If you want to find out whether you like trekking and how your body handles altitude, Chandrashila is the trek to do first. Six days, a real summit at around 4,000 metres, a 360 degree view of the Garhwal Himalaya at the top, and none of the commitment of a two-week expedition. It is the sensible first move and a lot of people skip it and regret that later.
Who runs group trips to Chandrashila from India
Well served. Chandrashila is one of the most popular beginner treks in India and almost every trekking company runs it, along with many general group travel operators.
One in the Orange Jacket runs Chandrashila over 6 days, graded Easy, in groups of 12 to 20.
Indiahikes runs it and is the reference standard for Indian Himalayan treks generally, particularly if this is your first time at altitude.
Because so many companies run it, the vetting still matters. Ask about the guide to trekker ratio and whether a first aid trained leader is on every batch. Beginner trek does not mean no risk.
What the trip actually involves
Six days from Rishikesh or Dehradun, through Sari village to Deoriatal, then across to Chopta and up through Tungnath to the Chandrashila summit.
Deoriatal is a small lake that reflects Chaukhamba on a still morning, and it is the photograph everyone comes back with. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world at around 3,680 metres.
The summit push is short, steep and done in the dark for sunrise. From the top you get Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and Kedarnath in one sweep, which is a lot of famous mountains for a beginner trek.
Graded Easy, though the final climb is steep and the altitude is real.
- Length. 6 days
- Difficulty. Easy
- Highlights. Chandrashila summit, Deoriatal Lake, 360 degree Himalayan view, Chopta meadows and Tungnath Temple
How the days actually run
Drive in from Rishikesh or Dehradun to Sari village, which takes most of the first day. The walk up to Deoriatal is short, around three kilometres, and gets you camping on the first night.
Deoriatal in the morning is the reason to camp there. If the water is still, Chaukhamba reflects in it, and that is the photograph everyone comes home with. It is worth being up before sunrise for.
Cross to Chopta through forest, which is the longest walking day and the prettiest if the rhododendrons are out. Chopta itself is meadow country at around 2,700 metres.
Summit morning starts in the dark. Up through Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world at around 3,680 metres, then the final steep push to Chandrashila at about 4,000 metres for sunrise. Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and Kedarnath in one sweep, and then back down and out the same day.
Visas, permits and getting there
No permit required for Indian nationals. Reach Dehradun or Rishikesh, and the trek starts from there with a road transfer to Sari.
It is close enough to Delhi to be done over a long weekend plus a couple of days, which is part of why it works so well as a first trek.
When to go
March to June and September to December. Spring brings rhododendron in bloom across the route, which is the prettiest version.
December to February is a snow trek and a genuinely good one, colder and harder but very manageable with the right operator.
Avoid the monsoon between July and August for the usual reasons.
Chandrashila or Kedarkantha?
The two treks most often recommended to Indian beginners. Kedarkantha is the classic winter snow trek, slightly higher, and enormously popular which means busy. Chandrashila is shorter, includes Deoriatal and Tungnath, and has arguably the better summit view. Both are good first treks. Chandrashila is quieter and has more variety across six days.
| Chandrashila | Kedarkantha | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6 days | 6 days |
| Summit | Around 4,000m | Around 3,800m |
| Crowds | Moderate | Very high in winter |
| Best season | March to June, September to December | December to April for snow |
Who this trip is not for
Nobody, really, and that is the point. If you are reasonably fit and have never trekked, this is where to start.
If you are already an experienced high-altitude trekker, this will feel short. Look at Kashmir Great Lakes or the Nepal circuits instead.
Frequently asked
Is Chandrashila a good trek for beginners?
It is one of the best beginner treks in India. Six days, a genuine summit at around 4,000 metres, and a 360 degree Himalayan view including Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba, without the commitment of a longer expedition. It is a sensible way to find out how your body responds to altitude before attempting anything harder.
How high is the Chandrashila summit?
Around 4,000 metres. The route passes Tungnath at approximately 3,680 metres, which is the highest Shiva temple in the world, before the final steep climb to the summit. The summit push is usually done before dawn to reach the top for sunrise.
When is the best time for the Chandrashila trek?
March to June and September to December. Spring brings rhododendron blooms across the route. December to February turns it into a snow trek, which is colder and harder but very manageable with a competent operator. Avoid the monsoon months of July and August.