Chopta & Tungnath Bike Trip

The Best First Himalayan Ride

Everyone wants to do Kedarnath, Chardham, Adi Kailash. Almost nobody should do them first.

Chopta asks for a long weekend and gives you nearly everything the big rides give — the Devprayag sangam, the Alaknanda and Mandakini valleys, deodar forest, high meadow, a temple above the treeline, and a summit view of three of the great Himalayan peaks. What it doesn't ask for is two weeks of leave, a permit application, a medical certificate, or a body trained for a sixteen-kilometre climb.

It's also the honest test. Three days on this road tells you exactly how you handle a loaded bike on mountain switchbacks, how you feel walking uphill at 3,500 m, and whether you actually enjoy this. Riders who do Chopta with us in autumn are the ones who book Kedarnath in May knowing what they're getting into.

And if you've already ridden the big ones — this is still the ride locals do on a free weekend. Chandrashila at sunrise doesn't get less good because you've been higher.

What You'll See

Tungnath

The highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 m, and the highest of the Panch Kedar. The story is that the Pandavas built it seeking Shiva's forgiveness after Kurukshetra; the arms of the bull he'd turned into surfaced here. It's a 3.5 km walk up from Chopta on a paved path — steep, but manageable for anyone who walks regularly.

Chandrashila

Another 1.5 km and 320 m above Tungnath, at roughly 4,000 m. The summit gives you an unbroken 360-degree view — Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedar peak, Bandarpunch. On a clear morning it's one of the great views in India and it's the reason to start walking before dawn.

Chopta

Called the Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand, which undersells it. High meadow at 2,680 m ringed by deodar and rhododendron, part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, and quiet in a way the yatra towns never are. Musk deer and monal — the state bird — are both here if you're up early.

Deoria Tal (4-day option)

A high lake at 2,438 m, 2.5 km on foot from Sari village, that reflects the Chaukhamba massif in still water at dawn. Camping beside it is one of the best nights available in Garhwal. If you have a fourth day, take it.

Day by Day

1. Day 1 — Rishikesh → Chopta

   ≈200 km · 7–8 hrs · 2,680 m

   Early start up the Ganga through Devprayag — stop at the sangam where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda become the Ganga — then Srinagar, Rudraprayag and up the Mandakini through Ukhimath. The last 30 km into Chopta climbs through dense deodar and is the best riding of the day. Arrive by late afternoon. Overnight in a Chopta camp or guesthouse.

2. Day 2 — Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila → Chopta

   ≈10 km trek · 4,000 m

   Out before dawn for the climb. Tungnath in about two hours, Chandrashila about forty-five minutes beyond it. Sunrise from the summit if the weather plays. Down by midday, and the afternoon free.

3. Day 3 — Chopta → Rishikesh

   ≈200 km · 7–8 hrs

   Back down the way you came, at a more relaxed pace. Lunch at Rudraprayag, sangam stop at Devprayag if there's light, Rishikesh by evening.

4. Day 4 — Deoria Tal (optional)

   ≈30 km riding · 5 km trek · 2,438 m

   Insert before the ride home. Ride to Sari village, walk 2.5 km up to the lake, camp beside it, and be awake for the Chaukhamba reflection at first light.

No Permits. No Registration. No Medical Certificate.

Unlike the yatra routes and Adi Kailash, Chopta and Tungnath need nothing. No Inner Line Permit, no Chardham e-pass, no fitness certificate, no advance government paperwork.

You need a valid motorcycle licence — an International Driving Permit if you're riding on a foreign licence — and that's the whole list.

There is a small entry fee for the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which we handle.

This is why we recommend it as a first ride. You can decide to do this trip three weeks out and actually go.

Tungnath in the Snow

Between December and March, Chopta is under snow and the walk to Tungnath becomes a snow trek. The temple is closed — the deity is moved down to Mukkumath for winter — but the summit is still there, the crowds are entirely gone, and Chandrashila in fresh snow with the whole range clear is arguably better than anything summer offers.

What changes: the road can close above Ukhimath after heavy snowfall, so departures depend on conditions. The trek needs proper boots and gaiters, and we'll advise on what to bring. Nights in Chopta are seriously cold.

What doesn't: the ride up is still spectacular, and it's one of very few motorcycle trips in Uttarakhand you can genuinely do in January.

Fitness

Riding: two 200 km days on good mountain road. If you're comfortable riding 200 km in a day at home, you're comfortable here. This is the least demanding riding of any tour we run.

Walking: 5 km each way, climbing about 1,300 m from Chopta to Chandrashila. Steep in places, paved to Tungnath, rougher above it. Two to three hours up. If you walk regularly, you'll be fine.

Altitude: 4,000 m at the summit, but you sleep at 2,680 m and you're only high for a couple of hours. Altitude sickness is uncommon on this trip. Take the climb slowly anyway.

Suitable for: first-time Himalayan riders, families with teenagers, riders returning after years off, and anyone testing whether the longer tours are for them.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included — Royal Enfield for the trip, with fuel · accommodation in Chopta (camp or guesthouse) · all meals from Day 1 lunch · Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary entry · backup vehicle · mechanic · tour leader and trek guide · first aid kit

Not included — travel to and from Rishikesh · personal riding gear (helmet free) · travel insurance · personal expenses · Deoria Tal camping on the 3-day version

Departures & Pricing

Chopta runs almost all year — March to June, September to December, and winter snow departures December to March subject to road conditions. We don't run it during the July–August monsoon.

We run this most weekends in season. Tell us your dates and we'll almost certainly have a group, or we'll build one for four riders or more.

Price: TODO: tour price — TBD