Tungnath hosts the second highest Shiva temple in the world at a height of about 12000 odd feet after Muktinath in Nepal. And it is one of the Panch Kedar temples in Uttarakhand.
As one treks up by the side of Tungnath temple, the trail leads upto Chandrashila Peak at an height of about 12110 ft which gives a 360 deg view of the mighty mountains!
About the Trail:
Chopta to Tungnath hosts beautiful alpine meadows and it is a lovely trek along the paved path. It is a joy to trek in the early morning under the starry studded sky and shooting stars.
Trek Stats:
- Elevation: Chandrashila- 12110 ft (3690 m) ; Tunganth: 11385 ft (3470 m)
- Best seasons to Trek: Mar-April, Sept-Nov
- Guide and Permits: Not required
- Duration: 1day
- Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Trek Distance: 5 kms to Tungnath and 7 kms to Chandrashila Peak from Chopta
- Accommodation: Homestays / GMVN Stays close by to Chopta or in Tungnath
- Location: The trek starts from Chopta
- Nearest Train station: Rishikesh Railway Station
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- By Road:
- Rishikesh – 200 kms away from Chopta
Itinerary:
The trek can be started from Chopta in the wee hours of the morning if one wants to catch the sunrise atop Chandrashila Peak. The valley is beautiful and hosts alpine meadows and woods. The trail runs up a paved path and gets steeper gradually. One can reach Tungnath in about 2 hours. And another 2 kms leads one to Chandrashila Peak. The trek to Chandrashila Peak is quite steep and needs to be tread carefully!
Chandrashila Peak gives a 360 deg view of the Himalayas and it is quite a splendid sight to see the Sunrise from out here!
Things to pack /carry:
- Sturdy Backpack(50L-60L) preferable with wider shoulder straps as it should sit comfortably on your shoulder
- Hiking Shoes( to suit the Mountain terrain) and socks
- Water bottle / Water pack -2 bottles of 1l each
- Sun Cap and Woollen / Fleece Cap
- Sunglasses – Black or Brown
- Trekking pole
- Comfortable trekking pants and tees
- Wind and Rain jacket /poncho depending on the season
- Sweater / Fleece Pullover depending on the weather
- Small first aid box
- Regular medication if any
- Fleece Gloves and Rain Gloves
- Sunscreen Lotion – SPF to suit the Higher altitudes
- Toiletries- Basic and much needed ones
- Dry fruits or Energy Bars
- Head torch
- Sleeping bag (not required)
- A small notepad and pen
- Essentials: Wallet, ID card
- Mobile phone, chargers, Powerbank
- Cameras and Batteries
Highlights of the Trek:
- Tungnath Temple: It is quite an amazing feeling to be at one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and it is quite energetic a place.
- Chandrashila Peak: The scintillating sights of Mt. Nanda Devi, Kedar dome, Bandar Poonch, Chaukamba and Trisul peaks make one humbled in their presence. Catching the morning Sunrise from out here is quite an amazing feeling!
Pre-requisites for the Trek:
- Please read about the Trek and the weather conditions prior to planning.
- Having a good exercise routine is a must to embark on Himalayan treks – Ensure that you do the required preparation for the trek, ideally 1 year prior to the trek.
- Research about the trek- Plan on how you wish to trek; Through a Trekking Agency or by yourself.
- If you are trekking by yourself with a group of friends, ensure to take a Guide along at the starting point of the Trek and plan your Trek accordingly. This option should be considered only if you have some experience in Trekking and have taken the necessary precautions and adhere to the protocol of Trekking in Himalayas.
- If you are unable to complete a Trek, that is totally fine. Mountains will always be there but not us. So, make sure you do not compete with others or yourself in the madness to reach the destination. Take it Slow always!
- Plan your finances accordingly for the Trek and have a Plan B if you stop the Trek midway or some unforeseen circumstances hold you back.
- Mountains always have the last say, remember this always!
Considering the COVID-19 Pandemic, ensure that you adhere to the protocols of the situation and the Place of the Trek.
Hope you have a wonderful adventure out in the Himalayas!
PS: You can read about my personal experience at Tungnath, Chandrashila out here – Spiritual Sojourn – Kedarnath
