Last Updated on July 1, 2024 by admin
Planning a Chopta Chandrashila trek this spring or summer? Here’s everything you need to know to plan this trek in Uttarakhand. Chandrashila trek is also known as Tunganath-Chandrashila trek and if you have more time on hand, it can be extended by adding one more day to cover Deoriatal lake trek. Read on to read all about it.
Treks in Uttarakhand are popular all year around. Trekkers want to tick off all possible trekking expeditions covering all the routes. Although I love trekking once in a while, I am not the type to tick off the popular treks in India. Some of my trekking expeditions that I have documented are Trek to Triund, Himachal and Trekking in Munnar, Kerala.
The Chopta Chandrashila trek, was an impromptu plan for taking a short break. It was a 3 days and 4 nights trip starting and ending in Delhi. This was the itinerary.
Night 1: Overnight travel from Delhi to Chopta via Haridwar and Devprayag
Day 1: Reach Chopta and acclimatize with the altitude
Day 2: Trek to Chandrashila and back
Day 3: Trek to Deoriatal from Sari village. Drive back to Delhi and reach by 3am.
Table of Contents
ABOUT CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA
The Chopta Trek is renowned for its scenic beauty throughout the year. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this trek is a perfect blend of adventure, spirituality, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a novice looking for your first Himalayan experience, the Chopta-Chandrashila Trek offers something for everyone.
This trek provides an opportunity to visit the 1000-year-old Tungnath temple, the highest shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the world. There are also ample opportunities for birdwatching on the way.
The Chandrashila height (altitude) is 12,083 feet, which is ideal for beginners. From Chandrashila peak, trekkers can enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch, Gangotri ranges, Chaukhamba peaks, and more.
LEGEND OF TUNGNATH TEMPLE
According to a legend, it is believed that during the war of Mahabharat, Pandavas killed their cousin brothers. Vyas Rishi advised the Pandavas that since they were culpable of killing their own relatives, their act could only be pardoned by Lord Shiva. However Lord Shiva was angry with them and did not want to pardon them.
In order to keep them from him, Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and went into hiding in an underground safe haven called Guptkashi. The Pandavas chased him there. But later Lord Shiva’s body in the form of bull’s parts was rematerialized at five different locations. Pandavas built temples at all these five locations and seeked his mercy which he granted them. Tungnath temple is one of the five Kedar temples and pilgrims visiting Kedarnath temple often visit Tungnath temple for blessings.
Another legend states that Lord Ram meditated at the Chandrashila peak. It is said that Ravan, the demon did penance to Lord Shiva here. Which is also the reason why this place is known as Ravan Shila.
CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA TREK EXPERIENCE
The trek starts from Chopta base camp. It is ideal to reach here one day before and acclimatize to the altitude, temperature and surroundings. Chopta, in itself, is a charming hill station that features lush meadows, dense forests, and panoramic views of snow-clad peaks.
There are no hotels in Chopta but a lot of seasonal camps. Most of these camps close for winter but also go full in the spring and summer seasons. It is best to book in advance to get the best of camp – warm bedding, clean toilet and hot food. The crisp mountain air and the sound of birds chirping create a tranquil ambiance, setting the tone for the journey ahead.
It is ideal to start the Chopta-Chandrashila trek as early as possible. From Chopta base camp, the trek base is about 5-8 km away depending upon which camp you choose.
We started at 7 am from the camp, with packed lunch. We were advised to bring reusable plastic/steel containers for our lunch from home and our camp provided us with meals to carry.
We reached the base of the trek at 7:30 am and started the ascent with hiking poles in our hands. Wooden sticks are available on rent in the shops at base. So fret not in case you don’t want to carry it from home. And trust me, get the stick(s) as it makes the hike so much easier.
The distance of Chopta-Chandrashila trek from the base is 9 km and takes 4-5 hours one way depending on your speed and pace. So this is easily doable in one day.
The path to the temple is well-marked with clear steps and moderately steep, making it accessible even to beginners. The path starts off with rhododendron trees on both sides of the path and slowly opens up to the view of meadows.
Recommended read : Rhododendron trek
For those who do not wish to hike (the Kedarnath pilgrims), can opt for mules which I strongly discourage. If you cannot hike, stay at home and stop torturing animals because god is certainly not going to be happy if you hurt his children just to tick off your yatra list!
However, I saw young and old riding the mules and since its the same path, one has to be attentive and give space to a mule or there are chances you will be de-roaded by them. The handlers do give warnings in case they feel you are not giving attention so move away as quickly as possible.
With ascent, the air gets thinner and the hike gets difficult and may lower the speed. However, the view of the mountains are enough to motivate hikers to be strong and move forward.
After the rhododendrons, the trail welcomes trees such as oak, deodar forest, as well as wildflowers in the meadows. The meadows are perfect to sit or lie down looking at the vastness of the snow clad mountains in front of you.
There are small shops every few hundred meters selling water bottles, wafer packets and other snacks.
After 4 hours of trek, we reached shops selling a lot of puja items. There was also a toilet here for freshening up. This meant the temple was nearby.
We reached the Tungnath temple soon, but since it was aarti time, the temple was extremely crowded. Someone suggested visiting the temple after hiking the Chandrashila summit which would easily take another 2 hours. And we agreed.
So we headed towards Chandrashila summit which is another 1.5 km from Tungnath temple and it takes around 1 hour to reach there. After crossing the alpine meadows, there is a steep climb of 500 meters.
Soon we reached the summit point of Chopta Chandrashila trek at the altitude of 13100 feet. The snow-clad mountain views which we were getting all along were now clearly visible right in front of us. It was surreal and we took a million photos and videos to capture the beauty. We also had lunch from our reusable food boxes (tupperware FTW!).
A few meters further, we received blessings from another small temple at the summit. The area is adorned with numerous stone pyramids, carefully arranged to symbolize harmony, zen, and balance.
After taking some rest over there, we started heading back to our base camp in Chopta with a stopover at Tungnath temple. The temple was still crowded on return but manageable. We stood in line for our turn to seek blessings. We thoroughly thanked Tungnath deity for our successful hike.
We reached Chopta basecamp in the early evening. I was too tired for anything so I simply dozed off. After napping for a couple of hours, I woke up to singing, clapping and instrument playing. My camp mates were all joyful and in celebratory mode. I joined the fun and had dinner after sometime.
Next morning it was time to leave the base camp for Deoriatal, we left after an early breakfast.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA TREK
Best time to visit Chopta Chandrashila Trek
Chopta-Chandrashila trek is open all year round which is why it is popular among hiking enthusiasts. I chose to hike in summer (June first week). The weather was perfect, not too hot or cold and the peaks still had snow. But the weather in the mountains changes instantaneously so one needs to be careful. Evening showers and sometimes even light snow is possible so one must be prepared for it. However, since it was yatra season, there were huge pilgrim crowds meaning more mules on the trail. The meadows had lovely wildflowers and overall it was perfect.
I feel that spring is the best time to experience the best of both worlds – there will be slight snow in the meadows and the rhododendrons would be in bloom. The red flowers overlooking the mountains are a stunning landscape.
In winters, the meadows and peaks are covered with snow which makes it a little difficult to climb up to the summit because of the slippery path. Not to mention the bitter cold you will have to encounter and the special equipment you will need to carry.
But no matter when you go, it is a treat to all the senses.
Hiking essential checklist for Chopta Chandrashila trek
- Hiking backpack/daypack
- Water bottle
- Cap/hat
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Snacks to munch: High-energy snacks like energy bars
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
- Sanitiser (because water is a commodity)
- Sunscreen lotion
- Navigation or guide (human guides are the best)
How to Reach Chopta
The Chandrashila trek starts from the base camp of Chopta in Uttarakhand. It is possible to reach Chopta, from Dehradun, Haridwar, or Rishikesh. From these destinations, you can get to Chopta by bus, car, and taxi.
By Air
The nearest major airport to Chopta is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It takes around 4-8 hours to reach Dehradun by air from most metropolitan cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Mumbai. The total time taken is dependent upon the distance between the two destinations. From Dehradun you can reach Chopta by car or taxi, covering around 198 kilometers in 6 hours.
By Train
Reaching Chopta by rail is easy, you can get a direct train to Haridwar from all major cities like Lucknow, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Amritsar. The major trains that take you to Haridwar are Yoga Express, Doon Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, and Upasana Express. It takes around 5.5 hours to reach Chopta from Haridwar, covering approximately 187 kilometers easily via a taxi or a car.
By Road
You can reach Rishikesh via a bus or private car from Delhi, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Amritsar, and other nearby cities. Himachal Road Transportation Corporation and Uttarakhand Transport Corporation offer daily buses to these destinations alongside private bus services. Upon reaching Rishikesh, you can take a direct cab or hire a taxi to reach Chopta, covering 161 kilometers in 5 hours.
FAQs ABOUT CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA TREK
What is the difficulty level of Chopta-Chandrashila Trek?
It is easy to Moderate trek.
What is the Chandrashila Trek distance?
About 4 – 5 hours one way.
Is Food available at Chopta-Chandrashila Trek?
There are refreshment stalls at the starting point, 2 shops mid-way and another shop at the Tungnath temple. All of these shops sell wafer packets, biscuits and juice. It is best to carry some snacks like energy bars and water with you.
Is accommodation available at Chopta?
Camp overnight at the summit is prohibited. Since the base camp is at Chopta, there are accommodation options in the form of tents there.
SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA TREK
- Do not use mules for climbing the Tungnath temple.
- Carry your own food in a reusable tiffin box.
- Carry a bag to store the wrappers and plastic packets. Ideally, dispose of it in waste bins after reaching back to Mcleodganj.
- Carry your own refillable water bottles on the trek.
- Take food only in the quantity that you will consume.
- Avoid liquor while trekking.
- Wear comfortable and weather appropriate clothing.
- Maintain silence and listen to nature. Loud music is a strict no-no!
Read More Posts from Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Pangot, Bhimtal, Sattal Birding
- Places to visit in Nainital
- Gucchu Pani Robber’s Cave Dehradun
- Things to do in Rishikesh
- Dehradun Tourist Places
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