We start early today. From the picturesque environs of Chopta, we take the path through the arch leading up to the temple. Along the way, one may be able to spot a monal bird in the forest towards left. Himalayan Monal is the state bird of Uttrakhand. Tungnath is a short 2 km trek from Chopta. The temple is only visible in the last few hundred metres. It opens only in early summer and remains closed in winters. There are a few shops before the temple. We head up past the temple to the peak. According to a legend, Chandrashila is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana. Another legend says that moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance. Stories apart, one gets to see a wide expanse of the most famous peaks of Garhwal from here. Soaking in the beautiful 360-degree views of the Himalayas we begin heading down to Chopta and reach by late afternoon.

On this day, we can visit Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. It is the winter abode of the idols of Kedarnath and Madmaheshwar temples. The idols are brought here in palanquin when the Kedarnath temple closes in autumn. We drive back to Dehradun and reach by early evening.