Chopta-Chandrashila

Chandrashila is proof that you don't need a week off to stand somewhere genuinely high in the Himalaya. The climb from Chopta is short by regional standards, but the temple, the ridgeline, and the summit view do more work per kilometre than almost any other trail we've scouted.

The trail climbs steadily from Chopta through rhododendron and oak forest to the open ridge at Tungnath, gaining most of its elevation in a single steady push. From Tungnath, a shorter, more exposed ridge walk continues to the Chandrashila summit, best timed for sunrise before the wind picks up. The descent retraces the same route back to Chopta. The trail passes through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary buffer land, so route access follows current Forest Department rules.

• Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, en route to the summit
• A 360-degree Chandrashila summit view spanning Nanda Devi, Kedarnath and Chaukhamba
• Rhododendron forest in spring, snow-dusted ridgelines in winter
• Short enough for a long weekend, high enough to feel like a real Himalayan trek

Fitness level required: moderate. Group size runs 6–16 people. Age range: 8–60 years.

Participants above 55 years must share a valid medical fitness certificate with our team before the trek.

• Trekking shoes with ankle support
• Windproof outer layer for the exposed summit ridge
• Headlamp for the pre-dawn summit push
• 1.5L water capacity

• Trek leader carries a first-aid kit and satellite communication where network is unavailable
• Wind chill on the exposed Chandrashila ridge is a bigger risk than the climb itself - timing and layering matter
• Winter ascents are weather-dependent and can be rescheduled at short notice
• Group pace is set by the slowest member, not the fastest

The trail runs through the buffer zone of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, so a nominal forest entry fee and registration are collected at the check-post at Chopta. This is a routine registration rather than a restricted-zone permit, but it is set and enforced by the Forest Department and can change - always confirm current requirements before booking.

A ₹1,000 Booking Advance secures your booking request. Final confirmation is issued only after operational and permit verification. The advance is non-refundable and non-transferable, as it blocks your spot in the group.

If we cancel a trek due to weather, safety, or forest department restrictions, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.

Distance, altitude and season figures are drawn from published operator itineraries for this trail and should be reconfirmed once we run the route ourselves.