Tunganath Deoriatal Trek
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- Trip Duration: 5N / 6D
- Max altitude: 3,600 m / 12,073 ft
- Grade: Beginner
- Start/End point: Haridwar
Tunganath Deoriatal Trek — Walk Into the Realm of Lord Shiva
A Journey to the Highest Shiva Temple. Imagine walking through the Himalayas and arriving at a temple perched at an altitude of 12,073 ft, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and endless mountain views. Welcome to Tunganath, believed to be the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world and the highest among the Panch Kedar temples. More than a pilgrimage, the journey to Tunganath is an experience where spirituality and Himalayan wilderness come together.
Where the Mountains Meet the Divine. Located in the Tunganath mountain range on Chandrashila Parvat, the ancient Tunganath Temple is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The temple traditionally opens around the first week of May and closes around the first week of November. During winter, when heavy snowfall covers the temple, the deity is moved to Mukkumath Temple, located lower down the mountain. But when winter arrives, something magical happens—the temple trail and surrounding mountains transform into a spectacular snow-covered Himalayan wonderland.
A Perfect Winter Trek
The Tunganath–Chandrashila route is particularly popular as a winter snow trek. With snow-covered trails, frozen landscapes and the Himalayan mountains stretching endlessly into the distance, the experience is completely different from the summer pilgrimage season. And spring brings another transformation. The slopes come alive as rhododendrons bloom across the landscape, adding colour to an already spectacular Himalayan setting.
Short, Scenic & Beginner-Friendly. One of the biggest attractions of this trek is that you don’t need to spend weeks in the mountains to experience the high Himalayas. The trek from Chopta is relatively short and is considered suitable for beginners. Yet despite its manageable duration, the experience packs in an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences.
You get:
- Ancient Tunganath Temple
- Chandrashila Summit
- Snow-covered Himalayan trails
- Rhododendron forests
- Panoramic mountain views
- Himalayan birdwatching
- Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
- Beautiful meadows of Chopta
A 360° Himalayan Panorama. Reaching Chandrashila Top rewards you with an incredible 360° panorama of the Garhwal Himalayas. On a clear day, the landscape opens up towards magnificent peaks including: Nanda Devi • Bandarpoonch • Chaukhamba • Kedar Peak • Trishul • Neelkanth. It’s the kind of mountain panorama that makes every step of the climb worthwhile.
Walk Through the Wild. The trek passes through the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, adding another dimension to the adventure. The region is home to wildlife such as snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Himalayan tahr and the Himalayan monal. Bird lovers can also look out for species including the Himalayan swiftlet, Himalayan griffon, scarlet finch and hill partridge. So while the mountains are the main attraction, keep your eyes open—the forest has plenty of surprises of its own.
Overview
Best Time to Visit: March, April
The best part of the Tunganath trek is that it can be done all year round. However, the best season to do this trek is during March and April, when the trail is completely covered with deep snow, crystal clear skies that offer majestic views of the high Himalayan mountains of Garhwal, and witness an enchanting bloom of the mighty Rhododendrons. In the daytime, the temperature is in between 8°C to 15°C and in the night, the temperature falls down to -5°C to 3°C.
Difficulty Level: Beginner
The Tunganath and Chandrashila trek is an easy level trek that is absolutely ideal for first time trekkers. And the best part is that this trek can be done throughout the year, so even if you are not confident to do the trek amidst snow, you can do it in other seasons as well when the trail is much easily accessible. The total distance covered from Chopta is 30 km that can easily be done in a span of 3 days. The ascent is also gradual with well marked trails so that you cannot get lost. However, you need to make sure that you are physically fit enough to trek in high altitudes and most importantly if you are doing it during the winter months when the trails is completely covered in deep snow.
Suitable Age Group: This trek can be easily done between people of age groups 9 years to 60 years. However, if you are below 18 years old, you should not come alone and should be accompanied by your parents or guardians. For those who are 50 years of age, please get yourself medically checked by a doctor before the trek.
How to Reach
Via Flight: The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is a domestic airport and has flights coming from all the major cities. However, since it is not one of the busiest airports, tickets are quite expensive, so it is advised to book the tickets in advance.
Via Train: The nearest railway station is Haridwar junction. From Kolkata, you can board Upasana Express or Kumbho Express that leaves from Howrah. Or one can also reach Delhi and then take any train to Haridwar. Haridwar is well connected by train to all the major cities in India.
Via Road: Haridwar is well connected by road networks from Delhi and other nearby cities. Hence you can take a cab from Delhi or any other nearby cities and reach Haridwar easily. You should reach Haridwar a day before our journey starts. In the evening do not forget to watch the Ganga Arati from Har Ki Pauri ghat.
Pick up point- Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Drop point- Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Pick Up and Drop Time: On Day 1, our team will pick you up from Haridwar at 7 am so you are requested to reach Haridwar the previous day. On the last day, you should reach Haridwar by 6-7 pm, so please make you return arrangements after that.
Mobile Network Availability: The availability of the mobile networks are limited in this trek. From Chopta, you will get patchy signals of Airtel, Jio, and BSNL. Hence it is advised to inform from Chopta itself to your family members.
Highlights
- The Highest Shiva Temple: Experience the deep spiritual aura of the 1,000-year-old Tungnath Temple.
- Chandrashila Summit Sunrise: Hike to the summit for a life-changing, 360-degree golden sunrise over Nanda Devi, Kedar Dome, and Bandarpoonch.
- Deoriatal Lake: Camp beside this pristine high-altitude lake and witness the perfect reflection of the Chaukhamba massif on its surface.
- Kartik Swami Temple: End the trip with a thrilling ridge walk to this hidden temple dedicated to Lord Murugan (Kartikeya).
- Spring Rhododendrons: Walk through enchanting "tunnels" of vibrant red, pink, and white rhododendron flowers during March and April.
Itinerary
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On the 1st day of our, we will start our journey from Haridwar (314 m) to Chopta (2608 m). We will begin our drive at 7 am since the distance travelled will be 240 km it will take 6.5 hours to reach Chopta. Chopta is a beautiful meadow amidst the lush green forest areas of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. This quaint little village is blessed with all the jewels of nature – uninterrupted views of high Himalayan mountains, a beautiful forest of pine, deodar, and rhododendrons, and a glimpse of rare Himalayan birds and other wildlife. Night stay at Chopta.
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On our 2nd day, we will begin the trek from Chopta (2608 m) early morning to Tunganath and then Chandrashila Top. The distance travelled from Chopta to Tunganath and then Chandrashila Top is 5.5 km in total which will take 6 hours to reach. Today is the most important day. If we are doing this trek during March and April, we will go to Chandrashila only if the snow permits. From both Tunganath Temple and Chandrashila Top, the view is absolutely stunning and magical. The sunrise from Chandrashila top is out of the world. The breathtaking panorama of Himalaya will surely steal your heart. The surrounding mountain peaks like Nanda devi, Kedar dome, Chaukhamba, Bandarpunch make the strenuous hike to Chandrashila overwhelming. In March, April the entire trail is covered in snow and surrounded by Rhododendron trees. From Chandrashila Top, we will trek down to Baniyakund (2600 m) that is 4 km in distance and will take 2 hours to reach our campsite. Congratulate yourself for making memories at the highest temple of Lord Shiva. Today our campsite is at Baniyakund.
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Today is our relaxing day when we will explore the surroundings of Baniyakund (2600 m). Start your day with a gentle walk around Baniyakund’s meadow-like terrain. The meadows are lined with pine and oak forests, and in spring, wildflowers like rhododendrons add bursts of color. Get the best views of Kedar Parvat, Bandarpunch, Trishul, Hathi Ghodi Parvat, and many more. On this rest day you can also enjoy playing cricket, flying dish in the meadow.
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The day begins with a scenic drive from Baniyakund to Sari village (2000 m). This 22 km drive takes you through pine and oak forests, offering glimpses of the Himalayan landscape and surrounding peaks. Sari is the base point of Deoriatal (2400 m). The trail to Deoriatal starts from the village itself, winding through stone-paved paths, gentle inclines, and forests. During spring, the rhododendron trees bloom in vibrant red, pink, and white colors, creating a tunnel of flowers. This forested section is cool and shaded, making it a pleasant climb. After 1-1.5 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Deoriatal Lake, a serene high-altitude lake surrounded by meadows and dense forest. The lake is famous for its mirror-like reflections of the Chaukhamba and other Himalayan peaks, which appear on clear days. Today’s campsite is at Deoriatal.
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From Deoriatal, in the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Sari village. Then our journey starts for Kartikswamy Temple gateway. From there, it is a 5 km trek (both way) that will take around 2.5 hours to complete. The last stretch to Kartik Swamy Temple involves a steep ascent along a ridgeline, with some parts having stone-paved steps and railings for support. The climb is somewhat challenging but offers breathtaking views on either side. Kartikswamy Temple is a magical place that is often hidden by clouds. The temple offers spectacular views of the high mountains of the Garhwal region. Our stay will be at guest house at Kartickswamy temple.
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On the last day, we will start our drive to Haridwar which is at a distance of 205 km from Kartikswamy temple. We will reach Haridwar by 7pm so that you can make your return plans accordingly.
Your trek to the highest temple of Lord Shiva will be the most memorable with Altitude Adventure Holidays!!!
What's Included
- Acommodation while trekking at tents or trekker's hut, homestays/guest houses.
- All Transportation in reserved vehicle.
- Meals from day 1 dinner to day 6 breakfast (veg & non veg).
- Trekking Permits.
- First aid medical kits.
- Experienced Trek Leader, one local guide.
What's Not Included
- Porters/Mules to carry personal luggage (Available at an extra cost).
- Hotel stay in haridwar.
- Food during the transit.
- Insurance for clients.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tungnath Deoriatal and Chandrashila trek is graded as easy to beginner-friendly. The ascents are mostly gradual, and the trails are well-marked. Covering approximately 30 km over 6 days, it is the perfect introductory trek for first-timers, families, and children who have a basic level of physical fitness.
The portals of the Tungnath Temple traditionally open in the first week of May and close in the first week of November. During the winter and early spring months (like March and April), the temple doors are closed, and the deity is moved to Makkumath. However, trekking to the temple courtyard and the Chandrashila summit remains highly popular during this time for the snow and views!
Yes! This trek is highly recommended for families. It is safe and manageable for children as young as 9 years old and fit adults up to 60 years old. We do advise that individuals over 50 consult a doctor for a basic fitness clearance before heading into the mountains.
The Chandrashila summit offers one of the most spectacular 360-degree panoramas in the Garhwal Himalayas. On a clear morning, you can witness towering giants like Mt. Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Bandarpoonch, and Kedar Dome.
If you are trekking between late December and April, the trail from Tungnath to the Chandrashila summit is often covered in deep, slippery snow. In these conditions, microspikes are highly recommended for safety and grip. Note: Altitude Adventure Holidays provides microspikes to all trekkers when required.
Located at 2,400 meters, Deoriatal is a pristine, high-altitude alpine lake surrounded by lush green meadows and dense oak forests. It is most famous for offering a flawless, mirror-like reflection of the majestic Chaukhamba massif on its calm waters early in the morning.
The Kartik Swami Temple is a hidden gem in the Rudraprayag district dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan). Perched on a dramatic, narrow ridge, it requires a short but steep 2.5 km hike. It is renowned for its sweeping, unobstructed views of the snow-clad peaks and stunning sunrises.
Gear Checklist
Trekking pole
Water bottle
Head lamp
Sunglasses
Power bank
Rain cover for rucksack
Windproof jacket
Raincoat
Trekking shoes
Sunscreen lotions
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