Introduction
Chopta is a charming hill station seated at the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary and grants an exciting as well as a tranquil Himalayan trek. Popular as the ‘Mini Switzerland’ of India, Chopta possesses steep green hills and gorgeous meadows. The trek is unmatched, it captures travellers with a cool wholesome breeze and the chirping of birds.
This hidden dwelling is implanted by the dwindling pines, deodars, rhododendrons and other conifers that decorates this region and makes Chopta rich in flora and fauna.
The climb of the Chopta trek is marked as moderately easy but offers a challenging trail when it meets with Chandrashila peak, intriguing, isn’t it? It is a summit of 13,123 feet with Chandrashila as the abode to Tungnath, the highest Lord Shiva temple in the world.
The best recommended time for Chopta is from April to November. The highlights of this splendid journey are the amazing summit views, the high mountain peaks in the Himalayas and the very peaceful environment.
Dugalbitta
Chopta trek is popular across the borders for its exceptional beauty and is a very eco-sensitive zone. Recently, camping and permanent construction got banned here with an aim to save the natural shape.
Therefore, to experience trekking and the bewitching beauty, the Dugalbitta or Duggalbitta village, about 7 km before Chopta, became a favoured location for tourists to explore. Bounded by lush green pastureland, Dugalbitta offers enthralling views to relish.
Hidden in the enchanted land of Chopta, Dugalbitta is a small hamlet dwelled at an astounding elevation of 2600 meters and is a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary.
It is a pure nature’s blessing with the area situated on the side of the road that connects Gopeshwar and Guptkashi towns which makes it easily accessible. Some of the adventurous and fascinating activities offered at Dugalbitta are Bird Watching, Jungle Walk, Camping, Photography, Hiking, and Cycling.
Deoria Tal
The Deoria Tal is rested on the Ukhimath-Gopeshwar road and reached by an exciting 2 km trek through the Sari Village. The lake is crowned as one of the main attractions of Chopta, witnessing countless visitors during the peak season.
Traveling to the Deoria Tal is a wholesome experience in itself, combined with crossing the village, observing the daily life of locals, indulging with the inhabitants, and capturing the memories.
The Deori Tal is surrounded by pines in abundance. The lake clearly mirrors these pines and the stunning Chaukhamba peaks once still.
Kanchula Kharak Musk Deer Sanctuary
Kanchula Kharak Musk Deer Sanctuary is distinguished for breeding musk deer and diverse species of fauna. The sanctuary exhibits a tranquil adobe for musk deer plus some of the Himalayan wildlife and wilderness.
Relaxed over an area of 5 sq. km, it finds you to spend your favourite time of the day here with a pair of binoculars to simply explore and observe the place. Yes, quite homely and moderate!
Ukhimath
Ukhimath, also known as winter Kedarnath, is abode to Lord Kedarnath and Lord Madhyamaheswar during the winters when Kedarnath is closed due to heavy snowfall. It is a well-travelled beautiful hill station with deep spiritual vibes providing exceptional scenery of the Himalayas.
Ukhimath is perched at a height of 1300 meters in the lower hills of the Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. It welcomes travellers from across the state and country and provides some great panoramic views covered in snow.
Sari Village
Discovered at an elevation of 2,000 meters, Sari Village is a truly beautiful hamlet, about a 20 km distance before the Chopta hill station. The village embraces oak and rhododendron trees and finds its serenity surrounded by the mighty Himalayas.
Sari village or Saari Gaon is also the base camp for the charming Deoria Tal, located only 2.5km from the destination. All the times, when the hotels in Chopta are shut due to the snowfall, hotels and homestays in Sari Region open their doors for a warm stay.
The lovely apple and peach orchards grown across the flourishing meadows of Sari Village. Despite being a picturesque and peaceful hamlet, Sari Village is fairly untouched and is found free from the large crowd.
Chandrashila Summit Trek
Chandrashila, the ‘Moon Rock’, is a trek with an astonishing altitude of 12,083 feet and is the summit of the Chandranath Parvat where the Tungnath temple of Panch Kedar is settled. The grand Chandrashila summit serves as a vantage spot from where an unworldly panorama of the Great Himalayas is captured.
The trek is praised for its unique clearing, campsites, dense and scenic landscapes of pines, oaks, and rhododendron forests to Chopta, captivating sunsets, and a very rewarding summit climb.
The endpoint of the trek is at the peak of the Chandrashila from where magnificent vistas of nearby peaks namely, Kedar, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, and Trishul are locked, absolutely breath-taking!
