2‑Day, 3‑Night Adventure from Bhubaneswar to Tungnath

Day 1: Train Journey & Transfer to Chopta

Morning: Board the 12404 Swaraj Express at Bhubaneswar Railway Station (departure ≈ 05:00 AM). Enjoy a comfortable 24‑hour ride through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, arriving at New Delhi Railway Station around 05:30 AM next day.

Afternoon: After a brief layover, catch the 14041 Haridwar–Jammu Tawi Express from New Delhi (departure ≈ 02:00 PM). The train reaches Haridwar (≈ 06:30 PM), where you can stretch your legs and have a quick dinner at the station.

Evening: Hire a prepaid taxi from Haridwar to Chopta (≈ 2 hours, 70 km). Check into a guesthouse, rest, and enjoy a peaceful night in the hills. An early bedtime is recommended for the trek tomorrow.

Day 2: Trek to Tungnath and Exploration

Morning: After a hearty breakfast, start the trek from Chopta to Tungnath Temple (≈ 5 km, 2‑hour ascent). The trail passes through rhododendron forests and offers stunning views of the snow‑capped Himalayas.

Afternoon: Reach the 2408 m‑high Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva shrine in India. Spend time exploring the sanctum, performing a short puja, and taking panoramic photos of the surrounding peaks, including Chandrashila.

Evening: Descend back to Chopta, enjoy a warm dinner at your guesthouse, and relax under the starlit sky. If energy permits, take a short evening walk to the nearby Deoria Tal viewpoint for sunset.

Day 3: Return to Bhubaneswar

Morning: Have breakfast and check out. Take a taxi back to Haridwar (≈ 2 hours). Board the 14042 Jammu Tawi–Haridwar Express (departure ≈ 09:30 AM) heading to New Delhi.

Afternoon: Arrive at New Delhi Railway Station around 02:00 PM. Transfer to the overnight 12405 Swaraj Express bound for Bhubaneswar (departure ≈ 04:30 PM).

Evening: The train reaches Bhubaneswar the next morning (≈ 04:30 AM). You may choose to stay overnight at a nearby hotel if you wish to rest before resuming daily activities.

Time and Cost Estimates

• 12404 Swaraj Express (BBS → NDLS) – 24 hrs travel – ₹1,850 (2‑AC)
• 14041 Haridwar–Jammu Tawi Express (NDLS → HW) – 4.5 hrs travel – ₹620 (Sleeper)
• Taxi Haridwar → Chopta (round‑trip) – 4 hrs total – ₹4,200
• Accommodation in Chopta (2 nights) – 2 nights – ₹3,000
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ×2) – ₹1,200
• Entry/Donation at Tungnath Temple – ₹50
• Return Train (NDLS → BBS) – 12405 Swaraj Express – 24 hrs travel – ₹1,850 (2‑AC)
• Additional night in Bhubaneswar (optional) – ₹1,500
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹14,320

Tips

If you have more time, add a day to trek up to Chandrashila Peak for sunrise views, or explore nearby villages like Gorson. To shorten the trip, you can fly from Bhubaneswar to Delhi and take a direct train to Haridwar, cutting travel time by half. Always carry warm clothing, good trekking shoes, and stay hydrated; the weather in the Himalayas changes rapidly.