The Chopta Tungnath trek is a blessing for first time trekkers particularly in the winters as the trails are covered in snow but its safe to walk on.
Winter treks weren’t so popular back in 2017. There were few treks popular in Uttrakhand but surely many weren’t known to Chopta-Tungnath. Kind of aloof place it was. Ritansh did some research proposed Chopta-Tungnath. So on our backpack trip to Uttrakhanad we decided to take detour and went to Chopta.
We were four of us Ritansh, Sonali, Poonam and I. We did not have any
travel booking or stay booking. Still we took our chance and went ahead.
"This lady in Devprayag was approached us asking a pic with her. She was happy when clicked her. Happiness found in small things."
5th Feb 2017, 2 pm: Devprayag
We reached Devprayag at 2 pm. We grab some bites and tea within 30 mins we
caught a bus to Rudraprayag. They said, its winter we won’t get anything to
travel to Chopta. Still we went ahead.
"We always prefer local means of travel, it just enhance the experience manyfolds"
5th Feb 2017, 3 pm: Rudraprayag
We could not get anything to reach Chopta, which is 25 kms
away. Locals were right. We spent sometime in market and learnt that one jeep
driver can drop us there but he charged bomb. :P
5th Feb 2017, 5 pm : Chopta
Chopta : At first glance it looked like ordinary hill
station and it wasn’t snowing. Yeah initially we scolded Ritansh for suggesting
but then it was ok. It wasn’t crowded at all. Hardly 15-20 people in the
village. There were only 2 dhabas open, we asked him for few parathas and
waited. And it started to snow. Ahaa... Felt god listened to us.
"Furry Dog meant we achieved an altitude :P"
"The first we did was trying the play with mouth vapors"
It snowed for just 30 mins, but it was enough snow to make a
snowboy. The day ended hectic however nice! We took a room to stay, wishing it
to snow more.
6th Feb 2017, 6 am : Chopta
It was chilly night. I opened the door and it was 1 foot
snow on the ground. My eyes sparkled with joy. It was the prettiest morning. It
was snow everywhere. I woke up everyone. It was the perfect day for the hike.
We wrapped up within minutes and got ready. The hot tea and paratha was splendid
treat to start the hike.
"Pink wild flower - A sign of Cherry blossom in Himalaya"
6th Feb 2017, 7 am: Tungnath hiking trail
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
“All Heaven and EarthFlowered white obliterate...Snow...unceasing snow”
"Snowing is an attempt of God to make the dirty world look clean."
"Despite all I have seen and experienced, I still get the same simple thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb towards it. – Edmund Hillary"
6th Feb 2017, 10:30am : Tungnath Temple
Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tunganath mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys
"Mountain are the temples where I practice my religion"
6th Feb 2017, 3 pm: chopta
We spend a good time at the top and started our hike back Chopta. Afterall it looked like it will snow again. We reached back to Chopta at 3 pm and we were hungry for Maggie. Montains and Maggie have a magical relation and we all were tempted to have.
So waited for maggie and it snowed again and now we needed maggie and warmth.
“Noodles Is A Feeling, Maggi Is An Emotion”
The day ended well with the a warm campfire we could put in the shed...
If you are an adventure seeker and nature’s bounty is what attracts you, then no better place than the hill slopes of Chopta to escape than the pristine Himalayan Ranges. It is one of the most memorable days of my backpacks.
--- Chopta - Tungnath Photolog by Vikram Singh, Photo credits are Ritansh, Poonam and Sonali.
