Uttarakhand trek
Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek
A sunrise summit above one of the highest Shiva temples
Tungnath and Chandrashila is an easy to moderate short trek from Chopta in Uttarakhand. You walk to the Tungnath temple, often described as the highest Shiva temple in the world, and on to the Chandrashila summit at about 12,000 ft for a Himalayan sunrise. Plan 2 to 4 days, adding Deoriatal lake for the longer version.
- Max altitude
- About 12,000 ft at Chandrashila
- Duration
- 2 to 4 days from Rishikesh
- Difficulty
- Easy-moderate
- Best time
- March to June, September to December, snow in January and February
- Base
- Chopta, or Sari village for Deoriatal
- Getting there
- Rishikesh or Dehradun, about 7 to 8 hours by road
Tungnath and Chandrashila trek: Chandrashila peak
Photo 1 of 2
Why people pick Tungnath and Chandrashila
- Tungnath temple, one of the Panch Kedar
- Sunrise over Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba
- Deoriatal lake reflections on the longer version
Route, day by day
The usual shape of the trek. Exact camps and timings vary by operator and conditions.
Fitness
Easy-moderate. The summit is short but steep, walk slowly in the thin air.
What to carry
- Trekking shoes with ankle support, broken in
- Three warm layers and a waterproof jacket
- Headlamp, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles
- Personal medicines and a small first aid kit
- Original photo ID
Safety and altitude
- Climbing too fast is the main cause of altitude sickness. Keep the acclimatisation day the route plan includes.
- A headache, nausea, dizziness or unusual breathlessness above about 2,500 m are warning signs. Stop going higher, and descend if they get worse.
- Summit timings depend on the weather. Turning back on a bad day is a normal mountain decision, not a failed trek.
- Mention asthma, blood pressure, heart conditions or recent illness in your brief, and check with a doctor before a high-altitude trek.
- Ask your written quote who leads the group, what first aid and oxygen is carried, and what happens if someone cannot continue.
Before you book
The Tungnath temple closes for winter and the deity moves to Makkumath. The trail itself stays open in snow.
Tungnath and Chandrashila questions
Add a few days near Tungnath and Chandrashila
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- Best months
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- Duration
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