CHOPTA

Chopta is one of those beautiful places in Uttrakhand which must not be missed by adventure and nature lovers as well as Hindu devotees. At an altitude of 2900 m, Chopta is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand , which is a lush green valley showcasing an exciting view of the Himalayan Peaks. The place is known for its stunning meadow, where camping is no less than a dream. However, what makes Chopta quite a popular travel place in Uttarakhand is the fact that it is the base point of the famous and sacred temple of Tungnath, which by the way is the highest Shiva Temple in India.

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Chopta is also the part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and offers trekkers an excellent opportunity of scaling to a height of 4000 m, where is situated, the Chandrashila Peak that renders a 360° view of the snow-clad Himalayan Peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and Trishul. Along with the enthralling trek, Chopta is ideal for camping under the starry sky. Pitch your own tent or rent one for few nights, and avail yourself one of the finest camping experience in Uttarakhand. Aah! In a scenic place, waking up in the morning and viewing the red sun coming out of the mountains from your tent, is definitely something you should experience.

Best time to visit Chopta

Chopta is a joy to visit throughout the year, but yes people choose to come here to beat the heat, however for an adventure lover, a winter trek here, is a dream. Summers are very pleasant with a cool breeze and moderate weather. But when it comes to winter, the temperature falls to negative and the entire place gets covered in snow.

SUMMER

The temperature experienced by Chopta during summer is between 15°C to 24°C. Due to a cool weather and moderate temperature in the summer, people are able to enjoy trekking and camping in this season.

MONSOON

The months of July, August, and September experiences the monsoon and the showers make the weather more pleasant and favourable, however, sometimes an unexpected heavy rain can be a spoiler. But then on the other hand after a shower, the beauty of this place is so much purified that it becomes picture perfect.

WINTER

The temperature range during this season is between -15°C and 5°C. Due to this chilly weather, most of the tourists avoid venturing here. But still, there are a lot of adventure enthusiasts who you can spot enjoy a snow trek from Chopta to Chandrashila.

13 Best Places To Visit In Chopta

 1.Tungnath – The Highest Temple

The highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath is situated at an altitude of 3680 meters. Expect an unprecedented view of the Himalayas from here. Tungnath is also one of the famous five Panch Kedar shrines of Uttarakhand. One has to trek to Tungnath, but it is one of the easiest treks recommended for beginners. This village is surrounded by evergreen forests of pine, deodar, and rhododendron.

 2.Deoria Tal – A Quaint Spot

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This heavenly lake is located at a distance of 3 km from Sari village.  Do go on a village exploration trip alone or with your group to understand and see the lives of the people of the mountains.Mythological stories say that this place is the spot where the Pandavas were asked questions by Yaksha. Devariya Tal is situated at an astounding altitude of 2300 metre above sea level, which is definitely one of the best places to visit in Chopta.

 3.Chandrashila – Snow-Covered Hills

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Chandrashila is perched at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level. It is one of the best places for Chopta sightseeing. You can have a 360-degree view of the Himalayan peaks from here, including Kedar, Nandadevi, Chaukhamba and Trishul peaks from Chandrashila. According to legend, Chandrashila is the place where Lord Ram meditated after defeating Ravana. Chopta has a lot of myths related to the Ramayan. Chandrashila literally means “Moon Rock”. You can also visit the temple which is dedicated to the goddess Ganga atop Chadrashila.

 4.Ukhimath – Praise The God

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Known as winter Kedarnath, it houses Lord Shiva when Kedarnath shuts down during winters. You can view the entire Himalayas from here too. A lot of devotees come here to visit this holy temple. Ukhimath is situated at an altitude of 1300 meters. It attracts a lot of travellers all through the year due to the scenic beauty of the place. You can find solidarity here in the midst of spirituality.

5.Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary – Witness Deer Playing

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Situated in Chopta-Gopeshwar road, it extends over an area of 5 sq. km and houses many exotic Himalayan birds and animals. Most famous for musk deer, this is a dense forest. An ideal place for all wildlife lovers, rare Himalayan species can be spotted here.

6.Madhyamaheshwar Mandir – Pay A Visit

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Also known as Madmaheshawar, Lord Shiva’s stomach is worshipped here by devotees. This is one of the best tourist places near Chopta. It is situated at an altitude of 3200 m above sea level. The temple is surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas from one side and alpine green meadows from the other. You can also see the Neelkanth and Kedarnath peaks from this temple.

 7.Rohini Bugyal – Camp With Your Gang

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Rohini Bugyal literally means a green meadow. One can visit Bugyal while trekking to Chandrashila peak via Deoria Tal. It serves as a perfect location for camping. If you are an adventurous soul then make sure that you explore this meadow with your friends and spend some time in peace.

8.Dugalbitta – Hidden Hamlet

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If you are the kind of person who likes to stay away from the touristy crowd then you must spend some time in Dugalbitta as it is one of the top offbeat places to visit in Chopta.

 9.Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev – Religious Visit

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Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev temple is located in Deoria Tal. This temple is dedicated to Nag Devta, the king of serpents according to Hindu mythology. The temple is known for its unique architecture designed like the iconic temples of Uttarakhand, in terms of Mandap and Garbgriha. You will get to hear numerous mythological stories once you visit this temple and indulge in conversations with locals.

 10.Sari Village – Serene Escapes

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also known as Saari Gaon is one of the most popular places to visit in Chopta. It is the base camp for Deorial Lake. Located at an altitude of 7800 feet, the serene village is known for offering romantic escapes. The village is well-connected to the major spots of Chopta and can be easily reached via road.

11.Kalimath Temple – Illuminating Hours

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As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and according to folklore, Goddess went underneath the ground at this place, after killing a demon named Raktbeej.

 12.Bisurital – For Adventure Seekers

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You can admire the mesmerizing Mandakini valley on your visit to this lake. The place is the most preferred trekking destination for adventurers holidaying in Chopta. As the place is not very popular among the tourists, it gives you a chance to witness the impeccable beauty of Uttarakhand!

13.Baniyakund – Impeccable Beauty

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Baniyakund is truly a delight for nature-lovers interested in encountering the captivating beauty of Uttarakhand. It is located in Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, overlooking the wide horizon of Garhwal Himalayas. This site near Chopta will surely enthrall you with the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. You will be taking a 15-20 minutes road journey to get here.