Chopta, Rudraprayag · Uttarakhand
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
A short climb to the highest Shiva temple in the world and a 360° Himalayan summit.
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila is an easy–moderate trek in Chopta, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, reaching 4,000 m. The best time to go is March to May and October and November. Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground from Dehradun / Rishikesh and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
The one thing not to miss
Chandrashila at sunrise
About 1.5 km above Tungnath; a wide view of the Garhwal peaks on a clear morning.
- 2Tungnath templeA 3.5 km paved climb from Chopta to one of the highest Shiva temples.
- 3Deoria TalA short forest walk from Sari village to a lake that reflects Chaukhamba.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Rishikesh to Chopta
About seven hours by road.
Day 2
Tungnath and Chandrashila
Start in the dark for sunrise on the summit; back at Chopta by lunch.
Day 3
Deoria Tal
Drive to Sari and walk up to the lake.
Day 4
Sari to Rishikesh
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Big Himalayan panorama for a small effort. Works as a first trek, a pilgrimage, or both.
Why not
Tungnath temple is closed in winter (roughly Nov–Apr), and the meadow is busy on long weekends.
Before you go
- Permits
- None for Indian citizens.
- Guide
- Not required in season; useful in snow.
- Safety
- The last stretch to Chandrashila is steep and icy in winter.
- Phone & internet
- Weak in Chopta; better in Ukhimath.
Altitude
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila reaches 4,000 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
3 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 10 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
Trek gear
8 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres Enough for water, a warm layer and rain gear on the trail.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
Health and sun
10 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,000 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone for Indian citizens.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak in Chopta; better in Ukhimath.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road beyond Ukhimath can be closed by snow in midwinter.
By road
From
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Drive time
- 7–8 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Agastyamuni
- Ukhimath
- Chopta
From
Dehradun
- Distance
- about 245 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Dehradun
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Ukhimath
- Chopta
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 440 km
- Drive time
- two days
Break the journey at Rishikesh or Rudraprayag.
Live directions from Delhi
Buses and shared taxis. Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. For Chopta, change at Rudraprayag or Ukhimath for a local jeep.
Pickups & drivers
From Dehradun / Rishikesh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
The best months for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila are March to May and October and November. December to February, June and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila is rated easy–moderate. The trek is about 10 km in total, starting at 2,680 m and reaching 4,000 m.
How many days do you need for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Plan 4 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Dehradun / Rishikesh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹11,000 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Dehradun / Rishikesh.
How do you reach Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
By road: from Rishikesh it is about 200 km, 7–8 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Agastyamuni → Ukhimath → Chopta); from Dehradun it is about 245 km, 8–9 hours (Dehradun → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta); from Delhi it is about 440 km, two days. Trains and flights reach Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) and Haridwar; buses and shared jeeps leave from Rishikesh and Dehradun early in the morning. For Chopta, change at Rudraprayag or Ukhimath for a local jeep. The nearest gateway is Dehradun / Rishikesh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Permits: None for Indian citizens. Guide: Not required in season; useful in snow.
Is Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is possible with care. It is moderately busy in season. The last stretch to Chandrashila is steep and icy in winter.
What should you pack for Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Weak in Chopta; better in Ukhimath.
Will I get altitude sickness at Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila reaches 4,000 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila?
Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila is not a good choice for older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,000 m. Also keep in mind: Tungnath temple is closed in winter (roughly Nov–Apr), and the meadow is busy on long weekends.
Close to Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Deoria Talabout 11 km
- Kedarnathabout 30 km
- Auliabout 34 km