Tungnath is estimated to be 3,660 m above sea level. It is the highest of the Panch Kedar. it is an irony that this place is very easy to reach. Trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak rewards you with spectacular sights of rich flora and fauna. Reaching the summit makes you spellbound. From here you get a 180-degree view of the Himalayas which seem within your reach. To experience the beauty and feel the delight, visit this place.

Ideal season to trek Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak: It is from May to mid of June and from August to September.

Location of Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak: It is located in the Chamoli district in Garhwal Himalayas.

Trekking Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak

Day 1: Chopta-Tungnath

You can climb cheerfully to the temple in 3 hours if you are adapting to the environ. Passing through the forest of conifers, ferns, lichens, rhododendrons, and lichens is like a picnic. On the way, you can also get a smack-on view of Bandarpoonch with the Kedar massif towards the west is pretty dreamlike. When the switchbacks set on and the forest goes bald, you feel as if there are the Chopta meadows which you have left behind. Broad swathes of grassy slopes are there on both sides of the path accompanied by small bunches of colorful and vibrant wild flowers.

As you climb halfway up, you come across some tea stalls. From here the path moves up the western flank of the hill. At a distance, a cluster of buildings is visible below the path. Now the path begins to double back to make the concluding climb to the temple.

A Ganesh Temple is nestled on a rocky spur before you reach Tungnath. You have to pass 50 stairs, a small Kund, and some houses before coming to the Shiva Temple at Tungnath. This temple looks like a replica of the ancient temples of Bageshwar and Jageshwar. Outside it, there are two smaller temples that are dedicated to Parvati and Vyas. Here you will find a few lodges offering accommodations but if you want to camp, the grasslands below the temple provide numerous camping possibilities.

Day 2: Tungnath-Chandrashila Peak-Chopta

Climb up in order to gaze at the wonderful vistas from the top. Move down to the Chopta path. It is no longer paved and narrows, at the same time it surrounds the Tungnath Hill. The terrain is rocky but not dangerous. It is suitable for all age groups. You can keep moving and exploring the vibrant vistas around in order to reach the Chandrashila Peak. It is a broad summit, strewn with cairns and giving ample space to relax. It also gives you the panoramic view of Mandakini and Alaknanda valleys and the snow-clad high physical features that are a source of water to these valleys- Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, Gangotri, Neelkanth and many more peaks. Now you can slope down to Tungnath, take a little break, and retrace to Chopta in another one and a half hours. You still have plenty of time to explore the sights of Mandal Valley and Deoria Tal. You can also move back to Mandakini Valley road via Rudraprayag. As an alternate, spend the night at Gopeshwar or Mandakini Valley.

Chandrashila Peak is the pinnacle of Panch Kedar. There are legends associated with it and Tungnath Temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Only after visiting the place and touching the great heights of the Himalayas, you will come to know the bliss gained from the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak.