Complete Chopta Travel Guide
Top Treks & Activities
Tungnath Temple trek (3.5 km, 1,000m climb): A 3.5-km trail from Chopta to Tungnath — the world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680m, built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. The trail passes through rhododendron forest and alpine meadows. The temple is one of the Panch Kedar (five sacred Shiva shrines of Garhwal). Temple open May–November. Entry: free. Time: 2–3 hours up.
Chandrashila Summit (4,000m, 5 km from Chopta): Continue 1.5 km above Tungnath to reach Chandrashila peak at 4,000m — with a 360-degree panorama including Kedarnath, Chaukhamba (6,854m), Neelkanth, Trishul and Nanda Devi. The summit view is one of the most complete Garhwal Himalayan panoramas accessible without technical climbing. Time from Chopta: 3.5–4 hours.
Deoria Tal (12 km from Chopta via Sari village): A high-altitude lake at 2,438m with Chaukhamba reflection — the reflected peaks in the lake at dawn are one of the most photographed images in Garhwal. See Deoria Tal guide.
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary: Chopta is inside the buffer zone of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary — habitat of musk deer, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, barking deer. The forest around the Chopta meadow and on the Tungnath trail is exceptional wildlife habitat.
How to Reach Chopta
| Origin | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 185 km | 5–6 hrs via Ukhimath |
| Ukhimath | 27 km | 1 hr |
| Rudraprayag | 85 km | 2.5 hrs |
| Delhi | 425 km | 10 hrs |
How to Reach Chopta
185 km from Rishikesh (5–6 hrs) via Devprayag–Rudraprayag–Ukhimath. Buses from Rishikesh to Ukhimath (27 km from Chopta). Taxi from Ukhimath: ₹500–₇₀₀.
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Best time: May–June (rhododendron in flower, Tungnath temple open, clear views). September–November (post-monsoon, best Himalayan clarity, mild days). Winter (December–February) — Chopta and Tungnath under heavy snow, spectacular but trail may be closed.
- Camping at Chopta: Several operators offer tented camps in the Chopta meadow — the most atmospheric way to experience the location. ₹1,000–₂,₀₀₀/person with dinner and breakfast. Pre-book for October–November peak season.
- Chandrashila start early: Begin the Chandrashila trek by 5:30–6 am to reach the summit by 9–10 am before afternoon clouds build. Summit views are clearest morning-only in most seasons.
FAQs
- How difficult is the Chandrashila trek?
- The Chandrashila trek (5 km from Chopta, 1,320m elevation gain) is rated Easy to Moderate. The trail is well-established (stone steps for most of the Tungnath section). The altitude (4,000m summit) may cause mild breathlessness for those not acclimatised — arrive in Chopta the evening before and sleep at altitude before the trek day. Most reasonably fit people complete the summit and return in 6–7 hours. No technical climbing required.