Chopta Trek: Complete Trekking Guide

Overview

If you love the outdoors, but don’t have the time or money to take a month off and go trekking for three days straight, there are still lots of places in the world to visit with no budget. One such place is the Chopta Trail(Trek).

This trail is a three-day trek that takes you through some of the most picturesque and serene lands in the country. It starts out in a dense forest, and then moves through some vast meadows and finally up into an alpine fir forest.

In this guide, we will show you the easy way to get to the Chopta trail, what to pack for the trek, and how to best experience it.

How To Reach

The Chopta Trek begins at the village of Chopta in Uttarakhand, which is about 7 to 8 hours by car from Delhi. From Delhi, you can take the road that goes to Mussoorie, then take a left once you reach an intersection a little over halfway there. At this intersection, you can take a cab or simply hop on a bus bound for Dehradun and then switch to a bus bound for Chopta. The whole journey should cost about Rs. 450, and takes about 7 to 8 hours. It is preferable to take a bus instead of a cab because the roads to Chopta leave much to be desired. There is also a train that goes from Delhi to Chopta, but I do not know how long it takes or how much it costs.

If you are taking a cab, then it should cost around Rs. 3,000-Rs. 3,500 for four people with luggage. You can either rent a cab for the whole day (which will cost you about Rs. 400 per person but will leave you in Chopta around 11 PM) or select a local driver who will take you for about Rs. 400.

What You Should Bring With You On Your Chopta Trek?

There are a few things that you should absolutely bring with you on this trek:

A sleeping bag: Sleeping bags are essential for when it gets cold or windy (especially at night).
A rain jacket: This will protect you from the rain, which is all too common there.
Proper hiking boots: You have to have good shoes in order to keep your feet safe on this difficult trail.
A tent or tarp/groundsheet for protection from the rain as well as protection from wild animals: In some places, you might get stuck with nowhere to sleep except outside in a tent or on the ground.
Cash: Some villages do not accept credit cards and will only accept cash.
Proper hiking clothing: This is the absolute bare minimum that you should bring with you. When the weather is nice, you will have no need for this stuff and it will just get dirty anyway. But when it rains and snows, you don’t want to go shirtless on the trail.
Good trekking boots: The trail is very difficult and will challenge your feet once you get to some of the more extreme parts. My opinion is that it is much better to wear hiking boots than open shoes.
A knife or machete: You may be able to find a knife or machete along the way for free, but I would bring one just in case you need it.
A daypack: The trail is very difficult, and you will be doing a lot of hiking in it. You do not want to bring a backpack that is too big for your needs; make sure it fits within your budget, though.
A water filter: There are some areas where the water source can be contaminated by chemicals or even poisonous. In these places, it is a good idea to bring a water filter that can purify your water as needed.
A small first aid kit: You never know when you will require first aid or need to treat a small wound on the trail. A small kit will serve you well in the event of an injury or minor illness.

Best Season for Chopta Trekking

The best time to trek the Chopta route is from June to October when the weather is at its most favorable. The summer months are hot and dry, but the temperatures are not overwhelming. You will still need to be prepared with a lot of water, but it’s better to hike in the heat than during the monsoon season.

The monsoon season lasts from July until September, and this is the worst time of year for trekking because of all the rain. It can be difficult to get around and there will be numerous puddles everywhere.

You should also consider the fact that there are ticks along the route that carry infectious diseases like malaria and dengue fever, and they live in tall grasses. The rain can cause the grasses to grow taller than usual, so your chances of getting a tick bite are increased. We would recommend wearing thick socks that go up past your ankles during this time of year. You should also use bug spray. This is why we would recommend doing the Chopta route during the months of June to October.

Attractions of Chopta Trek

The Chopta Valley

The Chopta Valley is absolutely gorgeous and you will be in awe of how beautiful it is. It definitely stands out from most of the other areas you will see on your trek.

Chopta Village

Chopta village is the final destination for Chopta Trail Trek, and it is also one of the most unique. The village is completely built on the side of a mountain, and there are no roads or civilization within walking distance. It only has a few small hotels where you can spend the night in order to access Chopta Peak View Point the following day.

Wildlife

There are many animals living in the area, including deer, wild boars, and pythons, but they usually keep to themselves. You will also see many monkeys and birds here, so it is a truly amazing place to be in.

So, these are the major attractions for Chopta Trail Trekking that you can expect to see on your trip.