Chopta Chandrashila Trek from Mumbai

Overview

Chopta has earned its nickname as Uttarakhand's 'mini Switzerland,' and the walk from it up to Tungnath — the highest Shiva temple in the world — and on to the Chandrashila summit is the region's defining trek. What makes it special isn't just the altitude; it's the way the trail builds through rhododendron forest and open meadow, with Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba slowly assembling themselves on the horizon the higher you climb.

Over five days the trip bases out of Chopta and nearby Sari, typically adding a walk to Deoriatal — a small lake famous for its still-water reflections of the surrounding peaks — before the main event: the push to Tungnath's ancient temple and onward to the 4,000 metre Chandrashila top for the full panorama. It's graded easy-to-moderate, which is a genuinely honest description — the days are short and the trail is well-established, but the cold and altitude at the summit mean warm layers aren't optional.

This makes it one of the gentler entry points into serious Himalayan trekking, comfortably manageable on 4 to 5 hours of daily walking and basic fitness, which is part of why it draws such a mix of first-timers and repeat Himalaya trekkers alike. Wild Rangers runs it as a flight- or train-assisted batch from Mumbai and Pune via Haridwar, with local transport, stays and camps, meals, a mountain guide and full safety cover included.

Spring (March through May, when the rhododendrons bloom scarlet across the slopes) and autumn (September through December, for the clearest long-distance views) are both strong windows, each offering a genuinely different character to the same trek — flowering forest versus crisp mountain clarity. A stop in Tungnath itself or a Rishikesh add-on extends the trip well beyond just the summit push.

What sets Chopta–Chandrashila apart from a purely scenic trek is the temple at its heart — this genuinely is as much a pilgrimage as a hike, and the walk to the world's highest Shiva shrine gives the whole trip a weight that a summit view alone wouldn't carry. Pack warm layers, grip shoes, a rain layer and a headlamp for the pre-dawn push, and expect a trek that satisfies on both fronts at once.

Because the trail is well-graded and the days stay short, this remains one of the more approachable ways to experience real Himalayan altitude — a good next step for trekkers who've enjoyed the Sahyadri weekend circuit and want to see what a five-day mountain trek actually feels like without over-committing on their first attempt.

Based in Uttarakhand, this easy 5-day trek is best attempted during March, April, May, September, October, November, December — when the trail and surroundings are at their most rewarding.

Day-wise Itinerary

Trip Highlights

• ✓Walk to Tungnath — the highest Shiva temple
• ✓Chandrashila summit with a wide Himalayan panorama
• ✓Rhododendron trails (spring) and clear views (autumn)
• ✓Five-day batch, flight/train-assisted from Mumbai & Pune
• ✓Best in Mar–May and Sep–Dec
• ✓Gentle, spiritual Himalaya walk

Gallery

Inclusions & Exclusions

Things to Carry

FAQs