Tungnath temple is the highest of all the shiv mandirs. It is mostly a pilgrimage destination which as of now is becoming a major attraction for tourists and travellers.
You need to reach chopta to start trekking for tungnath mandir.
The trek is almost 3.5-4 kms.
However, since I went for a winter trek, I was not able to reach chopta by our vehicle because the roads were all covered in heavy snow so i had to walk till chopta too.
We started driving from dehradun on friday evening and reached Ukhimath by saturday 5.00 a.m.
We started walking for chopta and there were so many camp sights we saw on our way but we decided to take a room on the highest elevation possible, so that it is easier for us to move ahead for the trek.
We managed to get a room at this small shop.
The stay costed us around 800 per room, every room accommodated 4 people, plus the added cost of food.
Since the season of snowfall is arriving, let me put forward a few mistakes my group and I made on this trek.
1. First things first, wear waterproof shoes or rent them from the city itself. The shops im chopta during snow season are shut. The people move down to ukhimath and there are hardly any suppliers of trekking gears or anything at all, for that matter. Since we did not have waterproof shoes, we had to wear plastic bags on our socks and then shoes, to prevent our socks from getting wet.
(P.s. - i know it sounds weird :p )
2. Make sure your appliances are all charged and do carry powerbanks with you. There is no supply of electricity in this area, the only power they get is from the solar energy, for one hour a day.
3. Since it is a very very secluded area, all the supplies (packaged snacks, biscuits, cigarettes etc. ) are available for way more than the MRP. So if you're on a budget, carry these with yourself.
4. The temple is closed during these months but it is still a very beautiful trek, and who knows you might as well witness fresh snowfall.
5. When you're playing in the snow, make sure you're safe. I happened to got my leg stuck in the snow. (:P)
How to reach - You can obviously drive or take a taxi from dehradun or rishikesh. Chopta is around 250 kms. from Dehradun.
However, if you don't want to drive, you can also take the utc bus from Dehradun which leaves early in the morning. You can find it at utc online.
The bus only takes you till ukhimath, and from there you will have to take a taxi to chopta.
If there's anything I can help you with for this trip, feel free to dm.
Thankyou :)
