Chopta Information

Behold the mighty Himalayas. You are at Chopta. This is what you came to rural Northern India for. It is the ultimate in unique destinations for international travelers who love nature and who have the hiking boots to prove it.

Although Chopta is becoming unofficially known as the mini Switzerland of India, the visitor’s experience is distinctly of India at its most tranquil and splendid. You’ll see why it has become increasingly popular with backpackers and day hikers looking for the ultimate in unique outback travel destinations.

Chopta is a world apart, peaceful and serene. There’s no cacophony of car horns and other boisterous city sounds here. It’s not a place for touristy sight-seeing. It’s for those who gravitate to nature. It is all serene mountain meadows rich in flowering plants here, and dense forests of majestic Oaks. With the Himalayas lunging up in the immediate background, it’s a hiker’s paradise.

And, Chopta is the ideal point of departure for branching out to explore other Himalayan ranges and cultural sites throughout Uttarakhand. The natural  beauty of this place is complemented by its mesmerizing temples. Altogether, there is a great abundance of dreamy sights and options for exploring Uttarakhand.

Where is Chopta?

The village of Chopta is one of the hill stations (high altitude towns)located in the spectacularly beautiful Rudraprayag district of the largely rural state of Uttarakhand in far Northern India. Uttarakhand is bordered by China to the Northeast and Nepal to the Southeast. Chopta is between the towns of Gopeshwar and Guptkashi, about 36 kilometers (kms) from Gopeshwar. The Chopta valley lies at an elevation of about 2680 meters (mts). It’s located approximately 254 kms from Rishikesh, and about 450 kms from Delhi, India’s capital city.

Lovely Chopta is nestled in the rich evergreen forests of the lower Himalayas. With its lush mountain meadows, the village is one of those rarified locales where you feel like you’re being at once lulled by the charming gentle green beauty everywhere, while you’re simultaneously overpowered standing beneath the magnificent Himalayas looming over you.

Chopta Uttarakhand Culture

The area offers an exceptional opportunity to experience immersion in a wonderfully diverse local culture. The common languages in the valley are Hindi and Kumaoni. The many religious faiths that make up the regional culture include Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian, among others. The general emphasis for Chopta locals is on living closely connected to nature.

Chopta Uttarakhand Climate

Summer: (April – June) Summer weather in Chopta is very comfortable, with temperatures around 25 Fahrenheit (5 Celsius). The Himalayan peaks are clearly visible during the summer season, and a cool breeze prevails in early morning and late evening. Pack accordingly. Recommended travel months to Chopta are March –June, and Sept – Nov.

Winter:(October – December) Chopta, Chandrashila, and Tungnath are snow covered through the winter. Winter hiking tours are available in Chopta. The best winter months for visiting the region are between January and March. For winter hikers willing to power through the challenges, there is a once-in-a-lifetime experience waiting for you in this range of the Himalayas. Wear layered clothing.

The region is snow covered throughout the winter. You’ll never see anything else quite like the views when the snow blankets the Himalayan range. The quiet grandeur of this place during that time is surreal.

Accommodations are seasonal and are limited to a few during winter. So, be prepared. Occasionally heavy snow in Dec–Feb can result in blocked roads.

Monsoon season:Monsoon season is, by some professional estimates, from June – September, while others say the season is July – October, so bring a raincoat during months from June – October. The lush forests are stunning during this time. But, be aware of risks. The monsoon season can bring unstable trail conditions, including landslides and sudden heavy down-pours of rain. So, it’s not the optimum time for hiking here.

Check with your tour guide or your hotel for information about trail and weather conditions before embarking on the trail head. Chopta is at its greenest during monsoon season, making it an even more idyllic environment. But, hiking can be risky during this period, as landslides can block roads for hours. Still, the unrivaled radiance of Chopta during the rainy season draws many to the region at that time of year.

Lodging and Restaurants in Chopta

Chopta offers travelers affordable hotel, guest house accommodations, and trail-side camping tents.And, several local restaurants serving home-style Indian foods provide more than sufficient selection of delicious local cuisine to enjoy. Try Mayadeep for lusciously appointed dishes. And, don’t miss Snow View’s delectable offerings. The restaurant is open to non-guests of the resort.

Traveling to Chopta India

By Bus:There are abundant busses connecting to nearby towns on a regular schedule, if you plan to branch out from Chopta to visit other areas of Uttarakhand. Or you can hire your own taxi. And, jeep rentals are readily available in towns throughout the region.

By Rail: The closest train station is about 209kms from Chopta,a t Rishikesh. The Rishikesh stationconnects to several cities across India. Bus or taxi service from Rishikesh to Chopta are easily accessible.

By Air:The Jolly Grant in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Chopta (about 226 kms). There are regular flights from Delhi to Dehradun. Taxicabs are readily available to take you from Dehradun to Chopta.