Trekking in Chopta Valley - A Divine Paradise

Posted on Sat, 15 Feb 2014 13:04:40 by Arun Joshi

The gateway to Tunghnath, which is the third pilgrimage site of Panch Kedar, Chopta is one of the remote villages in the state of Uttarakhand. The valley, which is shielded by the hulking high peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba, is dressed in a rich variety of flora and houses varied species of fauna. Often dubbed as ‘Mini Switzerland’, the Chopta Valley is perched at a lofty height of 2680 meters and is approximately 36 kilometers from Gopeshwar.

During the peak season, the valley receives numerous pilgrims to one of the popular spiritual treks in the Garhwal Himalaya, the Panch-Kedar Trek, which pass through the dense forest of rhododendron, pine and deodar. Chopta is also a beautiful stopover for trekkers as the valley maneuvers to several trekking destinations in the Garhwal region. Further, the Chopta valley is a paradise for nature lovers as the valley is a haven to several species of birds like the Himalayan Monal, Rufous Woodpecker, Hill Prinia, Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Snow Pigeon, Black Bulbul and many more. Revealing a celestial world at binocular distance, trekking in Chopta Valley has gained a good deal of gossip between each trekker’s tea corners. That’s a key junction where a trekker acquaints the other and tracks the unexplored trekking destinations in India.

What’s the gossip on treks in Chopta Valley?

So, it begins like this way… during the peak seasons, from April to June and from September to November, pilgrims from distant parts of the country make their way to the Tunghnath Trek, which unfolds the legendary Hindu mythology. It also dilates the sage of Vyas Rishi and clamour during the Mahabharata war. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Tunghnath Temple is the highest Shiva Temple in the world that is tucked at a mighty height of 3680 meters beneath the grace of Chandrashila peak. In the midst of several small shrines, the Tunghnath temple is a typical North Indian style of architecture that resembles the shrines at Guptakashi, Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar. Having several stone images of various Hindu deities, the major works are the images and idols of Nandi’s flank, Lord Ganesha, sage Vyas and Kala Bhairav, the Pandavas and goddess Parvati. Close to Tughnath, near the Akash Ganga waterfall, the temple of Nanda Devi is also one of the majore attractions on the trek to Tunghnath.

Sipping tea at the trekker’s tea corner, the trekker further digs into the Chandrashila Trek en route the Tunghnath Temple. The Chandrashila peak trek, despite being one of the shortest treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region, is quite a challenging one for beginners. It is located at a height of about 4000 meters and offers a spectacular and binocular view of peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba. During the off season, especially in the winter, the trek to Chandrashila from Chopta becomes a bit difficult as it is mostly bedded in snow. The trekkers and pilgrims makes their way from a different route that passes through the tranquil ambiance of the Deoria Tal followed by Duggalbitta, Tunghnath and finally Chandrashila.

When the gossip comes to the Deoria Tal Trek, it takes the sippers to a dreamlike world. The Deoria Tal is a paradise to photographers. It enriches the lush green ambiance with varied species of mountain trees and the bird’s eye view of the distant peaks like the Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Bandarpunch, Yellow Tooth, Kedar and Kalanag further makes the ambiance breathtaking. Further to relive a rejuvenating mood, the environment acts like a gravitation that turns trekkers to set their camp and revel the tranquility of Deoria Tal. The trek to Deoria Tal is accessible from Ukhimath and is followed by Mastura and Sari villages.

Now the gossip turns to… best time to visit Chopta Valley

Well, the peak season is from April to June or from September to November but if you are looking forward to hit the snowy tracks then winter is the best time to visit Chopta Valley. If you are a nature lover and looking forward to sight some rare and beautiful birds while passing through the forest of rhododendron then summer is ideal for you. The temperature during the summer season roves between 10 to 30 degrees, whereas during the winters it dips to (– )15 to 12 degrees.

The gossip concluded on, how to reach Chopta

If you are wheeling from New Delhi then the road winds up at the foothills, at Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, which is approximately 220 kilometers away from Chopta, the drive towards Gopeshwar passes through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag. If you are heading up from Kathgodam Railway Station, then your drive crosses the beautiful meadows of Ranikhet followed by Dungari. Some other tourist destinations close to Chopta are Nainital, Almora and Chamoli.

“Join our team for Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Fixed Departure Trek 2014. Call @ +91-9212553109 /9810352536 for more information”