking on rocky terrain at the height of 9,600 ft above sea level. The route is special because one can witness the tranquillity of the Bugyals and the snow-capped Himalayan peaks by only walking 5–6 km at the height of 12,000 ft.
