Chopta is called the mini Switzerland of India and it is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. The evergreen forest, hills, meadows, and wildlife sanctuary make Chopta a perfect getaway for tourists. These are some of the best places to visit in Chopta that you can find in this article.
It is a great place for people of all kinds: pilgrims, nature lovers, those who like adventures, etc. The snow-capped mountains along with the lush green vegetation and the flowing rivers, make Chopta look like a dreamy place. It offers a great view of famous places such as Nanda Devi, Tungnath, Chandrashila, etc.
Some things to know before you visit Chopta
| Climate | cool throughout the year, summers are pleasant and winters are freezing |
| Best time to visit | March to May |
| Major attractions | Tungnath, Deoria Tal, Chandrashila Trek, Kalimath, Ukhimath, Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary, Madhyamaheshwar Mandir, Rohini Bugyal, Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev, Sari Village, Dugalbitta, Baniyakund, etc. |
| Activities to do | Tungnath Trek, Camp At The Meadows, explore the wildlife, learn about the culture, sightseeing, photography, etc. |
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 226km |
| Nearest Railway station | Haridwar railway station, 230km |
| Best way to reach | Get to the nearest airport or the railway station and take a taxi or a cab to Chopta |
| Elevation | 2608m |
| Languages spoken | Hindi, English, Pahari |
Best places in Chopta
Tungnath
This place has the highest Shiva Temple in the world and it is situated at an altitude of 3680 m. It is believed that Arjun was one of the Pandavas who laid the foundation of Tungnath. And for the people who love trekking, they must try Chopta to Tungnath route and trek to the top.
It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and Tungnath divides the water of the Mandakini River from the Alaknanda River. The Valley between Chopta and Tungnath Temple is filled with rhododendron flowers and other alpine meadows. The climate here is generally cool throughout the year. Summers are quite pleasant and winters can be very chilly.
Chandrashila Trek
If legends are to be believed then it was at this place that Lord Ram meditated after killing Ravan. Also, the Chandrashila trek is also considered to be one of the best trekking routes in Uttarakhand. The very famous Tungnath temple is located on the top of this mountain.
Chandrashila is located at a distance of 2.5 km from Chopta which is the base of this trek. Once you reach the top of this peak, you can have a magnificent view of Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, and Trishul mountain peaks.
Kalimath
The small town is famous for the presence of the Kali Temple and it is believed that Goddess Kali went underground at this place after killing Raktbeej, a demon. There are many other temples at Kalimath dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Lord Shiva. Kalimath Temple is situated at an elevation of 1250 m above sea level in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
There are almost 108 Shakti Peeths dedicated to Goddess Kali and this is one of the Shakti Peeths. Inside the temple, there is no idol of any God. Rather, there is a pond that is worshipped by the devotees. To get the best view of Kalimath, one should plan a vacation during the Navratri festival as the whole area is decorated beautifully and people celebrate the festival with lots of joy and love.
Ukhimath
It is a holy town in Uttarakhand and also one of the best places to visit in Chopta. This place has numerous temples dedicated to many gods and goddesses such as Parvati, Shiva, Saraswati, etc. One of the best-known temples at Ukhimath is known as Omkareshwar Temple and during the winter months, it acts as the home of Kedarnath.
The place is famous for many kinds of religious processions and one of them is the time when idols of Kedarnath and Madhyameshwar temples are brought to Ukhimath during the winter season. The place also offers a very beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains and other Himalayan peaks.
Sari Village
On your way to Chopta, just 20 km before, lies Sari village which is one of the most splendid and breathtaking places that you will see in Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by rhododendron and oak trees and also acts as a base camp when you plan your trekking for Deoria Tal and Tungnath Temple. It is located at an altitude of 7800 feet and is a very romantic place.
Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
It is also called Kasturi Mrug and the main attraction of this sanctuary is the musk deer. It has other endemic Himalayan flora and fauna and very dense forests. For the people who love bird-watching, it is heaven for them. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 5 km² and if you want to spot animals that are located at a distance, do carry a pair of binoculars for the same.
Madhyamaheshwar Mandir
You must have seen Sivalingam being worshipped at many temples in India but at this particular temple, the stomach of Lord Shiva is worshipped by the devotees. The temple is located at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level and it is surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks.
The Neelkanth and Kedarnath mountains are also visible from this temple. The most important and exciting activities to do here are sightseeing, visiting the temples, exploring the nearby areas, and enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the mountains.
Dugalbitta
It is a small hill station located near Chopta and the best thing about this place is that you won’t find too much crowd here. At the time of winter, the place receives heavy snowfall due to which it attracts quite a good number of tourists from all over India. One can go for other kinds of activities such as birdwatching, trekking, cycling, and walking in nature.
Rohini Bugyal
It is located at a distance of 8 km from Sari Village and it lies on the route to Chopta. It is a beautiful meadow that is covered with dense woods and lush green vegetation. It is a great place to camp while trekking to Chandrashila and from this place, one can view the beautiful Himalayan ranges such as Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, etc.
It is a very quiet place and the usual sounds of vehicles and people are rare here but soothing chirping sounds of birds and water bodies running through the mountains can be heard. The sunrise and sunset at Rohini Bugyal are something that every tourist must experience while there at this place.
Bisurital
It is a magnificent and beautiful lake which is located at an elevation of 4000 m above sea level. The Mandakini valley also lies on the way to this lake which makes the journey more exciting and fun. However, it is not a very popular place among tourists, and therefore, it provides an opportunity to explore something new, something rare.
When you start taking to Bisurital, you have to start from Chopta and the route passes through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. The total length of this trek is almost 60 km from both sides and once you reach the top, you can witness a beautiful glacial lake that looks mesmerizing along with the splendid mountain peaks.
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Frequently asked questions about Chopta
What is special in Chopta?
Which is better, Auli or Chopta?
Are there two Chopta?
Does it snow in Chopta?
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