Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath Trek - How to Reach, Cost?

Get ready to witness the unmatchable blend of adventure and spirituality. Located in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag, this amusing scenic route lets you witness the lush green forests, meadows, and a view that is unforgettable. Here in this blog you would get a detailed understanding about the Tungnath Chandrashila Trek, read this blog carefully. 

Region of Trek	District Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Attitude	Chandrashila Peak height, 12,110 ft (3,685 m)
Best Time to visit	For Snow trek - October to February and March to June
Trek Duration	2-3 days
Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate
Trek Distance	8-10 km round trip
Nearest Town	Ukhimath
Base Village	Chopta
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant, Dehradun
Nearest Railway station	Rishikesh (200km approx)

What makes Tungnath Trek so special?

The Tungnath trek is not just a simple trek, it is also associated with spirituality. If you are seeking peace and spirituality, you must visit the highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath. The original story of Tungnath dates back thousands of years back, as it is also the part of Panch Kedar. It is believed that just after the battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandava wanted to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva. But Shiva transformed into a bull and his body parts appeared in 5 different locations such as the hump at Kedarnath, the face at Rudranath, the navel at Madhyamaheswar, the hair at Kalpeshwar and the arms at Tungnath. 

How can I reach?

Before you begin your Chopta Chandrashila trek, make sure you gather all the information. If you are worried about how to reach, don’t be as there are three ways by which you can easily reach Chopta. 

By Road	From Rishikesh - Devprayag-Srinagar-Rudraprayag- Ukhimath-Chopta
By Train	Rishikesh is the nearest railway station. You can book a cab or get a taxi to Chopta
By Air	Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun). The distance is 220 km approximately and there are direct cabs and taxis available to Ukhimath or Chopta

Best Time to Visit Chopta Chandrashila Trek

Tungnath Chandrashila trek is almost accessible and could be planned throughout the year.. However for a better experience you must research more and plan during the best time only. 

Month	Weather	Additional Information
March - June	Spring & Summer	Pleasant weather, green meadows, blooming rhododendrons   Perfect for photographers and beginners    You can witness the peaks easily
October - February	Autumn & Winters	Cold, clear skies    Occasional snow from December   Perfect for snow trekking    Witness serene landscape   You must carry winter gear, thermals, jackets and microspikes

One must avoid the Chandrashila Tungnath Trek during July - September as you can witness heavy rainfall. During this time, the monsoon is at peak and so trekking is almost impossible on slippery trails. 

Route and Itinerary of Chopta Chandrashila Trek

There are multiple things to do in Chopta but nothing can beat this trek. This is a 2-3 days trek which would change your mind, body and vibe. Indeed, this is one of the life-changing experiences and surely one shouldn’t miss it. 

Day 1 : Rishikesh to Chopta (Drive)

Before you start the Tungnath Trek, you must find out all the information about it. The distance is approximately 200km and the time would be 7-8 hours. The altitude is around 8.790 ft. You must start early from Rishikesh to Haridwar. During this journey, you would witness the beautiful scenic routes, alongside the alluring Alaknanda River and the attractive towns of Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath. 

Pro Tip: Make sure that you reach Chopta before the sunset as then you would get to witness the surreal, mesmerizing and alluring golden hour views of the Himalayas. Overnight stay in Chopta camps or guesthouses. 

Day 2 : Chopta - Tungnath Temple - Chandrashila Peak 

The distance of Chopta to Tungnath Trek is 3.5km one way and the time it requires is approximately 2-3 hours. This trail will begin from Chopta meadow, and the initial ascent of the Chopta Chandrashila trek is moderate but the views and aura is worth the effort. Get lost amidst the rhododendron woods. If you are lucky enough, you can also spot the state bird of Uttarakhand -Himalayan Monal. As soon as you reach Tungnath temple, you can take a break and plunge into the spiritual and panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks such as Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trishul and Chaukhamba. 

Pro Tip: You must take a pause and involve yourself into the spiritual vibe, allow yourself to sit quietly and let that feeling sink in. To dive deep, you can also talk to any local priest if you want. 

After rejuvenating and resting, you can begin your Tungnath Chandrashila Trek, on the same day. The Tungnath to Chandrashila trek distance is 1.5km  and the entire time of ascent would be 1 hour and descent - 30 minutes. Indeed, this is surely the most exciting and thrilling part of the trek. The trekking trail is steep and during winters the trail is usually slippery because of the snow. But of course once you reach the destination, the view would leave you awestruck. 

At 12,110 ft. get to witness the mesmerizing  360° view of Garhwal, Kumaon Himalayas, including Nanda devi, Kedarnath Dome, Trishul and Chaukhamba. Towards the sunset, start to descend. 

Pro Tip: You must begin early which is around 4-5 pm. You can also spend time witnessing the sunrise. Make sure you watch the surreal view of sunlight falling on the beautiful peaks of Chandrashila, this is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Budget Breakdown of Chopta-Chandrashila Trek 

Item	Approximate Cost (INR) -
Rishikesh to Chopta on a shared cab	₹ 800 - ₹ 1000
2 Nights accommodation	₹ 1500 - ₹ 3000
Food	₹ 500 - ₹ 1000
Local Guide and Permits	₹ 800 - ₹ 1200
Total Estimated Cost	₹ 4000 - ₹ 7000 per person

Important Things that you must carry!

It is extremely important to dive deep and find out about the different things that you must carry while packing for the Tungnath Chandrashila trek. 

Clothing	Thermal Base layers (winters), Trekking Jacket +Windproof outer layer + woollen cap + socks +warm gloves +quick dry T-shirts and trekking pants
Gear	Trekking shoes with a grip +Backpack (40-50L) + Trekking Poles +Sunglass + sunscreen + lip balm
Essentials	Reusable water bottles + Personal first air kit + Powerbank & headlamp and identity proof+ cash

Make sure you don’t overpack just  your bag light 

What are the best photography spots?

The Chopta Chandrashila Trek invites you to witness the surreal views of nature like never before. Here are few photography spots which are given below : 

• The beautiful meadows of Chopta which has green carpets and mountain backdrops
• The frame of Tungnath Temple with Shiva’s idol and flag
• Click your picture on Chandrashila peak, highlighting the Nanda devi range
• Long exposure shots emphasizing on the sky full of stars

Connect with Local people and dive deep into the culture

During the Tungnath Chandrashila trek, you would realize that the people whom you meet during this trek are extremely friendly, humble and are also connected to spirituality. They welcome tourists. The locals always guide and help the tourists as well. 

• Common Tips to remember as a responsible traveler
• You must carry all waste back to base
• You must avoid single-use plastic
• You should respect local customs and temples
• Do not pluck the flowers or harm the wildlife
• Try to support local homestays and guides

Concluding Thoughts 

The Chopta Chandrashila trek would surely transform your life in a positive way. This trek is a chance to collect all your energy and remember the ultimate power- Mahadev. The Tungnath temple is itself one of the most pure and pious temples where you can dive deep and spend time for self-introspection. So, this isn’t just a normal trek, it’s an evolving experience.  

FAQs

What is the best time to do Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek?

The best time is from March to June and Oct-Feb 

What is the altitude of the trek?

The altitude of this trek would be 12,110 ft

In how many days can I complete this trek?

In 2-3 days, one can complete this trek

What is the difficulty level?

The difficulty level is moderate.