Kartikswami Temple Trek: Itinerary, Best Time, How To Reach

Day 1: Dehradun to Rudraprayag
Day 2: Rudraprayag to Kartikswami Temple, back to Rudraprayag
Day 3: Rudraprayag to Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar

Trek to the Temple:

To reach the temple there is 3 km, it has around stairs of 380 steps. The trek offer views of many Himalayan mountains peaks such as Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath Dome, Meru & Sumeru, Chaukhamba Peak, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, and Nanda Devi.

Bell Offering:

Devotees tie bell here in the temple for prayers and fulfill wishes(mannat).

Photography

From the temple, many peaks are visible, and also sunsets and sunrise both look amazing, that is perfect for photography.

Birdwatching & Nature Walks

Kartikswami temple is a perfect for bird watching site; you can look out for birds like monal, eagle, and golden eagle.

Rudraprayag

In Rudraprayag, where the rivers Alaknanda and the Mandakini merge, it looks very sacred.

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple

The Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is a cave temple that is situated on the Alaknanda river bank.

Chopta

Chopta is a village in the Rudraprayag district. It is the starting point for the Chandrashila Peak. Chopta village is also known as the “mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand.”

Tungnath Temple

The Tungnath temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world, which is part of Panch Kedar.

Chandrashila Peak

Chandrashila Peak is the summit point of the Chopta Chandrashila trek. From there you can see himalaya panaromas.

Agastyamuni

Ancient temple of Sage Agastya on the banks of the Mandakini.

In Kanakchauri (Base Village)

Homestays & Guesthouses: Here you can find so many homestays and guest house in village for mountain village vibes . Look for places like Mayadeep Holiday Home, Sree Kartikey Palace, Mountain Home stay, Kartikey Buransh Homestay, and Kartikey Rupa Guest House.
Other Options: You might also find places listed as Dhramshala Kartik Swami.

In Chopta (a bit far)

Resorts & Hotels: In Chopta, there is many option of hotel and resorts with scenic views. Examples include the Chopta Resort, Himrab Chopta Resort, and Nirvana Stays Chopta.
Camps & Homestays: Chopta also offers camping/caravan sites and more homestays, such as Sun And Snow Camp Chopta.

In Rudraprayag

In Rudraparayag, there are also many options you can find, resort hotels and homestay for stay if you want mountain city vibes.

Spiritual Practices

Daily Rituals: Every day, morning and evening, aarti is conducted with mantra chants.
Kartik Swami Mahayagya: An 11-day-long event in June featuring rituals, Mahapuran Katha, and a community feast for devotees.
Bhandara: A temple community offers meals to devotees at the time of Mahayagya
Vedic Chanting: Mandir priest chants Vedic chants during festivals like Kartik Purnima, Kalash yatra, Navratri, etc

Major Festivals

Kartik Purnima: This is the biggest festival, celebrated in November (or October/November), dedicated to Lord Kartikeya's birthday. Thousands of pilgrims come to attend special puja.
Kalash Yatra (June): The Kalash yatra is an 11-day festival. During this Mahayagya, conduct and also offer bhandara to devotees.
Navratri: As Navratri is dedicated to the divine feminine and also Mother as Maa Parvati, the mother of Kartikeya. So special rituals and pooja are performed here.
Skanda Shashti: Skanda Sashti symbolize the victory on good over evil. Lord Murugan, also Kartikey, known for his courage and valor, is celebrated as the protector of righteousness and the destroyer of demonic forces. His triumph over Surapadman, who represents evil, is a reminder to devotees of the power of virtue, truth, and moral integrity.

Before you go on any trek, and on the trek, whether the trek is short or long, keep these things in mind:

Do research on trek, like the exact location of the trek, altitude of the trek, and difficulty level, so you can prepare yourself accordingly.
Must pack warm clothes and waterproof clothes, good trekking shoes, and a first aid kit.
Always check weather conditions. If seasons like monsoon and winter( time of snowfall) keep backup.
Book accommodation in advance.
Always hire an experienced driver in the mountains for transportation.
Always hire a certified guide.
Make travel insurance that should also covers your trekking.
Always search if this trek needs a permit or not. Then get your trek permit in advance.
Stay hydrated during trekking.
Be cautious of wildlife; do not feed them.

Follow the leave no trace principle: Do not leave any trash, including any non-biodegradable waste, take it back with you.

Minimal Impact: Do not make any impact on nature, like not disturbing wildlife, do not light a fire, do not litter. Use sustainable trekking methods.

Respect local culture: Many treks pass through villages, each village have different traditions and culture. Always be polite and respectful towards village people, and create a friendly atmosphere.

Before taking pictures of a sensitive place, take permission.
Always greeting local communities can help create a friendly atmosphere.
Dress properly according to village atmosphere.

In villages, there are many cultural festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. If you get a chance, join them.

Our treks are specially designed by the experienced team at Himalaya Shelter, taking you on an adventure of a lifetime, all while making you connect not only with the bountiful nature but also with yourself and with others on the trek with you, creating wonderful memories that will last you a lifetime. All Himalaya Shelter treks are guided by experienced Trekkers having vast knowledge and experience of the region, providing with insightful information and stories pertaining to the region’s flora and fauna and the history of the region,n whilst the trek. It is safe to say that on successfully completing the trek, one will gain tremendous insight and experience along with lifetime memories.

Inclusion

Transport support from Dehradun/Rishikesh to Dehradun/Rishikesh (Pick-up location: Railway Station)
Pick-up Time: Around 7:30 am
Accommodation – At Base Camp, stay at a local homestay or guest house for one night each, which will give you an insight into the authentic lifestyle of the locals. (INR 5000 per person extra for single sharing throughout the trek).
On Trek stay in a 2-person Vango Halo Pro/A-Shape tent, which is to be shared by two trekkers, built to withstand extreme weather conditions and at the same time making you comfortable after a hard day’s trek.
Camping Equipment – specially designed sleeping bags that can withstand harsh weather conditions, foam mattresses. Other safety gear like microspikes, gaiters, an ice axe, and helmets will be provided.
Medical Kit – our team will be equipped with an extensive medical kit, which our team is trained and experienced to use. Oxygen cylinders are used after they are thoroughly inspected throughout the Trek. Even campsites have large oxygen cylinders as backups.
Permission - Forest entry charges for Indian nationals (Additional charges will be applicable for international tourists)
Meals – Breakfast, packed lunch (on trek days), evening snacks, and dinner will be served. A hearty, delicious, and nutrition-filled Veg meals with egg preparation will be provided throughout the trek. (Jain and Vegan Food can also be arranged on prior notification). There will be a dedicated Kitchen Tent along with a dining tent, which will have a dining table too.
Our Team – A highly experienced and AMC-certified Trek Leader who will help ensure that the entire trek goes smoothly and safely while navigating the challenging conditions during the trek, and is skilled enough to navigate any medical emergency that can arise during the trek. Local and route guides who are well-versed with the region and provide an in-depth insight into the local customs and knowledge of the flora and fauna endemic to the region. A dedicated Kitchen staff, which includes a Cook, a helper, and other support staff. There will also be porters and mules to carry common equipment.
Cloakroom - We have a cloakroom facility available for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave their luggage behind at no charge.

Exclusions

Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc.
Travel Expenses - Travel expenses from your hometown to the mentioned Pick-Up Point are not included in the trek fee.
From the scheduled pick-up spot to the base camp, we have our own fleet of vehicles like Bolero, Innova, Dezire, or Tempo Traveler (12-seater). This is be shared by trekkers for a pre-decided amount. All vehicles are non-AC.
Personal Equipment - Any personal gear like jackets, shoes, cutlery, or backpacks are not included in the trek fee. We recommend renting them from our Rental Store for an affordable fee. This can be pre-arranged to avoid last-minute hang-ups.
Offloading - We encourage carrying your backpack to get into the true spirit of trekking. However, if needed, you can opt to offload your personal luggage of up to 12 kgs for an additional cost of INR 400 per bag per day.
Trek Insurance - A mandatory trek insurance fee is charged in addition to your trek fee. Since most medical insurance doesn’t cover adventure activities, trek insurance offers essential coverage, enhancing your safety without a significant financial burden.
Buffer day on the trek - We have kept a buffer day on the trek to account for any weather-related delay. If this is utilized, you will need to pay an extra amount to your trek leader.
Anything apart from inclusions
Please carry a lunch box for a packed lunch/breakfast to avoid using polythene and Aluminium foil.