High in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, between misty deodar forests and rolling alpine meadows, sits a quiet little hamlet called Chopta — often called the “Mini Switzerland of India.” At around 2,680 m, it is the base for the iconic Chopta Tungnath trail and the much-loved Chopta Chandrashila trek. But what many travellers don’t know is that Chopta is also one of the finest high-altitude birdwatching locations in North India.
As a wildlife photographer and nature tour leader, I have visited Chopta, Mandal and the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary zone multiple times — in spring for rhododendrons, in winter for snow, and in November for Himalayan birding. This guide is written from that field experience, not from a stock itinerary.
Where Is Chopta Located?
Chopta is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It lies on the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road and is well-connected with all major Uttarakhand gateways.
Distances to Chopta:
- Rishikesh to Chopta: ~200 km (about 7 hours) via Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Ukhimath
- Haridwar to Chopta: ~225 km (about 8 hours)
- Dehradun to Chopta: ~250 km (about 8.5 hours)
- Delhi to Chopta: ~450 km (about 12–13 hours)
The entire drive is scenic — especially the stretch after Rudraprayag, and the climb towards Ukhimath, Mandal and Chopta. Most WOW guests tell us the journey itself felt like therapy.
Why Is Chopta Famous?
Chopta has become popular because it blends spiritual treks, pure nature, birding and snow in one compact destination.
- Tungnath Temple: Highest Shiva temple in the world (3,680 m) — short trek from Chopta.
- Chandrashila Trek: 360° Himalayan view point — Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba.
- Deoria Tal: Crystal-clear lake with mountain reflections.
- Birding: Himalayan Monal, Koklass, Cheer Pheasant, Scarlet Finch, Bullfinches.
- Snowfall: December to February — ideal for families wanting “snow in Uttarakhand”.
- Eco-tourism: Inside a wildlife sanctuary, so still peaceful and not overbuilt.
Chopta Tungnath – The Signature Trek
The Chopta Tungnath trail is about 3.5 km, stone-paved, and starts right above Chopta. It passes through rhododendron, oak and alpine grass slopes. Even if you are not a regular trekker, you can still do this trek at your own pace — families, photo-tour guests and even senior travellers do it.
What I personally love about this trail is that on a quiet morning, you can hear both temple bells and bird calls together — not many Himalayan treks give you that.
Chopta Chandrashila Trek – Short, Steep, Stunning
From Tungnath, another 1.5 km steep climb takes you to Chandrashila (3,960 m). This is what people often search as “Chopta Chandrashila trek” — and for a good reason. The summit gives you a Himalayan panorama that’s hard to forget.
Best time for Chandrashila: March–June and Oct–Dec. In winter, you can still do it, but go with a local guide and proper shoes/spikes.
Photography note: If you want golden light on peaks, start the trek early and reach the top before sunrise — your wide-angle will thank you 🙂
Birdwatching in Chopta, Mandal & Makku
For birders and wildlife photographers, Chopta is not just about the trek — it is a high-altitude birding paradise. Because it sits right inside the sanctuary, the forest is alive even around the road.
Commonly seen / target birds in Chopta:
- Himalayan Monal (very good chances, especially early morning)
- Cheer Pheasant & Koklass Pheasant
- Red-headed Bullfinch
- Scarlet Finch
- Rufous-bellied Niltava
- Bar-throated Minla, Black-faced Warbler
- Snow Partridge (higher areas)
How many bird species are there in Chopta? Across the Chopta–Mandal–Kanchula belt, 200+ Himalayan bird species have been recorded. That’s why many of our WOW guests combine Chopta with Sattal/Pangot for a complete Uttarakhand birding circuit.
Is Chopta good for bird photographers? 100%. You get classic Himalayan species with clean backgrounds, and many of them at eye level.
Chopta Uttarakhand Weather – Month-wise
One of the most searched terms is “Chopta Uttarakhand weather”. Here’s a simple, traveller-friendly version:
| Season | Temp (approx.) | What it’s good for |
|---|---|---|
| March – June | 10°C – 25°C | Tungnath trek, Chandrashila, birding, rhododendrons |
| July – September | 15°C – 20°C | Very green, but watch for rain/landslides |
| October – December | 5°C – 15°C | Clear skies, best views, autumn birding |
| January – February | –5°C – 10°C | Snowfall in Chopta, winter treks, snow photography |
How cold is Chopta? In winter, nights can drop below 0°C, sometimes till –5°C. Carry layers, gloves, and good shoes.
Does Chopta receive snowfall? Yes, mostly between late December and February.
Stay Options in Chopta
Chopta is still a nature-first destination — so don’t expect 5-star hotels. You will find:
- Eco-camps and tented cottages
- Wooden huts with mountain views
- Homestays around Mandal / Dugalbitta
These are perfect for birders, photographers and families who want to stay close to the forest. Book early for snow season.
Suggested 3N/4D Chopta & Mandal Itinerary (WOW Style)
Day 1: Pickup from Dehradun / Rishikesh → scenic drive via Devprayag → reach Mandal → evening birding / village walk.
Day 2: Full-day birding in Mandal, Makku and forest trails — target Monal, bullfinches, laughingthrushes.
Day 3: Early drive to Chopta → birding enroute → trek part of Chopta Tungnath trail → sunset views.
Day 4: Morning birding → drive back.
We can customise this for families (with less walking) or for photographers (with more hide/targeted sessions).
FAQs on Chopta (2026)
1. Where is Chopta?
Chopta is in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, inside Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road.
2. How to reach Chopta?
Reach Rishikesh / Haridwar / Dehradun first, then take a cab via Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Ukhimath – Chopta. WOW can arrange pickup and end-to-end transport.
3. Nearest railway station to Chopta?
Rishikesh Railway Station (about 200 km). Haridwar is also an option.
4. Nearest airport to Chopta?
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun — around 8 hours by road.
5. How is Chopta for family trips?
Very good. Short trek, safe area, peaceful environment, chance of snow in winter — perfect for nature-loving families.
6. Do you see Himalayan Monal in Chopta?
Yes. Early morning around the forest edges, Mandal side, and lower stretch of the Tungnath trail offers very good chances.
7. What kind of hotels are there in Chopta?
Mostly camps, lodges and homestays — simple, neat and close to nature. It’s not a luxury destination.
8. Is Chopta open in winter?
Yes. Roads may get snowed out briefly after a heavy spell, but generally accessible. Always check weather and keep buffer time.
9. Is Chopta good for bird photographers?
Absolutely. You get high-altitude Himalayan species, many of them photogenic, with good light. That’s why we run WOW photo departures here.
Plan Your Chopta Trip with World of Wild (WOW)
At World of Wild (WOW), we run curated, small-group and private tours to Chopta, Mandal, Makku and other Uttarakhand birding hotspots. Our tours are designed for:
- Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers
- Families who want nature over crowds
- Trekkers who want to do Chopta Tungnath and Chandrashila peacefully
We include experienced local bird guides, comfortable stays, and the safe, ethical travel approach we always follow.
WhatsApp: +91-92862-92864
About the Author – Manmohan Uniyal
Manmohan is a wildlife photographer and co-founder of World of Wild (WOW), with over a decade of experience documenting India’s birds, tigers and Himalayan landscapes. Trained at the Indian Institute of Photography, he regularly leads photo tours to Uttarakhand, Central India and Kenya.
Before starting WOW, he served as Managing Director for a European company and sat on the board of several organisations — his move from boardroom to jungle is driven by a simple idea: nature can reconnect us with ourselves.
View his birding records on eBird or follow him on Instagram: @wowmanmohan
