Why Chopta Called Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
How beautiful Uttarakhand is, right? It’s just another one of the most sought-after destinations of tourists in India.
If you want to see nature at its best, visit this state and you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the sights and sounds of nature—and that’s not all.
Why Chopta Called Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
Chopta – Where is it located?
Chopta is a mountain village located amidst the Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchchuli peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas.
It sits at an altitude of 1790 meters, on top of Chamba Village, near Joshimath, and below Auli. Known for its panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and pine trees that stand tall alongside flowing waterfalls, Chopta offers a mesmerizing view with immense scope for adventure sports like paragliding and trekking.
The place also has religious significance owing to its proximity to Shri Badrinath Temple. One can reach here by taking private jeeps/AC coaches from Rishikesh or Haridwar as well as Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala.
Why named as mini-Switzerland of Uttarakhand | Why Chopta Called Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand
Chopta and Hikkim is an extremely popular tourist destination situated at a height of nearly 5,400 m (17,743 ft) above sea level.
There are numerous such places in Uttarakhand state. However, Chopta and Hikkim stand out as it has very good connectivity to main cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rudraprayag.
These two towns have a captivating beauty that can keep you mesmerized for hours together. The snow-clad mountains coupled with the serene ambiance makes these place a must-visit during winter.
The place also has many Buddhist monasteries which offer accommodation to tourists who come here to witness nature’s wonder.
Apart from being beautiful, these places are also known for adventure activities like paragliding and trekking, attracting tourists from all over India during winter.
If you want to explore the beautiful Himalayan region then visiting Chopta and Hikkim would be your best bet! This is Why Chopta is Called the Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand.
How to reach there
Chopta Valley is a popular tourist destination, located 45 km from Nainital at an altitude of 1580 m. It can be reached by jeep or taxi from Nainital for about Rs 600 one way.
Chopta has hot water springs and grassy meadows with ashrams and small hotels where tourists can stay overnight.
The valley also offers views of several Himalayan peaks, including Trishul (7120 m) and Neelkanth (6568 m).
On a clear day, one can see across Tibet and even Kailash. At an elevation of 3060 m above sea level, it’s known as the highest motorable road on earth, though it can take up to 10 hours to reach Dharamsala on foot!
However, if you want to enjoy breathtaking views without taking risks, you can always opt for a cable car ride which will take you all the way down to Chopta in just 20 minutes.
You can visit these places throughout the year except during monsoon season when roads are closed due to heavy snowfall.
Things To Do and See There Why Chopta Called Mini Switzerland
Chopta is one of those places in India that gets no love despite being a fabulous tourist destination. If you are tired of visiting popular destinations and want to explore some exotic locations then Chopta will be worth your while.
Located at an altitude of 10,582 feet above sea level, Chopta will give you a panoramic view of Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, and Dronagiri Mountain Peak.
Not only does it offer magnificent views but there are also some things that tourists can do here as well.
Visit Hemkund Sahib: Hemkund Sahib is a holy shrine located around 12 km from Chopta. It was built by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and dedicated to his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
According to legend, Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his last days here with his family before he went on to create Sri Harmandir Saheb in Amritsar.
There are many legends associated with this place which makes it even more special for Sikh pilgrims who visit here every year during the Maghi Purnima festival or Manimahesh Yatra which takes place in January or February every year.
Also, Read:-12 Best Places to Visit in Rishikesh and Haridwar
When To Visit There
Chota Char Dham holds a lot of significance for Hindus as it is considered one of God’s holy sites and must visit the place by all.
Hence, according to Hindu calendar dates, Chota Char Dham remains closed during the summer season i.e., from mid-May to Mid-October.
The best time to visit Chota Chardham can be between mid-October and to the end of March when winter prevails there and snow lies on top of these sites.
Temperatures range from 3-5 degrees Celsius here during December, January, and February months so please make sure you carry warm clothing along with you if you are planning to visit here during winter.
You will also get an opportunity to enjoy sky gazing at night as well as a sky full of stars which is something that you won’t see anywhere else in India.
You can also enjoy horse riding over the frozen lake which will give you a really good experience. One should not miss visiting Chopta when he/she visits Chota Char Dham.
It is a small village near Badrinath temple but offers some amazing views and experiences that will remain etched in your memory forever!
How Much Will It Cost to Visit There?
To visit Chopta, you’ll need to take a jeep up and down, which will cost approximately Rs. 3000 (excluding any entrance fees).
To stay overnight at Chopta, most hotels / Camps charge between Rs. 5000 and 7000 per night. After that, it’s all about exploring your surroundings!
For instance, if you were looking for a place to visit that reminded you of Switzerland, then Narkanda could be worth checking out as well.
Either way—Chopta or Narkanda—you won’t regret visiting either location! Why Chopta is Called Mini Switzerland.
What All Facilities are Available There?
Chopta is one of our favorite places when it comes to enjoying the snowfall. The views around you will amaze you with their beauty. And this is why Chopta is Called the Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand.
You can even go for a paragliding session here if that’s what you’re looking for. The snow-capped mountains surrounding Chopta provide a blissful experience that’s incomparable to anything else.
But there is a lot more than just nature’s art at Chopta! Stay at any of these listed resorts and take advantage of all they have to offer!
Have your meals at one of their multi-cuisine restaurants? For nature enthusiasts, try trekking or skiing! If you love photography, document everything from your stay here!
Useful Tips for Visiting There
The ideal time to visit Chopta is from June to October. During the rainy season, there might be delays due to landslides.
As Chopta falls under the tourist circuit, there are good Camps, Cottages, and restaurants where you can spend your day without any problem.
It takes a night drive to reach Chopta from Gwaldam via Joshi math and Baralacha Pass (38 km). If you don’t want a night drive then start early in the morning.
This Concludes the Tropic on Why Chopta Called Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand.
