This serene destination is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, surrounded by velvety meadows and tall peaks. Chopta serves as the base for trekking to Tungnath and Chandrashilla, the third holiest temple among the five Panch Kedars. A camping visit to Chopta is nothing short of a dream. This hill station is located in Rudraprayag and is surrounded by lush valleys. The stunning meadows are a hotspot for nature lovers and avid trekkers. Visitors enjoy the evergreen forests of the area, the soft hills, verdant valleys, and exciting wildlife. A perfect spot for a thrilling experience far from city life.
Good To Know
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India
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State
India
Uttarakhand
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Nearest Airport
India
Jolly Grant Airport
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Wildlife Sighting Index
India
9/10 for Himalayan Monal sighting
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Beauty of Forest Index
India
9/10 Beauly of Forest
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Standard of Infrastructure Index
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5/10 Stay & Amenities
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Bookings Open
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60 Days in Advance
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Consider Securing
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30 Days in Advance
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Flora of Chopta
Chopta is a lively destination for fans of peaceful and marvelous nature. But with its promises of natural miracles, Chopta also offers a variety of evergreen forests, wildlife, and numerous birds for the bird watchers. The pearly village is circled by pine, deodar, and rhododendron forests. The fact that the village lies in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary adds more appeal to its name, as this protected sanctuary is the largest in the western Himalayas. Your tour in the village will be full of alpine meadows and unique floral assortments of Himalayan plants. The middle altitude is known for its temperate forests while the more elevated plains are blessed with sun alpine and alpine coniferous forests. As you travel farther north, the region becomes increasingly saturated with alpine grassland and Bugyals.
- Birch
- Pine
- Alpine
- Rhododendron
- Deodar
- Conifers
Fauna of Chopta
The temptations of Chopta don’t end here. Due to its location amidst the Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta boasts a wide number of rare mammals like Himalayan musk deer. There are almost 121 species of mammals, 251 species of birds alongside several reptiles also. Meander through Switzerland outside of Switzerland and enjoy the beating of hoofs, and the rustling of grass as a squirrel runs across. Spot a shy leopard in the mountains or feast your eyes on the humongous Black Bear. Enjoy a crisp morning amidst the snowy caps and respond to the call of mountain birds. If you’re an avid bird watcher, consider it a treat! The many species of rare birds found in Chopta will keep you and your camera lens busy all day. The possibilities are endless, so don’t miss out on this impeccable travel destination. It will be a trip worth your time.
- Musk deer fox
- Leopard
- Jackal
- Himalayan black bear
- Snow leopard
- Yellow-throated marten
- Leopard cat
- Wild boar
- India muntjac
- Common langur
- Hodgson’s brown-toothed shrew
- Red giant flying squirrel
- Royel’s pika
- Himalayan goral
- Himalayan pit viper
- Boulenger’s keelback
- Himalayan Monal
- Kalij Pheasant
- Little Pied Flycatcher
- Himalayan Swiftlet
- Crested Goshawk
- Besra
- Long Legged Buzzard
- Lammergeyer
- Himalayan Griffon
- Black Kite
- Red-headed Vulture
- Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Common Kestrel
- Golden Eagle
- Spotted Dove
- Koklass Pheasant
- Laughing Thrush
- West Himalayan Bush Warbler
- Snow Partridge
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Explore The Known and Unknown of Chopta
Chopta is an unadulterated natural destination lying amongst the Uttarakhand Himalayas at a height of 2709 meters above sea level. From here, visitors can witness the famous Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhamba. The town is sometimes dubbed “Mini Switzerland” due to its similar sleek views, infrastructure, and ambiance. Chopta is especially busy with the hustle-bustle of tourists during the winter months as people band together to witness the snowfall. The trek destination, Tungnath, and Chandrashilla are also covered in white radiant snow from December to March, making a pleasurable viewing experience.
Pristine lakes, temples, verdant valleys, tall peaks, and a plethora of wild animals; Chopta is a dream come true for all nature junkies. Moreover, Chopta is the spot for one of Uttarakhand’s most famous treks. If you want to spend some quality time amongst lavish panoramas, exciting wildlife, or are a Hindu devotee, or maybe even someone who dabbles in spirituality, Chopta is the perfect place for you. There are quite a few delightful activities for tourists to partake in. The major activity is the trek Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila. One can also enjoy a trek to Deoriatal, which is in proximity to this pretty destination. The serene views are also great for bird watching, you can explore the woods and spot various types of birds in the vicinity.
Covering 5 square kilometers, Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary is also a fun stop while at Chopta. Here you can explore some of Chopra’s resident flora and some beautiful musk deer. It is still a less explored destination and you will require the help of a local or guide to reach here. Situated at the height of 3680 m, Tungnath is the highest temple of Lord Shiva in India. Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedars and is the shrine where Shiva’s arm is worshipped. This is a place for Hindu devotees but those who enjoy trekking or the peace of religious sites can also come here.
Next is Chandrashila, located at a height of 4020 m. It can be reached after 1 km of a trek from the Tungnath. This place has a stunning view of the gigantic Himalayan Peaks including, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba. Lastly, Deoriatal is situated on the Ukhimath-Chopta road. It is a high-altitude lake that can only be reached by taking an uphill trek of about 3 km from the villages of Mastura and Sari. Camping here is an amazing experience.
How to reach Chopta
The village is well connected to nearby cities like Rishikesh and Haridwar. Reaching one of these cities and then taking a bus or can to Chopta is the standard route of travel for most travelers. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport situated at a distance of 221 km in the city of Dehradun. You can then hire a bus or can take you to Chopta. The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh and Haridwar. Out of the two, Haridwar railway station is better connected with major cities and towns in India and is at a distance of 186 km from Chopta. From here, you can get buses or cabs to reach your destination.
There is decent road connectivity for Chopta from Haridwar, Dehradun, Srinagar, and Rishikesh. There are state-run buses and decent taxi services available for travelers’ feasibility.
Resorts at Chopta
Although Chopta is often treated as a travel destination of its own, it is majorly known as the base camp for the trek to Tungnath – Chandrashilla trek. Thus, there are limited options for stay, but don’t fret! Even these limited options are more than enough to accommodate you and your family and provide you with an excellent visiting experience. Some hotels and swiss camps are available in the area starting from Makkuband, Dugalbitta, Baniyakund, and Chopta. They all offer good and basic amenities at budget-friendly prices.
For a grand trip with your families, you can consider the Mayadeeo Resort in Chopta, a fancy staying option with a wide variety of amenities and luxurious views. Camping is also a possible option at Chopta, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful night amongst the beautiful meadows and snow-capped peaks. Travelers can even choose to stay at Ukhimath or Rudraprayag some distance away from Chopta, as these places have a wider variety of hotels and resorts to offer. Locals at Chopta have also come forward with rooms and guest places for visitors in their homes. Such an experience will truly be novel, cozy with home-cooked meals along with the option to enjoy life as a local in Chopta.