Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek is a magical journey nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
It’s where natural beauty, spiritual energy, and adventure come together — creating an experience you’ll never forget.
If you’re planning the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila trek, here’s everything you need to know — how to reach the starting point, where to stay, and tips for an unforgettable experience.
Getting to Chopta is an adventure in itself — a gradual shift from the buzzing cities to silent pine forests, from traffic lights to starlit skies. Most travelers start from Delhi, and that’s exactly where my journey began too.
Here’s the easiest route if you’re planning your own trek:
🚗 By Road (Most Convenient)
The Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek is best accessed by road, offering a scenic yet flexible journey through the Himalayas.
Route:
Delhi → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta
- Follow NH 334 from Delhi to Haridwar
- Join NH 7 (old NH 58) through Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag
- Switch to NH 107 from Rudraprayag toward Ukhimath and Chopta
- Distance: ~450 km
Travel Time: 14–18 hours by car, depending on stops and mountain traffic
📌 Pro Tip: Start your journey around midnight to avoid traffic in the Delhi–Haridwar stretch and enjoy a smoother ride to the base of the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek.
🚌 By Bus
For budget travelers planning the Chopta–Tungnath Trek, buses offer a viable option:
- Take an overnight Volvo or AC bus from Delhi to Rishikesh or Haridwar
- From Rishikesh, shared jeeps and local buses go toward Rudraprayag and Ukhimath (though service is less frequent)
- Expect to change vehicles 2–3 times to finally reach Chopta, the starting point of the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek
🚉 By Train
The nearest major railway station to the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek is Haridwar Junction (approx. 225 km away).
From Haridwar:
- Hire a private taxi or
- Take local buses heading toward Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta
✈️ By Air
The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), around 220 km from Chopta.
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Taxis are readily available from the airport to reach Chopta, the base for the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek
Why You Should Do Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek
The Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek 2025 is more than a journey — it’s an unforgettable Himalayan experience.
It blends natural beauty, spiritual energy, and adventure, perfect for both beginners and seasoned trekkers.
From walking through rhododendron forests to seeing 360° views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba from Chandrashila summit — every step feels magical.
Along the way, you’ll witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Birdsongs echo through the pine forests, and there’s a peaceful silence only the mountains can give.
Even if you’re new to trekking, this trail welcomes you with open arms.
It promises memories you’ll carry with you forever.
Where to Stay - Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek
If you are planning to book the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek, you can check out packages and get expert assistance on MTS Holiday — they offer guided treks, accommodations, and complete support to make your trip hassle-free.
If you are planning the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek, make sure to prepare for changing weather and steep climbs. Since Chopta is a small and peaceful village, you won’t find big hotels or luxury resorts here — and honestly, that’s the real charm of it. I stayed in a local village hotel in Chopta, run by warm-hearted locals who treat every traveler like family. The rooms were simple but cozy, surrounded by tall pine trees and the sound of birds — just what a tired soul needs after a long road journey.
As I moved up towards Tungnath, I chose to stay at Hotel Nilkanth near Tungnath. The rooms were basic yet comfortable, but what truly stole my heart was the breathtaking view from the hotel itself — snow-capped Himalayan peaks glowing golden under the sunrise, and valleys fading into clouds below. Sitting there with a cup of hot tea felt like pausing time in the middle of the mountains.
Staying close to nature in these small village lodges and hotels truly adds to the essence of the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek — it keeps the journey raw, real, and deeply soulful.
Best Time to Visit Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila
The Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila trek can be done almost all year, but the best time to visit is between March and June and then again from September to November.
- March to June (Spring/Summer): The trails are clear, the meadows bloom with Buransh (rhododendron) flowers, and the weather is pleasant for trekking. Snow may still linger at higher altitudes, making the peaks look magical.
- September to November (Autumn): After the monsoons, the air is fresh, the skies are clear, and you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas without clouds or haze.
Winter (December–February) is only for experienced trekkers — the trails are covered with snow, temperatures drop drastically, and proper gear is a must.
Personally, visiting in June allowed me to witness lush green meadows, snow patches on the peaks, and the sun rising over Tungnath and Chandrashila — an unforgettable experience that makes this trek truly magical.
Day 1 — The Long Road to Chopta
Our journey began at midnight on June 8, leaving Delhi as city lights faded behind us and the car sped through silent highways.
The night felt endless — headlights cutting the dark, and soft music keeping us awake.
We followed NH 334 toward Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, then joined NH 7 near Haridwar and Rishikesh as the plains slowly rose into the first folds of hills.
By dawn, the world outside had changed. The roads curled gently through Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to become the Ganga. From there, we followed NH 107, climbing through Rudraprayag, the mountains rising like ancient guardians on all sides.
The journey grew slower and narrower as the road wound through dense forests and tiny villages, and by the time we reached Chopta around 5–6 PM, golden light was spilling across the pine slopes.
Chopta isn’t a town—just a quiet Himalayan hamlet of wooden houses, wrapped in silence and cold mountain air.
There are no big resorts here, only small, cozy lodges for trekkers.
Camping on the meadows is no longer allowed, so I booked a simple room — just a bed, a chair, and a window opening to endless forests.
After the 18-hour journey, it felt like heaven.
That evening, I wandered through the tiny market — just a few shacks selling wool caps, rain ponchos, walking sticks, and bright red Buransh squash, the local rhododendron drink.
I bought a stick and two bottles, said to boost energy on steep climbs.
Back in my room, I laid out my gear like a child before a school trip — warm layers, gloves, torchlight, power bank, and water bottles.
Outside, the forests had turned dark and silent, stars scattered like cold silver.
Tomorrow, I would begin walking toward the sky — to Tungnath and then Chandrashila… not knowing how deeply those mountains would change me.
“If you’re a mountain lover, don’t miss our detailed Ladakh blog!”
🏔️ Day 2 — The Path to the Lord of the Peaks (Tungnath)
The alarm rang at 3:00 AM, though I was already awake.
The mountain air had a strange kind of silence — deep, still, almost sacred — as if the whole valley was holding its breath.
I quietly packed the gear I had laid out the night before:
- Headlamp
- Trekking stick
- Two bottles of water
- Some dry fruits
- A small stove and camping cookware (for tea on the way)
- And the bright red Buransh squash, my secret energy boost
Stepping out of the little hotel in Chopta, I could see millions of stars scattered across the black sky, as if the universe had spilled its treasure. A cold breeze rushed down from the peaks and bit my face awake.
We began walking.
🌲 The Trail Wakes Up
The trail from Chopta to Tungnath is about 3.5–4 km, paved with stone slabs that glimmer faintly under the headlamp.
In the dark, the forest was alive — silent hoots of owls, whispers of the pines, and the crunch of our boots.
As we climbed, the first blush of dawn touched the horizon.
A golden line cracked open the night behind the distant ridges.
Within minutes, the world transformed — glowing clouds floated below us, and the entire Chopta valley bathed in liquid gold.
We stopped for a sip of Buransh drink — cold, sweet, and tangy — and just watched the sun awaken the Himalayas.
The Legend of Tungnath
With each step, I felt the air growing thinner and sacred.
Tungnath (meaning “Lord of the Peaks”) is the highest Shiva temple in the world — perched at about 12,073 feet.
According to Hindu mythology, after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to atone for killing their own kin. Shiva, disguised as a bull (Nandi), tried to avoid them.
When Bhima spotted him, Shiva dove underground —
His arms (bahu) appeared here at Tungnath, while his hump surfaced at Kedarnath, head at Rudranath, face at Madhyamaheshwar, and hair at Kalpeshwar.
Together, these five sacred places are known as the Panch Kedar.
So this was no ordinary mountain —
It was a place where gods hid and revealed themselves.
🌫️ Arrival at Tungnath
After about five hours of slow climbing, wrapped in mist and silence, the stone spire of Tungnath Temple appeared through the clouds.
I can’t explain the feeling.
It wasn’t just beauty — it was peace.
A silence that went deeper than sound, as if the world itself had paused.
The weather was foggy and icy even in June.
Tiny shops near the temple sold steaming tea and Maggi — and that hot tea tasted better than any luxury meal ever could.
Standing at the entrance of this 1000-year-old stone temple, surrounded by prayer flags fluttering in the wind, I felt small… and infinite at the same time.
Somewhere between the chants and the cold air, something shifted inside me.
I had reached the place where the earth meets the sky… and the soul meets itself.
After about five hours of slow climbing, wrapped in mist and silence, the stone spire of Tungnath Temple appeared through the clouds. I decided to stay here overnight because I wanted to witness the sunrise from this sacred height. That night, I stepped out at midnight for stargazing — and it was surreal. The sky was glittering with millions of stars, and a thick bed of clouds spread below me like a glowing silver roof. I had never seen a scene so magical.
Day 3 — Chandrashila: Where the Moon Touches the Earth
We left Tungnath before sunrise — because I wanted to see the first rays of the sun from the very top.
The world was dark and silent — just the sound of our boots scraping the rocks and our breath puffing white in the freezing air.
Slowly, the eastern horizon began to glow, a faint orange line slicing the blackness apart.
The path to Chandrashila (about 1.5 km beyond Tungnath) is steep and rugged, often sprinkled with frost even in summer.
Every step made my heart pound faster — from both the thin air and the thrill of climbing higher than I had ever gone before.
🌕Where the Moon Once Rested
Chandrashila stands at about 13,000 feet (3,960 metres) above sea level.
According to legend, Lord Rama meditated here after defeating Ravana, seeking forgiveness for taking a life.
Another ancient tale says that Chandra, the Moon God, meditated on this very peak to rid himself of a curse, and the mountain still glows with his divine presence — hence the name “Chandrashila,” the Moon Rock.
🌄 The Roof of the World
As we reached the summit, the horizon exploded into peaks — Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, and dozens more, glowing like golden swords under the rising sun.
Up here, you can see a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas.
Clouds floated far below our feet like drifting oceans of light.
At that moment, it felt like I was standing on the edge of the sky — weightless, silent, free.
I closed my eyes, the wind roaring around me, and let the mountains carve their memory into my soul.
Every ache, every step, every sleepless night — it was all worth this one perfect sunrise.
“For complete information about the Chandrashila Trek, including the trail, tips, visuals, and everything in between — watch the full YouTube vlog!”
