CHOPTA CALLING......

People often have a phobia about trekking and think that it is not meant for them; it is a stunt performed only by professionals. Well, that is absolutely true.- at least for an amateur like me. Nevertheless, I decided to take on the challenge and climb onto this trek from Chopta, supposedly the Mini Switzerland of India. A small tourist town located in Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, it is also the last road ahead to Tungnath Temple & Chandrashila peak.

Tungnath is the highest Shiva Temple in the world located at an altitude of 3680m and is one among the Panch Kedar Shrines. Believed to be more than 1000 years old, the temple is closed during the winters and the deity is shifted to Mukku village.

It can be classified as a fairly easy trek – on the difficulty level and can be ideal for a first time trekker. And so I believed. Honestly, with me I would say beggars can't be choosers, I just wanted to do this. All I knew is that my end objective was to not slip down and come back triumphant in one piece after climbing up all the way to the highest temple in India. When Divya and Shashank proposed this, I was thrilled honestly and not wrongly so.

This indeed is one the most beautiful winter treks if you like snow with prettiest meadows where you see wild flowers blossoming if you visit Pre-monsoon. It was a pleasant morning with a fresh cold breeze, sun rays falling on the glittery tiny drops of water sprinkled on the grass and astonishing view of Kedarnath and Chaumukha Peaks.

The clouds were as though playing hide and seek with a little drizzle and hailstorm on and off. The trail zig-zagged steadily gaining altitude. The real challenge was the steep rise- an elevation from 2800m to 3500m in a stretch of just 3 km. However, we trekked up one step at a time falling in love with nature and letting my mind take a break amidst the pristine surroundings from the busy everyday schedule.

Though we missed spotting the state bird of Uttarakhand, colourful Monal – on the slopes near but the view from the top was totally worth the climb enhanced by snowy peaks around. I loved savouring the peace and listening to the wind that blew furiously with the sound of the bells making it a divine experience.

While writing about this exciting trip, I cannot miss to mention our deluxe campsite in exquisite location. Tents laid out in green meadows can be a beautiful experience if you want to get a real campsite feel. Thankfully we did not have to lay them out by ourselves. The website read comfortable accommodation in Swiss camps entwined with the facilities of comfy beds, attached washrooms, onsite nice dining facility  , Battery Operated lights and 24 hours hot water supply. We thought we were all set.

The stay was a unique one. We learnt how to lead a happy life with minimals. They had wood fired stoves and two people manging the whole accommodation. There was no power except for two hours at night because there was actually no need for one. No devices was the real detox we all needed. The food menu had no barbeque or appetisers but one of the most simple delicious meals I had had in ages. And the best part were our cozy tents. By cosy I mean 12 of us packed in 2 cabins with a small make shifter fireplace in the room.

The path down to the tent from our cars was no less than a trek- more like a teaser before our final expedition. But hats off to the two guys who were managing all the chores to ensure all basic necessities to us. I wonder how they could survive, enjoy and rather hop in such difficult terrain and weather.

Before heading off to Chopta, we took a one night stop over at Devprayag, a spiritual hamlet situated at confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirati  forming the Holy Ganga. The place we stayed in offered tranquility nestled at the base of mountains on all sides with gushing riverside- A view to die for. Walking by the river side coupled with a little adventure at rafting was only adding to the excitement of this long-awaited trip.

Kudos to Apoo and Anuj who suggested and planned this trip and to Divya for such a flawless execution. Shashank and Gagan need no mention. A special mention to Ashish and Dharam without which the trip would not have been so comfortable. Who are the latter two? I guess I shall leave that to my fellow trekkers to explain. Lolz!!!

Memorable, divine and panoramic! There is something  about hills and river that intrigue me. The hills remind me to look up. That feeling of achievement when you reach the top and the weightlessness when you look down alongwith the sense of awe as you are immersed in the wilderness cannot be put in words. On the contrary, rivers remind me of the endless flow of life and the serene down to earth attitude. When I am in a place like this, its as if I am in the middle of a conversation- Like the river telling me that it too shall pass and mountains saying that it does’nt matter anyway.