Begin the day early with a drive to Sagar village, the starting point of the trek to Rudranath temple. The 18 km trek takes around 6-7 hours and is filled with stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas. You'll pass through dense forests of rhododendron, oak and deodar trees, as well as several small villages along the way. As you reach the temple, you'll be greeted by the tranquil environment and the beautiful architecture of the temple. Spend some time here, soak in the peaceful ambiance and head back to Sagar village.
Start early and drive to Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary covers an area of 975 sq. km and is home to several exotic species of flora and fauna like Himalayan Black Bear, snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, musk deer, and more. You can also enjoy the trek to Deoria Tal, a beautiful lake situated in the sanctuary. The trek is around 2 km and takes around 2 hours. You can also opt for a jungle safari, which takes around 3 hours. Spend the day in the sanctuary, soaking in nature's beauty.
If you have an extra day, you can visit Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world which is a 16 km trek from Chopta. You can also consider visiting Auli, a popular skiing destination, which is around 190 km from Rudranath.
For maximizing your fun, you can book a camping trip in the area, and enjoy the scenic beauty under the stars. You can also try the local cuisine, which includes dishes like Kachmauli (a lamb dish), Phanu (made of lentils and local herbs) and Gahat ki Dal (a lentil soup).
Lastly, it is advisable to carry sufficient warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent for the trip.
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