Chopta is a small town located at an elevation of 2,680 meters. It is also known as the 'Mini Switzerland' of India due to its scenic beauty and serenity. Chopta is the base camp of the trek and is surrounded by lush green forests and beautiful meadows.
The Tungnath Temple is the highest temple in India with an elevation of 3680 meters. The trek to the temple is considered to be easy and takes about 3-4 hours. From the temple, the trek to the Chandrashila summit is a bit difficult and takes about 1-2 hours. The summit provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Peak, and Chaukhamba.
Deoriatal is a high altitude lake situated at an elevation of 2438 meters. The trek to Deoriatal starts from Sari Village, which is about 20 km from Chopta, takes approximately 2-3 hours. The lake offers a picturesque view of the surrounding peaks, including Chaukhamba, Kedar Range, and the Bandarpunch massif.
Carry warm clothes as the temperature can drop to as low as -5°C at night. It is also advisable to carry a raincoat as the weather can be unpredictable. Do carry a good quality trekking shoe and a trekking pole for better support. Photography enthusiasts can carry their cameras to capture the beautiful scenery throughout the trek. If you have more time, you can explore other nearby places like Ukhimath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalimath. If you have less time, you can skip the Deoriatal trek and return to your starting point after completing the Tungnath and Chandrashila trek.