How to Reach Chopta & Tungnath: Flights and Road Guide 2026
By Reyansh Mehta (Reyansh Mehta covers hill stations across the Indian Himalayas — Manali, Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Spiti — with a focus on flights, road conditions, altitude acclimatisation and permit rules. He's spent 90+ days above 3,500m in the last five years.) · Published · 12 min read
Chopta is a small meadow in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, at about 2,680 m — the starting point for the trek to Tungnath (world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680 m) and Chandrashila peak. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, 220 km away.
TL;DR — Quickest Way to Reach Chopta
Chopta is a small high-altitude meadow (bugyal) in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, at about 2,680 m — the base point for the 3.5 km trek up to Tungnath temple (3,680 m), the highest Shiva shrine in the world, and the further 1.5 km climb to Chandrashila peak (4,130 m). There is no airport or railway station at Chopta. The nearest commercial airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED) at roughly 220 km. Most travellers take a train to Haridwar or Rishikesh and then drive ~200 km to Chopta. No permit is needed for Indian nationals. Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them.
Nearest Airport to Chopta: Jolly Grant Dehradun
Jolly Grant Airport (DED) in Dehradun is the closest commercial airport to Chopta, roughly 220 km by road — about 7–8 hours including the mountain stretch after Srinagar (Garhwal). IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India operate flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to Dehradun. One-way fares from Delhi to Dehradun are often ₹2,500–₹6,000 when booked 2–4 weeks in advance; last-minute fares can be significantly higher.
From Jolly Grant, hire a private cab to Chopta via the following route: Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath road → Chopta. The first 100 km (Dehradun to Srinagar Garhwal) is mostly NH-7 and moves reasonably fast. The remaining 80–90 km into the mountains is single-lane hill road with tight switchbacks. Budget 7–9 hours total from the airport. A private cab from Jolly Grant to Chopta typically costs ₹5,000–₹7,500 per vehicle.
Best Train Route for Chopta and Tungnath
Haridwar (HW) and Rishikesh (RKSH) are the preferred railheads, each about 190–210 km from Chopta by road (7–8 hours). Trains from Delhi to Haridwar are frequent and among the fastest intercity connections in North India:
| Train | From | To | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shatabdi Express (12017) | New Delhi 06:45 | Haridwar 10:25 | ~3h 40m |
| Mussoorie Express (14041) | Delhi 22:20 | Haridwar 03:30 | ~5h 10m |
| Jan Shatabdi (12055) | New Delhi 15:10 | Haridwar 19:04 | ~3h 54m |
From Haridwar or Rishikesh, private cabs to Chopta cost approximately ₹4,500–₹7,000 per vehicle. Shared jeeps from Ukhimath (accessible via a Guptkashi-bound state bus from Rishikesh) go up to Chopta for around ₹200–₹300 per seat, but departures are limited to early morning and the route involves multiple transfers. If you are 3–4 people, splitting a private cab from Haridwar or Rishikesh is both faster and nearly as economical.
Road Route to Chopta from Delhi and Rishikesh
The most direct Delhi → Chopta road route follows NH-7 (Badrinath Highway):
Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar (Garhwal) → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta
- Delhi to Chopta total: ~470 km, 12–14 hours depending on Haridwar traffic and the condition of the last 80 km mountain section. Split recommended: overnight at Rishikesh or Rudraprayag.
- Rishikesh to Chopta: ~200 km, 7–8 hours. The NH-7 runs alongside the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers through deep Garhwal gorges — particularly beautiful between Devprayag and Rudraprayag where the Ganga is still the Alaknanda.
- Rudraprayag to Chopta via Ukhimath: about 65 km, 2.5–3 hours. At Ukhimath, the road forks — Kedarnath route goes straight, Chopta branches left uphill. The final 18 km from Ukhimath to Chopta is narrow single-lane mountain road.
During Char Dham season (May–June), NH-7 sees heavy pilgrim traffic near Rudraprayag and Srinagar. Start early (before 5 am from Rishikesh) to avoid jams at critical junctions. In winter, the Chopta road above Ukhimath can be snow-covered and temporarily closed without notice — check Uttarakhand road status portals or local WhatsApp groups before departing from December through March.
The Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek: What to Expect
The trek from Chopta meadow to Tungnath temple is 3.5 km one-way on a well-maintained stone-paved trail, gaining roughly 1,000 m in altitude over a moderate gradient. Most reasonably fit adults complete the upward climb in 2–3 hours. From Tungnath, the further 1.5 km to Chandrashila summit (4,130 m) is steeper and more exposed to wind — allow 1–1.5 hours each way for this section.
- Ponies are available from Chopta meadow to Tungnath for those who cannot trek — around ₹600–₹1,000 per pony one-way. Negotiate the price and agree on a return-drop point before setting out.
- Temple timings: Tungnath temple is open May–November. The deity's idol is moved to Mkumath village for winter. Specific opening and closing dates shift each year by a few days based on the Vedic calendar — check with the temple trust or local Ukhimath priests.
- Sunrise at Chandrashila: The panoramic view from the summit — Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath dome, Chaukhamba — is legendary and best in the early morning before haze builds. Start the trek at 4 am to reach the summit by sunrise.
- Snow on trail: In early April and late November, parts of the trail above 3,200 m may have hard-packed snow. Carry microspikes or YakTrax if you are trekking at these shoulder periods. The trail is not technically difficult but ice on the stone path can be dangerous without traction devices.
- Camping: Basic tent camps operate at Chopta meadow (₹500–₹1,200 per tent) and a few permanent camp sites between Chopta and Tungnath. Temperatures drop to 0°C or below at Chopta from October onward — carry a good sleeping bag if camping.
Combining Chopta with the Kedarnath or Deoria Tal Circuit
Chopta sits at a geographical crossroads in Garhwal that makes it easy to combine with nearby high-altitude destinations — an important planning consideration if you are travelling from outside Uttarakhand and want to maximise the trip.
Chopta + Deoria Tal (2 nights)
Deoria Tal is a reflective high-altitude lake at 2,438 m, about 13 km before Chopta on the Ukhimath road. The lake trek from Sari village is 3 km and takes 1.5–2 hours. The reflection of the Chaukhamba peaks in the still water at dawn is one of the most photographed sights in Uttarakhand. Spending one night at Deoria Tal camp (₹1,000–₹2,500 per tent all-in with meals) and then driving up to Chopta the next morning makes for a logical and stunning 2-night circuit.
Chopta + Kedarnath (4–5 nights)
Kedarnath temple (3,583 m) is only 80 km from Chopta via Rudraprayag, making it a natural extension. Helicopter services from Phata or Guptkashi to Kedarnath helipad are the fastest option (around ₹4,000–₹6,000 per person one-way; slots must be pre-booked via the official portal at heliyatra.irctc.co.in — these fill 2–3 weeks ahead in May and June). On-foot pilgrims trek 16 km one-way from Gaurikund; ponies and palki (doli) services are available. Note that Kedarnath is part of Char Dham and has separate registration requirements via the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Board — complete this online before arriving in Rudraprayag.
Best Time to Visit Chopta and Seasonal Overview
| Season | Months | Highlights and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (recommended) | Apr–Jun | Rhododendrons in full bloom below 3,000 m; Tungnath opens; trail mostly clear by late April; temperatures 5–20°C |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Leeches on the trail; cloud cover most days; road landslide risk below Rudraprayag — avoid if possible |
| Autumn (best overall) | Oct–Nov | Crystal clear mountain views; golden bugyals; cold nights (−5 to 10°C); Tungnath closes by mid-Nov |
| Winter | Dec–Mar | Deep snow at Chopta; road often unpassable; winter trek for experienced adventurers with proper gear only |
Bottom line: The most efficient 2026 plan is to catch the morning Shatabdi to Haridwar, overnight in Rishikesh, drive to Chopta the next morning, arrive by afternoon, and do the Chandrashila sunrise trek the following dawn. Budget a minimum of 2 nights at or near Chopta. Find more Uttarakhand and hill-station destinations at /destinations. Also see How to reach Munsiyari and How to reach Kasol and Tosh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Chopta?
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (DED) is the nearest commercial airport, roughly 220 km / 7–8 hours by road from Chopta via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag.
How do I reach Chopta from Delhi by road?
Take NH-7 via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar (Garhwal), and Rudraprayag, then branch toward Ukhimath for the final 18 km to Chopta. Total distance about 470 km — best split into 2 days with an overnight halt at Rishikesh or Rudraprayag.
Is Tungnath temple open in winter?
No. Tungnath temple is typically open only from May to November. In winter the deity's idol is moved to Mkumath village and the high-altitude temple closes. Exact opening and closing dates shift by a few days each year — confirm with local priests in Ukhimath.
How difficult is the Tungnath trek?
The 3.5 km stone-paved trail from Chopta to Tungnath is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for most adults. The additional 1.5 km to Chandrashila peak (4,130 m) is rated moderate. Altitude is the main challenge; spending one night at Chopta before the summit attempt significantly reduces AMS risk.
What is the best time to visit Chopta and Tungnath?
October–November for clear mountain views and comfortable daytime temperatures. April–May (after snow-melt) for rhododendrons in bloom. Avoid July–September due to monsoon cloud cover, leeches on the trail, and landslide risk on the approach road below Rudraprayag.
Can I combine Chopta with Kedarnath in one trip?
Yes — Kedarnath is about 80 km from Chopta via Rudraprayag. Helicopter slots from Phata or Guptkashi to Kedarnath helipad must be pre-booked via heliyatra.irctc.co.in and fill up weeks in advance in the peak May–June window. On-foot trekkers need to register via the Char Dham Devasthanam Board before arriving in the region.