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Do you want a taste of solitary serenity which you sorely miss amidst the boisterous cacophony that plagues your day to day life? Located in the heart of the Lachen Valley at a height of 4023 mts the Chopta Valley is truly the crown jewel of Sikkim & is among the list of best places to visit in Sikkim. And I believe that this valley is the answer to all your problems with the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Situated en route to the Gurudongmar lake the Chopta Valley in spite of being a tourist hotspot is way less crowded than your average tourist sites, take for example Gurudongmar Lake.
The valley is situated partly in Uttarakhand wherein lies the village Chopta. Home to mesmerizing variety of rare birds, flowers and alpine vegetation Chopta Valley is a mountain lover’s paradise. The seclusion of the valley from the outside world make it a perfect safe haven for endangered flora and fauna. Oh and did I mention the river? Fully equipped with anglers and blessed with a good flow of water this river makes for an amazing destination for the water sport adventurist.
The best time to visit the valley is around the months of March to May when the climate is not at its harshest. The summers here present an amicable climate ranging from 10 degrees to 30 degrees which make it the perfect time to visit. Explore Lachen on the way as it’s also the best time to visit Lachen.
People usually visit Chopta Valley as part of a trip to Gangtok, Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake. It’s easily accessible via Gangtok. It is about 7-8 hours from Gangtok by cab. En route Lachen falls where you can have refreshments and rest as trips through mountainous roads can get pretty rough at times.
Perched at an astonishing height of 3680 mts Tungnath is the highest temple there is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is one of the auspicious Panch Kedar shrines which lends a different religious value to this place. Situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand this shrine is a must go for any religious person.
This is the base camp for a trip to the picturesque Deoria Tal which is situated just about 2-3 kms from the village. It is an hour trip to Chopta which means if you wish to dedicate a full day to exploring Chopta then this is the place for you to get a hotel and set camp.
The Deoria Tal or the Devariya Tal as it is also known is famous for its crystal clear emerald water which, on a sunny day, showcases an unparalleled reflection of the snowy Chaukhamba Peaks situated nearby. This is an ideal trek for beginners as the relatively easy terrain requires less concentration so as to devote that to taking in the scenic beauty of the path. The Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev shrine falls along the route of the trek.
Bisuri Tal is a lake in Uttarakhand near the Mandakini valley which is about 4000 mts from the sea level. Due to its obscure location and difficult trek travelers are relatively ignorant of the existence of the lake. But the trek, though difficult, is worth the beauty along the way and at the end.
The sanctuary situated near Chopta valley is a safe haven for the endangered Musk deer and some other endangered Himalayan lifeforms which are provided with sanctuary to breed and exist safely from the poachers’ grasps.
Remember those exquisite meadows filled with blossoms which are shown quite so often in romantic movies across the globe? Rohini Bugyal is an exact replica of those valleys. This breathtaking valleys offers the views of Kedarnath Peak, Chaukhamba Peak etc. This meadow serves as the perfect basecamp for the Chandrashila Treks.
This beautiful little hamlet appears as if straight out of a fairy tale. Complete with hotels and accommodations, this hamlet marks the start of the meadow line for Chopta Valley. This is one of the places where you can set up shop to visit Chopta Valley.
Dugalbitta or Duggalbitta is a small hamlet cocooned inside Chopta which is a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It has recently been opened up for visitors and since then has turned into a major hub of tourism. It is situated beside the road connecting the towns of Gopeshwar and Guptkashi. The term Dugalbitta means ‘land between mountains’ signifying the situation of the hamlet in the heart of mountains complete with streams, meadows and rare fascinating birds to capture the hearts of travelers.
One of the prime attractions of Chopta Valley, the treks are mentioned so low on the list entirely because of the perilous situations through which it occurs. Adventure buffs and explorers, this is your trip. The scenic beauty surrounding the path to Chandrashila Peak will suffice more than enough for the exertion of the hike.
Ukhimath, also known as Okhimath is the winter abode of the deities Kedarnath and Mahamayeshwar is a temple at a height of about 1300 mts. where the Rawals are the head priests and perform the rites at winter when Kedarnath remains closed.
This is one of the 108 shrines which are scattered across the Indian peninsula encompassing Pakistan, Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. The religious aesthetic serenity available here males for a perfect remedy for a broken soul. This shrine is a hub of tourism in Chopta Valley.
Yes, it is a bit troublesome to plan a truly beautiful and inclusive trip to Chopta because of the wide diversity of activities and spots to visit. But even a half-baked tour with just the primary attractions is an amazing trip in itself. So stop fretting, pack your bags and take the leap. I promise you, you won’t regret it for a moment. Also enough with the social life and expectations, go enjoy yourself with nature for a change.
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April 15, 2024 
