Chopta
Meadows Below the World's Highest Shiva Temple
Overview
Chopta is a high meadow hamlet in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalaya, set at about 2,680 m within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and often called 'Mini Switzerland.' It is the trailhead for Tungnath, the highest of the Panch Kedar and, at about 3,680 m, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, reached by a roughly 3.5 km climb. Above it, a further steep push reaches the Chandrashila summit at about 4,000 m for a 360-degree Himalayan panorama. The temple typically closes for winter. Sightings of the Himalayan monal are a bonus. MyTripMyTravel operates Chopta as a chauffeured trekking and pilgrimage base.
Chopta is less a village than a series of alpine meadows draped across a ridge at about 2,680 m, ringed by pine, oak, and rhododendron and looking out to the Garhwal giants. It sits inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, so development is thin, a cluster of huts, seasonal tea shacks, and camps rather than a town, which is precisely why the comparison with a mini Switzerland has stuck.
The reason most people come is above them. From Chopta a paved but steep path climbs roughly 3.5 km to Tungnath, at about 3,680 m the highest of the five Panch Kedar shrines and one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. A further sharp kilometre and a half up leads to the Chandrashila summit at close to 4,000 m, where the reward is a full 360-degree sweep, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedar, and Bandarpunch laid out around you. Nearby, the lake of Deoria Tal mirrors the Chaukhamba peaks on a still morning.
MyTripMyTravel runs Chopta as a proper high-country base with honest logistics. The Tungnath and Chandrashila climb is genuine trekking at altitude and demands fitness, acclimatisation, and warm layers; the temple itself usually closes in winter, when the deity is moved down to Makkumath and the trail carries snow and ice. We plan the season, brief on the climb and altitude, arrange the chauffeured Garhwal drive, and stage a guide for the ascent.
At a glance
Chopta in brief
When to visit
April to June, September to November
April to June brings pleasant days, rhododendron colour on the lower slopes, and open, walkable trails to Tungnath and Chandrashila. September to November after the monsoon offers the clearest, sharpest Himalayan panoramas from the summit and cool, stable trekking weather. Winter, December to March, blankets Chopta and the trail in snow, beautiful and popular for snow trekking, but the Tungnath temple usually closes for the season with the deity moved to Makkumath, and the climb becomes an ice-and-snow undertaking needing proper gear. The monsoon (July to August) is green but wet, leech-prone, and landslide-affected on the approach roads, so we generally avoid it.
Things to do
Experiences in Chopta
Tungnath temple trek
The roughly 3.5 km climb from Chopta to the highest of the Panch Kedar shrines at about 3,680 m, genuine uphill walking with big views.
Chandrashila summit
A steep further push above Tungnath to a roughly 4,000 m summit with a 360-degree panorama of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba.
Deoria Tal
A serene high-altitude lake near Sari village that mirrors the Chaukhamba peaks on a still morning, a gentler half-day trek.
Meadow and forest walks
Easy walks through Chopta's rhododendron and oak meadows inside the Kedarnath sanctuary, rich in alpine flora.
Himalayan monal and birding
The sanctuary is prime habitat for the iridescent Himalayan monal, Uttarakhand's state bird, and other high-altitude species.
Stargazing camp night
With no town light, Chopta's meadows offer exceptional night skies from a comfortable seasonal camp.
Getting there
How to reach Chopta
Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is the nearest, about 220 km, with good domestic links; we manage the fleet handover for the mountain drive.
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads, roughly 200 km away and well connected to Delhi; we handle the onward Garhwal transfer.
Chopta is reached by chauffeured drive through Rudraprayag and Ukhimath; it is a long, winding mountain route best split with daylight timing.
Our GPS-tracked, orthopedic-grade vehicles cover the Garhwal drive to the Chopta roadhead; the Tungnath and Chandrashila legs are on foot with a guide.
Where to stay
Comfortable seasonal tented camps on the Chopta and Deoria Tal meadows with meals and campfires, the classic high-country stay.
Simple wooden lodges and huts at the Chopta roadhead and nearby Sari and Ukhimath, basic but well placed for the trek.
More equipped hotels lower down around Ukhimath or Sari for guests who prefer solid comfort and day-trek the meadows.
Where to eat
Dining is simple and hearty, camp kitchens and trail dhabas serving dal, rice, roti, and hot Maggi and chai at altitude.
Regional dishes such as mandua (ragi) roti, jhangora, and gahat dal, cooked at lodges and homestays in the valley villages.
Hot tea and light food at the tea shacks along the Tungnath path, welcome fuel on the climb up and down.
Good to know
Chopta, your questions
How hard is the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila?
The Tungnath climb is about 3.5 km of steady, steep uphill from Chopta at altitude, manageable for reasonably fit walkers; the further push to Chandrashila at about 4,000 m is short but sharp. Both need fitness, acclimatisation, and warm layers, and we stage a guide for the ascent.
Is the Tungnath temple open all year?
No. The temple usually closes for winter, when heavy snow makes it inaccessible and the deity is moved down to Makkumath, reopening around spring. We plan the visit around the temple's seasonal calendar and the trail conditions.
Can I visit Chopta in winter?
Yes, and the snow-covered meadows are stunning and popular for snow trekking, but conditions are serious, the temple is generally closed, the trail is ice and snow, and proper gear and a guide are essential. We advise on feasibility for your dates.
What is Deoria Tal and is it worth adding?
Deoria Tal is a calm high-altitude lake near Sari village, famous for mirroring the Chaukhamba peaks at dawn. It is a gentler trek than Chandrashila and makes an excellent complement, which we build into the itinerary.
Plan with us
Design a private journey through Chopta.
Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Chopta and the wider North India, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.
Related journeys
Plan your trip
Plan your Chopta trip
Free, no obligation quote. Your details stay private.