Chopta is an unspoiled natural destination lying in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) above sea level. Chopta village is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in flora and fauna include rare species of birds and musk deer.
It lies 29 km from Ukhimath, 254 kilometres (158 mi) from Rishikesh and approximately 450 kilometres (280 mi) from the capital Delhi. The best time to visit is from April to November. Chopta is also a popular destination during the winter months due to the snowfall that the area experiences. Tungnath temple and Chandrashila are covered with snow from December to March.
Most popular hill destinations in Uttarakhand have grown into busy market towns with traffic, crowds, and concrete construction creeping up the hillside. Chopta has resisted this fate almost entirely. There is no mall road here, no overcrowded viewpoints, and no honking queues of tourist vehicles.
What you get instead is a narrow, winding road through dense forest, a handful of simple dhabas and guesthouses, and a vast open meadow carpeted in emerald grass during summer and blanketed in deep snow through winter. The silence here is its own attraction.
For travellers exhausted by the noise of popular destinations, Chopta offers something genuinely rare — solitude at altitude.
Summer: Summers in Chopta are quite salubrious and pleasant . Himalayan ranges can be seen cleary this time. At night it becomes little cold so carry light woolen clothes with you.
Monsoons: Chopta is like carpet of green during Monsoon season. It is the perfect time to see the essence of natural beauty of Cohopta during monsoon. Though it is less visited during this time since roads gets blocked due to landslides. But its worth the risk to visit this place during monsoon.
Winters: Serenity and solitude are at its best during winters at Chopta. The region is blessed with snowfall during winters and the accommodation options also remain few. But you can see the best of Chopta during winters as it looks like mini Switzerland during winters. Winters are freezing at Chopta so do carry heavy woollens.
Chopta is well connected by road and is most commonly reached by private vehicle or shared taxi.
The road from Ukhimath to Chopta is scenic but narrow and winding. Driving after dark is not advisable. It is always worth checking road conditions during winter, as snowfall can occasionally close the upper stretches between December and February.
The nearest railway station is Haridwar or Rishikesh, from where road transport to Chopta is available. The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 220 km away. From either point, hiring a private taxi or joining a shared cab from Rishikesh bus stand is the most practical option.