Tungnath And Chandrashila Peak (3682m)

Chopta – Tungnath temple – Chandrashila peak trek in Uttarakhand has gained immense popularity in the last few years despite being a 14 hour drive from Delhi and has become a top weekend getaway destination.

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world (over 1000 years old) and the trail is shared with visitors heading to the temple, which gets especially crowded during summer. The 1.5 km hike from the temple to Chandrashila top is the real deal for the discerning hiker; the trail passes through forests and vast meadows, the slopes are lush green with wild flowers sprouting all around, the incline is moderate plus there are only a few people on the trail. The top offers 360-degree view of the Himalayas, on a clear day you can see Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Gangotri peaks and many more peaks.

Chopta turns into idyllic skiing destination in winter and is often referred to as “mini Switzerland” for this reason. Chandrashila is also one of the few peaks that can be climbed in winter but become more of an expedition than a trek due to the deep snow covering the trail.

Chopta (2680 m) is situated within the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, popular for its Musk Deer population. The area is surrounded by Deoder, Oak and Pine forests and is rich in both flora and fauna alike.
Chopta is a bird watchers paradise and one can spot the Long legged Buzzard, Red headed vulture, Snow pigeon, Golden eagle, Spotted dove, Koklass Pheasant, Himalayan Monal and many more birds. Tungnath, on the other hand, is a home to the Red fox and I got lucky to get a two second glimpse of one before it disappeared in the valley below.

In this particular visit I stayed at Baniyakund (~ 3000 m) located 5 km ahead of Chopta towards Ukhimath.

Chopta is situated 220 km from Rishikesh and can be reached either directly via Rudraprayag or alternatively via Karnaprayag, Nandprayag, Chamoli, Ukhimath which is 2 hours longer.

Himalayan view from Chopta

Vast and open meadows all around Chopta

Indigenous Himalayan sheep dogs or Gaddi Kutta, reputed to be strong enough to repulse attacks by snow leopards

Jeetu bhai’s accommodation at Baniya kund

Chandrashila peak from the lodge-the one on the right

Sunset at Chopta

Gateway at Chopta for the start of the trail

Pika mouse on the trail. Pika is a small mountain-dwelling mammal found in Asia and North America. With short limbs, very round body, and even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close cousin the rabbit. The large-eared Pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains be found at heights of more than 6000 m among the highest of any mammal.