Chopta Tungnath Trek is one of those treks that takes you to some of the most enchanting places in Garhwal Himalayas. This trek may be categorised as easy to moderate difficulty trek that can be undertaken by novice as well as slightly experienced trekkers.The moment someone witnesses the reflection of Kedar Dome and Chaukhamba peaks in the pristine waters of Deoriatal, the person gets awestruck.In this blog, we share with you all the information that you may need to undertake this trek.You may also book Chopta Tour Package with Waytoindia, who are experts in Chopta packages.
Chopta Tungnath Trek
Chopta Tungnath trek with Deoriatal as organised by Waytoindia.com requires trekkers to reach Haridwar one night in advance to the tour commencement date.Early in the morning, the next day the trekking party commences their journey to Chopta. Chopta, is a calm and quiet patch of lush green forests about 35 km ahead of Ukhimath. In fact, the Haridwar to Chopta distance is about 250 Kms and it takes approximately 8-9 hours in a private car or taxi to reach Chopta from Haridwar.The route and distance from Haridwar to Chopta is as below :
Haridwar to Devprayag (100 Km /2.5 hours) : Devprayag to Srinagar(40 Km/ 1.5 Hrs) : Srinagar to Rudraprayag(35 Km/ 1.5 Hrs) : Rudraprayag to Ukhimath(45 Kms/2 Hours) : Ukhimath to Chopta(32 Kms/1 Hour).
(please note that the distances and time shown above is approximate and may vary from actual time and distance)
Meandering on the road alongside river Ganges, travellers pass through Rishikesh where one can occasionally see young adventure lovers negotiating the river rapids in their rubber rafts.About 100 Kms ahead one can see two entirely different streams of water – one bottle green in colour while other muddy come and meet each other in what in Hindi is called a Prayag or a confluence of rivers.This place is known to most of us as Dev Prayag.Driving further about 40 km, the travellers for Chopta Tungnath Trek reach Srinagar. This Srinagar, which is located on the banks of river Alaknanda, is not to be confused with Srinagar which is in Jammu and Kashmir.This Srinagar was the erstwhile capital of Garhwal Kings before the advent of British.
Once you drive further from Srinagar, on your left you side comes the Dhari Devi Temple.The temple of Dhari Devi, who is believed to be an avtar of Goddess Kali, was earlier on the banks of river Alaknanda.In 2013 owing to the construction of Dam, this temple was uprooted from its original place.It was immediately followed by devastating floods in entire Uttarakhand.Locals believe that the large-scale devastation that followed was because of the uprooting of Dhari Devi Temple.Today, the temple stands on columns right inside the river basin.
A further drive of about 25 km and you would reach Rudraprayag, another confluence of rivers Mandakini coming from Kedarnath and river Alaknanda coming from Badrinath.After a brief stopover at Rudraprayag, the tour will go ahead and you would drive to Ukhimath. Ukhimath is the place where the idols of Lord Kedarnath and Lord Madhmaheshwar (two of the temples of Lord Shiva out of Panch Kedar) are brought down in the winters and kept in Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath.
(This image was taken by our team in the second week of December 2015)
As you drive further about 35 Kms, you reach Chopta, the gateway to Tungnath Temple & Chandrashila summit.The panoramic views of majestic snow capped mountains and the lovely green meadows make you feel as if you have ascended into heaven while being alive. The view is so scenic that you find it difficult to believe it.
The thick forests and vegetation in and around Chopta are mesmerising.You are able to realise that you are breathing the fresh air that eludes you in your everyday city life.The entire flora and fauna of the place are such that you feel that it is a different world altogether.
Upon arrival at Chopta, you would check-in at eco-camp where you would be staying in comfortable swiss tents and would be able to enjoy organic food.Rest of the day shall be at leisure where you would be acclimatised to the weather.
Chopta is about 8800 ft above sea level and our next day’s expeditions shall be taking you to Tungnath and Chandrashila which require you to acclimatise.
Next day, early in the morning, proceed for trekking of Tungnath & Chandrashila.Tungnath, the literal meaning of which is Lord of the peaks, is the third among the Panch Kedar Temples (others being Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Kalpeshwar & Rudranath) and is located at an altitude of about 12,00 feet above sea level.One has to climb the steep trek to Tungnath for about 4 Kms before one reaches Tungnath Temple.
(trek to Tungnath Temple)
Once the trekkers reach Tungnath Temple, they can have darshan at the highest Lord Shiva temple in the world.Thereafter, those who wish to further satiate their quest for trekking can climb another 2 Kms to reach Chandrashila, which provides a 360 degrees view of the snow clad Himalayan peaks.
View from Chandrashila
Image Credit: Mr Praveen Purohit (flickr.com)
There would be local guides who are expert in these treks with you along with porters who would carry your packed lunch and other small items as you trek to Tungnath & Chandrashila.
Later descend back to Chopta. Rest of the day shall be at leisure where you can enjoy the simple food along with bonfire in the evening at the eco-camp.
Early morning next day, after enjoying your breakfast, drive to Sari village which is about 18 Kms from Chopta and is the starting point for the Deoriatal trek.Upon arrival, you would be joined by another trek expert and porters who would start 2.5 Kms trek to Deoria Taal.
Deoria Taal
Image Credit : Soumen Basu Mallik (Flickr.com)
Deoria Taal is known for its scenic views.Travellers and photographers get awestruck upon viewing the reflections of Kedar dome and Chaukhamba peak in the pristine waters of the Deoria Taal.Tell about 3:30 pm you would be spending time at Deoria Taal and thereafter you would start your descend for Sari village.Later upon arrival at Sari village, you would drive back to eco-camp at Chopta.
Overnight stay and dinner shall be at camp in Chopta.
Next day early morning, after your breakfast, you would bid adieu to the paradise called Chopta and would start your drive back to Haridwar.By late evening, you would reach Haridwar for your onward journey to your own city.
The above travel plan for Chopta Deoriatal Tungnath Trek is only a suggested plan and can be modified as per the specific requirements of the travellers.Waytoindia.com organises regular daily departures from Haridwar for Chopta Deoriatal Tungnath Trek which can be booked at a reasonable cost of Rs 12,800/- per person (minimum 2 persons) and which includes all boarding, lodging, meals, trekking and travel ex-Haridwar and back to Haridwar.This Chopta tour can be booked by calling on +918527255991 or sending an enquiry on the link http://www.waytoindia.com/plan-my-tour.aspx .
