chopta tungnath trek trekking In india

Chopta Tungnath Trek

Fringed by the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Uttarakhand, the grassy meadows of Chopta is an unspoiled destination in nature. The village adjacent to the meadows is connected by motor roads to the lower stretches and acts as a basecamp for hiking to the Tungnath temple. The third temple among the glorious Panch Kedar shrines sacred to Hinduism, Tungnath draws pilgrims and trekkers to its sanctum sanctorum. The Chopta Tungnath trek route upends towards the summit of Chandrashila, rising to 13,000 ft. This swashbuckling trek is good for beginners and children with stretches of level walk and gentle gradients. The Chopta-Tungnath itinerary is a hit in the summers for the flaming red hues of rhododendrons growing in wild abundance around the meadows, and in the winters for the thrilling snow walk, climbing to Chandrashila. 

What is Chopta Tungnath Trek?

An ancient temple towering over the mountains from Tungnath at 13,000 ft where Lord Shiva gloriously presides, a crystal watered lake in which the Chaukhamba mountain massif reflects in the sheen of the golden hour, a quaint pathway through the pine woods, deodar, and rhododendrons of Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, and a jaw dropping peak panorama of the Himalayas with Trishul, Nanda Devi, and the Chaukhamba massif gleaming splendidly in the sky-- this trek has a mixed bag of amazing, unforgettable visuals! One of the prime trekking interests in the Uttarakhand state, the meadows of Chopta has been romanticized as ‘mini Switzerland’ and draws trekkers through the seasons. Accessing Chopta by road is easy today, lying right on the road connecting Gopeshwar and Guptkashi. Solo trekkers on this itinerary can enjoy hospitable homestay-style accommodations around here, though campsites for group trekking are just as wonderful. If you are a wildlife photographer, a thrilling field day on the Chopta route is definitely warranted, spotting the very flamboyant Monal bird, musk deer, and pika mouse! Just as no great trek can be complete without grand, panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains, the Chopta-Tungnath itinerary doesn’t conclude before the massive 41 peaks clad with eternal snow meets the eye. You can spot Mt. Meru, Sumeru, Ganesh Parvat, Chaukhamba, the Bandarpunch Range, Nilkantha, Trishul, Nanda Devi etc in a wide, head-turning, jaw-dropping panorama from up here!

Why Should You Go For Chopta Tungnath Trek?

• An ancient temple defining the spiritual vein of India in the ancient Tungnath Temple- one of the oldest and highest Shiva temple on earth.
• A chance to explore Uttarakhand's exquisite bugyal or meadows, trekking through Rohini Bugyal.
• Breathtaking 360-degree view of underlying valleys from the towering summit of Tungnath temple.
• Panoramic view of the gleaming snow peaks in a wide angle glimpse from different vantage points with the Chaukhamba massif, Nilkantha, Trishuli, Nanda Devi, and the Bandarpunch Range manifesting most prominently.
• Winsome wildlife photography chances, especially, Monal- the brightly colored state bird of Uttarakhand.
• Birdwatching opportunities come equipped with your binoculars and a book of birds!
• Lakeside camping at Deoria Tal by the crystal-clear waters.
• Treading through beautiful, silent forests of Maple and rhododendrons with a riot of red and pinks during the springtime blossoms.
• The very picturesque expanse of the verdant Rohini Bugyal, and later, the Bhrujgali meadows. You will find these green meadows turned into snowfields during high winters.
• A ridge walk through the forest before reaching Jhandi Dhar

How High Is Chopta Tungnath Trek?
The Tungnath Temple is located at an altitude of 123073 ft, while the ascent begins from the village of Sari at 6601 feet. 

When to Visit?

April to November is the best of spring-summer windows to trek the Chopta-Tungnath trail, the winter time window for swashbuckling snow treks is from December to March. 

How to Reach?

By Air: The closest air link from Chopta is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, regular flights to and from Delhi can be found to Jolly Grant. From here, you can find hired cabs to the pickup point for the trek.
By Rail: Rishikesh railway station is the closest rail stop to Chopta, from Rishikesh, public transport can be found to the pickup point for the trek.
By Bus: The village of Chopta itself is well connected by Uttarakhand state transport buses. You can find these buses from Rishikesh, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Gaurikund, Pauri, and other places.

Are There Any Shops Available On the Chopta Tungnath Trek?
The Chopta-Tungnath trail is well populated. You will find stores for food, supies, medicine, and trekking goods at Sari- the base camp village.

What to Pack for the Chopta Tungnath Trek?

• Large or medium size backpack, and a duffle side bag for extras
• Water bottle
• Sun hat
• Warm cap
• Base layers
• Fleece jacket
• Outer jacket
• Rain jacket (essential for the monsoon months)
• Sturdy trekking shoes and a pair of floaters
• Flashlight
• Trekking pants, several pairs
• UV-protection glasses
• Thermal socks

Is There Any Possibility Of Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness is not common on the Chopta-Tungnath trek. Basic fitness training, sufficient hydration, and maintaining healthy habits on the journey will keep you in good shape.

How Busy Is the Chopta Tungnath Trek?

Chopta-Tungnath trek is extremely popular and easily one of the best picks in Uttarakhand for beginners and children. You will find more traffic on this route during the summer window than the trekking season in the late winters.