Chopta - Mini Switzerland
Beautifully garnered amidst the pristine lush meadows, Chopta serves as the base for trekking to Tungnath and Chandrashilla, the third holiest temple among the Panch Kedars (the five abodes of Lord Shiva). This unspoiled destination is snuggled in the lap of the Himalayas, offering an unobstructed view of Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhamba peaks.
Chopta has emerged as a heaven for solitude seekers, avid trekkers, and nature enthusiasts, thanks to its serene yet breathtaking landscape. Its natural beauty is further elevated by the lush evergreen forests, particularly the stunning rhododendron groves that are part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. In early summer, these trees transform the valley into a vibrant red carpet, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Visitors can experience the rich diversity of Himalayan flora and fauna, including various bird species and the elusive musk deer which is also the state animal of Uttarakhand. A major highlight of visiting this charming hamlet is the opportunity to embark on the Tungnath trek (about 3.5 km from Chopta) and the Chandrashila trek (further 1 km from Tungnath). For those looking to explore further, a trip to Deoriatal is also a must.
- Scenic beauty: Chopta valley is situated at an altitude that varies from 1800 meters near the village of Sari to 4090 meters at the summit of Chandrashila peak. It and offers panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. The surrounding forests are also home to a variety of flora and fauna.
- Trekking: Chopta is the base for many popular treks, such as Tungnath, Chandrashila, Deoria Tal, Atri Muni Fall & Ansuyamata Temple and Bisudital . These treks offer stunning views of the Himalayas, and the natural beauty of the region makes the journey truly memorable.
- Spiritual significance: Chopta is considered a sacred place, and the Tungnath temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. which is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. The temple is located at a height of 3680 meters and offers stunning views of the Himalayas.
- Adventure activities: Chopta offers a variety of adventure activities like Snow Trekking, Hiking, Jungle Walking, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, and river rafting. These activities are perfect for those who love to experience the thrill of the great outdoors.
- Peaceful atmosphere: Chopta is a peaceful and quiet place, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's a great place to unwind and relax in the lap of nature.
Overall, Chopta is a great destination for those seeking adventure, natural beauty, and spirituality. It is an ideal place to unwind and reconnect with nature, making it a perfect destination for a rejuvenating vacation.
Chopta in Winters
Winter is the ideal season to visit Chopta for breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Majestic peaks such as Chaukhamba and Kedar Dome stand out distinctly during this time. Between December and March, Chopta transforms into a snowy wonderland, drawing thousands of tourists eager to experience its beauty. However, travelers should note that driving on snow-covered roads can be challenging.
Recommended Property to Stay in ChoptaChopta Travel News
04 Nov 2024
Portals of Tungnath Temple were closed on 4 Nov
The temple will remain closed for winters and the deity will be worshipped at its winter seat in Makkumath.
22 Oct 2024
Tungnath Temple to be closed on 04 Nov 2024
The portals of the third Kedar, Tungnath temple will be closed on November 4, 2024 for winters. The palanquin of the Lord Tungnath will be seated at Markateshwar Temple in Makkumath on 7th November. So far more than 1.20 lakh devotees have visited Tungnath this year.
10 Sep 2024
Survey for Kund-Chopta-Gopeshwar double lane highway
The Government of India has directed a consultant to conduct a survey regarding the widening of Kund-Chopta-Mandal-Gopeshwar highway and construction of a tunnel in Chopta. The process of double lane widening of Kund-Chopta-Mandal-Gopeshwar highway connecting Chamoli district with tehsil headquarters Ukhimath and Kedar valley along with Tungnath valley has started. This approximately 84 km long highway will be prepared for safe and accessible traffic. For the last five years, landslide and subsidence zones (Mastura to Tala-Usada) have emerged on the highway, which have become a cause of trouble.
Activities in Chopta
Trekking in Chopta: The trek route to Chandrashila commences at Chopta and involves easy to medium grade trekking. The enthralling treks take some through enchanting meadows, hushed hamlets, and conifers and oak forests. In winter, the trekking route is covered in snow. You can also trek to Devariyatal, Bisurital or indulge in 4-5 days trekking expedition in Chopta as well.
Photography: Chopta offers mesmerizing views of the undulating valleys and one cannot resist capturing the majestic snow-covered peak with their camera. The 360-degree panorama one witnesses form the Chandrashila summit is one of the reasons to make Chandrashila one of the best spots to capture snow-capped mountains.
Camping in Chopta: Being situated en-route to Tungnath, Chopta is an ideal place to camp and enjoy the beauty of nature. Camping is an amazing experience to have with family and friends when you are surrounded in the lap of nature.
Bird Watching in Chopta: Chopta has a great forest line which has hundreds of different species of bird. Bird watchers from all around the globe can visit Chopta and explore. Ideal season for bird watching is from Feb to April.
Yoga and Meditation in Chopta: Peaceful environment, lush greed meadows, majestic Himalayan views in Chopta enhance the meditation and yoga activities in Chopta. Many foreigners come to Chopta for medidation as Rishikesh gets crowded sometimes.
Things to do/places to see in Chopta Region:
Chopta Travel Tips
- The trek route from Chopta is relatively easy to moderate and can easily be done with kids.
- It snows heavily in winters at Chopta and Tungnath and the trek tends to get quite difficult but the views cannot be described in words.
- Last ATM is in Ukhimath (not sure about working condition), but it is better to carry cash with you.
- Nearest market is in Ukhimath (30 kms before Chopta), so carry all the essential items you may require during your stay in Chopta
- Transport: It is best to hire a private vehicle for moving around as public transportation may not be available.
Staying in Chopta
Chopta is, in all its essence, the base camp for the Tungnath – Chandrashila trek. There are few of hotels and swiss tents available in the region starting from Makkuband, Dugalbitta, Baniyakund and in Chopta. All of them offers basic facilities at nominal charges.
For groups and families you can consider Mayadeep Resort in Chopta. Earlier camping was another popular option for staying in Chopta. But due recent order of High Court camping in Chopta is banned for some time, till the ban is lifted.
It is important to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak season, as the town can get crowded with tourists and trekkers. It is also a good idea to check reviews and compare prices before making a booking.
Since Chopta region doesn't have electricity, modern room facilities like geysers, room heaters, electric kettles etc are not available in Chopta hotels. You may get these amenities at hotels in Ukhimath which is 32kms from Chopta.
Chopta Food Guide
Being a small hamlet, Chopta doesn’t offer many fancy dining options. However, the place does have some local eateries and roadside food stalls (Dhabas) that offer some of the popular North Indian and Chinese dishes. Most of the resorts have in-house kitchen that serves selected delectable cuisines.
About Chopta Tourism Guide
The Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek is quite popular among the trekkers as it takes you through the grasslands and covers some of the best views of nature. Bird watching is also possible here as the region harbors great species of Himalayan birds, including the Himalayan Monal. Some of the leisure activities that you can do in Chopta are camping, trekking, yoga, snow trekking, skiing, rock craft, rock climbing, rappelling, bird watching, and photography.
Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila are covered with snow during winters. If you visit the place during Dec-Feb, you may witness snowfall and enjoy trekking in snow But the roads are occasionally blocked near Chopta in case of heavy snowfall. Check out Chopta in Winters.
Know about Chopta Tungnath Trek
Ask a Question about Chopta
Chopta Questions
Dhruv Jalani
05 Dec 2024
Q. Has it snowed in Chopta yet?
A. No, Chopta is yet to see the first snowfall of this season as of 5 Dec 2024
eUttaranchal , 05 Dec 2024
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Sneha Mittal
16 Oct 2024
Q. Can you suggest any good 3-4 star hotels in Chopta?
A. There aren't any star category properties in Chopta as most of them offer swiss tents which are descent for a stay. You can however consider hotels around Ukhimath (30kms before Chopta) which are equipped with modern conveniences and better room amenities.
Bhupendra Kunwar, 16 Oct 2024
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Abhinav Jindal
21 Aug 2024
Q. Is Chopta open during Christmas and New Year?
A. Yes, Chopta is open throughout the year. Just note that the Tungnath temple would get closed in mid November. You can however still trek to Tungnath from Chopta and enjoy the breathtaking Himalayan views.
Manoj Rawat , 07 Oct 2024
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Chopta Weather
Check out the Chopta weather report for December
Chopta Weather in December
The minimun and maximum temperature in December in Chopta is -5°C and 12°C respectively. The weather is generally chances of snowfall in December and you would feel chilling cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Chopta in December.
What is Chopta famous for?
Chopta is famous among tourist as Hill Station, Trekking, Camping, Bird Watching, Yoga, Meditation, Temple, Weekend, Snowfall, Winter Trek.
Chopta is recommended destination for Corporates, Couples, Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Chopta is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, Base Camps (Trek), Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Char Dham Route, Christmas and New Year, Emerging Destinations, Hiking, Hill Station, Honeymoon Destination, Leisure, Meadows, OffBeat, Romantic, Trekking, Weekend Getaway, Winter Treks, Yoga and Meditation.
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Chopta Reviews
Manuj Goyal
05 Dec 2024
I came to chopta with my family and everyone enjoyed the snowfall during the first week of jan. The place is beautiful especially the trek from chopta to tungnath. Though we couldn't reach tungnath due to snow along the trekking path making it impossible to walk without slipping. Govt should work on improving the infrastructure like public toilets, electricity, good eatries and wooden houses in main chopta area. But overall a nice place to spend time.
Suman Bhatnagar
07 Oct 2024
Chopta is definitely one of the most easily accessible bugyals (large meadows) with mesmerizing beauty and amazing view of the himalayan peaks. I have been to Chopta twice, once during summers and again in winters. It spellbound me both the times. I recommend to avoid Chopta during May-June period and there is rush in Chopta as pilgrims throng to Tungnath temple. Winters are best for the clear view of the himalayas which is rare in summers.
Jagrit Mandot
27 Sep 2024
I visited chopta while travelling from Kedarnath to Badrinath and really felt in love with the beauty of the place. We stay in swiss camps a few kms before chopta and the view from there was awesome. The majestic peaks of Kedar dome and Chaukhamba were clearly visible. The rare white rhododendrons were blooming near tungnath region which as a rare sight to me. Will definitely visit again probably in winters.
