The Chandrashila & Kartik Swami Trek is one of the most rewarding 5-day trekking in Uttarakhand experiences — and one of the very few Chandrashila trek packages that combines four iconic destinations in a single journey: the emerald Deoriatal Lake (2,438 m), the world’s highest Shiva temple at Tungnath (3,680 m), the Chandrashila summit (4,000 m) with its unbeatable 360° panorama, and the rare Kartik Swami Temple (3,050 m) on Kronch Parvat — the only temple in Uttarakhand dedicated to Lord Kartikeya.
The entire route lies within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Rudraprayag district, Garhwal Himalayas. In spring (March–April), rhododendron trees turn the trail a stunning deep red. In autumn (September–November), the Himalayan monal — Uttarakhand’s state bird — nests in the meadows around Chopta, called the ‘Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’. From the Chandrashila summit, you see Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Bandarpoonch and Dronagiri all in one unbroken arc.
The package runs 5 days / 4 nights from Rishikesh at ₹18,000 per person inclusive of all accommodation, meals, guide, transport and permits. Minimum age is 12 — one of the most family-friendly Uttarakhand trekking packages at high altitude. No prior Himalayan experience required.
Cost: 18,000/- Per person
6 People required
Time: 08:00 AM
Depart from Tapovan, Rishikesh early morning and drive approximately 7–8 hours to Sari Village (2,440 m) in Rudraprayag district, passing through Devprayag Sangam (confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers) and Rudraprayag Sangam (confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers). From Sari, trek 2 km uphill to Deoriatal Lake (2,438 m) — one of the most beautiful high-altitude lakes in the Garhwal Himalayas, known for its crystal-clear reflection of the Chaukhamba massif on calm mornings. Set up camp by the lake. Stunning stargazing night inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary with zero light pollution. Dinner and overnight in tents at Deoriatal.
Begin the day with sunrise over Deoriatal and the Chaukhamba reflection in the lake before breakfast. The trek from Deoriatal to Chopta passes through the unique Rohini and Ropini meadows — a connecting bugyals corridor through dense deodar, oak and rhododendron forest that most standard Chandrashila operators skip by road. In spring (March–April) the rhododendrons blaze red on both sides of the trail. Watch for the Himalayan monal pheasant (Uttarakhand’s state bird) in the undergrowth. Reach Chopta (2,680 m) — called the ‘Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’ — by afternoon. Check into guesthouse. Early dinner and rest to prepare for the summit day tomorrow.
Wake up at 4:30 AM. The trail leaves from the Chopta forest checkpost (entry permit ₹150/adult verified here) and ascends via 11 stone-paved switchbacks through rhododendron and oak forest. After approximately 3.5 km (2–3 hours), reach Tungnath Temple at 3,680 m / 12,073 ft — the highest Shiva temple in the world, part of the sacred Panch Kedar circuit, over 1,000 years old and consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya. Spend 20–30 minutes at the temple. Continue 1.5 km further to Chandrashila summit (4,000 m / 13,123 ft) — ‘Moon Rock’ where Lord Rama meditated after defeating Ravana. The 360° panorama covers Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Trishul (7,120 m), Chaukhamba (7,138 m), Kedarnath Peak, Bandarpoonch, Dronagiri, Nanda Ghunti and Thalaysagar. Packed lunch at the summit. Descend back to Chopta — total 11 km round trip.
After breakfast drive approximately 1 hour to Kanakchauri village in Rudraprayag district — the base for the Kartik Swami temple trek. The 3 km trail ascends through dense oak and rhododendron forest on the Kronch Parvat ridge, with resting benches and increasingly dramatic valley views. Kartik Swami Temple (3,050 m / 10,007 ft) is the only temple in Uttarakhand dedicated to Lord Kartikeya — son of Lord Shiva, elder brother of Lord Ganesha, worshipped as Murugan in South India. The naturally carved idol on marble-type rock is covered with thousands of bells tied by devotees. The 360° view from the ridge covers Chaukhamba, Kedarnath Dome, Meru & Sumeru, Neelkanth Parvat, Dronagiri, Trishul and Nanda Devi. Descend 3 km back to Kanakchauri. Drive to Rudraprayag for overnight hotel stay.
After breakfast, depart Rudraprayag for the 7–8 hour drive back to Rishikesh. En route, stop at Devprayag Sangam — where the emerald-green Bhagirathi meets the milky-grey Alaknanda to form the sacred Ganga river. Photo stop and short walk to the sangam viewpoint. Continue to Tapovan, Rishikesh by evening. Trek concludes. Our Uttarakhand trekking packages team will be available to help you plan your next Himalayan adventure.
The Chandrashila & Kartik Swami trek is a near year-round trekking option in Uttarakhand. Our fixed departures run September–November (peak autumn season) when skies are clearest and all named Himalayan peaks are fully visible from the Chandrashila summit and Kartik Swami ridge.
The Chandrashila trek is rated easy to moderate — one of the most accessible high-altitude Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand for beginners and families. The maximum altitude of 4,000 m on Day 3 is significant, but the gradual ascent from Sari Village (2,440 m) over 2.5 days provides natural acclimatisation.
No section of the Chandrashila trek is more iconic than the visit to Tungnath Temple — the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 m / 12,073 ft. The temple is part of the sacred Panch Kedar circuit of Garhwal — the five most revered Shiva shrines in the Himalayas: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.
The temple is over 1,000 years old. According to Hindu legend, Lord Shiva’s arms appeared at this spot when the Pandavas performed penance to seek his blessings after the Kurukshetra battle. The temple was discovered and consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his 8th-century pilgrimage through the Garhwal Himalayas. The priests are local Brahmins from Maku village who have maintained the temple for generations. The deity moves to Makkumath in winter when the temple closes (typically around Diwali) and returns in April–May.
The Kartik Swami Temple trek is what makes the White World Expeditions Chandrashila package genuinely unique. Perched at 3,050 m / 10,007 ft on the Kronch Parvat ridge above Kanakchauri village in Rudraprayag district, Kartik Swami Temple is the only temple in Uttarakhand dedicated to Lord Kartikeya — son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, elder brother of Lord Ganesha, worshipped as Murugan in Tamil Nadu, Subramanya in Karnataka, and Skanda in Sanskrit texts.
According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Kartikeya meditated on Kronch Parvat and offered his skin to his mother and bones to his father as an act of deep devotion. The naturally carved idol of Kartik Swami on marble-type rock inside the temple is believed to have appeared spontaneously. The temple is covered with thousands of bells tied by devotees. Major festivals: Kartik Purnima (November) and the 11-day Kalash Yatra in June.
All departures start and end at Tapovan, Rishikesh — the gateway to the Himalayas and base of White World Expeditions. Rishikesh is well-connected by road and rail from Delhi and other major cities.
This page was written and reviewed by Bheem Singh Chauhan, an IMF-certified mountain guide with 12+ years of Himalayan trekking experience based in Tapovan, Rishikesh. Bheem has personally led multiple Chandrashila–Kartik Swami treks, Deoriatal overnight camps and Tungnath temple visits across all seasons including winter snow conditions.
He holds Rescue 3 swiftwater rescue and wilderness first-aid certification. White World Expeditions is a registered adventure company in Uttarakhand and member of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI). Content last updated: April 2026 for the 2026 season.
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