Trekking in Chopta

Where is Chopta:

Chopta is a small hamlet which is situated in the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It lies under the Garhwal range of Himalayas. It is about 400 km far from the national capital of India and is well connected by motorable roads.

Why we should trek to Chopta once in our lifetime

The main motto of every trekker or traveler to visit the Himalayas gets inspiration from them. These mountains and quite nature inspire writers, bloggers, photographers, zoologists, etc to visit them again and again. There is plenty of reasons to visit Chopta, some of them are

1. The mesmerizing beauty of Chopta: The beauty of Chopta can allure any traveler, it is seated on such a location that a beholder falls in love with this place at first sight. Calm, clean, surrounded with wilderness, Chopta is a beautiful & perfect creation of God.
2. Multiple trekking options at Chopta: Chopta offers many trekking options, like the trek to Tungnath, trek to Chandrashila, trek to Devaria Tal, trek to Chopta Bugyal, trek to Rohini Bugyal, Trek to Baniya kund, etc. Chopta is one of the few places where you can't just sit. Simply travel around and feel the blessing of mother nature.
3. Nature & Wildlife of Chopta: Chopta is a part of Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary, which is home to some of the rare Himalayan species of flora and fauna. By reaching Chopta, you will realize that you are in heaven. A paradise of hundreds of birds, animals, flowers, and trees. Come to Chopta, and see it by yourself. 
4. The altitude of Chopta: Chopta is some of the few hill stations of India whose altitude is more than 8,000 ft. It is situated at an astonishing height of 8,790 ft. You can imagine the view of snow-capped Himalayas at such a height.
5. The weather of Chopta: Because of its magnificent altitude, the weather at Chopta remains freezing throughout the year. In the winters it turns into a white land of snow and even in scorching summers, it remains cool and pleasant. So it is advised to carry heavy woolen clothes for your Chopta trek.
6. Camping option at Chopta: Camping at Chopta is an experience one can experience to gain. Into the shades of woods and on the green pasture land, pitching your tents here is simply amazing but you have to take the permission or you need to pay the fees to forest department before pitching your tents here.
7. Reaching Chopta: Chopta is easily accessible by road or we can say that road passes in the midst of Chopta. It lies on the shortcut route of Kedarnath and Badrinath and is between two famous towns of Uttarakhand i.e Gopeshwar & Guptkashi
8. Easy trekking routes of Chopta: Chopta is a perfect destination for kids, youngsters, beginners and the old ones who love treks. Treks in Chopta are very easy to conquer and their length is also easy to achieve. Like Tungnath 3 kms, Chandrashila 5 kms, Devariya Tal 3kms, etc.
9. Places to see at Chopta: You can visit multiple places at Chopta like the world's highest Shiva temple Tungnath, Chandrashila summit, Devariyatal lake, Chopta market, Chopta Bugyals and many more. So why to wait?
10. Nearby places at Chopta: Nearby places of Chopta where you can visit are Baniyakund, Gopeshwar city, Ukhimath, Sari village, Devariyatal, Guptkashi, etc. These all are famous tourist destinations by itself so plan your journey accordingly. 

Best Season to Travel in Chopta: 

Chopta is a location which looks amazing throughout the year, in winters it receives heavy snowfall which turned it into a white land of god. In monsoon, the green pasture land and new flowers makes it a fairy land of angels and in summers the pleasant weather makes it a perfect place to get hide from scorching sun or to spend your summer vacation.

So please don't think too much about which season is good for Chopta to visit and which is not. However, sometime it receives heavy rainfall during monsoon so you can check weather forecast before planning your trip to Chopta during monsoon. However, at the time of monsoon or you can say 'Savan' because of Tungnath temple, Chopta witnesses a good amount of travelers.  

Best Time for Trekking in Chopta Valley

• Summer (April to June): Pleasant weather and clear skies, ideal for trekking with lush green surroundings.
• Winter (November to March): Snow-covered landscapes and a chance to experience snow trekking, especially to Tungnath and Chandrashila.

Tips for Trekking in Chopta:

Acclimatize: Spend a day in Chopta to acclimatize before starting your trek.
Pack Wisely: Carry warm clothing, a good pair of trekking shoes, a raincoat, and other essentials.
Footwear: Wear sturdy, waterproof trekking shoes with good grip to handle slippery trails.
Stay Hydrated: Keep yourself hydrated, and carry enough water and snacks for the trek.
Follow the Trail: Stick to the marked trails to avoid getting lost and to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Backpack: Use a lightweight backpack that fits well and distributes weight evenly.
Trekking poles: These are helpful for balance and reducing strain on your knees, especially on steep or uneven terrain.
Physical fitness: Ensure you are in good physical condition before attempting any trek. Cardiovascular fitness and leg strength are particularly important.
Permits: Check if you need any permits for the trek, especially if visiting protected areas like sanctuaries.
Local customs: Respect local traditions and customs, and be courteous to villagers and other trekkers.

Facts about Chopta Treks:

Below are the few useful travel tips and facts which will helps you a lot on your Chopta trek.

1. Chopta don't have electricity. Yes, you read it right. Reason is it comes under Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary. But hotel owners has solar lights.
2. Carry etc batteries or data bank because solar panels takes too much time to charge devices.
3. You can conquers the three treks of Chopta in a single day, i.e Tungnath, Chandrashila and Devariyatal. You can book a cab from Chopta market to Sari village to save travel time.
4. Tungnath temple at Chopta is the highest Shiva temple in the world.
5. There is also a long trek between Tungnath and Devariyatal via Rohini Bugyal.

Can I do a solo trek to Chopta Chandrashila?

Yes, you can. Distance between Chopta and Chandrashila is about 5 kms and the trek route is very easy to walk. You will reach to the summit of Chandrashila in just 2 to 3 hours. Steep is not hard to trek and you'll meet to many other trekkers on the way which makes you feel little safe. For any query, you can ask any localities.  Also, route of this trek is well maintained by forest department till Tungnath temple where you will find temple priest and other pilgrims. Because it's a part of wildlife sanctuary, workers of forest department also check the area time to time. So it's all safe to do your trek solo. However, it is advised not to go away from the trek into the woods.

It is possible to do Chopta, Chandrashila and Devariyatal trek in a single Day

Yes, it is! Total trekking length of these three treks is about 8 km in which Tungnath and Chandrashila trek lies on a single path. Wake up early in the morning and start your trek at 6 am, you'll probably reach at Temple at around 7.15 am even when you walk slow. Spend some time there, then start your trek to Chandrashila. You'll reach there at 9.15 am, behold the beauty of Himalayas from there. Then after some time you can trek to downwards to Chopta and probable you'll reach there at 11 am even by giving your full time to every location and sight. Do you breakfast and pack your bags. If you have a vehicle then its good, otherwise you can book a tata sumo to Sari village which is a base camp of Devariyatal trek.

You will hardly reach at Sari in 45 minutes. Enjoy the views of Sari. Don't forget to do your lunch at Sari as villagers offers home cooked pure organic food. You can also charge your batteries and mobile phones at Sari as it has electricity. After a little rest, when you fell energetic, get yourself prepare for another 2.5 km easy trek. Walk slowly while enjoying the views and village aroma. You will reach at Devariyatal in between 1 to 2 hours at around 3 pm. Pitch your tents on the bank of lake and enjoying the evening view of Chaukhamba and other Himalayan peaks. You will get a plenty of time in the evening at Deoriyatal to do other activities. Have a happy trekking.

Chopta Chandrashila and Devariyatal Trek on long Weekends

Yes it is possible to plan your trip for weekend to Chopta. If you are from Delhi NCR, then leave Delhi at Thrusday night and reach to Rishikesh or Dehradun before Friday morning. We suggest you to visit Dehradun cause getting buses to Garhwal side from Rishikesh is a hard task. Get a bus to Gopeshwar or Rudraprayag, then to Chopta. Complete your all three treks of Chopta as we mentioned above. On Sunday morning, reach to Sari before 7 am to get a direct bus to Rishikesh/Haridwar, get a bus to Delhi from there. Next Monday you can join your office if you plan your trip according to our Chopta itinerary.