boltQuick Facts10-sec scan
navigationHow I Did It
- check_circleDrove Delhi → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta (~430 km, 11h with breaks). Left Delhi at 4:30am.
- check_circleStayed 2 nights at a budget lodge in Chopta (~₹800/person/night, twin sharing).
- check_circleDay 3: started the Tungnath trek at 5:30am — 3.5 km to the temple, then 1.5 km more to Chandrashila summit (4,000 m). Down by 1pm.
- check_circleDay 4: slow morning, drive back via the same route. Split driving with my co-traveler.
- check_circleAte at road dhabas and the lodge’s simple kitchen at Chopta.
alt_routeMy Route
- 1Delhi4:30am start, full tank
- 2↓ ~430 km via Rishikesh–Rudraprayag–Ukhimath
- 3Chopta2 nights, budget lodge
- 4↓ 3.5 km trek
- 5Tungnath Temple3,680 m
- 6↓ 1.5 km trek
- 7Chandrashila Summit4,000 m
- 8↓ descend to Chopta
- 9Chopta → Delhireturn drive
articleMy Experience
Chopta calls itself “Mini Switzerland” and for once the nickname isn’t embarrassing. Rolling meadows, deodar forests, a 270-degree wall of snow peaks — a day’s drive from Delhi.
The drive is the filter: 11 hours with lunch at Srinagar and chai at Ukhimath. The last 30 km climbs through pine forest and you feel the air change. We reached at dusk, ate dal-chawal, crashed early for a 5am start.
The 5 km trek punches above its weight. The first 3.5 km to Tungnath is a steep paved path — the world’s highest Shiva temple at 3,680 m. Then 1.5 km of rocky trail to Chandrashila. We summited at 8:40am and the view stopped conversation: Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedar Dome — a full arc of Garhwal giants turning gold.
No guide needed in May; the trail is obvious and busy. Back by 1pm, lunch, then an afternoon doing nothing in a meadow. One big morning — enough.
account_balance_walletWhat I Spent
| Expense | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~900 km) — my share of 2 | ₹4,000 |
| Tolls + parking — my share | ₹400 |
| Chopta lodge (2 nights, twin sharing) | ₹1,600 |
| Food on the road + Chopta (4 days) | ₹1,600 |
| Snacks, water, misc | ₹400 |
Prices are approximate and may vary.
Travelled: May 2026
lightbulbMoney Saver
Two people splitting fuel is the whole economics of this trip — ~₹4,000 each for 900 km. And the trek itself is free: no guide, no permit, no entry fee. The best morning of the year cost me nothing.
verified_userReality Check
Self-driving with a cost-split, and a no-frills lodge instead of the fancy Swiss camps.
Good shoes. The Chandrashila section is rocky — my co-traveler’s worn-out sneakers made the descent miserable.
Not carrying enough water. There’s nothing on the route — not a shop, not a tap. Carry 2 litres.
Phone signal died well before Chopta and didn’t return till Ukhimath. Download offline maps.
In a heartbeat — ideally October for the clearest views, or December for the snow version.
tips_and_updatesWhat I Wish I Knew
- Start the trek by 5–6am. Afternoon clouds can kill the summit view, and the descent in fading light is no fun.
- Carry cash — no ATMs or UPI at Chopta or on the trail.
- May nights are still cold (~5°C); one warm layer is non-negotiable.
- The temple opens around Akshaya Tritiya (late April/May) — check dates if darshan matters to you.
personAbout the Traveler
Written by the Wayfare founder — travelling the Himalayas on a budget and writing down everything, so the next traveler spends less.
Founder stories · real trips, real costs.
forumShreya
Is the Chandrashila climb very difficult? I’m a beginner.
It’s easy-to-moderate. If you can walk uphill 4–5 hours with breaks, you can do it. The Tungnath stretch is steepest; Chandrashila is shorter but rockier. Take it slow.
Can I reach Chopta by public transport instead of driving?
Yes — bus or train to Rishikesh/Haridwar, then bus to Ukhimath, then a shared jeep to Chopta. Longer with the changes, but plenty of backpackers do it.
Is there mobile network at Chopta for emergencies?
Very patchy to none — I had no signal most of the stay. Tell someone your plan beforehand, and carry basic first-aid.
forum Traveler discussion (0)
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