Treks in Uttarakhand are popular all year round. 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-day and 4-night 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 to the altitude

Day 2: Trek to Chandrashila and back

Day 3: Trek to Deoriatal from Sari village. Drive back to Delhi and reach by 3 am.

Pro Tip: Book this 4 days trip on Viator from Musssorie and Dehradun Area Hotels – Chandrashila and Tungnath Himalayan Trekking and Camping

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 the Mahabharata, the Pandavas killed their cousin brothers. Vyas Rishi advised the Pandavas that since they were culpable of killing their 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 haven called Guptkashi. The Pandavas chased him there. But later, Lord Shiva’s body in the form of a bull’s parts was rematerialized at five different locations. Pandavas built temples at all these five locations and sought 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. This is also the reason why this place is known as Ravan Shila.

CHOPTA CHANDRASHILA TREK EXPERIENCE

The trek starts from the Chopta base camp. It is ideal to arrive here one day before and acclimatise 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 toilets and hot food. The crisp mountain air and the sound of birds chirping create a tranquil ambience, setting the tone for the journey ahead.

It is ideal to start the Chopta-Chandrashila trek as early as possible. From the Chopta base camp, the trek base is about 5-8 km away, depending on which camp you choose.

We started at 7 am from the camp, with a 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 for rent in the shops at the 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 the 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!

I saw young and old pilgrims riding the mules, and since it’s the same path for walking, 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 is 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 the Chopta Chandrashila trek at an altitude of 13100 feet. The snow-clad mountain views, which we had been 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 symbolise 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 the 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 campmates were all joyful and in celebratory mode. I joined the fun and had dinner after some time.

The 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 the 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 are 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 will be in bloom. The red flowers overlooking the mountains form a stunning landscape.

In winter, 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, or 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 kilometres 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 kilometres 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 the Chopta-Chandrashila Trek?

It is an 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 food in a reusable tiffin box.
• Carry a bag to store the wrappers and plastic packets. Ideally, dispose of it in waste bins after returning to Mcleodganj.
• Carry your 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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