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 |
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.
Chopta, Tungnath and the Panch Kedar
Chopta (about 2,680m) is not really a village but a meadow on the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road in Rudraprayag district, surrounded by the oak, rhododendron and fir forests of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the base for Tungnath (3,680m), the highest Shiva temple in the world and the third of the five Panch Kedar shrines. Tradition holds that Tungnath is where Shiva's arms appeared after he took the form of a bull to evade the Pandavas.
The temple doors close for winter around Diwali and reopen in late April or May. During those months the deity is worshipped at Makkumath, lower in the valley. The trail can still be walked in winter, often through snow — but only with a local guide and proper footwear.
Wildlife and Birding
The sanctuary protects the Himalayan musk deer, and the forests around Chopta are among the best places in Uttarakhand to see the Himalayan monal, the state bird. Early mornings between March and May are best, when the rhododendrons are in bloom and the birds are calling. Other species often seen include the koklass pheasant, the Himalayan griffon and the lammergeier.
Suggested 3-Day Plan
- Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Sari village via Rudraprayag and Ukhimath (about 7–8 hrs). Walk 2.5 km up to Deoria Tal for sunset over the Chaukhamba peaks.
- Day 2: Drive to Chopta (about 1 hr). Start the Tungnath trek by 4 AM, carry on to Chandrashila summit for sunrise, then come back down by midday.
- Day 3: Return via Ukhimath's Omkareshwar temple (the winter seat of Kedarnath), or continue east towards Gopeshwar and Auli.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are no ATMs in Chopta. The nearest are in Ukhimath (about 30 km). Mobile signal is patchy.
- Since 2018, court orders have restricted overnight camping on high meadows. Stay at licensed camps and guesthouses along the road.
- Heavy snow can close the road between Duggalbitta and Chopta in January and February. Check before you travel.
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.