It is the starting point for Tungnath trek and is the 3rd Kedar among 5 Kedar in Uttarakhand. Another 1.5 km trek from Tungnath head to Chandrashila(Altitude 4090 mts) which offers a panoramic view of snow-clad Himalayan peaks. The visible peaks are Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kedar Dome and many more (more than 60 peaks). This valley is part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary which is one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries in flora, fauna, and biodiversity in the world.
GEOGRAPHY OF CHOPTA:-
The valley Chopta is about 200 km drive along with the rivers such as GANGA, ALAKNANDA, and MANDAKINI . A link road (recently declared national highway), at 2700 metre elevation, passes through Chopta region and connects Alaknanda (Badrinath) and Mandakini (Kedarnath) valleys. Chopta’s accessibility is very easy from both valleys side but Mandakini side is nearer and is used by most of the tourists in all seasons. In snow fall season this link road remains closed from December to March so in snow season tourists arrive Chopta only via Mandakini (Kedar) valley. Now because of NH Government is planning to keep the road open from both valley sides in snow season as well.
SEASONS OF CHOPTA:-
Not only every season but every passing month has its incredible impact on Chopta region’s whole environment. Rain is essential part of Chopta region to fulfill Jungle’s huge water demand, since it might rain here at any time, any week and any month of the year. There are mainly 6 seasons in Chopta that anyone can observe easily like spring, summer, rainy, pre-winter, winter including snow fall. In Chopta, every season has its own colour, fragrance, feel, movement and beauty which keep changing month to month and season to season. In spring season fragrance of Rhododendron flowers fill the whole atmosphere of Chopta because 20% of the forest is occupied by Rhododendron trees. Summer season brings greenery, flowers and lots of tourists in Chopta valley. April, May and June are best time to visit Chopta for all age tourists because temperature remains gentle and weather mild. Dense fog envelopes the entire Chopta region in July and August for two months. Usually advent of snow fall season is expected after mid December and lasts up to mid March but sometimes it might extend its time period.
FLORA AND FAUNA IN CHOPTA:-
As Chopta is part of Kedarnath wild life sanctuary so it is obvious that there is abundance of plants and animals all around. There are more than 251 species of birds (migrant plus permanent), about 100 species of mammals, 45 species of giant trees and innumerable species of flowers and insects. Many species of plants and animals of them are in the verge of extinction like Musk dear, snow leopard, Monal, vultures, Thuner, Paapri, Ghinaroo etc. Many scientists and students come to Chopta to study its divers and unique flora-fauna. Once forest department had made a Musk dear sanctuary in Copta to protect and breed Musk dear but it was in vain.
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