Chandrashila Trek: An Unforgettable Expedition

Chandrashila, which literally means Moonrock, is one of the most famous and exquisite treks at an altitude of 12110 ft above sea level. Chandrashila is a Tungnath summit, and if you have an itchy foot, you should be in your boots and start your journey. Trekking at Chandrashila is not as strenuous as you might think. It is rather an easy trek, having cemented trail and swift path.

Legend Associated With Chandrashila

But before you hop onto trekking, you should know about a small legend associated with Chandrashila. Chandrashila Peak is not only famous for its spectacular view of Nandadevi, Trisul, Chaukambha and Kedar Peaks of the Himalayas, but this place also has a link to the ancient legend. So, the story goes like this; It was about the time when happiness prevailed after Lord Ram killed the demon king Ravana. He chose Chandrashila Peak for the meditation. You can hear this legend from the locals around here. When you start the Chandrashila trek, you will get the chance to visit the Tungnath temple. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple.

Suggested Reads: Kedarnath: A Union of Beauty and Spirituality

Best Time To Go For Chandrashila Trek

If you are searching for the best time to visit Chandrashila, there is no bad time visiting this place. For every trekking enthusiast, Chandrashila Trek is a year-round trek. However, due to heavy snowfall, amateurs trekkers may face problem at Chopta to Chandrashila Trek route during the winter season. For them, the best route would be from Deoria Tal. That is the reason why many people call it Deoria Tal Chandrashila Trek. 

  • Now coming back to the point, the best time for the summer trek is from April to June and for the winter trek, you can go between October to March. 
  • From April to June, you may witness heavy rainfall, thus carry a raincoat and have all the fun during your trek. 

How To Reach Chandrashila From Delhi

To reach Chandrashila peak, you first need to go to Chopta. Chopta is a village town nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is the starting point for Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek. Chopta Chandrashila trek is one of the nearest treks from Delhi, and this makes it a popular weekend destination. 

To reach Chandrashila peak, you first need to go to Chopta. Chopta is a village town nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is the starting point for Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek. Chopta Chandrashila trek is one of the nearest treks from Delhi, and this makes it a popular weekend destination.

First, reach Haridwar from Delhi. It is around 240 km, and you can easily travel by interstate buses, cab, etc. You can opt for ISBT Kashmere Gate or ISBT Anand Vihar for buses.

The distance from Haridwar to Chopta is around 230 km. From Haridwar, take a bus. Kund is a place where you will see two roads. One will go towards Kedarnath, and another will take you to Ukhimath. From Ukhimat, Chopta is around 29 Kms. In the journey from Ukhimat to Chopta, you will find a place with the name Duggalbitta. From here one can see a camp and tents. The whole trip is a treat for your eyes. You will see blooming Rhododendrons, Pine treas and roads that will take your breath away.

It is time to embark on an adventurous journey. Though it is not much back-breaking trek, still for the newbies, it may give them a sense of exhaustion. Chopta to Tungnath temple trek on average takes 3 to 4 hours for normal persons, and from Tungnath to Chandrashila peak average time is 1 hour. Often people start in the early morning, around 7 AM to 8 AM, and complete the whole trek within a day. First, you will trek to the Tungnath temple, pay your homage at the divine Shiva temple. After that, you can start your next 1 to 2 hours trek to Chandrashila peak.

The descending path will take less time than what you vested while trekking upwards. So, maximum by 5 PM to 6 PM, you will find yourself back in Chopta. Once you are in Chopta, you can stay for a day in the guest house or book a homestay. Many prefer to stay in swizz tents; they have beds facilities.

Backpack Items Checklist

Whether you are heading for Chandrashila or any other trek, remember to carry lightweight items and quick-dry clothes. As per my experience, I am mentioning some of the essential items to carry while trekking.

  • Rain Coat
  • Walking Stick
  • Torch/Head Torch
  • Water Bottle
  • Snacks, Dry Fruits, Chocolates, Toffees
  • Energy Drinks
  • Personal Medikit
  • Knife
  • Sunglasses
  • Woolen clothes
  • Trekking shoes/Gum Boots
  • Lip Balm
  • Toilet Papers
  • Antibacterial Creams
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Paper Soaps
  • Gloves
  • Mask (In times of Covid)

All these items are necessary to carry along with you not just for Chandrashila Trek but also for other treks. Also, talk to your doctors and get the required vaccines before going on a trek. 

Note: Avoid denim jeans, shorts, skirts, capris or tight clothes. Wear comfy clothes like trek pants, and keep your body covered as much as possible. 

I have been to Chandrashila Trek during the winters; you may find some change while trekking during the summers or post-monsoon. Moreso, plan your trek as per your health conditions. Most of you are city dwellers and having a sedentary lifestyle or less exposure to expeditions. I would suggest being active in daily life and engaging yourself in exercise and cardio sessions indeed help you do treks with ease and enjoy them to the fullest.

I hope you had a good time while reading this blog. If you have any suggestions, you can provide feedback in the comment section below. You can read more about various places in India at Travelist.

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