India has many trekking destinations, from high-altitude mountains and glacial lakes to beautiful meadows, but there was this one trek that is a combination of adventure and spirituality: the Chopta Chandrashila Trek.

The Chopta Chandrashila Trek is in the North Indian State of Uttarakhand, amidst the Garhwal Himalayas, surrounded by beautiful Himalayan peaks and mountain ranges, offering an authentic experience.

To explore this panorama, I visited Chopta Chandrashila for the first time in 2025, and this journey was definitely one of the best memories of my life. I am sharing this experience to encourage more girls like me to explore this thrilling and spiritual experience.

First, let’s just learn about the Chopta Chandrashila Trek

Chopta Chandrashila trek is a short Himalayan trek in Uttarakhand, located in the Rudraprayag district within the Garhwal region.

The trek starts from Chopta Village; the trails reach Tungnath Temple, with a 3.5 km trek through easy and gentle trails, passing through alpine meadows and beautiful views of towering trees and Himalayan peaks.

From there, a 1.5 km stretch to the Chandrashila summit offers a surreal experience of Himalayan beauty. The complete trek distance is 10 km (round trip), taking around 8 to 9 hours to complete, making it an ideal weekend trek.

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The primary thing to do for this trek was to plan everything accordingly, but I was totally unaware of how to book stays, where I could find a taxi, and where I should start, so I gathered some information and decided to book a package.

One of my colleagues suggested that I should plan with Manchala Mushafir; they are a local tour operator and ideal for solo girls’ travel. You can also check out their package.

They booked my hotels, camps, transportation, and meals were also included, so almost 80% to 90% of the trip was planned, and the rest was preparation. To prepare for this trek, one must know what to pack, what to wear, and how to trek.

So I searched for all the things and packed my bags accordingly. The packing list included warm clothes, trekking shoes, snacks, personal care items, documents, cash, and medicines, etc. I kept only the essentials to keep it lightweight.

Next, I prepared my body by running daily and exercising. I trained my legs and my shoulders, and did high-altitude training.

22nd of September, 2025 was the day I started my journey. I reached the ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi and completed an overnight journey from Delhi to Haridwar. After reaching Haridwar, the real journey started.

After crossing Rishikesh, you start to feel the altitude, the mountain road, and the change in weather. I travelled almost 6 to 7 hours by road in a traveller, with 15 strangers. I interacted with them and shared about my journey and how I ended up here.

Then, by the evening, I reached Chopta, which is also known as the “Mini Switzerland of India” due to its untouched Himalayan beauty, vast alpine meadows, and lush green tranquil landscapes. I explored the site and stayed overnight in a homestay.

The most awaited moment actually started. Chopta is the base camp; the trek started from there. I covered almost 10 km (round trip) in almost 8 to 9 hours.

Starting from Chopta, the trails are gentle and well-paved, with surrounding views of beautiful meadows, towering trees, and lush greenery. After completing 3.5 km, I reached the famous Tungnath Mahadev Temple, the highest Shiva Temple in the world at 12,073 ft above sea level.

From there, the trails became steeper and rugged. With an expedition of 1.5 km from Tungnath, I reached the final summit, Chandrashila at 13,123 ft (4,000 meters), passing through a moderately difficult trail, snowy ridges, steep inclines, and rugged terrain.

Reaching the summit offered a 360° majestic view of the surrounding Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan peaks, including Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Dome, Nilkanth, and more.

Chopta: It is a famous hill station, often known as the “Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand” because of its diverse landscape in each season. From lush green bugyal in summer, blooming valleys in autumn, to vast meadows covered in a thick layer of snow, making it a winter wonderland, attracting both travellers and trekkers.

Tungnath: Tungnath is the highest Shiva Temple in the world and an integral part of the Panch Kedar circuit. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the arms or limbs of Lord Shiva are worshipped; it is also known as the “Tritya Kedar”.

Chandrashila Peak: It is the highest point of the trek and the final summit of Chandranath Parbat, the Chandrashila Peak, located at an elevation of 13,123 feet, offering stunning 360° views of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan ranges.

Warm Clothes: Carry warm clothes, a jacket, trek pants, and thermal innerwear. Wear clothes in layers to protect from cold weather.

Trekking Shoes: Wear comfortable trekking or sports shoes to walk comfortably on mountain ridges. Make sure that your shoes are breathable with ankle support.

Medical Kit: Must-carry a small first-aid kit with basic medicines for fever, cough, motion sickness, painkillers, etc., along with a pain-relief spray, bandages, and antiseptic.

Snacks & Drinks: Carry a small pack of dry fruits, snacks, protein bars, energy drinks, a water bottle, and electrolytes to stay hydrated and maintain energy throughout the trek.

Personal Care Items: Use sunscreen with SPF 50+ for UV protection. Also carry lip balm, cold cream, and moisturizer for cold weather.

Other Essentials: Must keep cash, as digital payments can fail due to weak network availability, and Documents, like ID, photographs, etc.

Proper Acclimatization: Acclimatize yourself properly before the trek to avoid any chances of high altitude sickness or motion sickness.

Pack Essentials: Carry essential items: clothes, snacks, medicines, shoes, water bottles, documents, cash, etc.

Trek Gear: If you are visiting during winter, there is heavy snowfall, so carry spikes or gaiters, a trekking pole, and more.

Advance Booking: Book hotels, camps, transportation, and other amenities in advance, especially during peak season from May to June in summer.

Choose Suitable Time: Make sure to plan the trek according to your fitness level; each season offers a unique experience, so choose the best time for your desired experience.

Check Weather: Weather changes rapidly in high-altitude mountains, so keep checking weather updates regularly to avoid any issues.

Avoid Monsoon: Do not plan during the monsoon from July to August; it can be hectic due to heavy rainfall and the risk of possible landslides.

I believe completing the Chopta Chandrashila Trek is not just about doing a trek or visiting a destination; it’s about exploring the culture and the beliefs, experiencing the authenticity and vibe, and enjoying every moment with nature.

Completing this trek helped me reconnect with myself through nature; I prepared, I planned, and dared to complete it, which made it one of the most special and unforgettable journeys of mine. I hope this blog will inspire you to make such memories.