Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
Alpine meadows, the highest Shiva temple on earth and a sunrise summit over Nanda Devi.
About this journey
Four days, one meadow, and the highest Shiva temple on earth. This is the shortest of our high-Himalaya journeys and, for a lot of guests, the most surprising — it asks very little in time or fitness and gives back a Himalayan panorama that people who have done the full Char Dham still talk about afterwards.
Day one is the drive in from Haridwar through Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to become the Ganga, then Rudraprayag and Ukhimath, and finally the forest road through the Kanchula Korak musk deer sanctuary to Chopta at 2,680 metres. It is seven to eight hours with stops, and the last two are among the most beautiful driving in Garhwal. You arrive with the afternoon free to walk in the meadows and acclimatise.
Day two is the reason you came. Three and a half kilometres of stone path climb to Tungnath, third and highest of the Panch Kedar, standing at 3,680 metres in a grassy saddle with the Chaukhamba wall filling the horizon behind it. Most guests start before dawn and continue the further kilometre and a half to Chandrashila for sunrise — a 4,000-metre summit with an uninterrupted 360-degree view taking in Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Dome, Bandarpunch and, on the clearest mornings, the Gangotri group. The descent is easy and you are back at camp for a late breakfast.
Day three adds Deoria Tal, the small reflecting lake two and a half kilometres above Sari village, before dropping to Rudraprayag for the night; day four returns to Haridwar. Stays at Chopta are cottages and fixed camps rather than hotels, and we are specific with you about which we have booked and why. March to June and September to November are the settled seasons; from late December this becomes a snow trek, which we also run for properly equipped guests.
Journey highlights
- Tungnath — the highest of the Panch Kedar at 3,680 m
- Pre-dawn climb to Chandrashila for the sunrise panorama
- Cottage or premium camp stay at Chopta / Baniya Kund
- Deoria Tal lake walk with Chaukhamba reflections
- Small groups, unhurried pace, experienced hill chauffeur
Day-by-day itinerary
Itinerary is a starting point — every route, stay and pace is tailored around you. Prices vary by season, group size and vehicle.
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Chopta, Tungnath & Chandrashila
The Yatra season runs from late April or early May to early November, pausing during peak monsoon (mid-July to August) when the mountain roads can be uncertain. May–June and September–October give the most comfortable weather and the clearest views. Tell us your month and we will advise honestly on conditions.
Indicative one-way starting fares from Haridwar: Rishikesh ₹1,400, Neelkanth ₹2,399, Dehradun ₹2,200, Mussoorie ₹3,400, Dehradun Airport ₹2,400. Longer tours are quoted per day and include fuel, driver allowance, tolls and parking. Our full rate card is on the Rates page — the figure we quote is the figure you pay.
Anywhere in Haridwar at no extra charge — Har Ki Pauri, Devpura, Jwalapur, Bhupatwala, Shantikunj, Patanjali, the railway station or your hotel. We also pick up from Rishikesh, Dehradun (Jolly Grant) Airport, and can arrange a car from Delhi Airport or anywhere in the NCR for outstation journeys.
UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm), bank transfer, all major debit and credit cards, and cash. A small token advance confirms your vehicle and stays; the balance is payable as the journey unfolds. Every payment is receipted on WhatsApp the moment it lands.
Cancel more than 15 days before departure and the token advance is refunded in full, minus any non-refundable hotel or permit charges already paid on your behalf. Between 15 and 7 days we refund half. Inside 7 days the advance is held as credit against a future journey rather than forfeited. Dates can usually be moved free of charge, subject to availability.