Kunjapuri Temple Sunrise Trek

The Kunjapuri Temple Sunrise Trek is a one-of-a-kind experience that will captivate lovers of nature, adventure, and spirituality alike. Located high atop a hill, the Kunjapuri Temple is an important pilgrimage destination revered by the locals of Rishikesh.

But it’s not just the sacred temple that attracts visitors from all around the globe. The real adventure lies in the early morning hike to the temple, timed perfectly to coincide with the rising sun. As you reach the summit, you’re rewarded with the magnificent sight of the sun slowly emerging from behind the majestic Himalayan range, its first rays illuminating the snow-capped peaks and painting the sky in shades of gold, pink, and orange.

This experience of watching the sunrise from the Kunjapuri Temple isn’t merely a feast for the eyes, it’s a moment of spiritual awakening and tranquillity. Thus, making it an unmissable part of any trip to Rishikesh.

Overview

Kunjapuri Temple Sunrise Trek is a famous trek that can be done by young enthusiasts as well as experienced trekkers. This trek is in Rishikesh. As compared to other treks, this is a short one but a good one as you can not only experience spirituality in your trekking journey, but you will be in close touch with nature, as you can experience beautiful waterfalls like the famous Neer waterfalls, along the beautiful lush green forests and stunning beauty of villages. Along with the panoramic view of the beauty of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, one can also experience the stunning view of the sunset. The Kunjapuri temple is located at a height of 1,676 meters, 30 Km away from Tapovan, Rishikesh. A trek to the temple also nurtures the essence of spirituality, immersion in their own culture and tradition and to be close with nature. You will not feel alone while trekking as there will be professional guides who will assist you in your tour by providing the trekkers with various knowledge about the culture and tradition. You will feel rejuvenated with nature and find solace in your entire trekking. 

FAQs

How to reach Kunjapuri Temple? 

Location: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

By Road – From Rishikesh, you need to drive or take a road trip for 40-60 minutes via Narendra Nagar and Ananda in the Himalayas. The first point is Rishikesh from where you need to drive to Tapovan and then reach Bhadrakali temple. Then you need to drive through the Gangotri Highway to reach Narendra Nagar until you reach the temple. 

By Trek– You can experience two types of trek to reach Kunjapuri temple, the uphill along with the downhill trek. The Trek from Tapovan to Kunjapuri involves a 9 Km trek uphill via Secret waterfalls and villages like Barkot and Badhera. Then you have to take a downhill trek of 12 km from villages like Pater and Dharkot via Neer waterfalls to reach Tapovan in Rishikesh. The downhill trek is an easy one. 

By Road trip– From Dehradun, the Kunjapuri temple is located at a distance of 65 km. The perfect route is from Gangotri highway via Narendra Nagar and Ananda in the Himalayas to reach Kunjapuri temple from Dehradun to Rishikesh. 

By Drive Up and Trek Down-This is a great option to reach Kunjapuri temple. The entire journey only takes 7-8 hours to complete. First, you need to drive up to Rishikesh which hardly takes 50-60 minutes drive. Then you have to trek downhill for 3-4 hours to reach the Kunjapuri Temple. 

By Air- The closest airport is at Dehradun- Jolly Grant Airport, which is at a distance of 35 km from the city. After getting down at the airport one can hire a taxi, cab, or a bus from the airport to reach Rishikesh. 

By Train– To reach Rishikesh, the best option is to get down at Haridwar Railway Station. However, there is Rishikesh Railway Station but there are only very few trains that halt at this station. While coming from Haridwar, you can also have a look at the major cities of Rishikesh. 

How to start the Trek? 

Trekking is a long journey, since it’s a small trek, where you can watch the scenic beauty of the mountains, you should start the trek early in the morning to get a glimpse of the beautiful sunrise. It’s better to start at 5 Am. 

What is the duration of the trek? 

Kunjapuri Temple is a small trek, so you require a maximum of two days and 1 night. Hence, this makes it ideal for young people who are also new to this trekking experience. 

Sights from Kunjapuri Temple

Located at an elevation of 1,676 meters on a hill in the spiritual city of Rishikesh, in the mountain, this place is sacred to the Hindus. The main enthusiasm for people coming here is not only for trekking only to reach the temple but also to cherish the beauty of the hills. Sights from the Kunjapuri temple are: 

• Sunrise point 
• The Kunjapuri temple
• Snow-capped Himalayan peaks
• View of the peaks of Chaukambha, Swarga Rohini,  Banderpunch and Gangotri. 

When to visit the Kunjapuri Temple? 

• During winter months (November to February) the temperature is between 0-10 degrees Celsius. The weather is chilly, cold with the movement of strong northerly winds. 

• During the summer months (March to May) the weather is pleasant and the temperature is comfortable. 
• During monsoon months (June-September) it’s risky to go for a trek as it’s cloudy and no one can enjoy the sunrise. 
• The best time to visit Kunjapuri temple is during the Navratra festival, as you can take part in the celebration and see the Hindu rituals. The best time to visit here is during sunrise and sunset, the temple is open from 6 Am to 8 pm respectively. 

        What are the places to visit while Kunjapuri Trek? 

• Sightseeing – One can have a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain peaks and valleys, and one can also catch the panoramic sight of Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the Doon Valley. 
• Kunjapuri Hiking and Sunrise Trek-  The ultimate thing to experience here is the trek to Kunjapuri Devi temple. It is full of adventure and fun. While Hiking one can see the landscape of the mountains and the scenic villages. You can also experience a lot of things while hiking like undiscovered trails, and beautiful waterfalls, and can catch the rare sight of birds. 
• Neer Waterfalls Trek- If you are an adventurous trekker and explorer, you can experience a lot of things on foot. If you love exploring trails in the mountains, then you must take a trek at Neer waterfalls. Neer waterfalls are the biggest waterfalls in Rishikesh. The waterfall is so huge that it is divided into three tiers. One can swim, bathe and splash water in the third tier, it’s like a natural swimming pool or pond. This looks mesmerizing and has its beauty. 
• Village walk- The beauty of the country is always seen in the countryside. The mountain countryside is perhaps the best thing about the country. India looks more beautiful with its rustic touch and hence, the scenic landscape of the villages in the mountains is mesmerizing. You can walk and discover the nooks and corners of the village and mix with the village people to know about the culture and traditions of the village people in the hilly region. Therefore, when you are on the Kunjapuri temple trek, you should go for village walks and also click photographs. 
• Sunrise and sunset view- If you are a travel admirer, then you will love sunrise and sunset in the hills. For a perfect sunrise and sunset view, you can take a walk from Hindolakhal to the temple through the beautiful fine forests. You can also admire the beautiful forests with long green pine trees. This will be an enthusiastic experience as well as an adventurous experience. The walking distance will be no more than 5 km. 
• Birdwatching walk-  The beauty of a place is not only its scenic beauty but also its wildlife and natural habitat. It is an amazing experience to point birds and animals in the hills. The Kunjapuri trail is often referred to as the paradise for birding. The entire area from Rishikesh to Tapovan is full of birds. You can spot birds near the natural freshwater stream trail up to 3 km. You will always find a lot of Himalayan birds. Barkot village is also the place where you can find a lot of Himalayan birds. You can go for bird watching after the sunrise view, this activity will be amusing and also a fun thing to do. You can photograph birds and can also use binoculars for bird watching from a distance. 
• The Secret Waterfalls – When you are in Kunjapuri, you must visit these Secret Waterfalls. It is named Secret Waterfalls because it’s like a treasure and not much known to people. This is a great place on the Tapovan trail. 
• Mahadev Cave- This is one of the best places to visit while you are on the Kunjapuri Tapovan trail. This cave is natural and is a wonder for many people. It’s like a secret cave, so many people have not explored it, but it’s always an amazing experience to discover unexplored areas. 
• Kunjapuri Temple-  kunjapuri temple is located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. It is one of the Siddha peeth out of the 52 peeths. The temple was built by the 197th Field Kargil Regiment. The temple also offers a great view as it is located at a great elevation. If you want to reach the temple, you have to climb more than 300 stair steps. The temple has good engravements. There is a board outside the temple that displays the information of the temple. At the gate of the temple, there is a lion statue with the goddess Kunjapuri. 

What are the activities to do while on a trek to Kunjapuri? 

• Nature photography-  If you are a travel enthusiast, you will come here with a camera to capture the beauty of the hills. Visitors come here from all over the world to see the beautiful trails downhill and the villages. You can capture the scenic beauty of the villages. If you travel to Bandhera and Barkot, you can explore the culture and traditions of the Himalayas. 
• Peak Gazing- The best thing about being a visitor to the hills is observing the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. You can stay in a hotel and admire the peaks from your window or balcony over a cup of coffee or tea. You can view the peaks of Swaragarohini, Chaukhamba, Gangotri, and Banderpunch. You can also view the panoramic view of Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the mesmerizing Doon Valley. 
• Yoga retreats and meditation- If you are a spiritual person or wish to experience spirituality amongst the mountains, then Kunjapuri temple has a site for yoga and meditation. You can take part in it and meditate with the scenic view amidst the breathtaking landscape. Spirituality blends perfectly with harmony in this place. 
• Wedding rituals and Navratra festivals- Kunjapuri temple is a famous site for weddings in Himalayan culture. So tourists or visitors who often come here experience the rituals, culture, and traditions of the Himalayan wedding. Local people get married over here. During Navratra, the temple is decorated and many visitors visit here to take part in the celebration. The celebration of Navratra provides a spiritual experience to tourists and visitors. The temple beams with all its glory during the Navratra season. 

How much is the total cost of Kunjapuri Trek? 

The  Kunjapuri trek from Rishikesh costs moderately, a minimum cost of Rs. 1250 per person that includes prices for price guide fees, and jungle permits. Charges might increase or decrease depending on the number of participants coming for the trekking. 

What are the Precautions one should take for a trek to Kunjapuri? 

A hilly area demands a lot of preparation from the visitors especially during the peak season or during winter and monsoon season. Visitors should come here with all their planning for the trek. 

Here are certain things one should take note of:

• If you are driving, please drive carefully and cautiously. 
• Please don’t litter the places, people should be environment friendly. 
• People are not allowed to carry drinks or liquor for the trek. 
• Smoking is prohibited in those areas. 
• People should carry a mask 
• People should carry their ID proof. 
• People should carry their water bottles.