Chopta is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometres away. Popularly referred as the mini Switzerland’ of Uttarakhand, Chopta (at an approximate altitude of 2,608 m) is a slice of paradise tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas. Here are 10 things to do in chopta.
Tungnath
The highest Shiva temple in the world, Tungnath is situated at an altitude of 3680 meters. Expect an unprecedented view of the Himalayas from here. Tungnath is also one of the famous five Panch Kedar shrines of Uttarakhand. One has to trek to Tungnath, but it is one of the easiest treks recommended for beginners. This village is surrounded by evergreen forests of pine, deodar, and rhododendron.
Deoria Tal
This heavenly lake is located at a distance of 3 km from Sari village. Expect tranquillity and peace here and also a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks. Do go on a village exploration trip alone or with your group to understand and see the lives of the people of the mountains. It will enhance your experience of Chopta tourist places.
Chandrashila
This is the summit of the mountain where Tungnath Mandir and Chopta is situated. Chandrashila is perched at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level. It is one of the best places for Chopta sightseeing. You can have a 360-degree view of the Himalayan peaks from here, including Kedar, Nandadevi, Chaukhamba and Trishul peaks from Chandrashila.
Ukhimath
Known as winter Kedarnath, it houses Lord Shiva when Kedarnath shuts down during winters. You can view the entire Himalayas from here too. A lot of devotees come here to visit this holy temple. Ukhimath is situated at an altitude of 1300 meters. It attracts a lot of travellers all through the year due to the scenic beauty of the place. You can find solidarity here in the midst of spirituality.
Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
Situated in Chopta-Gopeshwar road, it extends over an area of 5 sq. km and houses many exotic Himalayan birds and animals. Most famous for musk deer, this is a dense forest. An ideal place for all wildlife lovers, rare Himalayan species can be spotted here. Do carry your binoculars to spot distant animals and birds.
Madhyamaheshwar Mandir
Also known as Madmaheshawar, Lord Shiva’s stomach is worshipped here by devotees. This is one of the best tourist places near Chopta. It is situated at an altitude of 3200 m above sea level. The temple is surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas from one side and alpine green meadows from the other. You can also see the Neelkanth and Kedarnath peaks from this temple.
Rohini Bugyal
Another one from the list of the top places to see in Chopta is Rohini Bugyal. Blanketed with the dense forest of Chopta Valley, Rohini Bugyal literally means a green meadow. One can visit Bugyal while trekking to Chandrashila peak via Deoria Tal. It serves as a perfect location for camping. If you are an adventurous soul then make sure that you explore this meadow with your friends and spend some time in peace. This is one of the most popular Chopta tourist places.
Dugalbitta
Travellers going to Chopta might have heard of Dugalbitta, a small hamlet that is often overlooked due to the popularity of Chopta. If you are the kind of person who likes to stay away from the touristy crowd then you must spend some time in Dugalbitta as it is one of the top offbeat places to visit in Chopta.
Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev
Another most beautiful place to visit in Chopta is Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev temple that is located in Deoria Tal. This temple is dedicated to Nag Devta, the king of serpents according to Hindu mythology. The temple is known for its unique architecture designed like the iconic temples of Uttarakhand, in terms of Mandap and Garbgriha. You will get to hear numerous mythological stories once you visit this temple and indulge in conversations with locals. So, if you are looking for the best Chopta visiting places offering you complete peace, this is the place to be.
Sari Village
Sari Village, also known as Saari Gaon is one of the most popular places to visit in Chopta. It is the base camp for Deorial Lake. Located at an altitude of 7800 feet, the serene village is known for offering romantic escapes. The village is well-connected to the major spots of Chopta and can be easily reached via road. This is one of the most beautiful Chopta tourist places.
