Winter Trekking in Auli and Chopta

¤ Auli

Auli Also known as a skier’s paradise, Auli has one of the best slopes in the world facilitating Himalayan Trekking in India. The 3km long slope ranges from 2519 m to 3049 m offers a magnificent panoramic view of great Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi(7817m), Kamet(7756m), Mana Parvat(7273m) and Dunagiri(7066m). You could reach Auli from Joshimath(1890m) by taking an enchanting 3 km ride on the world’s most highly situated and longest ropeway(cable car). A round trip costs Rs 200/- per person.


¤ Chopta

Situated on the Gopeshwar-Ukhimath road, Chopta is a beautiful little hamlet situated at the highest point on this road (2900 m). Chopta trekking on the Himalayan ranges of India offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and deep wooded valleys. The area comes under the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to animals like the leopard, Himalayan bear, musk deer, muntjac, or the barking deer, ghoral, or mountain goat, bharal, or blue sheep, Himalayan fox, flying squirrel, khaleej and monaal pheasant and a number of Himalayan birds and flowers. Chopta is also the road head to the ancient temple of Tungnath(3886m), one of the Panch Kedar (five abodes of Shiva). Tungnath is believed to be the place where the arms of Lord Shiva, who was disguised as a bull, appeared once the bull had dug himself into the earth after being chased by Bhima (one of the five Pandavas). The hump of the Bull remained at Kedarnath, the face appeared at Rudranath. Kalpeshwar is where the locks of hair surfaced and the Naval emerged at Madhmaheshwar. The horns of the bull, however, appeared at Pashupatinath at Kathmandu, in Nepal.

Gopeshwar(1300 m) is the district headquarter of Chamoli district. Chopta is 40 km from here. It is also the last big market on this route. There is a Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam’s rest house and a few good hotels at Gopeshwar. There are regular services of State transport buses from Gopeshwar to Chopta during all seasons except in winter, as the area around/ beyond Mandal receives heavy snowfall, and plying any form of transport is difficult. Mandal is a beautiful small village 13km from Gopeshwar, again a trekking Himalayan destination. It has a few wooden hut restaurants that serve simple but delicious food and is also the last point one could reach using a vehicle in winter. There is a private guest house called Yatri Vishram Griha at Mandal. The trek to Chopta through the snow starts from Mandal and charts its course via Kanchula Kharak. This is an 8km shortcut through the jungle. However, Kanchula Kharak is 19km from Mandal by road.

Kanchula Kharak is an isolated place with only one rest house that has two rooms, one fireplace, a kitchen and a decent bathroom. Himalayan trekking in Kanchula is also an experience itself. The rest house is run by the forest department. Electricity is still scarce here but light from the fireplace and a candle would serve the purpose. Since there are no eating joints at Kanchula Kharak, it is advisable to get food packed from Gopeshwar. For reservations, the D.F.O. of Kedarnath Range at Gopeshwar, can be contacted. The forest department is breeding musk deer in captivity at Kanchula Kharak. The trek to Chopta from Kanchula Kharak is 8km.


¤ GettingT here

State transport buses ply frequently from Rishikesh and other neighbouring towns. Private jeeps are also a good and fast means of transport.


¤ Itinerary:

DAY 1:Drive 256 km from Rishikesh to Joshimath, lunch en route. Dinner and overnight stay at GMVN's rest house or any other city hotel.

DAY 2:Cable-car ride to Auli, lunch at GMVN canteen, Auli (snacks only). Dinner and overnight stay at Joshimath.

DAY 3:Drive 61 km to Gopeshwar or further 13 km to Mandal, lunch en route. If time allows, trek till Kanchula Kharak. Dinner and overnight stay at either of the places. 

DAY 4:Trek 8 km to Chopta, lunch en route. Trek back to Kanchula Kharak or further till Mandal.

DAY 5:Drive back to Rishikesh.