Chopta is a serene Himalayan hamlet, often called the “Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand” for its lush meadows, snow views and quiet, slow‑travel vibe. It is perfect for trekkers, birders and nature lovers seeking an uncrowded base in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Tourism in Chopta
Tourism in Chopta centres on trekking, camping and nature stays rather than heavy commercialisation. Travellers come mainly for the Tungnath–Chandrashila trek, Deoria Tal, birdwatching in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and winter snow walks, making it a year‑round adventure and relaxation hub.
Location
Chopta lies in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, on the Gopeshwar–Ukhimath road, at roughly 2,680–2,900 metres above sea level. It is about 33–45 km from Ukhimath, around 68 km from Rudraprayag and roughly 160 km from Rishikesh, surrounded by dense oak, deodar and rhododendron forests.
History
Chopta is part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and historically formed a stretch of grazing meadows and forest used by local communities. Its prominence grew as the base village for the ancient Tungnath temple trail, one of the Panch Kedar shrines linked to Mahabharata legends, and later as a scenic trekking destination.
Fairs and festivals
Villages around Chopta follow the broader Garhwali festival calendar, celebrating Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Holi and Diwali with local rituals and folk music. Many visitors also experience nearby religious events linked to Kedarnath and Ukhimath, where winter worship of Kedarnath deity takes place with processions and fairs.
How to reach
Chopta is primarily reached by road:
- From Haridwar/Rishikesh, drive via Devprayag–Rudraprayag–Ukhimath or via Karnaprayag–Chamoli–Gopeshwar; both routes connect to the Rudraprayag–Ukhimath–Gopeshwar highway on which Chopta lies.
- The nearest major railway station is Haridwar, while Rishikesh also has rail connectivity; the closest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), from where buses and taxis go towards Rudraprayag and onward.
Tourist attractions
- Tungnath Temple: The highest Shiva temple in the world and third of the Panch Kedar, reached by a 3.5 km trek from Chopta.
- Chandrashila Peak: A further 1.5 km above Tungnath, this summit (over 4,000 m) offers sunrise views over Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba and dozens of other Himalayan peaks.
- Deoria Tal: A forest‑ringed lake about 20 km from Chopta, famous for reflections of Chaukhamba and camping.
- Meadows and forests: Bugyals and wooded trails around Chopta are excellent for day hikes, birding and spotting Himalayan fauna within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Atrimuni Falls and valley viewpoints along the approach road add to the offbeat charm.
Cuisine of Chopta
Cuisine in Chopta is simple Garhwali hill food served in small dhabas and homestays. Typical dishes include aloo ke gutke (spiced potatoes), mandua or jhangora rotis (millet breads), bhatt ki dal or churkani (black soybean), seasonal leafy saag and warm chai, with basic North Indian curries available for trekkers and campers.
