Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Garhwal Himalayas, Chopta is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts. The serene environs, undulating hills, and emerald forests of this pristine region offer a plethora of exciting things to do in Chopta that are sure to leave you spellbound. Whether you want to go trekking in the majestic Himalayan ranges and reach the top of Chandrashila or to the pristine Deoriya tal, spot rare birds in the lush valleys, or just relax in the lap of nature in broad bugyal, Chopta has something for everyone.
Top Things to Do in Chopta: Immerse in the Most Magnificent Experiences for a Lifetime
Chopta, also known as the 'Mini Switzerland of India', is a beautiful hill station that you can visit in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is a popular destination among nature lovers and adventurers. The serene ambiance, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and abundant flora and fauna make it a must-visit destination for tourists. If you are planning a trip to this amazing place, here are the top 9 things to do in Chopta.
- Trekking in Chopta
- Camping in Chopta
- Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
- Bird Watching in Chopta
- Yoga and Meditation in Chopta
- Cycling in Chopta
- Snow Sports in Chopta
- Rock Climbing in Chopta
- Village Tour to Sari and Trekking to Deoria Tal
1. Trekking in Chopta: Hike to the World’s Highest Temple of Shiva
Chopta is surrounded by beautiful trekking trails that offer stunning views of the Himalayas. One of the most popular treks is the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek which is considered one of the best things to do in Uttarakhand. It is a moderate-level trek and takes you to the highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath. From here, you can trek to Chandrashila, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas. The trek is best enjoyed during the winter season when the entire trail is covered with snow.
Location: Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Trek Routes: Haridwar- Sari (base camp) – Deoria Tal – Chopta – Circuit (Chopta – Tungnath – Chandrashila Peak – Chopta) – Haridwar
Best Time to Do: April to August
Duration: 5 am to
Time Needed: 4 to 6 days
Famous For: Trekking, Prayer, Sightseeing, Photography
Chopta Tungnath Trek Quick Facts:
Tungnath Trek Temperature: Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C
Maximum altitude: 11,154 ft.
Chopta to Tungnath Trek Distance: 5 Km
Base Camp: Sari Village (6-hour drive from Haridwar)
2. Camping in Chopta: Rest at the Paradise for Nature Lovers
Chopta is a great place for camping, surrounded by scenic beauty and lush greenery. There are several campsites in Chopta where you can enjoy the night sky, bonfires, and barbeque. Among them, Baniyakund is a wide meadow at a distance of 4 km from Chopta showcasing the breathtaking view of the Garhwal Himalayas. Paradise Adventure Camp Chopta between the Gopeshwar Ukhimath road is one of the best halt and night stay options here. When you camp here, you will get the opportunity to bird-watch as well. You can indulge in shopping too from some local shops around
Location: Chopta
Best Time to Do: March to June, September to November
Time Needed: 1-2 nights
Famous For: Camping, bird watching, sightseeing, photography
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3. Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary: Witness the Rare Himalayan Creatures, and Fauna
Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary can be your best escape if you are looking for a peaceful atmosphere amidst nature. If you want to forget the visuals of these concrete jungles of the cities, drive to this sanctuary, offering a dense forest, laden with green forest. You can witness some rare Himalayan fauna and Musk Deers. This sanctuary is known as being part of one of the most desired places to travel in Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. And your special treat is seeing the Himalayan Monal or Kalige Pheasant.
Location: 7 km from Chopta on Chopta- Gopeshwar Road
Best Time to Do: March to June, September to November
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Famous For: Rare Flora and Fauna, Himalayan birds' species, Musk Deer
4. Bird Watching in Chopta: Capture the Glimpse of Rare Himalayan Birds
(Picture is for reference purposes only)
Chopta is home to more than 240 species of birds because of it’s location in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Bird watching is a popular thing to do in Uttarakhand, as you can spot these birds in their natural habitat. The most popular birds among them are the Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Swiftlet, Himalayan Griffon, Scarlet Finch, Hill Patridge, Golden Eye, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Bearded Vultures, Laughter Thrust, Koklass Pheasant, Tit, Warbler, and so on. Chopta is the happy home of a vast variety of western Himalayan birds, who may be heard chirping in the early hours to the bustle of their daily activity at midday.
Location: Gopeshwar, Uttarakhand
Best Time to Do: Throughout the Year
Duration: 24 hours
Time Needed: Few hours
Famous For: Bird watching, strolling, sightseeing, photography
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5. Yoga and Meditation in Chopta: Get Some Motivation from the Ultimate Yogi
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Chopta is an ideal destination for those seeking peace and serenity. The natural beauty and tranquility of the place make it perfect for practicing yoga and meditation. There are several yoga centers in Chopta where you can learn and practice yoga and meditation. One can try Yoga, Asanas, Pranayams, Meditation, Trekking, and Camping and get connected to mother nature, breathing fresh air which is one of the most serene things to do in Chopta Uttarakhand. Imagine yourself meditating in front of the Aadi Yogi Mahadev in Tungnath or doing Yoga beside the pristine Deoria Tal.
Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag
Best Time to Do: March to June, September to November
Duration: 6 am to 8 am
Time Needed: 1 week or more
Famous For: Yoga and Meditation
6. Cycling in Chopta: Let’s have the Ride of a Lifetime
“When you ride hard on a mountain bike, sometimes you fall, otherwise you’re not riding hard.”
-George Bush, Former US President
This quote has really a deep meaning behind it as cycling is a true blessing for humanity and when we talk about cycling on mountains, just imagine the breeze touching your face and the greenery on sides with snow-capped mountains on the other side. The stunning route of Chopta offers the same beauty to mountain bikers coming here in search of adventure in Chopta. The ascends and the descends to create a nerve-pumping feeling. Not only this, but Rudraprayag Government Authority also organizes Cycling Events in Chopta. A few camping resorts also organize cycling trips.
Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag
Best Time to Do: March to June, September to November
Time Needed: A Few hours
Famous For: Cycling, Sightseeing, Photography
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7. Snow Sports in Chopta: Are You Ready for Snow Magic?
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During winter, the region gets covered with a thick blanket of snow, making it a great destination for snow sports in Chopta. You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in Choptaif. You are a pro skier. The region is not yet developed as a skiing resort, and this is the reason you will not get training providers here. Though some adventure groups come here with gears to practice one of the best things to do in Chopta in December.
Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag
Best Time to Do: November to February
Time Needed: 30 mins to 1 hour
Famous For: Snow activties- Skiing, Snow Boarding
8. Rock Climbing in Chopta: Climb Across Your Limits
Chopta has several rock climbing sites that offer a challenging experience for adventure enthusiasts. The rock formations in Chopta are perfect for rock climbing, and you can also take training from experts. The rock formations near Duggalbitta are the perfect site for rappelling and rock climbing in Chopta. The best part is you do not need to be a professional climber, as an amateur climber can also try to ascend these rocks and fulfill the desire of trying out an adventure in India.
Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag
Best Time to Do: Throughout the Year
Duration: A Few Hours
Famous For: Rock Climbing, trekking
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9. Village Tour to Sari and Trekking Deoria Tal: Walk in Hamlets and Witness the Miracle
Chopta is a photographer's paradise, with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the lush green forests and when we talk about paradise, how can we miss listing the Sari Village which is starting point of the Deoriatal Trek? Deoria Tal is a beautiful lake located at an altitude of 2,438 meters, surrounded by lush green forests and snow-capped mountains. The village is surrounded by dense forests of Oak and Rhododendron trees, and witnessing the alluring vista of these flowers in February and March is one of the greatest attractions in Chopta for tourists.
Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag
Best Time to Do: February and March
Duration: A few Hours
Famous For: Trekking to Deoriatal, Bird watching, Yoga and Meditation, Sightseeing, and photography.
So, now you know that Chopta is a true paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The serene ambiance, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and abundant flora and fauna make it a must-visit destination for tourists with a plethora of things to do in Chopta. Whether you want to trek, camp, bird watch, practice yoga, or indulge in snow sports and rock climbing, Chopta has surely something for you in it’s pocket, hence, get the best of Chopta vacation packages and experience the beauty blended with thrill.
FAQs
A minimum of 1 to 2 days is required to explore the spectacular beauty and experience the adventure activities in Chopta.
Chopta's snow season lasts from mid-January to mid-March, during which time you may go skiing and go on snow excursions. Chopta is beautiful with snow-covered trees.
The summer months of March through May are the finest for travel to Chopta. During this time, you can witness the flora and fauna in the meadows.
Chopta is most famous for the Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek, and the famous Deoriatal Lake Trek. These are moderate to expert-level treks in this gorgeous piece of the Himalayas.
The ideal months to visit Tungnath are from April through November. Rhododendrons, pine, deodar, and other rich greenery soothe the eyes while the mountain breeze refreshes the soul.
The topmost places to visit in Chopta include:
- Tungnath
- Chandrashila
- Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
- Sari Village
- Baniyakund
- Kalimath Temple
The best activities to do in Chopta are;
- Trekking
- Camping
- Exploring Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
- Bird Watching
- Yoga and Meditation
Yes, you can. The length of the trek from Chopta is around 5 km, so you can start early in the morning so that you can reach before noon and ascend down before sunset. The region is an animal-prone area and as the day comes to an end, the region gets dangerous for humans.
