Chopta Trek

Published on August 23, 2025

Chopta – The Complete 2025 Guide

(Mini Switzerland of India | Tungnath | Chandrashila | Deoria Tal | Rohini Bugyal)

1. Why Chopta is Called “Mini Switzerland of India”

• Altitude: 2,680–2,900 m (8,800–9,500 ft)
• Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand – exactly in the middle of Kedarnath and Badrinath
• Landscape: Endless bugyals (alpine meadows), 360° Himalayan views, oak-rhododendron forests, snow from Dec–Apr
• No concrete jungle: Only camps, small dhabas, and GMVN rest house – still untouched in 2025

2. The Three Main Attractions from Chopta (All within 1–3 days)

Attraction	Distance from Chopta	Altitude	Time Required	Highlights
Tungnath Temple	4 km	3,680 m	2–3 hrs up	World’s highest Shiva temple (arms of Shiva – Panch Kedar)
Chandrashila Summit	+1.5 km from Tungnath	4,000 m	+1 hr	360° view – Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath
Deoria Tal	28 km + 2.5 km trek	2,440 m	Full day	Perfect reflection of Chaukhamba massif

3. Tungnath Temple – History & Mythology (The Full Story)

The Great Legend – Shiva’s Bull Form (Mahabharata Period)

After Kurukshetra war, Pandavas wanted absolution for killing their cousins. Lord Shiva didn’t want to forgive them easily → turned into a bull and disappeared into the ground at Guptakashi.

• Bhima caught the bull → Shiva split into 5 parts → Hump = Kedarnath → Arms = Tungnath (3rd Kedar) → Face = Rudranath → Belly = Madmaheshwar → Hair = Kalpeshwar

Pandavas built temples at these spots → Panch Kedar circuit.

Temple History

• Built in 8th century CE by Katyuri kings (same dynasty as Jageshwar)
• North-Indian Nagara style, only 5–6 ft high, made of black stone
• Swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam shaped like raised arms
• Slightly tilted after 2013 Kedarnath disaster but structurally safe

Winter Miracle – Gods “Walk” to Makkumath

Nov–April: Tungnath closes → deities carried in palanquins 22 km down to Makkumath (Ukhimath) → daily puja continues for 6 months → May: grand return procession when temple reopens.

2025 Dates (Tentative)

• Closing: 3–4 Nov 2025
• Opening: 26–28 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya)

4. Chandrashila – The Moon Rock

• Literal meaning: “Moon Rock”
• Myth: Lord Rama meditated here after killing Ravana. Moon God (Chandra) came here to regain his lost glow → Rama touched the rock → it started glowing → hence “Chandrashila”
• Ravana also meditated here (small cave called “Ravana Shila”)
• Views: On clear day you see Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath peak, Bandarpoonch, Gangotri range

5. Detailed Trek Routes from Chopta (2025)

Route	Distance	Time	Difficulty	Best For
Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila (classic)	4 km + 1.5 km = 5.5 km one way	6–8 hrs round	Easy–Moderate	First-timers, sunrise seekers
Chopta → Deoria Tal via Rohini Bugyal (crossing)	16–18 km	2–3 days	Moderate	Full nature immersion
Chopta → Kartik Swami Temple	3 km trek (35 km drive)	Half day	Easy	Offbeat sunset point

Ropeway Update 2025

• Phase-1: Duggalbitta → 500 m below Tungnath (₹650 round trip)
• Phase-2 (direct to temple): Expected 2026–27

6. Season-wise Experience (2025–26)

Season	Months	Experience
Spring	Mar–Jun	Rhododendrons everywhere, green meadows, clear views
Monsoon	Jul–Aug	Lush green but slippery & risky
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Golden grass, crystal-clear views, best photography
Winter	Dec–Feb	Full snow from Chopta itself, magical but cold (-10°C)

7. How to Reach Chopta (2025)

From	Distance	Time	Cost (2025)
Delhi	450 km	12–14 hrs	₹800–1200 bus / ₹10k cab
Rishikesh	210 km	7–8 hrs	₹400–600 shared / ₹6k cab
Haridwar	225 km	8 hrs	Same as Rishikesh
Dehradun	240 km	8–9 hrs	—

Last 30 km (Duggalbitta → Chopta) is narrow but fully black-topped now.

8. Where to Stay in Chopta (2025 Prices)

Type	Name/Example	Price per person	Facilities
Budget Camps	Magpie Jungle Camp	₹1500–2500	Tents, meals, bonfire
Mid-range	Alpine tents with attached toilet	₹3000–4500	Hot water, charging
Luxury	Snow Pod / Himalayan Glamping	₹5000–8000	Heated pods, glass roof
GMVN	Tourist Rest House	₹2000–3500 room	Government, clean

9. Final Verdict – Why Chopta is Still No. 1

• Shortest trek to a 4,000 m summit in India
• Highest Shiva temple on earth
• One of the only places where you see Nanda Devi (India’s 2nd highest peak) so clearly
• Still not commercialised like Kedarkantha or Triund
• Perfect for beginners, families, solo girls, photographers, spiritual seekers

Stand on Chandrashila at 6 AM, watch the first ray hit Nanda Devi while the entire Himalaya turns golden, and you’ll understand why the ancients believed this is where gods come to meditate.

Chopta isn’t a destination. It is the place where the mountains still speak in silence.

Jai Tungnath Mahadev! Jai Chandrashila! Har Har Mahadev!