“Chopta”, when you type this six-letter word in your search engine, it will be able to tell you a lot about the beautiful place. However, what it won’t be able to tell you is what Chopta is to a local, and a person who has been a part of the tourism industry for four years. Despite a plethora of information available on the place, the true beauty of the place remains unexplored. This can be partially owed to the destination being reduced to a stop in most people’s itinerary for Char Dham Yatra. However, I denote lack of good hotels or resorts in the area as the core reason for the same.
General information about Chopta:
• The region is sparsely populated and is covered with forests and vast green lands which known as Bugyals.
• Chopta is on the main road which connects Rudraprayag to Gopeshwar.
• If one is going from Kedarnath to Badrinath or vice versa, Chopta can easily be added to the itinerary (It is only about 80 kms by road from Kedarnath.)
How to reach Chopta-
Nearest Airport Jollygrant 215KM
Nearest bus stand Rishikesh 200Km
Nearest Railway station Haridwar 235km
The Charm of Chopta: Environment First
The Chopta valley lies in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a protected forest area. Consequently, the district administration has imposed strict restrictions on the operations of hotels. To ensure preservation of the area, permanent construction activity is forbidden. Because of this, you will only find Camp Sites or Swiss Tent Resorts built as temporary structures in operation.
The locals in coordination with the administration have ear marked a few spots in the area where resorts and small eateries can be run and operated. Only a few people from nearby villages are allowed to operate their resorts or eateries whilst taking special care of the delicate ecology and beauty of the place. This adds to the charm of Chopta and is what sets it apart from regular tourist destinations. Local businesses are conscious of the waste generated in their operation and mindfully run their establishments by regularly incorporating Eco-friendly practice. Environmental responsibility is extended to the guests and they are urged to preserve the valley’s ecological sanctity.
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Moreover, despite being surrounded by thick forests, the place is safe and there have been no reported incidences of man-animal conflicts. The only wildlife you may encounter are beautiful birds or Himalayan musk deer if you are really lucky. It has some rare species of birds and is an absolute delight for bird watchers.
A Trek to Remember:
Chopta is a regular spot for seasoned trekkers. However, what most people do not know is that it is the ideal spot for a first Trek!
The highest Shiva Temple and one of the five Panch Kedars – The Tungnath Temple is situated here. The temple is situated at a height of 2800 meters and the Trek to Tungnath temple is 3.5 Kms from the base. A lot of regular and first time Tourists come here every year to do the trek. The time taken to climb the mountain and come back usually takes about 4-5 hours for a person with average fitness.
From beginning to end the trek offers a holistic experience. The base of the temple is full of activity complete with small eateries and tea shops. The temple offers a Darshan of Lord Shiva, post which one can trek further to Chandrashila, which at 4000 meters is the highest point in the area. Perhaps the highlight of the trek is the clear views of Himalayas and the Chopta valley from the top.
Tourists recount the feeling of climbing at the top and smelling the fresh air as mesmerizing. A strange sense of calmness seems to overpower all who visit. The experience is a powerful one making those who visit, pledge their return.
For experienced and regular Trekkers, the region has many treks and trails passing through jungle. Deoria tal to Chopta is another famous and long Trek. Deoria tal is clear lakes located in the area where people can set up camps and enjoy the star lit nights by the lake side. The place gets decent snowfall from December to February every year which gives opportunities for snow Trekking and Skiing.
Something for Everyone:
Peace and Quiet: Due to the restrictions on opening of Hotels the place is never crowded and even during peak seasons it offers tourists a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Chopta without crowd. If you are an artist looking for an artist’s retreat, a romantic couple looking for some quality time or just a someone looking for a peaceful getaway from the city life, there can’t be a better pace than Chopta. For anyone looking for peace, tranquility, spirituality or silence to meditate the valley offers a perfect home. For those seeking adventures there are several treks, facilities for rock climbing and rappelling and skiing in snowy months.
The people of Chopta are sweet and simple. My Chopta welcomes all the guests with its immense beauty and charm waiting to be explored by you. Hope to see you here soon.
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Neeraj Tiwari