Kedarnath Chopta Tour Itinerary: Complete Day-by-Day Plan

Introduction

Combining Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the holiest of the Char Dham temples, with Chopta, often called the "Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand," makes for one of the most rewarding trips in Garhwal. The two destinations sit close enough together that a well-planned itinerary can cover both the spiritual intensity of the Kedarnath yatra and the serene alpine meadows of Chopta and Tungnath in a single trip. This guide lays out a detailed 7-day Kedarnath Chopta tour itinerary, building on insights from our broader Kedarnath Yatra guide and best time to visit Chopta resources.

Day 1: Delhi/Haridwar to Sonprayag

The journey begins with an overnight bus or early morning drive from Delhi to Haridwar (approximately 220km), followed by a scenic road journey through Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag to Sonprayag (approximately 210km from Haridwar). This is a long travel day of 9-10 hours, passing through the confluence towns where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet. Overnight stay in Sonprayag, the last major road-accessible town before the Kedarnath trek begins.

Day 2: Sonprayag to Kedarnath via Gaurikund

Drive or take a shared taxi 5km to Gaurikund, the actual trailhead for the Kedarnath trek. From here, it is a 16km trek (or helicopter/pony option) climbing steadily from 1,982m to 3,583m. The trail is well-paved with tea stalls at regular intervals, and most trekkers complete it in 7-9 hours. Arrive in Kedarnath by evening, check into a guesthouse, and rest ahead of the following morning's darshan.

Day 3: Kedarnath Darshan and Descent to Sonprayag

Wake before dawn for the Kedarnath temple darshan, ideally arriving by 4-5am to avoid the largest crowds. The ancient stone temple, believed to date back over a thousand years, sits dramatically against the Kedarnath massif. After darshan and a few hours exploring the area including Bhairav Nath temple and the glacial-fed Mandakini source, begin the descent back to Gaurikund and drive to Sonprayag or onward toward Ukhimath for the night, positioning yourself for the Chopta leg of the trip.

Day 4: Sonprayag/Ukhimath to Chopta

Drive from Ukhimath to Chopta (approximately 40km, 1.5-2 hours), passing through pine and rhododendron forests as the road climbs to 2,680m. Chopta offers a completely different landscape from Kedarnath — rolling meadows (bugyals), dense oak forests, and views of the Chaukhamba massif on clear days. Check into a guesthouse or campsite in Chopta and spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the village.

Day 5: Chopta to Tungnath and Chandrashila Summit

This is the highlight day of the Chopta leg. Trek from Chopta to Tungnath temple (3,680m), the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the Panch Kedar shrines, covering roughly 3.5km of steady ascent through rhododendron forest. From Tungnath, continue another 1.5km to the Chandrashila summit (4,000m), which offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, and Kedarnath peaks. Descend back to Chopta by evening — the full round trip typically takes 6-7 hours. For trekkers wanting more detail on this section, our Chopta Chandrashila trek itinerary covers the route thoroughly.

Day 6: Chopta to Deoriatal (Optional) or Direct Return Travel

For those with an extra day, a side trip to Deoriatal, a pristine alpine lake reflecting the Chaukhamba range, is highly recommended and adds relatively little extra travel since it lies en route back toward Rudraprayag. Alternatively, begin the return journey directly from Chopta toward Rudraprayag and onward to Rishikesh or Haridwar, a drive of roughly 7-8 hours. Those combining both stops should read our Deoriatal Chopta trek best time guide for seasonal planning.

Day 7: Return to Delhi

Complete the journey back to Haridwar or Rishikesh and take an onward train, bus, or flight to Delhi. Total road distance covered over the trip is approximately 900-1,000km round trip, and total trek distance (Kedarnath plus Chandrashila) comes to roughly 40km on foot.

Best Time and Practical Considerations

May-June and September-October are the two best windows for combining Kedarnath and Chopta. The Kedarnath temple typically opens in late April/early May and closes around late October/early November (Diwali), based on the Hindu calendar determined by temple authorities each year. Monsoon months (July-August) bring landslide risk on the mountain roads and are best avoided. Carry warm layers regardless of season — Kedarnath and Chandrashila summit both see near-freezing nighttime temperatures even in June. A helicopter option exists for Kedarnath from Phata or Sersi, cutting the trek time significantly for those with limited days or mobility concerns.

What to Pack for the Combined Trip

Because this itinerary spans both the high-altitude pilgrimage trail to Kedarnath and the meadows and forest trails around Chopta, packing needs to cover a fairly wide range of conditions. For the Kedarnath leg, sturdy trekking shoes with good grip are essential since the stone-paved trail can be slippery, particularly near Rambara and Linchauli where mule traffic wears the surface smooth. A basic first-aid kit, personal medication, and a reusable water bottle are worth carrying throughout, since shops thin out considerably beyond Sonprayag. For the Chopta and Chandrashila section, warm layers remain necessary even in the supposedly milder shoulder months, as the summit exceeds 4,000m and wind chill can be significant even on a sunny day. A daypack with rain cover is useful year-round given how quickly Garhwal weather can shift from clear skies to sudden showers.

Budget Estimate

A 7-day Kedarnath Chopta tour, including shared transport, mid-range guesthouse stays, and meals, typically costs INR 12,000-18,000 per person in a group of 4-6 travelling by shared vehicle. Adding a helicopter for the Kedarnath leg increases costs by INR 7,000-9,000 per person round trip but saves an entire trekking day. Private vehicle hire for the whole circuit costs more but offers flexibility, particularly useful for the winding mountain roads between Ukhimath and Chopta.

Conclusion

A combined Kedarnath Chopta tour rewards travellers with both the profound spiritual experience of one of India's most revered Jyotirlingas and the serene natural beauty of Garhwal's alpine meadows and the Panch Kedar shrine at Tungnath. Planning around 7 days with a buffer for weather delays gives the most comfortable pacing. Those wanting to extend the trip further can consider combining it with the wider Do Dham Yatra itinerary covering both Kedarnath and Badrinath.