Level: - Easy to moderate.
Season: - End of April to October.
Nearest Airport: - Jolly Grant, Dehradun (258 km).
Nearest Railway station: - Rishikesh (248 km).
Route: - Sari Village-Deoria Tal- Maliyagher- Chopta- Tungnath-
Chandrashila- Chopta.
After around 7 hours drive from
Rishikesh via Devprayag-Rudraprayag- Ukhimath, we finally reach the starting
point of the trek ‘Sari Village’. Sari Village is around 4 km from Ukhimath.
Ukhimath is located at an altitude of 1,311 m, where idols from Kedranath are
placed during winter. We pitched our tent at Sari Village and spent our 1st
night in tents. This was the beginning of our adventure travel.
Day 1: - Sari Village – Deoria Tal (Altitude: - 2,387 m) (2-3 hrs trek)
(4 km)
We woke up early to a nice and
bright sunny morning, with the paddy field around, the most common sight in an
Indian village. After early breakfast we
started our trek after we loaded our belonging to the ponies’. The route was
mainly uphill after crossing the village. The Deoria Tal lake is famous for is landscaped
with the thick forest heavily wooded with greenery. Mountains like Chaukhamba,
Kedar Range, Nilakantha etc. are visible from Deori Tal. There are also a
couple of shops nearby which sell tea and snacks. The temperature is quite
normal during the day but nights are chilled.
The forest department charges the
following from the trekkers for pitching their tents at Deoria Tal
1. Tent
charges: - Rs 50 (for Indian), Rs 100 (for Foreigner).
2. Entry
fees: - Rs 150 (for Indian), Rs 600 (for
Foreigner).
Day 2: - Deoria Tal – Maliyagher (Altitude: - 2, 700 m) (5-6 hrs trek)
(12 km)
The early morning tea tastes
different with the sound of the birds, the breeze and the forest. The route is
steep at certain point and is difficult to trace as it passes through the dense
forest. You may find villagers from nearby gathering fire woods or with cattle.
The sari village is visible from the top on the way. Here you will surely hear
the sound of fox howling during night. The water source is very difficult to
find in this region, since it changes its routes often.
Day 3: - Maliyagher- Chopta (Altitude: - 2,900 m) (6-7 hrs trek) (14
km)
We woke up in a nice sunny morning with
the mountains on one side and dense forest on the other side with the clear
blue sky on the top. The route runs through dense forest till Tali. Here you
will find a stream, just relax for few minutes nearby with light snack after
refreshing yourself from the fresh water of the stream. After crossing the
bridge over the stream the climb turns to be gentle steep till you reached the
road that leads to Chopta. This place is popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland’
in Uttarakhand. Chopta is rich in flora and fauna, which is situated amidst
thick forest of pine, deodar and rhododendrons. A few meters ahead of Chopta
there is an area where you can pitch tent, the forest department people may
come for the charges of Rs 100 per tent. There are also some small hotels with
accommodation for trekkers.
Day
4: - Chopta- Tughnath Temple (Altitude: - 3,680 m ) - Chandrashila Peak
(Altitude: - 4,130 m) - Chopta (6-7 hrs trek) (12 km)
Start early and climb as fast as
you can. The trek till the Tungnath temple is a wonderful walk on well build
pathways. You will find lots of monkeys on the way up as well as grassland
where you can relax for a few minutes. In between you will also find shops
selling tea and snacks. When you are about to reach the temple you will find
lots of shops shelling Puja Thalis, tea, snacks etc. The path way divides into
two from where you have to take a left after which you have to climb few steps
to reach the temple. The right will lead you to the Chandrashila peak
[The Tungnath one of the
highest Shiva temple of the world is one of the Panch Kedar located at an
altitude of 3,680 m. The temple lies about 2 km below the Chandrashila
peak. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old build by the Pandavas of
Mahabharata. It is believed that Vyas Rishi has advised the Pandavas that
Lord Shiva can pardon them for killing their own cousin during Mahabharata
war. So, in order to hide from them Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and
went underground to escape. But later Lord Shiva body in the form of bull were
appeared at five different locations which represent the ‘Panch Kedar’. The
Pandavas build temples at each location to seek his pardon. Accordingly,
bahu(hand) at Tungnath, hump at Kedarnath, head at Rudranath, stomach and
naval at Madhyamaheshwar and his jata(hair or locks) at Kalpeshwar were
seen.]
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The route to Chandrashila peak is narrower and with lots of
pebbles but it is safe. You may find snow on the way depending on the time of
your visit. The track is easily visible and gentle steep in certain areas. If
you are lucky and blessed with clear sky you will get a clear view of the surroundings
from the top. A wide view of Mandakini and Alaknanda valley, several peaks like
Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Nandevi, Neelkanth etc.
are visible from the peak. Spend a few movements on the top with a
gentle breeze and the view. It is easier
to return to Tungnath as one can slide on the snow field. One can have their
tea and snack on the shop nearby Tungnath temple. We spent our last night in
our tents at Chopta. Thus we had the most amazing visit to Tungnath and
Chandrashilla peak.
[Chandrashila peak is located at an altitude of 4,130 m.
It is believed that Chandra (moon) use to meditate here for long time. It
is also believed that Lord Rama meditated here for killing Ravana, a Brahmin.]
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Date of trip: -
02/05/2012 till 07/05/2012 with a group from Norway.
