Visiting Places in Chopta

Places to Go in Chopta

Chopta is at the head of the trail leading to the famous Tungnath Mandir(or Panch Kedar Temple), and the Chandrashila Summit of the Himalayan mountains. The area is lush with vast varieties of flora and fauna, including thick growths of Deodar trees and brilliant Rhododendrons.

Certainly, the two most compelling reasons to go to Chopta are the extraordinary features you will discover on the Chopta Chandrashila Trek, Tungnath and Chandrashila. Start early in the morning from Chopta to the Tungnath temple, and go from the temple on up to the Chandrashila peak.

Tungnath Chandrashila Trek

Tungnath: Located along the trail leading from Chopta up the Chandranath parbat (mountain), in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, is the amazing site of Tungnath, one of the sacred Panch Kedar (five holy temples dedicated to god Shiva).Tungath is about 3Kms from Chopta, on the way up the trail to Chandrashila, the peak of the mountain.

Tungnath is the world’s highest Shiva Temple, located at an elevation of 3,680Mts. The temple is believed to be more than 1,000 years old, and it bears a legend associated with events depicted in the Mahabharata epic.

The temple is a popular place for religious pilgrimage by those traveling to walk the Char Dham trail of temples and come to Tungnath to pray and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Chandrashila: The trail head to Chandrashila is at Chopta. From Chopta, the trail leads past the Tungnath temple, and ascends from there for approximately another kilometer (about another hour of hiking) up to the trail’s end atop the indescribably moving place that is the Chandrashila summit.

At the summit, stand in awe. You know you’re in one of the earth’s most special places. Glisteningsnowy peaks of the spell-binding Himalayan range lay before you. The conifer and oak forests sprawl below into the plunging gorges to the greenest valleys sprinkled with vibrant flora and charming villages. Congrats! You’re literally on top of the world.

From the Chandrashila summit you can see the Trishul peak (elevation 7,120 mts), Bandarpunch (6,316 mts), Nanda Devi (7,817 mts), Chaukhamba (7,138 mts), and Kedarnath (6,831mts). It will surely occur to you that there’s nothing like this moment.

The trail is passable for hikers year-round all the way to the summit. It is considered one of the moderately difficult hiking trails of the Indian region of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It’s fair to say that the trail is really beginner to intermediate level hiking for backpackers.

Deoriya Tal Chandrashila Trek

Near Chopta (about 3 kms) lies the pristine lake of Deoriya Tal (or Devariya Tal). Accessible by car, this tranquil lake and its panoramic Himalayan vista is a site not to be missed. Take a day out and bask in the wonder of this obscure and dreamlike place. Myth has it that Deoriya Tal is the place where Yaksha asked questions of the Pandavas, a prominent story in the Mahabharata ancient Hindu text.

At an elevation of 2,300 mts, you can relax lakeside and take in the views of notable peaks including Nilkantha, Chaukhamba, Bandarpunch, Kalanag, and the Kedar Range. The lake rests between dense forest on one side and the stunning face of the Himalayas on the other.

Many visitors to Chopta pair the two spectacular destinations, making their travel plans for a Deoriyatal Chandrashila Trek. Camp at Deoriya Tal; take some time to hike the forest trails in the vicinity. Then prepare for your journey to the incomparable Chandrashila summit. Snacks and tea are available at a couple of local shops not far from the lake. But, these close at dusk, so it’s advisable to bring food with you.