Chopta Trek: Complete Guide
Overview
Chopta is a small tourist hamlet at 2600 metres that also serves as the end of the route for the trip to Tungnath Temple and Chandrashila Peak. The trek’s distances and nature makes it an appealing weekend getaway from Delhi and other parts of North India. This guide aims to make it as simple as possible for potential visitors.
The routes of the Garhwal Himalayas generate a sense of adventure and adrenaline. The soaring terrains that lead to the peak provide an unforgettable experience, and the natural splendour that surrounds you will charm you. The Chopta Chandrashila Trek with Tungnath is one of Uttarakhand’s most fascinating and hard trails. This trip, which reaches a height of 13000 feet and is embellished by mists, coniferous trees, and snow, is a must-do.
Chandrashila Trek is a year-round adventure in Uttarakhand’s heartland. Deoria Tal, Chopta, Tungnath, and Chandrashila peak are the sites that bring you closer to nature. And your escape becomes a remarkable expedition in no time. Take a stroll down the fudgy path and you’ll be rewarded with some of life’s most priceless moments!
How to Reach
Chopta is situated on the Ukhimath – Chamoli – Gopeshwar road in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal area. The distance between Haridwar and Chopta is 225 kilometres, and the distance between Ukhimath and Chopta is roughly 29 kilometres. To make the journey easier, I’ll begin in Delhi. Chopta is situated at a height of approximately 2650 metres. The distance between Delhi and
Haridwar is 225 kilometres, and there are regular buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar ISBT, with a travel time of 5 to 6 hours. From Delhi to Haridwar, there are three types of buses: regular buses, Janrath buses (air-conditioned), and Volvo buses (AC). It is recommended that you catch a bus at 10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. to get to the Haridwar bus station around 4 a.m. Haridwar to Chopta: If you arrive in Haridwar at 4 or 5 a.m., there may be some uncertainty about buses to Kund at the bus station. In the absence of a reliable source of information, no one will deny the existence of a bus or tell you where and how it departs.
Planning
It is most likely that one will arrive in Chopta between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. For the typical person, the trip from Chopta to Tungnath Temple takes 3 hours. While the trek from Tungnath to Chandrashila takes another hour. It is a relatively easy trek — in terms of difficulty – and is suitable for first-time trekkers.
The majority of visitors stay in Chopta, go on a day trip to Tungnath and Chandrashila, and return the same day. It is possible to do so if one departs early enough, perhaps by 7 a.m. It’s recommended to arrive by 10 a.m., pay your respects at the temple, and take in the view. Trek to Chandrashila and return by 1 p.m. Start walking back to Chopta after eating lunch near Tungnath shrine or at one of the trail’s dhabas. Remember that the time it takes to return is usually half of the time it takes to hike up. So you may return to Chopta in 2 hours from Chandrashila.
Where to Stay?
At Chopta, there are a variety of basic guest rooms and homestays to choose. The prices range from 100/- per person to 500 Rupees for a four-bed room with attached bathroom. While some are called ‘hotels,’ don’t expect anything luxurious. Duggalbitta lies about 5 kilometres before Chopta, and there are a few beautiful camping resorts along the roadside.
When the visitors start pouring in on weekends, the dhaba owners along the route start offering dormitory-style services for around $100 per bed. Tents can also be rented near Chopta, just before the start of the Tungnath temple hike. In the vicinity of Bhulkan (on the route to Mandal), there are 4-5 guest rooms that have just opened. I highly recommend this place for those seeking peace and quiet away from the crowds. Try to arrive as early as possible to ensure that you will be able to find a place to stay. If you have your own tent, after consulting the locals and paying a charge, you can pitch it in a safe place.