The Unexpected Expectancies!

I started my trip on 8th Nov 2019 in the evening at 4:30 pm from Dehradun. Rudraprayag which is at a distance of around 200km was the planned destination for the night halt. After a 6hr drive I reached my hotel. The road was inconsistent from Rishikesh onwards, where it was smooth and well constructed at some places, it was under prepared on rest of the route.

Next morning after a light breakfast I started my journey towards Chopta. Few kilometres down the road I stopped at the famous Rudraprayag Sangam where rivers Alaknanda and Mandankini meet to form Bhagirathi. The sangam point is at a temple named Rudranath temple, this place is believed to withhold the immense pressure of the flash flood of 2013 at Kedarnath and survive through it with least amount of damage.

After a drive of an hour and a halt at Sangam for thirty minutes I reached Chopta and started my trek to Tungnath. Tungnath is a trek of almost 4 km. The difficulty of this trek can be considered of moderate level, but for the first timers it will be difficult specially during off season as at time the ascend and descend has to be done at the same time because all hotels are closed down and shopkeepers also end up moving down to their native place. During the season though (May-October) one can find lot of shops where water and basic food like bread, tea, biscuit, Maggie, etc are easily available and rooms are also easily available at Tungnath top at basic price.

But I would caution those looking for off season trips either you would need to increase your endurance level because temperature at Tungnath goes into minus from first week of November or be blessed like I was, as I ended up befriending a certain Mr. Maithani ji, the chief priest of Tungnath Ji who luckily seemed to be present there even after two days of the dwar closing up.

He not only provided me shelter and food but also took me to Badhra Gufa, a small vacated hut, where inhabitants lived without any basic facility and survived on the minimum. This trek of a km was in itself a bonus but memorable journey.

The night descended early with basic food and early sleep.

Early hours of 11th Nov were the most memorable one. I started my journey from Maithani Ji's hut situated at Tungnath top at 5am towards Chandrashila top. Chandrashila is situated at over 14,000 ft more than 500 ft above Tungnath and is the summit of this trek. Though it is just a km long trek but the most difficult one as well specially if you are heading to see the sunrise. Your flash light is will be an important companion and the route slightly difficult than moderate. However once you reach the top, like always every step and all the effort is worth each iota. The 360 degree Himalayan view comprising Nanda Devi and one of the most beautiful sunrise fills you up with once in a lifetime memories.

The descend takes around 30 mins to Tungnath and in the next hour you reach Chopta. From where I started my return journey with unforgettable scenic view of the trek still fresh in my mind.

PS: Season trek to Tungnath is comparatively much easier and less strenuous however for all those adventure freaks, go in off season and make much more memories😉