Unveiling Chopta - Tungnath - Chandrashila
Chopta
- Camping
- Couple Friendly
- Himalayan Treks
- History and Culture
- Weekend Getaways
- Wildlife
In the laps of the mighty Himalayas in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand lies ‘Chandrashila’ – the summit of Chandranath Parvat. At an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet above sea level, the Chandrashila Summit is undisputedly one of the most sought after treks in Uttarakhand. With easy accessibility, it draws trekkers, photographers (Insta-worthy shots guaranteed!), tourists, wanderers, history enthusiasts, bird watchers or simply someone who is just searching for peace, tranquility and rejuvenation. The Tungnath temple of Panch Kedar, in particular, offers a mesmerizing panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba.
This trek takes one through bewitching meadows and rich rhododendron trails. The scent of deodar trees envelops you – a veritable Bird Lovers/Watchers paradise. For those with a keen eye, you will definitely have a chance to spot some rare species of birds. So keep your binoculars ready.
The grade of this trek is easy to moderate, and is definitely recommended for novice trekkers as well as experienced ones. It will most likely emerge as a perfect start to your lifelong tryst with the Himalayas.
• Tungnath Temple
• Confluences at Devprayag and Rudraprayag
• The mythological mystical - Deoriatal Lake
• Snow capped Himalayan Peaks: Nanda Devi at 7,817 meters, Trishul at 7,120 meters, Kedarnath at 6,831 meters, Bandarpunch at 6,316 meters and Chaukhamba at 7,138 meters
• Medium altitude trek with cavernous gorges
• Murmuring Waterfalls, lush green meadows
• Glimpse of an ancient culture of local people
• Possible sightseeing of some wildlife (Himalayan Monal, Brown Dipper, Kalij, Koklass Pheasants, Laughing Thrushes and Mountain Goats)
• Accommodation in Swiss Tents/Homestay
Not attracting only seasoned trekkers, even for beginners, this trek is great for them to get introduced to the world of trekking.
The journey starts from Delhi. Time is of the essence in a trekking experience. Hence, we advise our travellers to assemble at Mayur Vihar extension Metro Station (gate no.2). Chopta is 450 km away from Delhi and takes approximately 14 hours to reach. Route -We make our way through Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath before reaching Chopta the following day. The journey to Rishikesh is an overnight one, after that we buckle up for another 8 hours of a little strenuous yet stunning mountain drive! Most part of the journey traverses the mountainside, with the river flowing below you. (Don’t forget to take pictures at the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers at Devprayag)
About 35 km after Rudraprayag, we take the road to Kedarnath. You will continue traveling on this road to arrive at Chopta via Agastyamuni (named after the famous saint Augustya and also a small market place for the vicinity villages) and Ukhimath (A tiny hamlet also known for being the winter seat of Kedarnath). The estimated arrival time is around lunch. Long journeys can be exhausting for some hence this fairly early arrival gives you time to relax and rejuvenate and for those not too tired from the journey it is a picturesque campsite, an eye candy for the shutterbugs. You can go around the campsite and explore the trails around. The forests around here appear like those straight out of a movie. Early to bed and early to rise is definitely what we prefer. We advise our travellers to get proper rest before we get up, close and personal with Chandrashila also known lovingly as the Moonpeak the following day.
Up, Uppity Up! As we gear up for the most enthralling day of the Deoriatal Chopta Chandrashila trek we attempt to climb the summit which is one of the most captivating and unparalleled of any summits that you might have witnessed. (If the weather gods permit). This reminds us there are various legends associated with this place. According to a popular folklore, this is the place where lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana. Another legend says that moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance. The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is approximately 3 km in distance and a further ascend of 1.5 km steep ascend leads to the summit of Chandrashila. The trail till Tungnath from Chopta is a well paved cemented trail and further from Tungnath to Chandrashila, the trail becomes a little rickety.
For those who are ardent lovers of history - The Tungnath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples and is considered the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world. The legend states that sage Vyas Rishi advised the Pandavas that since they were responsible for killing their own kin the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra war in Mahabharat, their act could be pardoned only by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva being miffed with Pandavas disguised himself as a bull. Parts of this bull appeared in 5 different places, each of these identified as a Panch Kedar. The Pandavas built temples at each of these locations to seek penance, worship, blessings and pardon from Lord Shiva. Tungnath is identified as the place where the hands were seen. The trek is pleasant but is a very steep climb. It ascends sharply towards the end.
You can also notice a change in the landscape due to an increase in the altitude. The tree line ends before Tungnath temple and after that, you may find only shrubs. It normally takes around 3 hours to reach the Tunganth temple from Chopta and another 1 hour to reach the Chandrashila summit from the temple. Once at the top of the peak, you get a panoramic view of the mountains of Garhwal and Kumaon. The Chandrashila Peak is at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level. It offers perfect panoramic views of remarkable peaks of Uttarakhand such as Kedarnath, Mandani, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Hathi, Ghodi, etc.
After capturing some beautiful shots at the summit, the trek back to Chopta is via the same route taken while ascending. It takes approx. 30 minutes to reach Tungnath and another 60 -90 minutes to reach Chopta from Tungnath.
The day embarks from Sari which is a small and quaint village situated at a height of 6,601 feet. We depart from Chopta early morning at 8 am to reach the village post breakfast. The trek to Deoriatal is about 2.3 km. The trail is mildly steep and completely paved with stones. As we walk on the trail, we come across a temple and a few houses on the way. The site of Deoriatal, like that of Chandrashila, is steeped in local folklore as well. According to it, the pandavas, once thirsty, had come to the waters of Deoriatal and had to face a test of wisdom. 1 km into the trail and we turn around and witness the bird’s eye view of the beautiful Sari village. There are few shelters available on the trek where one can take a breather. Though the Deoriatal trek from Sari is easy, it can be a bit tiring for first-timers. The trail passes through the scenic forest of Rhododendron and Oak. After reaching the lake, you see a forest check post. The lake is gripped with forests all around. On a clear sky day the reflection of the surrounding mountain is caught in the crystal-like waters of the lake. As a result the effect is strikingly stunning. Trek down to Sari and start your return journey to Delhi with your heart and soul full. You would reach Delhi early morning the following day.
Fly all the way to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi from the south, east, or west. We will then pick you up at Mayur Vihar ext. metro station, gate no. 2, and the journey will begin.
During this time, you will be able to explore this stunning combination of mountains, forests, lakes, and holy sites in one stunning and dynamic landscape. This excursion includes the world's highest Shiva Temple in the world along with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
Chopta, which is on everyone's bucket list and is fast becoming the most popular tourist destination in India, is renowned for its unmatched picturesque views, pure frozen lakes, and winding roads. You can stay there and enjoy a starry night sky as well as a gorgeous mountain valley. Having spent time in nature, it's now time to say goodbye.
IDENTITY PROOF
NO SMOKING
PAYMENT POLICY
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT POLICY
MANDATORY DOCUMENT
Q: Is covid certificate required?
A: No.
Q: Is it recommended to bring kids to this trip?
A: Children younger than 10 years old are not advised for group outings. Children older than 10 years old are welcome to join us if they are healthy (no history of a breathing ailment specifically) and can withstand the elements.
Q: How far is Chandrashila from Delhi?
A: If one takes NH 7 from Delhi to Chandrashila, the distance is approximately 451.3 kilometres. You will need roughly 13.5 hours to travel the 483 kilometres of the NH534 route to get there.
Q: What is Tungnath famous for?
A: Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples.
Q: Is Tungnath Trek difficult ?
A: The level of difficulty for the Tungnath walk is easy to moderate.
Q: What is the room sharing basis?
A: Our rooms are on double, triple, quad, and penta sharing basis. (Offers are subject to availability.)
Q: What's the distance between Chopta and Tungnath ?
A: The distance between Chopta and Tungnath is around 3.5 km, and it takes another 1 km of difficult ascent to reach Chandrashila's summit, which offers breathtaking views of the trail's jade-colored trees and snow-capped summits.
Q: What time of year is ideal for Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Trekking?
A: The ideal time to visit Chopta is between April to June. The Temple is open to pilgrims from April to November.
Q: Are you willing to customise?
A: YES, If you want us to design a customized itinerary for you and your family/friends, reach out to us at info@travelmite.com or Call us at 8010000205.
Q: What sort of weather will be there on Chopta Tungnath Trek?
A: The weather in Chopta is always chilly even in the summer. Early in the morning and late in the evening, the chilly breeze may be felt and the Himalayas are clearly seen.
The area is completely covered in snow during the winter, and there aren't many lodging alternatives available. However, Chopta looks its finest during the winter, and the trek does get harder.
Q: What is the height of Tungnath?
A: Tungnath Temple is located at 13100 ft altitude.
Q: What sort of cuisine is going to be served during the trip?
A: On the trip, we provide simple type of vegetarian food throughout the journey.
Q: Are washroom/toilet facilities available on the trek?
A: The swiss camps along with attached washrooms are arranged for the stay at Chopta and the guest house facilities come with the attached washroom too.
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