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Tungnath Trek Overview
Essential Information of Tungnath Trek
Maximum altitude: 12,106 ft or 3,690 meters
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
Chopta to Tungnath trek distance: 5 kilometers
Trail type: Easy to moderate & it is through forests and meadows
Railhead: Rishikesh Railway Station
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Snow Season: November to Early March
Service from: Last ATM is at Ukhimath, 13 km away from base camp
Base camp: Sari Village
End Point: Sari Village
Tungnath Temperature: Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C
Best season: Summers and Autumn through April and November
Region: Uttarakhand
Who can participate: Beginners to intermediate-level trekkers
Short Itinerary for Chopta Tungnath Trek
Tungnath Trek Detailed Itinerary
Haridwar to Deoria Tal
Altitude: 2438 meters
Distance: 215.7 km
Duration: 7-8 hours
Transfer to Sari village from Haridwar via road in 7-8 hours.
Travel by the side of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River.
Start trekking to Chopta on a rocky trail.
Get mesmerized by the look of Chandrashila summit and Tungnath temple from the bottom.
Ascend through the thrilling trail with a steep uphill bend.
Rest for 20 minutes at a resting spot made by the forest department.
Reach beside the shimmering lake of Chaukhamba to enjoy the campsite.
Rest for the night beside the lake of Deoria Tal.
Deoria Tal to Chopta
Altitude: 2608 meters
Distance: 14 km
Duration: 7-8 hours
Ascend through the beautiful trail with little shrines that present red and yellow flags.Move through the Scarlett blossom forests towards the ascending paths Rohini Bugyal and Chopta.Rigorously hike uphill to reach Level-land of the old maple, oak, and rhododendron forests.Visit Kedarnath Sanctuary to spot red foxes and musk deers.
Reach the base of Tungnath Trek- Chopta, to have a scrumptious dinner beside an enchanting bonfire.
Chopta to Tungnath
Altitude: 3690 meters
Distance: 5 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Start hiking early in the morning on a well-defined concrete bound.
Cross the steep climbs with sharp turns to reach Tungnath Temple.
Offer prayers and spend some time near the temple to leave for the Chandrashila summit.
Reach the connecting peak of Chandrashila- the Ravanshila on the 10th bend of the road.
Enter the entryway to Tungnath across the 11th bend of the road with a stunning view of Chandrashila summit.
Cross a steep climb to reach the summit with a 360-degree view of the Garhwal and Kumaon mountains.
Witness the beauty of the Himalayas- Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nandaghunti, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, and Kedar.
Start descending to Chopta, and have a tasty dinner as you rest at the campsite.
From Sari Village to Haridwar
Altitude: 2000 meters
Distance: 215.7 km
Duration: 7-8 hours
Travel back to Haridwar from Chopta through hilly areas.
Reach Haridwar by evening.
What To Pack for Chopta Tungnath Trek?
Must wear
- Suitable hiking shoes for steep and difficult terrain.
- Hiking pants.
- T-shirts.
- Sunscreen and cap to protect yourself from the sun.
Winter Essentials
- Trekking shoes for snow.
- Thermal wear like inners, sweaters, and jackets are best suited for this kind of climate.
- You can beat the winter weather on Chopta Tungnath trek by wearing multiple layers of T-shirts as you can add/remove layers depending on the weather change at different points.
- Carry 2 trek pants with zippers.
- Scarves, caps, and woolen covering to protect yourself from cold waves.
- Carry gloves and Socks to protect your limbs.
- Rainwear should be carried in case of any emergency as winters sometimes witness downpours.
- Sunglasses for preventing snow blindness with UV protection.
Essentials
- Toiletry: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, tissues, moisturizer, cold coral, sanitizer, and anti-fungal cream.
- Medicine and first-aid kit.
- Cutlery: Carry water bottles, leakproof lunch box, mug, spoon, and disposable plates.
- Eatables: Snacks like biscuits, protein bars, glucose-based chocolates, cup noodles, dry fruits, and quick energy bites.
Others:- Plastic covers for separating used clothes from fresh clothes and eatables. - Chargers, power banks, and a magnetic compass for proper navigation.
Know Before You Go to Tungnath Trek
Visit a doctor before the trek to know about your fitness level and important medical checkups.
Avoid planning to trek during monsoons as the rain can make you uncomfortable by steep climbs.
Don’t climb too quickly as there are steep ascents.
Avoid being disturbed while walking, as this could result in you losing your toe hold and dislocating your legs.
The Tungnath trek package requires you to carry documents like ID proof and a fitness medical certificate by a verified practicing doctor.
Keep cash with yourself as there is no ATM or UPI facility after Ukhimath.
There would be no mobile phone network after Ukhimath. Hence, you should inform your known people prior to the trek.
The sudden drop in oxygen may cause elevation sickness, keep your medicine kit handy with yourself.
If you are trekking in winters, the thermal layers or multiple layers of clothes to protect yourself from cold.
When in snow, cover your head as cold waves hit your head and face causing your body temperature to drop.
Carry sunglasses to terrain from damage due to UV reflected back from the snow.
There are multiple Tungnath trek routes available for you to choose from. One of the most popular trekking paths is through Chopta, another is through Shylami and Baniya Kund. The trekking route to Baniya Kund will take you through a series of ascents and descents. You will be able to spend some time in the cute hamlet of Baniya Kund and trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila.
Trek from 9 kilometers from Deorital to Shylami: Ascend through the scenic trail of rhododendron and maple trees. Take an hour of steep ascents to reach Rohini Bugyal. From there, you have to descend for 2 hours to reach the Syalami campsite.
Trek for 5 kilometers from Syalami to Baniya Kund: Descend from Syalami campsite to Akash Kamini River. From there, you will be ascending through a dense forest for two hours. After a series of ascents and descents, you will reach Baniya Kund hamlet. You will enjoy the night knowing about the local culture and witnessing the beauty.
Trekking from Baniya Kund to Tungnath and Chandrashila: You will trek through a well-laid trail to reach Tungnath temple, followed by steep ascents to Chandrashila Summit.
By Air: The nearest Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is at a distance of 210 kilometers. After reaching there, you can travel by bus or local taxi to reach Rudraprayag Ukhimath for Chopta Tungnath trek.
By Road: You can board buses from Rishikesh (180 km away) and Dehradun (217 km away) to reach Rudraprayag Ukhimath. From there, you can take a taxi to reach 3.5 km away from Chopta.
By Train: There is no railway station near Chopta. You can board a train to reach Rishikesh, which is 210 km away. The railway station has connectivity with major Indian metropolitan cities.
The best time to go on Tungnath temple trekking is between the months of April to November.
Season-wise breakdownSummer Season: The best time for Tungnath trek is during the summer because the temperature is soothing enough to present you with fertile meadows and a lush green trail.
Monsoon Season: Monsoon witnesses heavy rain with moderate temperatures. The meadows are greenest during this season.
Autumn Season: Autumn Season is the second best season to visit Chopta Tungnath because the golden trees and the vibrancy showcase their beauty, making the trek most enchanting to take.
Winter Season: Winters witness low temperatures and all of the trail is covered with a blanket of snow. Trekking during this season seems like a white winter dream world.
Facts About Tungnath Trek
Tungnath Temple was built in North Indian style dedicated to Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati and her idols.
Tungnath Temple was discovered by Adi Shankaracharya, thousands of years ago.
It is believed that ‘Arjuna’, the best archer and one of the five Pandavas, laid the foundation of Tungnath Temple in ancient times of Mahabharata.
Word ‘Chandrashila’ translates to ‘Moon Rock’, depicting the time of punishment Lord Chandra Dev or the moon god spent in this place.
It is said that Lord Ram meditated in Chandrashila after defeating the demon-King Ravana.
Why to Go for Chopta Tungnath Trek?
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FAQ's of Chopta Tungnath Trek
How Difficult is the Tungnath trek?
Tungnath trek is rated from easy to moderate as it can be taken by beginners to intermediate-level trekkers. The trail takes you mostly through the forests, meadows, and well-laid-out roads. There are a number of steep ascents and descents throughout the journey but the path changes to simple after successful climbs. If you choose to trek during the winter, the trail can be a little challenging due to the snow. The trekking route after Tungnath Temple, to Chandrashila summit, is a bit difficult due to the steep terrain. This trek can be your first one if you train well a month before the start. You can try 5 kilometers of walking per day and a series of ascents and descents on the staircase.
What is the altitude of the Tungnath temple?
Tungnath Temple is at a height of 3,690 meters above sea level.
Will I be able to visit the Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary During the Tungnath trek?
Yes, the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary is a part of the trek. The Wild Life Sanctuary or Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary is the largest natural protective habitat for the preservation of the endangered Himalayan musk deer. You will go through the place, as a part of the trek, to witness Musk Deer, Red Fox, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Black bear, Snow Leopard, Monal Birds, etc.
What are the opening hours of Tungnath temple?
Tungnath Temple is open every day from 06:00 AM to 07:00 PM with evening Arti at 06:30 PM.
Will I find snow during the Tungnath trek?
Yes, you can find snow during the winter season. From November to early March, a thick blanket of snow covers the entire trail and the temple.
Can I do Tungnath trek in January?
Yes, you can do Tungnath Temple trek during the winter as it will add more thrill to your journey. The entire trail and the temple are covered under a thick blanket of snow, owing to low temperatures. It will be challenging to climb steep ascents and move through the dense snow trail in the winter.
Does this trek take you beyond the Tungnath temple?
Yes, this trek takes you beyond Tungnath Temple. After visiting the temple, you will conquer the summit of Chandrashila.
Is the mobile network present on the Chopta Tungnath trek?
Beyond Ukhimath, mobile networks aren’t accessible you will get network on the summit. Hence, you should inform your family and concerned people before heading out from Ukhimath.
What fitness levels are required in Tungnath trek?
The trek is a combination of simple walks and steep climbs. It can be taken by fit beginners and intermediate-level trekkers. You can start practicing every day by walking 5-6 kilometers and climbing stairs repeatedly.
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