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Tungnath Trek – A Complete Guide

by Mohit Behl
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Where is Tungnath?

Tungnath (3,680 metres, approximately) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is the believed to be the Highest Shiva Temple in the world, and the Third Kedar to be visited, in case you are staying true to the sequence of the Panch Kedar circuit. The other four being Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.

Tungnath Temple.

What is the motorable route?

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Ukimath – Chopta

The trek to Tungnath starts from Chopta.

This more than sorts it out in case you are driving your own vehicle or a self-drive vehicle.

And the road is more or less well-maintained except for a few patches that fall under the landslide zone.

Chopta-Tungnath Trek.

 In case I want to opt for public transport?

  1. Take a bus or shared taxi (Max) from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Rudraprayag
  2. Take a bus or shared taxi (Max) from Rudraprayag to Ukimath
  3. Take a bus or shared taxi (Max) from Ukimath to Chopta

Buses, both local and of Uttarakhand State Transport, and shared taxis start plying from Haridwar/Rishikesh to Rudraprayag and further as early as 4 am.

That being said, you should know that all the local buses take their own sweet time and multiple halts. If you opt for the Uttarakhand State Transport bus, it will drop you at Rudraprayag. After this, there is no other choice but to board a local bus or a shared taxi.

It should cost one person INR 700-800, Haridwar to Haridwar.

Tungnath Trek.

How long is the trek? How is the trek route like? Do I need a guide?

Chopta to Tungnath – 4 km

Tungnath to Chandrashila – 1.5 km

From Chopta to Tungnath, it is gradual yet easy ascent. The path is paved and straight forward.

After Tungnath, the paved path ends and gives way to a broken trail. It is slightly steeper and a little more challenging.

If you start early, you can easily return to Chopta by the evening.

You don’t need a guide unless you are trekking in the harsh winter when the snow nearly covers the entire path, making it riskier to make way on your own.

Tungnath Trek Route.

Where to stay and how much will it cost?

There are quite a few roadside makeshift dhaba-styled structures that offer basic rooms, quilts, and simple but good food. Some of them are located a few kilometres before the temple gates, and some right alongside the temple gates in Chopta. There some lodges around the temple premises as well.  Their rates are, as of October 2017:

Chopta and Tungnath – INR 400 for 2 people

If budget is not a constraint, you can also go for luxury, semi-luxury camps, and a few small guest houses and resorts.

Chaukhamba as seen from the beginning of Trek.

Get the Best View of the Himalaya from Chandrashila

Nowhere else on any trek do you get to see most of the prominent peaks of the Indian Himalaya, all at once: left, right and centre, and up, close and personal. And this is just while trekking from Chopta to Tungnath. Once you set foot on the summit of Chandrashila, a whole new world of the Himalaya opens up on the north-eastern skyline.

This is the gist of it. If you have any further queries, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Stay safe, travel responsibly!

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12 comments

places to stay in chopta October 16, 2019 - 2:10 pm

Nice article.thanks for sharing the post. really chopta is awesome destination for travelling.

Reply
Mohit Behl October 18, 2019 - 6:43 pm

Thank you for reading. 🙂

Reply
Aditya October 21, 2019 - 11:46 am

What might be the rate now to stay around tungnath, just basic rooms (for a group of 14).

Reply
Mohit Behl November 18, 2019 - 7:14 pm

200-400 person.

Reply
Humans Of Uttarakhand January 2, 2021 - 9:43 pm

I really appreciate with you thnaks for sharing information really love it

Reply
Mohit Behl January 4, 2021 - 10:27 am

Glad you liked it.

Reply
Pranab Das May 11, 2022 - 2:25 pm

Do you have any contact number for the guest house maintained by the temple committee at Tungnath Mandir.. how can I book it.. pl reply..
🙏

Reply
Mohit Behl May 12, 2022 - 12:50 pm

I don’t have a contact number. But you can find a room near the temple upon arrival. Or pitch a tent.

Reply
Amita Tanwar September 21, 2022 - 9:32 am

Such an Insightful post 🙂 Keep growing !!

Reply
Mohit Behl September 21, 2022 - 11:08 am

Thanks a lot. ✌

Reply
Navneel Neeraj March 18, 2023 - 12:45 pm

Very nice and clear

Reply
Mohit Behl April 24, 2023 - 10:51 am

Thank you!

Reply

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