Chopta travel guide

Meadows below Tungnath – the world’s highest Shiva temple and the Chandrashila summit

📍 Uttarakhand 7 places to visit 🏨 1 stay to book Updated 31 Oct 2026

Chopta is a meadow and forest area at about 2,600 m in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the base for the short trek to Tungnath, one of the Panch Kedar, and on to Chandrashila peak, with Deoria Tal lake and Kartik Swami nearby.

History of Chopta

Chopta lies on the old pilgrim route between Kedarnath and Badrinath. Above it stands Tungnath, at about 3,680 m the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the five Panch Kedar temples. Legend says the Pandavas built these temples to seek Shiva’s forgiveness after the Mahabharata war; at Tungnath, Shiva’s arms are worshipped.

The temple closes for winter, usually after Diwali, and the deity is carried down to Makkumath to be worshipped until the doors open again in spring. Above the temple, Chandrashila peak (about 4,000 m) is linked to Lord Rama, who is said to have meditated here.

The forests and meadows (bugyals) around Chopta are part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, set up in 1972 to protect the Himalayan musk deer, monal pheasant and other wildlife.

Best time to visit Chopta

April–June and September–November are best for the trek. December–March brings snow (good for snow treks, but the road can close beyond Duggalbitta). July–August is rainy with landslide risk.

Apr–Jun

Spring & summer · Pleasant days, cold nights

Rhododendron bloom in April; Tungnath opens around May.

Best

Jul–Aug

Monsoon · Heavy rain

Green meadows but landslides on the roads.

Avoid

Sep–Nov

Autumn · Clear, cold mornings

Clearest views; the temple closes after Diwali.

Best

Dec–Mar

Winter · Snow, below freezing

Snow trek to Chandrashila; the temple is closed.

Good

How to reach Chopta

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Nearest airport

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED)

About 225 km (7–8 hours by taxi).

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Nearest railway station

Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh) / Haridwar

Rishikesh about 200–210 km (7–8 hours).

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Bus stand

No direct buses to Chopta. Take a bus from Rishikesh to Ukhimath or Gopeshwar, then a shared jeep or taxi. The road via Pokhari and Kanakchauri is an alternative route from the Badrinath highway.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Ukhimath	About 30 km	1 hour
Sari (Deoria Tal)	About 25 km	1 hour
Gopeshwar	About 40 km	1.5 hours
Rudraprayag	About 75 km	2.5–3 hours
Rishikesh	200–210	7–8 hours
Delhi	About 450 km	12–13 hours

Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.

Famous places to visit in Chopta

1Tungnath Temple

Temple 📍 About 3.5 km trek from Chopta 🕘 Open about May to Oct/Nov (dates set each year)

The highest Shiva temple in the world, an old stone temple of the Panch Kedar reached by a paved, steady uphill path through meadows.

2Chandrashila Peak

Trek 📍 About 1–1.5 km beyond Tungnath 🕘 Start before dawn for sunrise

A steep climb to about 4,000 m with a 360° view of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath and Chaukhamba – one of the best short summit views in India.

3Deoria Tal

Lake 📍 2.5–3 km trek from Sari 🕘 Day time · forest entry fee

A small lake in the forest that reflects the Chaukhamba peaks on clear mornings.

4Chopta meadows (bugyals)

Nature 📍 Around Chopta 🕘 Day time

Rolling meadows and rhododendron forest, bright red with blossom in spring and snowy in winter.

5Kartik Swami Temple

Temple 📍 About 3 km walk from Kanakchauri 🕘 Day time

A ridge-top temple of Kartikeya with views of the Himalaya – on the Rudraprayag–Pokhari road.

6Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple)

Temple 📍 About 30 km 🕘 Day time

The winter seat of Kedarnath and Madhmaheshwar, where the deities are worshipped when the high temples close.

7Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary

Nature 📍 About 7 km towards Gopeshwar 🕘 Day time

A small breeding centre and forest area where the Himalayan musk deer is protected.

Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.

🥾 Tungnath–Chandrashila trek

Start: Chopta, about 2,600 m
Tungnath: About 3.5 km, 2–3 hours up
Chandrashila: About 1–1.5 km more, 45–60 minutes, steep
Total: About 9–10 km return, 5–7 hours
Level: Easy to moderate; harder in snow

Start early, carry warm layers and water, and turn back if the weather changes.

Chopta itinerary

2 days – Tungnath & Chandrashila

Day 1

Arrive Chopta, short walk in the meadows.

Day 2

Pre-dawn start to Tungnath and Chandrashila for sunrise.
Return by noon.

3 days – Deoria Tal, Tungnath & Kartik Swami

Day 1

Trek to Deoria Tal from Sari.

Day 2

Tungnath and Chandrashila.

Day 3

Kartik Swami via Pokhari and Kanakchauri.

Trip budget for Chopta

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (homestay / camp)	About ₹500–3,000 / night	Dorms and simple homestays are cheaper
Food	About ₹300–600 per person / day	Simple meals at dhabas and homestays
Taxi Rishikesh → Chopta	About ₹6,000–8,000 one way	7–8 hours
Trip for 2 (approx.)	₹8,000–15,000	2 nights + food + shared transport

Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.

Chopta vs Deoria Tal and Kedarnath

A first Himalayan trek? Here’s how Chopta compares.

Place	From Rishikesh	Vibe	Best for
Chopta–Tungnath	About 200 km, 7–8 h	Meadows, temple, short trek	First summit, sunrise views
Deoria Tal	About 190 km, 7 h	Forest lake	Easy walk, reflections
Kedarnath	About 220 km + 16 km trek	Major pilgrimage	Char Dham yatra

Where to stay in Chopta

Stay at Chopta or Duggalbitta to start the Tungnath trek early. Homestays at Sari (for Deoria Tal) and along the Pokhari road (for Kartik Swami) make good stops and are easier to reach in winter.