Chopta Chandrashila Trek & Ganga- Alaknanda rafting.

Overnight train/bus from Delhi to Haridwar/Rishikesh

Start early morning from Rishikesh and drive straight to the village of Sari high up the Mandakini Valley. Breakfast and lunch enroute. Kit up at Sari, and after some tea and biscuits start the steep 2 hour climb to Devariyatal Lake (2440 m).

The trail goes through the dense forest and stays on the ridge all the way to Tali. From here we descend for a while to cross a stream and then climb up gradually to reach Chopta. It is located in an idyllic setting with beautiful meadows and surrounded by dense forests. For people who want to take it easy there is also an option to skip the long walk and walk
down 1.5hr to the road at Sari instead. From here you can drive leisurely through the forests to the campsite at Chopta.

Start early in the morning and climb up the cemented pilgrim path up to the Shiva temple of Tungnath (3470 m), with blossoming rhododendron bushes all around and the mighty Kedar range in full view throughout. Tungnath is the highest temple in Garhwal and it is easy to understand how the spectacular location evokes a deep sense of spirituality and religious devotion. After a packed breakfast and a short rest, we climb for an hour to the summit of Chandrashila peak (3650 m) above Tungnath. Chandrashila is the highest point in the area and provides breathtaking 360 degree views on a clear day with the mighty snow clad ranges to the north and the endless series of lower ridges visible all the way to the plains in the south.

Starting early we drive to the put-in point of our rafting trip – Baghwan. After a comprehensive safety briefing and packing the bags on the raft, we begin rafting. We start the trip on the Alaknanda River as it enters the last canyon stretch with good white-water, with names of rapids such as ‘Begawan’s Pillow’, ‘The Deadly Duos’ and more, until we reach Devprayag. It is a mild section from here until the campsite with a few rapids where you can body surf, swim, relax and spot wildlife.

An easy day with small rapids. Great day to relax, soak in the sun, bodysurf and bird-watch. Raft time is approximately 35 kms to Kaudiyala. Set up camp for the night on a beach at Kaudiyala.

Raft down adrenaline pumping rapids like ‘Daniel’s Dip’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Three Blind Mice’, ‘Crossfire’,‘Bodysurfing’, ‘Return to Sender’, ‘Roller Coaster’, ‘Golf Course’, and lots of smaller ones too. We stop to have lunch and then continue to encounter the big rapids on the Ganga. We end the trip just before the famous Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh.