My Journey to Deoria Taal, Tungnath and Chandrashila

I had an experience to cherish a lifetime on my very first adventure trip, and I am now longing for more and more!!
My Upward Journey to Heaven – Trip to Deoria Taal, Tungnath and Chandrashila
I have firsthand knowledge of close to everything in Uttarakhand – be it Religion, River Rafting, Lakes or Mountains. The trip was full of adventure. It is incredible that we experienced so much in such a short span of time. Let me narrate a day to day account of our trip.

Day 1 (Delhi to Rishikesh):

We started our journey from Delhi at daybreak, around 04:00 AM. Our first stoppage was Haridwar, where we took the holy dip in River Ganges. With each dip in the chilling water, it felt divine. This being my first visit to Haridwar, I was excited about what would unfold for me in the day ahead.
Delhi Haridwar Highway
Delhi Haridwar Highway
Har ki Pauri – Haridwar
Har ki Pauri – Haridwar
We had a quick breakfast, and left for our next destination.

The rapids of River Ganges in Rishikesh make it one of the best places to do white water rafting in India. Rafting starts at Shivpuri. We rafted from Shivpuri to NIM Beach - it was so thrilling!
Rafting in Rishikesh
Rafting in Rishikesh
One thing is must at Rishikesh, after the adrenalin rush due to rafting – a hot plate of Maggi…in fact, your trip is incomplete without it.

We spent our first night at a homestay in Rishikesh – Tripti. The place is simple, yet clean and beautiful. The hosts are very hospitable people.

Day 2 (Rishikesh to Sari):

Having taken a heavy breakfast, we started our journey for next destination – Sari. It is a small village and having very low habitation. Accommodation in Sari is pretty cheap since the inflow of tourists is comparatively less.
Sari Village, Uttarakhand
Sari Village, Uttarakhand

Day 3 (Sari to Deoria Taal):

The 2 km trek to Deoria Taal from Sari could take about an hour and half, depending on your speed. Deoria Tal has a mythological connection – in Mahabharata, Yaksha asked Prince Yudhishtir to answer his questions before quenching his thirst in this Holy Lake.
Deoria Taal
Deoria Taal
We could not stay at the Forest Rest House, as there were only 2 rooms constructed by local authorities and both were occupied. We kept our stuff in the kitchen.

We camped near the lake site. This was perhaps the best option, for one could get mesmerizing views of the Lake and mighty mountain ranges. There are only two shops from where you can buy light food and snacks. The surroundings are so peaceful and calm that you could hear the sound of a pin dropping. The sky was clear and full of stars – It was heavenly!

Day 4 (Deoria Taal to Tungnath):

Next morning, we woke up to a scene so beautiful that it is difficult to find words for describing it – golden peaks and tranquil lake. We were speechless, just experiencing the best moments of nature and the most picturesque sunrise I have ever seen.
Sunrise at Deoria Tal
Sunrise at Deoria Tal
Our breakfast was sumptuous – Aloo Paratha with pickle. The best part in mountains is that you do not bother about how much you eat. We packed our bags and started the journey to our next destination – Tungnath. You have to return to Sari village and reach Chopta by car. We parked our car near a restaurant and started trekking after lunch.
Chopta Trek
Chopta Trek

Chopta Trek

Trek from Chopta to Tungnath is easy. The only problem is that at certain places it is steep – you gain 1,000 meters in just 3 – 4 kms, so imagine! We reached the holy shrine of Tungnath by evening. It was raining, so we quickly put our bags in the nearest semblance to a hotel, Kali Kamali Wale Sarai. There are no commercial properties at this location. After the rain, the sky was clear and a beautiful rainbow was formed.
Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple
We quickly visited the temple of Lord Tungnath. The temple is one of the five and the highest of Panch Kedar temples – Kedarnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. The temple building and complex is very old. The ancient Indian architecture is marvelous to look at. In winter, the whole area is covered under snow.

Day 5 (Tungnath to Chandrashila):

We decided to leave early next morning. The intention was to see the sunshine from Chandrashila peak. Temperature was very low. We had breakfast, took limited items with us, and embarked on the excursion. The view was amazing – thick clouds covered the valley like a blanket.
Trek to Chandrashila from Tungnath Temple
Trek to Chandrashila from Tungnath Temple
The sunrise was indeed mesmerizing. Our guide remarked that we were lucky, as the climate in mountains is very unpredictable.
Sunrise at Chandrashila
Sunrise at Chandrashila
We decided to come back to Tungnath. After heavy breakfast, we started our journey back to Chopta, where we spent the night. There are rooms available for tourists, and driving at night is not advisable.

Day 6 (Chopta to Delhi):

We started our journey back to Delhi early morning. The journey is long (around 450 kms), but we enjoyed the ride as everyone was rejuvenated after such a memorable trip.

I would encourage you to visit Rishikesh and experience the adventure tourism there. I hope this narration helps you to plan your itinerary.v bn
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