Chopta Chandrashila Trek

Trek: 8 km, 6 hrs

Altitude: 8,556 ft (2,608 m) – 12,073 ft (3,680 m) – 12,960 ft (3,950 m) – 8,556 ft (2,608 m)

Accommodation: Hotel/luxury Tents

Meals: Breakfast + Packed Lunch + Dinner

We start early today. From the picturesque environs of Chopta, we take the path through the arch leading up to the temple. Along the way, one may be able to spot a monal bird in the forest towards left. Himalayan Monal is the state bird of Uttrakhand. Tungnath is a short 2 km trek from Chopta. The temple is only visible in the last few hundred metres. It opens only in early summer and remains closed in winters. There are a few shops before the temple. We head up past the temple to the peak. According to a legend, Chandrashila 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. Stories apart, one gets to see a wide expanse of the most famous peaks of Garhwal from here. Soaking in the beautiful 360-degree views of the Himalayas we begin heading down to Chopta and reach by late afternoon.

Drive: 205 km, 7-8 hrs

Altitude: 8,556 ft (2,608 m) – 2,100 ft (640 m)

Meals: Breakfast

On this day, we can visit Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. It is the winter abode of the idols of Kedarnath and Madmaheshwar temples. The idols are brought here in palanquin when the Kedarnath temple closes in autumn. We drive back to Dehradun and reach by early evening.

Chopta is situated within the Kedarnath Reserve National Park. There have been sightings of foxes and jackals in the past. But they do not usually come in when there is a lot of tourist activity.

•  The trek can be done all year round but the best time is spring and autumn.

The trekking route through Chopta gets closed during winter post December due to heavy snowfall. Thus, the best time to trek is during spring and autumn upto december.

• Chandrashila offers splendid views of the Himalayas including Nandadevi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch, Gangotri ranges, Chaukhamba peaks and more.

• The trek is famous for the visit to the 1000-year old Tungnath temple which is the highest shrine of lord Shiva in the world. It is believed to have been built by Arjuna himself
• According to legends, the arms of the bull form of Shiva appeared in Tungnath
• Chandrashila is famous for its breathtaking 360 degree view of the Himalayan ranges. It is one of the few peaks that can also be climbed in the winter months

Ukhimath is where you’ll find the last ATM.

At Chopta, signals remain sketchy most of the time. Sometimes Airtel and BSNL work.

Electricity is luckily available at base camp sari.

Ukhimath is the nearest hospital which is almost an hour’s drive from Baniyakund.

The minimum requirement to join our team, Trek Leaders should have done the Basic Mountaineer Course

Trek leaders in Himalaya Shelter have extensive experience in trekking and mountaineering. They are familiar with the specific terrain, weather conditions, and challenges of the region where the trek is taking place.

“I have been doing treks with Himalaya Shelter for the last two years and they are awesome people with pure humbleness.“

Writes Priyesh.

We at Himalaya Shelter consider our trekkers part of our community, a family of sorts and really understand the efforts that you put into taking that much-needed break and setting off to the mountains. Some of you may wait for months and even a year to plan out that perfect excursion. That’s why we want it to be “a perfect excursion” for you.

Our testimonials (read below) are a testament to our service-oriented mindset.

We take safety into great consideration and ensure our team is trained to handle emergency situations.

For a better experience, we provide accommodation on Twin Sharing throughout the trek. With most trekking operators you would get triple or even quad sharing accommodation.

Our Accommodation will have attached washrooms

Furthermore, we provide the essential safety gear for your trek –

Without any additional charges.

We pamper you with great food which keeps you going on the trek. (On our google maps out of 300 reviews over 80 Trekkers mention great food😋)

We do not outsource services to ensure topmost quality throughout your journey. We use our own fleet of Vehicles to ferry you to the base camp and return.

The best time to undertake the Chopta Chandrashila trek is during the months of April to June and September to November when the weather is pleasant and the trails are clear. Avoid monsoon months (July and August) due to the risk of landslides.

The Chopta Chandrashila trek is considered to be of moderate difficulty. It involves some steep ascents and descents, but it’s manageable for those with a reasonable level of fitness.

The total trekking distance from Chopta to Chandrashila and back is approximately 10 to 12 kilometers, depending on the specific route taken. It usually takes around 3 to 4 days to complete the trek.

Chandrashila Peak stands at an altitude of about 13,000 feet (3,978 meters) above sea level.

While the altitude is not extremely high, it’s recommended to spend a day in Chopta for acclimatization before attempting to reach Chandrashila. This helps your body adjust to the altitude and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.

Essentials include trekking shoes, warm clothing, rain gear, a good quality backpack,  a water bottle, a first aid kit, and personal toiletries. It’s important to pack light but also be prepared for varying weather conditions.

Yes, camping is allowed and it’s a popular option for trekkers. There are designated camping sites along the trail. However, it’s advisable to carry your own camping equipment or check with a trekking company for arrangements.