Chopta–Tungnath Trek

Chopta, a small meadow settlement at 2,680 metres in the Rudraprayag district, is the base camp for one of Uttarakhand's most rewarding treks. The 3.5-kilometre trail from Chopta to Tungnath — the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 metres — winds through dense rhododendron and oak forests that blaze crimson in spring and turn golden in autumn.

Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedar, the five most sacred Shiva shrines in the Himalayas, and is believed to be over 1,000 years old. The stone temple sits on a grassy ridge with sweeping views of Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch, and Kedarnath peaks. From Tungnath, an additional 1.5-kilometre scramble leads to Chandrashila summit at 4,000 metres, where a 360-degree panorama of snow-clad Himalayan giants awaits.

This three-day itinerary allows for a comfortable acclimatisation at Chopta before the summit push, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned trekkers alike. Night camping under a sky full of stars at this altitude, with the Milky Way clearly visible, is a memory that lasts a lifetime.