Chopta Valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Uttarakhand as the natural splendours seen from here is very diverse. It is also called “Mini Switzerland" because of the similarity in natural beauty. It is in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhamba. The view of Sunrise and sunset in the Chopta Uttarakhand is literally awesome. No other option is better than this to begin your day with the beautiful Sunrise of Chopta; which fills you with the energy. Chopta Valley Uttarakhand is getting popular as a tourist destination for the last few years. It is an offbeat destination and it acts as an interesting tourist getaway for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is also rich in varied flora and fauna. Rhododendron and deodar trees are found in abundance here. In the spring season, the red rhododendron flower fills the colour in this beautiful place and gives it new life to this place. Here are some of the key places to visit in Chopta & the things to do in Chopta like Camping, Trekking, Nature Walk etc. For Accommodation Option-Click here ( Camp Option in Chopta / Hotel Option in Chopta ).
Best Places to visit in Chopta
Deoriatal:
Deoriyatal is the most vibrant and delightful place in the district of Rudraprayag. Devoriyatal literally means the lake of God. It is a lake that is known for his panoramic view of the beautiful Chaukhamba peak. To reach Deoriatal you have to first reach Sari village which is 20 km before the Chopta. Sari village is the base camp for trekkers who want to trek Deorital. From Sari Village, you have to trek for 3-4 km to reach Deoriatal. I already wrote the blog about Deoriatal, for more information about Deoriatal you can read it here (more...)
Tungnath Temple & trek:
Tungnath is one of highest Shiva temple in the World. This 1000-year-old temple located at an altitude of 12073 ft. It is 4km from Chopta and one of the Panch Kedar temples. It is believed that the Pandavas started on their journey to find Lord Shiva after killing their cousins in the Kurukshetra war. However, since Lord Shiva was angry about all the deaths, he wanted to avoid them as a result of which he turned into a bull and disappeared in the ground with all his body parts scattered in different places.
Chandrshilla Trek:
Chandrshila literally means "Moonrock". Chandrshilla Temple has located approx 5 km from Chopta and 1 km from Tungnath. The trek starts from Chopta - Tungnath and Then Tunganath - Chandrshilla. According to Legends, this is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana. This trek is one of the most popular treks among Indian trekking enthusiasts.
Kanchaula Korak Musk deer Sanctuary:
It is 7km from Chopta and spread in 5 sq km area and it is famous for the state animal of Uttarakhand Musk Deer.
Ukhimath:
Ukhimath is a small town which is 29 km from Chopta. It is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath. When in winter the Kedarnath temple is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall at that time the doli of Lord Kedar shift to the Ukhimath for 6 months(approx) and stay there until the date of reopening of the Kedarnath temple not declared.
Bisurital:
Bisurital is an offbeat destination near Chopta. Not many trekkers are aware of this Bisurital Trek. The trek to Bisurital is of 30km from one side (60 km from both sides) and maybe this is the reason that it is not popular.
Kartik Swami Trek & temple:
Kartik Swami temple is dedicated to the elder son of Lord Shiva Kartikey. The trek to Kartikswami leads from Kanakchauri village which offers a 360-degree view of Himalayas. The trek route of the temple is from the dense forest where you can see the beautiful sunrise and sunset. Peaks like Bandar-punch, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, etc are covered with snow which gives you the feel of heaven. Trekking, camping, and bird watching are the popular activities of this place.
Hope this post gives you little idea about Chopta and its nearer places.
Pictures Courtesy:- Saima Moosa (@saima06) Via Instagram | Suraj Bajaj(@the.ingenious.moron) Via Instagram | Anjali Singh Rawat(@thehimalayangirl_) Via Instagram
Chopta – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Chopta safe?
Yes, Chopta is completely safe to visit in summer & winter season. But in monsoon, heavy rain can damage the roads, and increase the chances of landslides in the region, so try to avoid travel in monsoon.
2. How can I go to Chopta from Rishikesh?
From Rishikesh, you can take any private taxi or shared jeep to Rudraprayag or to Ukhimath. Once you reach Rudraprayag you will easily get a bus or taxi to Ukhimath. From Ukhimath, Chopta is just at 1-2 hr distance where you can reach by local transport. To avoid the hassle-free trip better to book the taxi to Chopta in advance.
3. How difficult is Tungnath Trek?
Tungnath trek is an easy trek Himalayan trek which is approx 3 km long and starts from Chopta. The trek is not very steep so any first-timer can easily complete the trek within 3-4 hours. The temple is closed in winter because of the high snowfall region so it is better to avoid the trek in winter and is not easy to trek on 1-2 feet snow.
4. Is there a mobile network in Chopta?
There are few hotspots in Chopta where you’ll get the signals of BSNL & Airtel but other than this, no network is reliable in the region. In Chopta-Chandrashila & Deoriatal Trek, the entire stretch is in no signal zone.
5. How far is Chopta from Auli?
To Reach Auli from Chopta, you have to drive approx 120 km which takes almost 4-5 hours to reach Auli Hillstation. The road map would be like this -
Chopta - Chamoli - Pipalkoti - Joshimath - Auli
6. What are the road conditions in Chopta?
In Chopta, the roads are in good shape but in the other region of Garhwal the roads are rough and not in good condition because of the ‘All-weather Road’ construction work is ongoing at many places. It is estimated that the project will finish in 2021.
7. How long is Chopta Chandrashila trek?
Chandrashila trek is a popular easy trek among the trekking enthusiasts. The Chandrashila trek is approximately 5 km long which starts from Chopta then goes through Tungnath and ends at Chandrashila Peak. From Tungnath, Chandrashila peak is two km long. (Uttarakhand trekking tours)
8. What is the best time to visit Chopta?
Chopta is the perfect destination where you can experience the beauty of the mountains. Throughout the year, you can visit Chopta hill station but try to avoid travel in the monsoon season. If you want to do Tungnath temple darshan then, April to November is the best time for Tungnath Darshan because, after November the temple remains closed for the next six months. In summer, the landscape shows greenery and in winters, the whole landscape is covered with white snow sheets.
9. What are some best Chopta places to visit?
Some of the best places to visit in Chota are - are Deoriyatal, Sari Village, Dugalbitta, Tungnath temple trek, Chandrashila temple trek, Ukhimath, Kanchula Kharak Musk Deer Sanctuary, Rohini Bugyal, Bisurital, Baniyakund etc
10. What are the activities that can be done in Chopta?
In Chopta, you can go for trekking, temple sightseeing, camping and also can do bird watching in the region. Because of the abundance of birds, Chopta is a paradise for the bird watchers. Other than adventure activities, you can also experience sunrise-sunset view, stargazing at night, yoga & meditation, jungle walk, village walk, experience local culture etc. (Birds in Uttarakhand)
© 2024 Bizarexpedition Services Pvt. Ltd.
