Nestled in the pristine Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the trio of Chopta, Tungnath, and Chandrashila forms one of India’s most breathtaking trekking circuits. Chopta, affectionately known as the “Mini Switzerland of India,”
On April 10, 2026, our Himalayan adventure officially began as four of us flew in from Kolkata to meet up with two other team members arriving from Pune. Gathering at the Dehradun airport, our combined group of six piled into a spacious Innova Crysta, which we had booked for the long mountain journey ahead. With everyone comfortably settled and our gear packed away, we set off on a scenic drive toward Chopta, the picturesque base camp for our upcoming Tungnath and Chandrashila trek.
Day 1 – Itinerary: Dehradun to Chopta
The Journey Begins: We kicked off our road trip to Chopta from Dehradun airport around 1:00 PM in our Innova Crysta.
Scenic Pitstops: En route, we stopped at the historic towns of Devprayag and Rudraprayag for lunch and evening snacks.
Chasing the Chill: As our altitude increased, we could feel the temperature steadily dropping, replacing the plains’ warmth with crisp mountain air.
Late Arrival: After a long but beautiful drive, we reached Chopta in the late evening around 9:30 PM.
Starry Welcome: Stepping out of the car, we were absolutely delighted to see a clear night sky completely filled with a brilliant blanket of stars.
Resting Up: The day wrapped up with a warm dinner, leaving us cozy, rested, and eagerly waiting for our very first trek the next morning.
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Day 2 – the trek day – Cozy Start: We woke up fully refreshed and energized—a massive payoff for choosing a hotel with in-room heating over the basic tents of Chopta.
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Fueling Up & Commuting: After a light breakfast, we made a quick 2 km drive from the hotel to the official Tungnath trek starting point.
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Hitting the Trail: With entry tickets in hand, we officially kicked off our trek at 8:30 AM.
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A Crimson Welcome: The trail greeted us with stunning Rhododendron trees, though a recent snowfall had caused many of the delicate, vibrant flowers to shed early.
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First Snow Thrills: Just minutes into the climb, we were thrilled to spot pristine white snow framing the edges of the lush green alpine meadows (bugyals).
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A Relaxing Detour: As the incline grew steeper, our elderly group member stayed back at the Bugyal as planned, opting to soak in the peaceful views while the rest of us pushed ahead.
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Shifting Horizons: The remaining five of us continued the steady ascent, watching the dramatic Himalayan landscape beautifully shift with every single turn.
Day 2 – the trek day – Cozy Start: We woke up fully refreshed and energized—a massive payoff for choosing a hotel with in-room heating over the basic tents of Chopta.
Fueling Up & Commuting: After a light breakfast, we made a quick 2 km drive from the hotel to the official Tungnath trek starting point.
Hitting the Trail: With entry tickets in hand, we officially kicked off our trek at 8:30 AM.
A Crimson Welcome: The trail greeted us with stunning Rhododendron trees, though a recent snowfall had caused many of the delicate, vibrant flowers to shed early.
First Snow Thrills: Just minutes into the climb, we were thrilled to spot pristine white snow framing the edges of the lush green alpine meadows (bugyals).
A Relaxing Detour: As the incline grew steeper, our elderly group member stayed back at the Bugyal as planned, opting to soak in the peaceful views while the rest of us pushed ahead.
Shifting Horizons: The remaining five of us continued the steady ascent, watching the dramatic Himalayan landscape beautifully shift with every single turn.
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A Vibrant Trail: The path was alive with energy as crowds of trekkers marched forward, leaning on walking sticks and chanting “Jai Bholenath.”
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Local Refreshments: Vibrant stalls lined the route, offering hydration in the form of fresh orange juice, cut fruits, local Rhododendron flower juice, and the quintessential mountain favorite—steaming bowls of Maggi.
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A Winter Wonderland: A sudden right turn completely shifted the landscape. The lush green meadows of the Bugyal vanished, replaced by a steep, pristine white slope covered in thick snow.
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The Ice Challenge: The trail quickly became treacherous with black ice. Progress slowed to a crawl because the pathway to the temple was buried under snow, making it completely inaccessible without snow spikes.
A Vibrant Trail: The path was alive with energy as crowds of trekkers marched forward, leaning on walking sticks and chanting “Jai Bholenath.”
Local Refreshments: Vibrant stalls lined the route, offering hydration in the form of fresh orange juice, cut fruits, local Rhododendron flower juice, and the quintessential mountain favorite—steaming bowls of Maggi.
A Winter Wonderland: A sudden right turn completely shifted the landscape. The lush green meadows of the Bugyal vanished, replaced by a steep, pristine white slope covered in thick snow.
The Ice Challenge: The trail quickly became treacherous with black ice. Progress slowed to a crawl because the pathway to the temple was buried under snow, making it completely inaccessible without snow spikes.
Crucial Trekker’s Tip: Always carry snow spikes if you are trekking during the first two weeks of April. For winter treks, they are an absolute necessity.
The Final Stretch: Reaching the Summit
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The Divide: Due to the slippery, spike-free conditions, the group had to split. Uddalak and I decided to brave the snow-covered slopes by following the tracks of other trekkers, while Debjani and Sujaya wisely chose to stay back.
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The Closed Temple: We successfully reached the temple summit. Though we knew beforehand that the gates would be closed during this season, the breathtaking views made the victory worth it as we paused to capture photos.
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Skipping Chandrashila: Reaching the Chandrashila peak proved impossible without proper spikes, forcing us to abandon that portion of the climb.
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An Adventurous Descent: To head back down, I tried a thrilling shortcut—sliding straight down the snowy slopes, which turned out to be an absolute highlight of the trip!
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A Rewarding Surprise: On our way down, we were thrilled to spot Mahua Di reaching the top. Fueled by sheer determination and equipped with her own snow spikes, she confidently pushed forward along the main snowy pathway toward the temple.
The Divide: Due to the slippery, spike-free conditions, the group had to split. Uddalak and I decided to brave the snow-covered slopes by following the tracks of other trekkers, while Debjani and Sujaya wisely chose to stay back.
The Closed Temple: We successfully reached the temple summit. Though we knew beforehand that the gates would be closed during this season, the breathtaking views made the victory worth it as we paused to capture photos.
Skipping Chandrashila: Reaching the Chandrashila peak proved impossible without proper spikes, forcing us to abandon that portion of the climb.
An Adventurous Descent: To head back down, I tried a thrilling shortcut—sliding straight down the snowy slopes, which turned out to be an absolute highlight of the trip!
A Rewarding Surprise: On our way down, we were thrilled to spot Mahua Di reaching the top. Fueled by sheer determination and equipped with her own snow spikes, she confidently pushed forward along the main snowy pathway toward the temple.
The Climax & Final Descent
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The Rendezvous Plan: After waiting for Mahua Di to complete her visit, we began the final descent together. Because our pacing was a bit faster, she graciously told us to forge ahead, agreeing that all five of us would reunite and refuel at “Maggi Point.”
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An Unexpected Climax: Just as we thought the adventure was wrapping up, the weather shifted. A gentle rain began to fall, which quickly transformed into a magical flurry of snow droplets.
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A Perfect Ending: Witnessing the fresh snowfall was a true lifetime experience. Energized by the magic of the mountains, we reached the base and returned to our hotel, deeply satisfied with the entire journey.
The Rendezvous Plan: After waiting for Mahua Di to complete her visit, we began the final descent together. Because our pacing was a bit faster, she graciously told us to forge ahead, agreeing that all five of us would reunite and refuel at “Maggi Point.”
An Unexpected Climax: Just as we thought the adventure was wrapping up, the weather shifted. A gentle rain began to fall, which quickly transformed into a magical flurry of snow droplets.
A Perfect Ending: Witnessing the fresh snowfall was a true lifetime experience. Energized by the magic of the mountains, we reached the base and returned to our hotel, deeply satisfied with the entire journey.
