Quick answer: The Tungnath temperature and Chopta weather are coldest from December to February, with days of 8°C to 14°C on Trekkaro's trek and camp nights of -10°C to -6°C. Snow lies on the higher sections, Rohini Bugyal and the Chandrashila summit from December to April. May and June are the mildest months, with days of 18°C to 24°C.
Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila sit on one short climb in Rudraprayag district, and Trekkaro walks it on Day 4 of the Chopta Chandrashila trek. This page brings together the temperatures, snow months and clothing for that climb, month by month, and shows where to check the live forecast before you travel.
How high are Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila?
The three places climb about 1,280 m in a few kilometres, so the weather at the top is not the weather at the road. The camps where the trek spends its nights are lower than Chopta.
| Place | Height | Where it sits on the trek |
|---|---|---|
| Deoriatal camp | 2,390 m (7,841 ft) | Night of Day 2, tents about 200 m from the lake |
| Baniyakund camp | 2,610 m (8,562 ft) | Nights of Days 3 and 4 |
| Chopta | 2,679 m (8,790 ft) | Road head where the Day 4 walk starts |
| Tungnath temple | 3,680 m (12,073 ft) | About 3 to 3.5 km above Chopta (the temple committee gives 3 km) |
| Chandrashila summit | 3,962 m (13,000 ft) | About 1 km beyond Tungnath and about 280 m higher; highest point of the trek |
Day 4, the summit day, is 11 km and 8 to 9 hours. The Tungnath trek distance guide covers the route itself.
What is the Tungnath temperature in each month?
Trekkaro gives its ranges by season, not separate figures for Chopta village, the temple or the summit. The night figures are for the camps.
| Month | Day | Night at camp | Snow and trail | In Trekkaro's season? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C to 14°C | -10°C to -6°C | Snow on Rohini Bugyal, the higher forest and the summit trail; deepest on the climb from Baniyakund to Chandrashila | Yes |
| February | 8°C to 14°C | -10°C to -6°C | Snow at its best for walking and a quieter trail; the month the team rates highest | Yes |
| March | 13°C to 17°C | Around 0°C | Snow on the meadows, the higher forest trail and the summit slopes; slower going | Yes |
| April | 13°C to 17°C | Around 0°C | Snow patches on the higher sections; rhododendrons bloom in spring | Yes |
| May | 18°C to 24°C | 3°C to 8°C | Pleasant walking weather; the mildest camp nights of the season | Yes |
| June | 18°C to 24°C | 3°C to 8°C | Pleasant walking weather on forest trail and meadow | Yes |
| July | – | – | Outside the season | No |
| August | – | – | Outside the season | No |
| September | – | – | Outside the season | No |
| October | 10°C to 15°C | Around 0°C | Clear trails and open views | Yes |
| November | 10°C to 15°C | Around 0°C | Clear trails and open views, colder towards December | Yes |
| December | 8°C to 14°C | -10°C to -6°C | Snow reaches the higher sections | Yes |
December, January and February are the coldest months, with the same ranges. October and November bring pleasant weather before the snow, and the trek runs from October to June.
Why keep your cap and gloves on at the summit?
Above Chopta the trail climbs gradually through rhododendron and oak forest to Tungnath, and the summit beyond it is an open top.
The morning wind on the open top is the reason Trekkaro's trek leaders ask every trekker to keep their cap and gloves on at the summit, even for photos. Taking them off there is one of the commonest mistakes they see.
When does it snow at Chopta and Tungnath?
Snow lies on Rohini Bugyal, the higher sections and the Chandrashila summit from December to April. From January to March it covers the meadows, the higher forest trail and the summit slopes, and the going is slower. In April only patches stay on the higher sections.
The snow is deepest in January on the climb from Baniyakund to Chandrashila. After fresh snowfall the trek team clears the trail, cuts steps where needed and helps trekkers across slippery sections. Microspikes and gaiters are part of Free Trekking Gear. The Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee states on its temples page that the winter puja of Tungnath is performed at Makkumath, and the trek still crosses Tungnath to Chandrashila in the snow months. The Tungnath temple guide covers its opening season.
What should you wear at Chopta and Tungnath in each season?
| Months | Warm layers | What else matters |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | 5 warm layers | Microspikes and gaiters on the snow; one insulated water bottle so it does not freeze |
| May and June | 3 to 4 warm layers | Cold nights at camp even in the mildest months |
| October and November | 3 to 4 warm layers | Nights around 0°C, colder towards December |
In winter Trekkaro asks for thermal innerwear, 2 fleece or woollen layers, 2 quick-dry trek pants (no jeans) and a rain jacket. Carry a power bank, because the cold drains phone batteries fast. Free Trekking Gear adds Decathlon trekking shoes, a Decathlon jacket rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, and the camps have -20°C sleeping bags in tents shared by three, with men and women in separate tents.
Where can you check the live weather for Chopta?
Ranges tell you what a month is like; a forecast tells you what next week will bring. The India Meteorological Department's Meteorological Centre Dehradun publishes district forecasts and district-wise warnings. Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila are in Rudraprayag district, so check that district in the days before you leave and again before you start the drive from Rishikesh.
The drive itself is long: about 185 km and 8 to 9 hours from Rishikesh to Sari. The guide to reaching Tungnath and Chopta covers the road.
How much does a Chopta Chandrashila batch cost, and what is included?
The Chopta Chandrashila trek is a 5-day Moderate trek from Rishikesh to Rishikesh, and the fee is ₹8,250 per person plus 5% GST (₹8,662.50 with GST). EMI starts at ₹425 a month. Free Trekking Gear has no rental fee, only a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge.
Transport is not in the fee. Trekkaro helps the group book shared cabs from Rishikesh to Sari and from Baniyakund back to Rishikesh, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. A 5–6 seat vehicle costs ₹6,500 one way, which is ₹1,083 per person when six share it. The minimum age is 8, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian.
See Chopta Chandrashila trek dates and book | Chandrashila trek best time | Chopta travel guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the temperature at Tungnath in winter?
From December to February Trekkaro's trek has days of 8°C to 14°C on the trail and nights of -10°C to -6°C at camp. On the open Chandrashila summit above the temple, Trekkaro's trek leaders ask you to keep your cap and gloves on, even for photos, because of the morning wind.
Is there snow on the Chopta Chandrashila trek in December?
Snow lies on the higher sections, Rohini Bugyal and the summit from December to April, so December is inside the snow season. January has the deepest snow on the climb from Baniyakund to the summit.
What is the weather at Chopta in May and June?
May and June are the mildest months, with days of 18°C to 24°C and camp nights of 3°C to 8°C. Carry 3 to 4 warm layers, because the nights are still cold.
Which months are the coldest at Tungnath and Chandrashila?
December to February are the coldest months, with camp nights of -10°C to -6°C. From January to March snow covers Rohini Bugyal, the higher forest and the summit trail.
Can you trek to Tungnath with Trekkaro from July to September?
No. Trekkaro runs the Chopta Chandrashila trek from October to June, so July, August and September are outside the season. October is the first month of the season, with days of 10°C to 15°C and clear trails.
