Chopta Tungnath trek — distance, altitude, and complete guide

Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world, sitting at 3,680 m (12,073 ft) in the Tungnath range of the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is one of the Panch Kedar — five sacred Shiva temples scattered across Garhwal that pilgrims traditionally visit as a circuit.

According to Hindu mythology, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Shiva's forgiveness. Shiva hid in the form of a bull and dove into the earth, with different body parts surfacing at five locations. At Tungnath, it was Shiva's arms (bahu) that appeared. The other four Panch Kedar temples are Kedarnath (hump), Rudranath (face), Madhyamaheshwar (navel), and Kalpeshwar (hair).

The temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old. It is a compact stone structure in the North Indian Nagara style, fronted by a small courtyard where the resident pujari performs daily puja during the open season.

In 2026, Tungnath temple opened on 22 April and will remain open until mid-October (exact closing date follows the Hindu calendar).

The trek starts from Chopta, a small meadow settlement at 2,680 m (8,790 ft) on the Ukhimath-Gopeshwar road in Rudraprayag district.

Chopta to Tungnath temple — 3.5 km, 2 to 3 hours up

The trail is wide, paved with stone for most of its length, and clearly marked. The gradient is steady rather than steep — no scrambling or technical sections. At around 3,200 m you enter a dense rhododendron forest that blooms vivid red and pink in April and May. By 3,400 m the tree line thins and views of the Kedarnath range open up to the northeast.

The altitude gain is roughly 1,000 m over 3.5 km. Most reasonably fit adults who walk regularly can manage this comfortably. Families with children and senior citizens regularly complete the trek.

Tungnath temple to Chandrashila peak — 1.5 km, 45 minutes

From Tungnath, the trail to Chandrashila summit is steeper and partly rocky. The additional altitude gain is roughly 300 to 400 m over 1.5 km. This section is moderate difficulty — steeper gradient, some loose rock, and the thin air is noticeable if you are not acclimatised.

Total trek: Chopta to Chandrashila and back — 10 km, 5 to 7 hours

The entire out-and-back trek (Chopta to Chandrashila summit and return) is about 10 km and takes 5 to 7 hours depending on fitness, time spent at the temple, and summit conditions.

Chandrashila means "moon rock" in Sanskrit. The summit sits at approximately 4,000 m (13,100 ft) and offers a full 360-degree panorama of the high Himalayas.

Peaks visible from the summit on a clear day include Kedarnath (6,940 m), Chaukhamba (7,138 m), Trishul (7,120 m), Nanda Devi (7,816 m), and Bandarpoonch (6,316 m). On exceptionally clear winter mornings, Nanda Devi dominates the entire eastern horizon.

The summit has a small Chandrashila temple. According to local legend, this is where Rama meditated after defeating Ravana.

If you can only do one section, do the full trek to Chandrashila. The summit views are the real payoff. Start early — cloud cover typically rolls in by noon, especially in summer months.

April to June — best for most visitors

Temperatures range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. The meadows are green, wildflowers are out, and rhododendrons peak in April and May. Trails are clear of snow by mid-April most years. The temple is open for darshan.

July to September — monsoon, not recommended

Rainfall makes the trail slippery and visibility is often poor. The rhododendrons are long gone. Leeches can be a nuisance. Avoid unless you have a specific reason.

October to November — post-monsoon clarity

Clear skies, the best mountain visibility of the year, and cool temperatures. Early November can bring the first snowfall on Chandrashila. The temple typically closes in the first week of November (the exact date follows the Hindu calendar). October is arguably the single best month for the trek.

December to March — snow season

Chopta meadow becomes a snowfield. The trail is buried under snow from January through early March. Temperatures drop to minus 5 to minus 15 degrees Celsius. The temple sanctum is closed.

This period attracts experienced winter trekkers who come with micro-spikes and proper winter gear. January and February see the heaviest snowfall — roads to Chopta can be blocked for days. December (especially around Christmas and New Year) and late March (snow melting, less extreme cold) are the most practical winter windows.

From Rishikesh (170 to 200 km, 6 to 8 hours)

The standard route: Rishikesh to Devprayag to Srinagar to Rudraprayag to Ukhimath to Chopta. The final stretch from Ukhimath to Chopta (about 40 km) takes 1.5 to 2 hours on a winding mountain road.

A private taxi from Rishikesh to Chopta and back costs approximately 4,500 to 6,000 rupees (2026 rates). This is the most practical option because direct bus service to Chopta does not exist.

By bus (budget option)

Take a bus from Rishikesh to Ukhimath or Rudraprayag (buses run daily, 6 to 7 hours). From Ukhimath, hire a local taxi or shared jeep to Chopta (40 km, 200 to 400 rupees). A direct bus from Rudraprayag to Chopta has been introduced by GMOU but the schedule is limited.

From the Badrinath side

Chopta is accessible from Gopeshwar via the Mandal-Chopta road. This route is scenic but longer (about 4 hours from Gopeshwar). Useful if you are combining Chopta with a Badrinath or Valley of Flowers trip.

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (about 220 km from Chopta).

Nearest railway station: Rishikesh or Haridwar.

At Chopta

Chopta has about a dozen small guesthouses and camps strung along the meadow. Options range from basic rooms (600 to 1,000 rupees per night) to tented Swiss camps with meals included (1,500 to 2,500 rupees). The GMVN Tourist Rest House is the most reliable government-run option — book ahead through the GMVN website.

Popular areas to stay include main Chopta, Dugalbitta (a few km before Chopta), and Baniyakund. Dugalbitta homestays offer a quieter, more local experience with home-cooked meals.

Advance booking is essential during May to June and October — Chopta has limited capacity and fills up on weekends.

At Ukhimath (30 km from Chopta)

If you prefer a town base with more hotel options, ATMs, and restaurants, stay in Ukhimath and drive to Chopta early morning. The 40 km drive takes about 1.5 hours.

At the trek

There is no accommodation between Chopta and Tungnath. This is a day trek — you return to Chopta the same day.

Trail shoes with good grip (the stone path gets slippery above 3,400 m, especially with dew or light rain)

1 litre water minimum per person — there are no reliable water sources on the trail

Warm layers even in summer (temperatures at 4,000 m can drop to 5 degrees Celsius with wind)

Rain jacket (May to June and September can see sudden showers)

Sunscreen and sunglasses (UV is strong above 3,000 m)

Cash — there are no ATMs in Chopta, carry enough from Ukhimath or Rudraprayag

Light snacks for energy on the trail (the tea stalls at Chopta are the last food stop)

For winter treks (December to March): micro-spikes, gaiters, insulated jacket, thermals, and at least 1 litre of hot water in an insulated bottle

How difficult is the Chopta Tungnath trek?

Is there an entry fee for the Tungnath trek?

Can I do Chopta Tungnath in a single day from Rishikesh?

Is the Tungnath temple open in winter?

What is the exact altitude of Chandrashila peak?

What peaks can I see from Chandrashila summit?

Is the Chopta Tungnath trek safe for beginners?

Badrinath travel guide — temple, how to reach, and what to expect

Kedarnath trek — complete planning guide

Rishikesh to Badrinath by road — route, stops, and taxi options

Valley of Flowers trek — season, permits, and trail details

Best treks in Uttarakhand for beginners