Chopta

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Overview

Chopta, often known as Uttarakhand’s’mini Switzerland’, is a pocket of heaven nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. Chopta, surrounded by bugyals or soft meadows and immaculate snow-capped peaks, is an all-year holiday destination: comfortable in summer, rain-free in the monsoon, and a snow-clad fairyland in the winter. The state’s five most revered Shiva temples are in Chopta, located at the heart of Panch Kedar, a revered site. Kedarnath and Madhmaheshwar shrines are placed on the left, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar on the right and the Tungnath temple is directly above it.

Chopta is a birdwatcher’s delight, with over 240 bird species to witness, including Himalayan monal, Himalayan swift let, Himalayan griffon, scarlet finch, hill partridge, and many more. The greatest areas for bird watching are Dugalbitta, Mandal village, Makkumath, and the Tungnath hike path. National & international conservation and ecological agencies have designated Chopta as an important bird watching site.

About Chopta

Chopta valley, home to the historic Tungnath temple and a thrilling hike, is one of those lovely sites in Uttarakhand that adventure and environment enthusiasts, as well as Hindu devotees, should not miss. Chopta, located at 2900 m in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag region, is a beautiful green valley with a spectacular perspective of the Himalayan Peaks. The area is well-known for its breathtaking meadows, where camping is a dream come true. What makes Chopta a renowned tourist destination in Uttarakhand is that it serves as the base for the famed and revered temple of Tungnath, which is also India’s highest Shiva Temple.

Chopta is also part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and provides trekkers with a wonderful opportunity to climb to a height of 4000 m, where the Chandrashila Peak provides a 360° view of snow-clad Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, & Trishul. In addition to the exciting climb, Chopta is perfect for stargazing. Pitch your own tent or rent one for a few nights and have one of the best camping experiences in Uttarakhand. Aah! Waking up in the morning in a gorgeous location and seeing the red sun rise over the mountains from your tent is an experience you should not miss.

Best time to visit Chopta

Chopta is a pleasure to visit all year, but many people come here to escape the heat; nonetheless, for an adventurer, a winter journey here is a dream. Summers are particularly nice, with a cool wind and moderate temperatures. However, during the winter, the temperature drops to negative levels and the entire area becomes snow-covered.

Activities to Do in Chopta

Trekking: Chopta trekking options include the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek. A trip to Deoriatal, which is nearby, is also an option.

Camping: If you want to enjoy your time under trees and over hills then visit the beautiful camping sites of Chopta Meadows and Deoriatal. It is also a peaceful and cozy place for accommodation.

The Musk Deer Sanctuary at Kanchula Korak: It covers an area of 5 square kilometers and is ideal for exploring the rich flora and Musk deer species. It remains an out-of-the-way destination, and only locals can provide accurate directions.

Places to Visit in or around Chopta

Tungnath Temple

Tungnath, the highest of the five Kedars, is a majestic temple whose aura soothes both the eyes and the soul. Tungnath is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva and where his hands are worshipped. This location is located at Chandranath Mountain 3680 m above sea level, which is considered to be an important pilgrimage place for Hindus. The shrine is thought to be over 1000 years old and was found by Adi Shankaracharya. This sacred temple is located in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Region, approximately 4 kilometers from the beautiful Chopta meadow. Tungnath, like several other high-altitude temples in Uttarakhand, can only be visited by trekking. The trail is rather straightforward, but it becomes more challenging when it traverses the temple and approaches Chandrashila Peak, or the mountain’s summit. The Difficult hike is worth it because you get to see amazing views from there. Even though the temple is closed during the winter, the trekking trail is open year-round for adventurers.

Chandrashila

Chandrashila is located at a dizzying altitude of 4020 m and can be reached after a 1-kilometer trek from Tungnath. This location provides a breathtaking perspective of the massive Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba.

Ukhimath Temple

The Ukhimath Temple, at a height of 4301 feet, is approximately 30 kilometers from the valley of Chopta. During the severe winters, when the temples of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar are closed, Shiva idols are brought to this temple to be worshipped, and as a result, the Ukhimath Temple is significant to Hindu devotees.

Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple

This also goes by the name Devariya Nag Temple and is devoted to deity Nag. What makes this temple different is when something like; A Stream of water overflows from it as soon as poured. It is situated Chopta right near Saari village respectively at its bottom or base that leads up against Tungnath which serves as one most historical points during travel around Chopta area.

Deoriatal

Deoriatal is located along the Ukhimath-Chopta road. This is a high-altitude lake, reached through a 3-kilometer uphill hike from Mastura and Sari towns. Coming here for camping would be mind blowing.

Chopta is the base of Tungnath Chandrashila

It is the starting point for the Tungnath hike and the third of five Kedars in Uttarakhand. Another 1.5-kilometer climb from Tungnath leads to Chandrashila (Altitude 4090 meters), which provides a panoramic view of snow-covered Himalayan peaks. The viewable summits include Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kedar Dome, and many others. This valley is part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the world’s most diverse wildlife sanctuaries in terms of vegetation and species.

Where to stay in Chopta?

There are many basic guest Chopta hotels and home stays in Chopta, with prices ranging from 100/- per person to 500 rupees for a four-bed room with an attached bathroom. While some are referred to as ‘hotels’, don’t expect any kind of luxury. Duggalbitta is about 5 kilometers before Chopta, and there are a couple beautiful camping places along the route (about 1500 rupees each tent). When tourists arrive on weekends, the roadside dhaba owners offer dormitory-style services for around $100 per bed.

Tents are also available near Chopta, just before the starting point for the Tungnath temple walk. Tents are set up on green meadows, and staying there is an excellent choice if you want to enjoy camping. Depending on the season, weekend crowds, and weather, it is simple to find good Chopta Uttarakhand hotels and surrounding areas even if you have not booked in advance.

In the worst-case situation, if accommodation in Chopta hotels is filled, one can travel 3 kilometers further on the Gopeshwar road for more lodging possibilities. There are 4-5 guest houses in an area called Bhulkan (which is on the way to Mandal). I definitely recommend this place for those seeking peace and quiet away from crowds. To ensure that you can locate a place to stay, try to arrive as early as possible. If you have your own tent, pitch it in a safe location after asking the locals and paying a charge.

How to reach Chopta 

Conclusion

In a word, the Chopta trip is one of the best treks in Uttarakhand, allowing trekkers to bond with nature while also trying some exhilarating activities. You can challenge your physical stamina by trekking to the Chandrashila summit after receiving blessings at the Tungnath temple. The Indian Himalayas can transport you to another world. This trek allows you to experience Uttarakhand’s culture. The spectacular meadows, towering mountains, and dense forests complement each other, creating the most suitable environment for the lovely scenery.

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