Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Details

The area of Chopta lies in the heart region of Uttarakhand and lies at an altitude of 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) in the glorious Garhwal Himalaya. We could also call it the Mini Switzerland of India, this charming village is known to be framed by the unblemished nature with its pine vegetation and peaceful mountain sights. It is also under the Chopta Wildlife Sanctuary making it more appealing to nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The terrific Tungnath Temple, one of the highest Shiva temples of the globe, is one of the highlights of Chopta, which makes it a spiritual and a trekking paradise. Chopta is an easily accessible hill station that can be reached easily through the roadways with Rishikesh and Dehradun. It is therefore one of the peaceful retreat areas and the resorts found there would protect the privacy of trekkers, photographers, and people who want to enjoy the quietest pace of nature.

We will meet at the scheduled pickup location about 9:00pm, and then we will start going to Chopta overnight via Rishikesh. An adventure starts!

Details

By the afternoon we will reach Chopta with its cool mountain air and jaw dropping sceneries. It is an idyllic town that has just the right balance between serenity and beauty, a favourite of nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

By the time we arrive, we will check into the campsite located in the midst of hills to have some time to freshen up. Shortly afterward a substantial lunch will be served. The rest of the day is free to spend exactly the way you like it - to walk through the nearby forest routes, or to visit the small and cozy shops of the local market, or to just relax with the beautiful scenery.

Dinner will be provided on the campsite in the time when the sun sets on the hills. Sit together, tell stories and sit gazing at the starlit sky and going to bed.

Details

We wake up very early in the morning, hoping to see a magical sunrise on the top. We begin our hike to sacred Tungnath Temple and exulting Chandrashila Peak after a brief drive to the bottom. The climb is stated at about 3.5km to Tungnath, where there is a further 1.5km ascent to Chandrashila taking about 4 hours in total.

The sacred Panch Kedars is located in Tungnath, considered to be the highest temple of Lord Shiva. As we progress further up to Chandrashila which is located at 4,000 metres above sea level, we have a 360 deg sweeping view of the breathtaking Garhwal Himalaya range (Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Hathi-Ghodi, and Nanda Gunti).

Its trail starts with rocky sections and eases into the traditional high-altitude landscape, so every single step that leads to the top is an experience on its own.

Soaking in all the views and recording our quota of memories, we then descend back to Chopta on the same route. Relax by the campfire, have a hot comforting dinner, at night admire the view of the star-studded crystal clear sky. It is the ultimate relaxation during the day of exploration and elevation. Your legs have earned the well deserved rest.

Details

Our last day in Chopta starts with breakfast at an early hour followed by a check out of the campsite. The next stop is Sari Village where the trek to Deoriatal Lake would begin. We pass through beautiful countryside and reach Sari, where we tighten our shoes ready to go on the last hike of the tour.

This Deoriatal trail is a quiet stroll in the forest, stopping between meadows, and looking out of a forest at the mighty Himalayas. As we arrive at Deoriatal Lake the clear waters of the lake are a perfect mirror to show the snow-capped mountains, a perfect setting of a film. Here you will be able to have some rest and cool down, take some last shots and enjoy the beauty.

Having spent some quiet time at the lake, we hike back into Sari Village arriving late in the afternoon. We leave there, starting the overnight journey back to Delhi, with stories, snapshots and a heart full of mountain memories.