Temple Camp w/ Hot Water & Food, Uttarakhand
Kedarnath· 5.0 · 10 stays
The reason to be here is the mountains. This camp serves as a starting point for some of Garhwal's most sacred and scenic treks.
Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak: The camp is a base for the trek to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. The climb from the Chopta area takes about four hours through rhododendron forests. From the temple, a further climb leads to Chandrashila peak, which offers a 360-degree view of the Himalayan ranges, including Nanda Devi and Trishul.
Auli: Known for its ski slopes from December to March, Auli is a vast meadow of oak and rhododendron for the rest of the year. It offers panoramic views of the high peaks and can be reached by a cable car from Joshimath.
Valley of Flowers National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this valley is a carpet of alpine flowers from July to September. It's a multi-day trek starting from the trailhead at Govindghat, a few hours' drive from the Chopta region.
Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh: On your way up or down from the mountains, stop in Rishikesh. Every evening at sunset, the Ganga Aarti ceremony takes place at Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan ashram. It’s a moving spectacle of lamps, chants, and devotion on the banks of the river.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun, which serves the Garhwal region. From the airport, you will need to hire a taxi for the long mountain drive to the Chopta area.
By Rail: The closest major railhead is in Haridwar. From Haridwar, you can find taxis and buses heading towards the upper Garhwal region. Rishikesh also has a railway station with limited connectivity.
By Road: Rishikesh is the main road hub for Garhwal. The drive to Chopta is around 220 km from Haridwar and takes a full day on winding mountain roads.
The best seasons for clear skies and trekking are from March to June and again from September to November. The summer months offer pleasant weather, while autumn brings crisp air and sharp views of the snow peaks.
The monsoon season, in July and August, sees heavy rainfall and an increased risk of landslides, making road travel difficult. From December to February, the region experiences heavy snowfall, and high-altitude destinations like Chopta and the Tungnath temple are often inaccessible.
