Chopta Tungnath trek: guide to Chandrashila summit

The Chopta Tungnath trek is one of the shortest ways to stand at a genuine Himalayan summit, and one of the few high walks in Uttarakhand you can attempt even in winter snow. From the meadows of Chopta you climb a stone path to Tungnath, which Uttarakhand Tourism describes as the highest Shiva temple in the world, and then push on to the Chandrashila summit for a long view of the snow peaks. This guide covers altitudes, distances, the temple season, costs and safety.

Chopta is a meadow-and-forest base in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalaya, sitting at roughly 2,608 m (8,556 ft) inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. From here a 3.5 km trail climbs to the Tungnath temple, with the Chandrashila summit a further 1.5 km above. It is a short, steep, high-altitude walk.

About Chopta and the trek

Chopta is a cluster of dhabas (roadside eateries) and small lodges strung along the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road, surrounded by alpine meadows (called bugyals locally) and rhododendron forest. It is often marketed as the “mini Switzerland” of India, a tourism tagline rather than a fact. Its real value is as a road-head base: you can drive almost to the trailhead, sleep at altitude, and reach a summit and back in a single day.

The three names people use are one continuous walk. Tungnath is the third of the Panch Kedar temples; Chandrashila is the rocky top just above it. According to the official Uttarakhand Tourism site, Tungnath stands at 3,680 m (12,073 ft) and Chandrashila rises to “over 4,000 metres”. Some measurements, including Wikipedia’s, place Chandrashila lower at about 3,690 m (12,110 ft); treat any exact summit figure as approximate.

Quick facts (as of September 2026): base at Chopta ~2,608 m; total one-way trek about 5 km; typical difficulty easy-to-moderate on a made path, harder under snow; doable as a day hike from Chopta or over two days with a Deoriatal (Deoria Tal) add-on. If you have walked other hill stations of Uttarakhand but never gained real altitude, this is a sensible first Himalayan summit.

Best time for the Chopta Tungnath trek

There are two good windows and one to avoid. Mid-March to June gives clear meadows and rhododendron bloom; mid-September to November brings crisp post-monsoon air and the sharpest mountain views. July and August are monsoon months, when the Garhwal hills are prone to landslides and road closures, so most walkers skip them.

Winter is the special case. According to Uttarakhand descriptions, Chopta sees snowfall from about November to March, and by January the trail can lie under a thick snow layer. The trek is still doable in winter as a snow walk, but it becomes slippery and cold, needs microspikes and a guide, and the Tungnath temple itself is closed for worship (see permits and season below).

How to reach Chopta

Chopta has no airport or railway of its own; you reach the Garhwal road-head first, then drive. The usual approach threads Rishikesh–Devprayag–Srinagar–Rudraprayag–Kund–Ukhimath, a long mountain drive best done in daylight.

By air: the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), roughly 220 km away by road (indicative planning distance — reconfirm). From there hire a taxi or reach Rishikesh/Haridwar and continue by shared vehicle.

By rail: the practical railheads are Rishikesh and Haridwar. Per Wikipedia’s Chopta entry, Chopta is about 162 km from Rishikesh; Haridwar is roughly 200–225 km (indicative). Check live train running names and numbers on IRCTC/NTES before you book, as services change.

By road: shared jeeps and buses run in stages via Rudraprayag and Ukhimath; a private cab from Rishikesh or Haridwar takes about 7–8 hours (operator figure, indicative). If you are already doing a Rishikesh yoga-and-adventure trip, Chopta slots on naturally afterwards.

The route: Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrashila

The trail starts right by the road at Chopta. It is largely a paved and stepped pilgrim path, which makes route-finding easy in clear weather but hard on the knees on the way down. You gain roughly 1,000 m from Chopta to the temple over about 3.5 km.

At Tungnath the stone temple and a few seasonal tea stalls mark the top of the pilgrim path. From here the last 1.5 km to Chandrashila is unpaved, steeper and exposed; in snow it is the crux of the day. The summit gives a wide arc of Garhwal peaks. Start early: afternoon cloud and rain routinely close the view.

Suggested itinerary

A relaxed plan that respects altitude:

• Day 1: Drive Rishikesh/Haridwar to Chopta (7–8 hrs). Arrive by afternoon, rest, hydrate, sleep at ~2,608 m to help acclimatise.
• Day 2: Start at first light. Chopta to Tungnath, then Chandrashila for the morning view; return to Chopta by early afternoon.
• Day 3: Optional detour to Sari village and Deoriatal for the Chaukhamba reflection, or begin the drive back.

If you want a longer, better-acclimatised trek, several operators run a 4–5 day Deoriatal–Chandrashila loop that spreads the ascent over more days. That gentler profile suits anyone worried about altitude.

Where to stay

Chopta’s accommodation is basic: seasonal tented camps and small lodges, plus a handful of rooms and dorms. There is limited electricity and heating, so pack warm regardless of season. Book ahead for weekends, holidays and the winter-snow weeks, when the few beds fill fast.

• Budget: dorm beds and simple tents, roughly ₹500–₹1,200 per person (indicative — reconfirm with the property).
• Mid-range: insulated tents and lodge rooms, roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 a night (indicative).
• Comfort: better-appointed camps or resorts near Chopta/Baniyakund/Duggalbitta, ₹4,000 and up (indicative).

For more choice and reliable power, many travellers base at Ukhimath or Sari and drive up for the trek. Government options (GMVN rest houses in the wider Garhwal circuit) can be checked directly with GMVN.

Food to try

Meals in Chopta are hearty and vegetarian, cooked to fuel a climb rather than to impress. Expect the Garhwali and north-Indian staples that dhabas serve at altitude.

• Aloo ke gutke (spiced sautéed potatoes) — a pahari (hill) standby, good trek fuel.
• Bhatt ki churkani / bhatt ki dal (black-soybean curry) — a protein-rich local dal.
• Mandua roti (finger-millet flatbread) — dense, warming hill bread.
• Maggi and hot chai — the universal Himalayan trail meal at the tea stalls.

Carry your own water bottle and some dry snacks; supply is thin above Chopta and non-existent in the off-season.

Budget breakdown

The figures below are planning estimates for a 3-day trip, per person, sharing a vehicle and room in a group of about four. They are indicative and should be reconfirmed before you travel.

Permits and rules

Chopta and the trail sit inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, managed by Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Wildlife Division. There is no ILP (Inner Line Permit) here as there is in some border districts, but forest entry fees apply and can be arranged at the division’s entry points or its official portal (kedarnathwildlife.uk.gov.in). Reported fees are around ₹150 for Indians and ₹600 for foreigners per person (indicative, from secondary sources — reconfirm at the gate).

On temple season: the Tungnath temple opens for worship only in the warmer half of the year. For 2026, the opening was reported as 22 April 2026, with some sources citing early May; the closing is typically around Bhai Dooj in early November, after which the deity is carried down to its winter seat near Makkumath (Mukkumath). Dates are set by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee and are announced annually, so confirm the current year’s dates before planning a worship visit. The trek to the summit can still be done in winter even when the temple is shut.

Standard sanctuary rules apply: carry out all plastic and litter, do not disturb wildlife, and follow any drone restrictions (photography of the shrine and drone use may be limited — ask locally). Respect the temple as a living place of worship, not a viewpoint.

Practical tips and safety

Altitude is the main risk. Chandrashila sits near or above 4,000 m and you climb fast from Chopta, so acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a real possibility. The US CDC’s altitude guidance stresses gradual ascent and acclimatisation; watch for headache, nausea, dizziness or disturbed sleep, and descend if symptoms worsen. Sleep a night at Chopta before summiting, hydrate well, and do not rush.

• Connectivity and cash: mobile network at Chopta is patchy at best. Carry cash — UPI and ATMs are unreliable above Ukhimath.
• Nearest medical help: basic care is at Ukhimath; larger facilities are at Rudraprayag. Carry a personal first-aid kit and any AMS medication your doctor advises.
• Winter kit: microspikes, gaiters, waterproof boots, layers and a guide are strongly advised on snow. The final summit push ices over.
• Solo women: the pilgrim trail sees steady footfall in season and is generally considered safe by day; still, start early, tell your lodge your plan, and avoid a solo winter summit.
• Packing by season: summer — light layers, sun hat, rain shell; winter — heavy insulation, traction, thermos. Poles help in every season on the descent.

If you enjoy this and want a longer snow trek, the Kedarkantha trek is the classic Uttarakhand winter step-up.

Nearby places

Frequently asked questions

How difficult is the Chopta Tungnath trek?

The Chopta Tungnath trek is short and moderate for most fit walkers. The 3.5 km climb to the temple follows a paved path; the final 1.5 km to Chandrashila is steeper and unpaved. The main challenge is altitude, since you cross toward 4,000 m, and snow in winter, which adds real difficulty.

How high is Tungnath and Chandrashila?

According to Uttarakhand Tourism, Tungnath temple stands at 3,680 m (12,073 ft), described as the world’s highest Shiva temple. The official site puts Chandrashila summit at over 4,000 m, though some measurements cite about 3,690 m (12,110 ft). Chopta base sits near 2,608 m.

Can you do the trek in winter snow?

Yes, the trek is doable in winter, roughly December to February, as a snow walk. Expect a snow-covered, slippery trail, sub-zero nights and no worship at the temple, which closes for the season. Carry microspikes and layers, and go with a guide, as the summit push ices over.

Is the Tungnath temple open all year?

No. The Tungnath temple opens only in the warmer months; for 2026 the opening was reported as 22 April, with closing around early November, dates set by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee. In winter the deity moves to its seat near Makkumath. You can still trek the route when the temple is shut.

How do I reach Chopta from Rishikesh or Haridwar?

Chopta is about 162 km from Rishikesh and roughly 200–225 km from Haridwar (indicative), reached by a 7–8 hour mountain drive via Rudraprayag and Ukhimath. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun). Shared jeeps, buses and private cabs all run; travel by daylight and reconfirm road status.

Do I need a permit for the Chopta Tungnath trek?

You do not need an Inner Line Permit, but Chopta lies inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, so forest entry fees apply, arranged at entry points or the wildlife division’s portal. Reported fees are about ₹150 for Indians and ₹600 for foreigners (indicative). Follow plastic-free and wildlife rules throughout.

Last updated and sources

Go if you want a genuine Himalayan summit without a multi-day expedition; families and first-timers suit the March–June and September–November windows, while snow lovers with a guide can take on December–February. Whatever the season, sleep a night at Chopta and start the summit at dawn.

Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Uttarakhand Tourism — Chopta and Uttarakhand Tourism — Chopta-Chandrashila trek (altitudes, distances); Wikipedia — Chopta and Wikipedia — Chandrashila (base altitude, distances, seasonal snow); Kedarnath Wildlife Division (sanctuary permits); reported 2026 temple opening date (Badri-Kedar Temple Committee season); US CDC Yellow Book — high-altitude illness (AMS guidance). Accessed September 2026.

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