+919871148514
info@memorableindia.com
Chopta is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is a small alpine meadow surrounded by deodar, oak, and rhododendron forest, within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the starting point for the Chopta Tungnath trek, which goes to the world’s highest Shiva temple at 3,680 metres, and further to Chandrashila peak at 4,090 metres with 360-degree views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba.
Our Chopta travel packages are centered around this geography: Treks managed, accommodation curated, meals, ground transport, and local support so you can spend your energy on the trail, not on logistics. Families, couples, solo trekkers, and groups of friends book this package for one reason: a high altitude experience in the Himalayas that does not require expedition-level fitness or planning.
Ready to lock in your dates? Talk to our Uttarakhand travel experts and get a customised Chopta tour plan within 24 hours.
The centre point of the Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath trek. A 3.5 km paved-and-stepped trail from Chopta base takes you to Tungnath, one of the five Panch Kedar shrines, also the world's highest Shiva temple. The temple is more than 1,000 years old. Even outside the official puja season (May-November), the trail itself pays dividends in terms of changing vegetation zones and near close-up views of the mountains. Expect a comfortable ascent for 2-3 hours.
One kilometre to Tungnath's summit, the Chandrashila peak offers a panoramic reward for the climb: an unobstructed 360-degree view of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch, and the Chaukhamba. Start early, clouds are likely to close in by late morning. The summit push adds about 45 minutes to an hour onto Tungnath, so the entire Chopta Tungnath trek and Chandrashila are possible in a day's time.
A high altitude lake at about 3 km from Sari village. Deoria Tal is known for its mirror-still reflections of the massif of Chaukhamba at dawn. The lake is fed by natural springs and surrounded by a rhododendron forest. It is good enough as a day trek or as a pre-acclimatisation trek before attempting the Tungnath-Chandrashila circuit. Camping beside the lake is possible by forest department permits.
Located about 40 kms from Chopta on the Rudraprayag road, Ukhimath is the place where idols of the deities Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, and Tungnath are brought down and worshipped during the winter months when the snowfall seals the higher temples. The Omkareshwar Temple, here, is worshipped throughout the year. Ukhimath is also a practical supply stop with ATMs, pharmacies, and vehicle repair shops available. It is a customary stop on any sensible itinerary for a Chopta tour.
Roughly 110 km from Chopta by Gopeshwar, Auli is Uttarakhand's best skiing destination in winters and a panoramic viewpoint of meadows in summers. The Auli ropeway (one of Asia's longest gondola rides) and its direct line of sight to Nanda Devi make it a high-impact add-on. Our Auli Chopta tour package combines both destinations in one loop, it usually takes 5 to 7 days, so that you not only get the alpine meadows, temple treks, and the mountain vistas, but without doubling back.
A quite roadside stopover between Chopta and Ukhimath, Dugalbitta is the destination where birders set up camp. Over 250 species of birds have been recorded from the surrounding habitat of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, including Himalayan monal, koklass pheasants, and a variety of warbler species. The region also receives heavy snowfall in winter, and the snow-burdened deor forests here have made Dugalbitta a social media favourite in the past few years. It is an easy inclusion in any Chopta Auli tour.
The most popular season for the Chopta Tungnath trek is summer. Temperatures at the base are 10 °C to 25 °C. Rhododendrons get into the act in April and May, carpeting the trail in red and pink. Tungnath temple is open for the season from around May (exact date varies). Clear skies provide the best Himalayan panoramas. This is peak season, booking 4-6 weeks ahead is recommended! Ideal for families, first-time trekkers, and photographers.
Heavy rainfall makes the trails slippery and leeches common. Landslides sometimes block the road to and from Rudraprayag to Ukhimath. Cloud cover prevents sight from Chandrashila to almost zero on most days. We generally do not recommend going to Chopta in the monsoon unless you are experienced and flexible with your dates. The upside: the forests are at their greenest and most lively.
Snowfall commences in November and reaches its maximum in January with falls of 4 to 7 feet. The landscape changes totally. The Tungnath temple is closed for winter, but the route is open for snow treks with the proper gear. Temperatures at base go down to minus 5 °C at the summit. Winter treks are most suited for experienced trekkers or guided groups. Our winter special offers include snow trek-ready equipment and experienced mountain guides.
The trek from Chopta base to Tungnath temple is a 3.5 km trek, and it is the signature experience. Your local guide determines the pace and shares trail lore, and manages rest stops according to the fitness of your group. The trail goes through thick rhododendron forest, before opening out into alpine meadows with full views of the Garhwal range. At the temple, you will have time for dartsan and photography. This is the major aspect of our Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath trek itinerary.
Continuing 1.5 km from Tungnath, the Chandrashila summit at 4,090 m is a reward in itself. Clear morning and you will see over 40 named Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Dome, Bandarpunch, Chaukhamba, and many more. The last stretch is steep, but short. Your guide will evaluate the weather conditions and advise on the best window for summiting.
A 3 km uphill walk from Sari village leads to Deoria Tal, a glacial lake, 2,438 m high, which reflects the Chaukhamba peaks at dawn. The hike is moderate and is a great way to acclimatise for the Tungnath trek. Our package schedules this as a Day 1 activity, so that your body gets used to altitude slowly. Unscripted lakeside chai from local vendors is a must-do.
Chopta's low light pollution, coupled with high altitude, makes it one of the better stargazing locations in the Indian Himalayas. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible to the unaided eye. Our camps have a bonfire after dinner (weather and forest regulations permitting), and this is a time for group conversation, music, and looking at the sky. It is an unstructured evening with no pressure from an itinerary, just mountain air and warmth.
The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary around Chopta-Dugalbitta is home to more than 250 bird species on record. Our local naturalist-guide, after leading an early morning walk through the deodar-oak transition zone, points out Himalayan monals (Uttarakhand's state bird), koklass pheasants, spotted and slaty-backed forktails, and various warblers. Binoculars are provided. This activity is perfect for nature enthusiasts and those who want to slow down and observe, rather than just trek.
For travellers booking the Auli Chopta tour packages, the Auli ropeway ride is one of the major highlights. One of Asia's longest gondola rides that offers uninterrupted views of the Nanda Devi range as you climb up from Joshimath to the Auli upper meadow. In winter, the meadows double as a ski slope. In summer, it is a broad, flower-studded grassland at 3,050 m. The Auli extension adds 2 days to your Chopta tour plan and is especially popular with couples and families.
Every meal in this package is home-cooked Garhwali Food such as Mandua (finger millet) Rotis, Chainsoo (Black gram dal), Kafuli (Spinach - Fenugreek curry), and Bhatt ki Churdkani (Black soya bean preparation). These dishes are prepared by the local families that host our travellers. The food is fresh, seasonal, deeply regional, far from the standard fare of tourist restaurants. For travellers who have certain dietary restrictions, our team ensures dietary needs are communicated ahead of time to ensure comfortable eating experiences throughout.
This package is designed by Memorable India’s Uttarakhand specialists, a team that has been handcrafting mountain holidays in the Garhwal Himalayas for more than ten years now. Every single element from trek route time, to accommodation selection is based on time-tested testing on the ground and not borrowed itineraries.
What you can expect: Comfortable transportation and transfers from the point where you arrive to Chopta and back, handpicked accommodation based on the terrain (from Swiss tents and eco-lodges to guesthouses, this varies based on availability and your preference), coordination of sightseeing with experienced local guides, and 24/7 travel assistance during your trip. Meals, entry fees, and certain add-ons like the extension of Auli can be customised as per your requirements and budget. The Auli and Chopta package variant will generally extend to accommodate the Joshimath, Auli ropeway experience, and transfers via Gopeshwar.
What makes this different from generic Chopta tour package listings: Memorable India does not aggregate third-party services. The team works directly with on-ground partners, vets the accommodation for cleanliness and safety, and assigns guides who know the local trails and terrain. Vehicles are maintained to hill road standards and driven by experienced mountain drivers. Every itinerary is customisable, and so your Chopta tour plan is reflective of your group’s pace, interests, and comfort level.
Here Responsible travel matters. Chopta is located within the protected area of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Memorable India promotes practices of sustainable tourism in all its packages, ranging from respect for the local ecosystems, support of the local people, to responsible waste management during treks.
Couples seeking a mountain retreat that combines adventure with comfort. Families with children who enjoy outdoor activities. Friend groups looking for a high-impact Himalayan trip in a short span of time. Solo travellers can come along with the scheduled group departures or book a Chopta tour privately. First-time trekkers will find it a fairly easy to moderate trekking trail, therefore it is also one of the best first time trekking trails in the Himalayas. Spiritual travellers are attracted to the circuit of Panch Kedar. And anyone who wants a Chopta Auli tour package that will not compromise on any safety or quality.
Pair this with our Char Dham Yatra for an all-inclusive Uttarakhand pilgrimage journey, or check out our honeymoon tour packages if you are planning this as a retreat after your wedding.
Ready to book? Call +91-9871148514 or fill an enquiry at memorableindia.com/contact-us
