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Chopta meadow and forest seen from the starting point of the Tungnath trek

Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India · City guide

Chopta travel guide

A small ridge-top meadow in the Garhwal hills, the base for Tungnath and Chandrashila and best taken slowly, with warm layers.

TrekkingPilgrimageNatureMountain views

Updated

Photo: Alok · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chopta is less a town than a clearing in the forest. It sits at roughly 2,600 to 2,700 m on the road linking Ukhimath with Gopeshwar, inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, among pine, deodar and rhododendron. A few guesthouses, tea stalls and camping spots line the road, and the trailhead for two of Garhwal's best known short treks starts beside it.

Those treks are the reason most people come. Tungnath, at about 3,680 m, is the highest of the five Panch Kedar Shiva temples, and Chandrashila, a further climb of about 1.5 km, offers a wide view over the snow peaks. Deoria Tal, a small lake reached from Sari village, is a gentler option. The area is quiet and the facilities are plain.

Chopta works best as an overnight base on a longer Garhwal trip. Ukhimath, where the Kedarnath deity spends winter, and Guptkashi lie on the way. Kedarnath itself is a separate and much more demanding journey with its own page on Raahzo.

It is not an easy destination for everyone. The altitude, cold nights, limited medical help and patchy phone signal call for care, especially for older travellers. With a slow pace, warm clothes and a flexible plan, it is a calm and rewarding stop.

Before you plan

Chopta at a glance

Best months
April to June and late September to…April to June and late September to November; Tungnath temple is usually open from late April to early November, and winter brings snow and cold.
Ideal trip length
1 to 2 nights for Chopta, Tungnath…1 to 2 nights for Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila; 3 days if adding Deoria Tal and Ukhimath
Airport
Jolly Grant Airport, DehradunJolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED); roughly 6 to 8 hours by road, depending on traffic and road conditions
Railway station
Yog Nagari RishikeshYog Nagari Rishikesh (YNRK) or Haridwar (HW); roughly 6 to 8 hours by road to Chopta, depending on conditions
Getting around
A hired car and driver is the…A hired car and driver is the practical option on mountain roads; local shared taxis run on the main route, and the temples and meadows are reached on foot.
Daily budget
Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 per person per day excluding hotel, for food, transport and pony hire; varies by season and stay.
Senior comfort
Limited: altitudeLimited: altitude, cold and steep paths need planning. Treat Tungnath as optional for older travellers and keep other plans gentle.
Language
Hindi and Garhwali locallyHindi and Garhwali locally; Hindi and some English at guesthouses and on the trail

Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.

Best time to visit Chopta: May, October. Month-by-month weather →

How to reach Chopta by air, train and road →

How many days do you have?

Chopta itinerary

One good day

1 day in Chopta

Start from the trailhead at Chopta by about 7 am for the walk to Tungnath, roughly 3.5 km each way, and take darshan at the temple. Rest at a tea stall on the descent. Return for lunch and a slow afternoon along the meadow edge and forest road, then watch the light change on the peaks before dinner.

Day-by-day plan →

Two days

2 days in Chopta

Drive in from Ukhimath or Rudraprayag, allowing a stop at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. Check in, rest to adjust to the altitude and take a short walk along the meadow at sunset.

Day-by-day plan →

Three unhurried days

3 days in Chopta

Drive from Rudraprayag, stopping at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath and, if time allows, the Vishwanath temple in Guptkashi. Reach Chopta in the evening and rest.

Deoria Tal
Day-by-day plan →

See the day-by-day Chopta itinerary →

The places that explain Chopta.

Places to visit in Chopta

Places to visit · 5 guides

What and where to eat in Chopta.

Food to try in Chopta

Food and restaurants

Food at Chopta is plain and filling: dal, rice, rotis, parathas, noodles and tea at small dhabas and guesthouse kitchens. Menus are short and supplies depend on the season, so do not expect variety or late-night options.

For wider choice, Ukhimath and Guptkashi have more restaurants and shops. Carry snacks, nuts and water for the treks, and choose freshly cooked food. Garhwali dishes such as jhangora kheer or mandua rotis may appear locally, but ask rather than assume.

Markets, makers and what to take home.

Shopping in Chopta

Shopping

There is little shopping at Chopta itself beyond tea stalls, warm hats, gloves and rain ponchos sold near the trailhead. Pack what you need before you arrive.

In Ukhimath and Guptkashi, small shops sell pilgrimage items such as prasad, rudraksha beads and brass items. Prices are negotiable in most shops; check quality before buying. Carry cash, since card acceptance can be unreliable.

Hotels that shape the trip, not just the night.

Where to stay in Chopta

Hotels and stays

The areas to compare: Chopta meadow and roadside, Ukhimath, Sari village, Guptkashi.

Where to stay in ChoptaCompare hotels in Chopta

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.

Living places of faith — visit with respect.

Temples and places of worship in Chopta

Places of worship · 3 guides

Choose without overthinking

Which Chopta experience is right for your trip?

Most plans get crowded because nobody is willing to choose. These comparisons make the trade-offs clear.

Tungnath only, or Tungnath plus Chandrashila?

Tungnath alone gives you the temple and a good view for a half-day walk. Adding Chandrashila means a steeper, more exposed climb of about 1.5 km and a longer day. Choose it only if you are fit and the sky is clear.

Deoria Tal or Tungnath?

Deoria Tal is shorter, at about 3 km from Sari, and lower, so it suits families and slower walkers. Tungnath is higher and more of a pilgrimage and a trek. If you can do only one and altitude worries you, choose Deoria Tal.

Stay at Chopta or at Ukhimath?

Chopta puts you at the trailhead for an early start but facilities are basic and nights are cold. Ukhimath is lower, warmer and better equipped, but about 45 km away. Older travellers often prefer Ukhimath and a day trip.

Summer or autumn?

Late April to June is greener and often clearer in the morning, with rhododendron in bloom in spring. Late September to November tends to have crisper views but colder nights, and Tungnath closes in early November.

Map

Open in Google Maps →

Know before you go

Chopta travel tips

  1. 01

    Altitude

    Chopta is at roughly 2,600 to 2,700 m and Tungnath near 3,680 m. Walk slowly, drink water and rest if you have a headache or breathlessness. Descend if symptoms persist.

  2. 02

    Cold

    Nights are cold even in summer. Carry a warm jacket, gloves, cap, thermal layers and a rain cover.

  3. 03

    Getting there

    Roads climb through mountain terrain and can be closed by landslides in the monsoon or snow in winter. Use a driver who knows the route and allow buffer time.

  4. 04

    Walking

    Tungnath's path is stone paved but steep. Start early, use a walking stick, and wear shoes with grip. Ponies are usually available at the trailhead.

  5. 05

    Money

    Carry enough cash. ATMs are scarce near Chopta and card acceptance and phone signal can be unreliable.

  6. 06

    Temple rules

    Tungnath is closed for roughly half the year, from around November to April. Check opening dates, dress warmly and remove footwear at shrines.

  7. 07

    Forest rules

    Chopta lies in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Avoid litter, loud music and open fires, and check current rules on camping and entry.

  8. 08

    Photography

    Early morning gives the clearest views. Ask before photographing people and priests, and follow rules inside temples.

Chopta with elderly parents: what to know

  • Treat Tungnath as optional. The altitude and steady climb are demanding, and a doctor's check is wise for heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
  • Spend a night at a lower base such as Ukhimath before going up to Chopta, to let your body adjust.
Chopta with parents: full guideAdd concierge support

Day trips from Chopta

UkhimathAbout 45 km by roadThe winter seat of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar, with the Omkareshwar Temple and more facilities than Chopta.
Deoria TalAbout 3 km on foot from Sari villageA small mountain lake with reflections of the Chaukhamba range on clear mornings.
GuptkashiA longer drive from Chopta; check current road timesA temple town on the Kedarnath road with the Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Kund.
KedarnathReached from Gaurikund; a separate multi-day tripOne of the Char Dham shrines; it has its own page on Raahzo and needs separate planning.

Useful answers

Chopta FAQs

Where is Chopta?

In Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at roughly 2,600 to 2,700 m, on the road linking Ukhimath with Gopeshwar.

How many days do I need at Chopta?

One to two nights is enough for Tungnath and Chandrashila. Add a day for Deoria Tal and Ukhimath.

What is the best time to visit Chopta?

April to June and late September to November are usually the clearest. July and August bring heavy rain and cloud, and winter brings snow.

Is Chopta suitable for elderly parents?

With care. The altitude and cold are real concerns, and Tungnath is steep. A slower itinerary based at Ukhimath with short walks is easier.

Is Tungnath open all year?

No. It usually closes in early November for the winter and reopens in late April, with dates set each year.

Is Kedarnath near Chopta?

Both are in the same region but Kedarnath is reached from Gaurikund and needs its own plan. See the Kedarnath page on Raahzo.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.

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