Chopta Tour from Rishikesh
Meadows at 2,700 m and the trek to the highest Shiva temple in the world.
Chopta is a meadow rather than a town — a stretch of high pasture and rhododendron forest on the road above Ukhimath, at around 2,700 metres. There is no bazaar and not much infrastructure, which is the point of it.
What people come for is the trek above it. Tungnath, at roughly 3,680 metres, is the highest temple to Shiva anywhere and it is a 3.5 km walk up from the roadhead — steep, paved in sections, and genuinely achievable for most people who take it slowly.
Another 1.5 km above the temple is Chandrashila, at about 4,000 metres, with a Himalayan panorama that includes Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba. That final stretch is harder and the altitude is real.
Anyone looking for a hill station with a market and a mall road — Chopta is a meadow with a trailhead and very little else. Also not for a group unwilling to give it two nights.
Highlights
Quick facts
Why this is not a day trip
Six to seven hours of mountain driving each way, plus a trek of three and a half kilometres up and the same back down, does not fit into a day from Rishikesh. Attempting it means arriving at the trailhead in the afternoon with no time to walk.
Two nights is the honest shape: drive up and sleep at or near Chopta, trek early the next morning while the sky is clear, and drive back the following day. One night works if you are prepared for a hard pair of driving days.
When to come
April to June for the meadows, the rhododendrons and clear mornings. September to November for the sharpest Himalayan views of the year after the monsoon clears, which is when the Chandrashila panorama is at its best.
December to March brings snow, and the trek becomes a snow walk that needs proper footwear and sometimes closes entirely. The road can also shut. Winter here is a real trip rather than an easy one.
July and August are the monsoon: cloud, leeches in the forest, landslide risk on the approach and no view from the summit. We advise against it rather than quoting it.
The altitude, honestly
Chandrashila at 4,000 metres is high enough that altitude affects people, and you will have driven up from 340 metres at Rishikesh in a day. Headache and breathlessness on the final climb are common.
Sleeping at Chopta the night before helps considerably. If anyone in the group has a heart or respiratory condition, Tungnath is a reasonable target and Chandrashila is worth leaving out.
What's included
- ✓ AC cab & driver
- ✓ All tolls & parking
- ✓ Sightseeing as per plan
- ✓ Flexible itinerary
Not included
- ✕ Personal expenses & tips
- ✕ Anything not mentioned in inclusions
- ✕ GST where applicable
- ✕ Photos/videos unless specified
What to carry
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
About 165 km, but six to seven hours of mountain driving. Treat it as a two-night trip rather than a long day.
Onward journeys from Rishikesh
Road transport beyond Rishikesh is run by Triveni Cabs.
- Rishikesh cab servicesLocal packages and outstation journeys
- Places to visit near RishikeshDay trips with distances and fares
- Mussoorie cab faresHill route with an experienced driver
- Nainital cab faresLake district transfers
- Jim Corbett cab faresPark gate drops
Journeys are booked with Triveni Cabs; the activity is booked here. Confirm the activity first — its reporting time decides when you need to travel.
