Chandrashila Summit Trek

Overview

Chandrashila Summit Trek

Leaving behind the traditional clamour of the Chopta valley, which is perched at an elevation of 2,680 meters and surrounded by an imposing forest of Oak, deodar and rhododendron that shadows a rich bed of flowering plants, the Chandrashila Summit Trek further hold spellbound the snowcapped Himalayan peaks characterized by grandeur. One of the most beautiful treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region, the Chandrashila Summit Trek, maneuvers through beautiful meadows and expunge into a thick bed of snow. Once reaching the summit, feast your eyes on the spectacular view of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi at 7,817 meters, Trisul at 7,120 meters, Kedarnath at 6,831 meters, Bandarpunch at 6,316 meters and Chaukhamba at 7,138 meters.

It is best to start early in the morning from Chopta and then the trail leads off to Tungnath, which is the highest Shiva Temple in the world, located at a height of 3,680 meters. The Tungnath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples and is tucked in the lap of the Chandrashila peak. It is believed that the Tungnath Temple is more than 1000 years old and holds a rich legend that corroborates some of the incidents depicted in the Mahabharata epic. From the vicinity of Tungnath temple a further ascent of an hour terminates atop the Chandrashila summit wherefrom one can capture the silvery sheen of the Himalayan range dotted with several peaks and also of all the green valleys and deep gorges.

The Chandrashila summit trek, which can be journeyed all throughout the year, is considered as one of the moderate treks in the Indian Himalayan region that is located in Uttarakhand; the duration of the trail is approximately 3-6 days. The journey displays rare glimpses of an ancient culture secluded in the Garhwal Himalaya within the natural hues.