Distance, Time & Tips
Chopta is located at approximately 2600 metres in Garhwal Himalaya and is an excursion point on one of the most popular short treks of Uttarakhand. Most people have this in their minds while booking a tour on the Chopta trek, how long is it and can it be done in a single day?
The answer is yes. The journey to Chopta Tungnath ranges from 3.5 to 4 km one way and for the extension journey to Chandrashilla peak, it's about 5 to 5.5 km one way. The entire round trip should take 6 to 8 hours for a fit beginner. This guide will explain distance, time, road and trail conditions and thoroughness of the preparation, so you know you can plan with confidence.
Published figures for the Chopta trek distance vary slightly between sources because each measures from a different starting point. The table below gives reliable working ranges.
| Section | Distance | Approximate Time (Ascent) |
|---|---|---|
| Chopta to Tungnath Temple | 3.5 to 4 km | 2 to 3 hours |
| Tungnath Temple to Chandrashila | 1.5 km | 1 to 2 hours |
| Chopta to Chandrashila (one way) | 5 to 5.5 km | 3 to 5 hours |
| Complete round trip | 10 to 11 km | 6 to 8 hours |
In short, how long is Chopta trek for a typical visitor? Plan for one full day, with an early start and a safe margin before sunset.
Having a clear concept of each segment can give you a good idea of how hard you can push and how far you want to go.
The longest section of the walk. The trail is mostly paved and has little footing, and the grade climbs gradually and not sharply. You pass open alpine meadows and a few small tea and snack stalls along the way.
Easy to moderate. For fitness newbies, it's usually easy to make it through this part if they're self-paced and find themselves stopping for breaks along the way.
Tungnath Temple is located at a height of around 3680 metres, it is considered to be the highest Shiva Temple in the world. A large number of tourists stop here. For those who are not stopping, there will be further trek up 1.5 km to the summit near the elevation of 4,000 metres onwards to the Tungnath Chandrashila trek.
The distance is only a short hike, but there is no reach putting it up this steep and the thin air makes it tougher than it initially might seem. On clear days, the reward is a breathtaking view of snow covered mountains.
Coming down from the Tungnath Chandrashila trek is about half the time, from going up. When they come down, however, their knees get hurt. Take short steps, keep pace and don't run.
The most important element in the time it needs to take you is your own pace. This is an estimation of distances for the complete Chopta Tungnath trek up and back.
Great for first-time visitors, families and those who need breaks.
Requires the earliest start to complete the descent in daylight
Suited to travellers with average fitness
Allows time for photographs and a short rest at the temple
Ideal for regular walkers and runners.
Still advisable to slow down on the final climb to Chandrashila.
Rishikesh is primarily the gateway of entry for most travelers. It is about 170 to 200 km to Chopta by road, whose time is estimated to be about 6 hours and 7 hours on average depending on road condition and traffic. Due to the slow going roads it is highly recommended to arrive a day in advance.
Practical 3-day plan:
For travellers who desire both river adventure and the mountains, they can go for the two. Our guide to Rishikesh rafting to Chopta Tungnath trek guide the way to plan the trip.
Conditions on the Tungnath Chandrashila trek change noticeably through the year, so timing matters.
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Rhododendrons bloom, giving the trail pink and red colour. Comfortable temperatures. |
| June | Warm and dry. Lower risk of slipping. |
| July to August | Heavy rain and slippery paths. Generally best avoided. |
| September to November | Clear skies, sharp views and stable weather after the monsoon. |
| December to February | Deep snow and low temperatures. Beautiful, but challenging for beginners. |
With good preparation the risk is minimised and the Chopta trek distance becomes much more pleasant.
The area of Rishikesh also has plenty of active activities after the trek. This can range from bungee jumping, camping, cliff jumping and river rafting. Here is an overview of the best adventure sports activities in Rishikesh to let you pick the perfect combination. Book My Raft has 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM departures each day so it is very easy to arrange rafting into your holiday itinerary.