I didn’t know that you would sweep me off my feet and enthral my senses. Chopta, you were too gorgeous to be true. Cast your spell on us in the magical Himalayan monsoons.
Me and my husband were craving for some wilderness lately .I had heard about Chopta and its unique beauty but honestly never expected this kind of scenic verdure . I was more excited about carrying our own camping tent ,the summit hike to chandrashila and obviously the Tungnaath temple( the highest Shiva temple in the world).Got some camping essentials too.And the Excitement zoomed !
Wandering clouds swept a thin veil over the waterfalls in the backdrop of lush green meadows dotted with colorful wild flowers. These were my first impressions of Chopta as we got off the Jeep. Yes, I have been to Uttarakhand so many times but it appeared as if we were in some other part of the world. Its called the ” mini Switzerland ” for some reason that I now know. The entire zone is under the Forest Department and one can feel the purity due to the lack of commercialization and needless construction. So no fancy hotels, but yes some nice luxury camps.
It rained right from the time we reached Chopta, and I was apprehensive that it would dampen my excitement of pitching our tent on a solitary meadow in the middle of lush oak. We decided to stay in a tented camp accommodation which was rather plush inside.
The buffalo stared at my hubby from the tent’s window while he was brushing his teeth in the well-equipped bathroom and he gave it a friendly whoop.All he could see was the big nostrils peeking into the small mesh window. Yes, it was amusing and cute at the same time !
The trek to Tungnath was rather deserted with only a few devotees coming back since we started a little late. We were actually waiting for the mist to settle and for views to open up. Raincoats, water bottle, some dry snacks and we were up on the drenched yet stunning trek. The view of the Tungnath temple was mesmerizing ( and relieving ) after a good 2.5 hours of hiking. Known to be built by the Pandavas 1000 years ago to recieve pardon from Lord Shiva for their act of killing their own kin in the Mahabharata.One can feel the sacred and blessed charm from the old solid granite slab structure as well the mystical vibes. A true spiritual experience !
What next ? Chandrashila hike ! We met only two other hikers. These young guys who would frequently stop for selfies and attempt to broadcast live videos but were also quite swift. All in swag. The feeling on the summit was exhilirating. One of the guys said ” You can probably lose your sanity in such an ethereal place”. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating king Ravana. The clouds moved on and views were revealed for a few minutes. and then again. Hide and seek .
It stopped raining the next day and we could now pitch our tent. It was smoother than we had imagined. We chose a location far out from civilization , quickly set up the tent and spent some hours inside . I slept a bit to the lullaby of birds chirping and a soothing , caressing breeze.
I cannot emphasize how beautiful the hills look in the monsoons. You have to experience it to believe it. All you need is a raincoat and a sturdy pair of hiking boots. Avoid leeches as they suck ( pun intended ! ) .Not too harmful but not pleasant as well.
Wow! The photos are breathtaking…being surrounded by such beauty.
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Thankyou so much for the kind words. Yes it was a refreshing experience 😃
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wow! amazing pictures .Thanks for sharing about this wonderful place!
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Thankyou so much for appreciating and glad you liked the pictures. 😊
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There’s something about the fog and silence that makes it all so very perfect 🙂
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Indeed and that’s the magical thing about it. Not too many people around. Silence and beauty in galore. Thankyou so much for expressing your opinion. 😃
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The photos look incredible!!
Have a lovely day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
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Thankyou so much for appreciating ☺️
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Amazing and divine experience it must be!
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Thankyou so much for taking time to read my post and expressing your opinion. Means a lot 😊
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You are very welcome 🙂
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Enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the mist-filled landscape. Such a mysterious ambience!
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Really glad to know that you enjoyed the post. And yes, mist creates a dramatic effect which I find romantic and ethereal. 😃
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Oh Pooja, it looks amazing ~ and “luxury camping” sounds great. I want to see that waterfall in person!
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Thankyou so much for your lovely comment. I really wish you to witness the beauty of hills in monsoons. The waterfalls are in abundance and so the beauty 😊
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Loved every bit of your hiking..wonderful pics.
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Thankyou so much. Created so many memories and beautiful moments 😃
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Hi… Super beautiful picture. India always incredible. I am shiva from karnatak, India
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Hi Shiva, glad that you liked the pictures. India is indeed full of scenic beauty with all kinds of variations. 😊
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Yes
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Breathtaking and awesome pictures. Great post.
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Thankyou so much. It was an epic trip for sure. ✌️
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Yes absolutely can make out from the awesome pictures, Pooja.
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Indeed. Glad you liked them. 😃
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Yes
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Chopta is high on my list… been wanting to visit for last so many years. Still eluding
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You are going to fall in love with this place. Every true traveller will. 💖
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I know Pooja. Really wanting to do so. There’s another stunning place in the vicinity which is high on my list. Will visit them both… someday!
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Which one are you talking about ?
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This place is located near kanakchori in Uttrakhand
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Ok. Great. 😊
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Will send you details. Let’s connect through FB/ Instagram.
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Yes of course, I have linked my blog with my social accounts. Find me from there.
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👍
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Beautiful pics
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Thankyou so much. The place was dreamy and so capturing good shots was natural.
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Welcome, Which place is very beautiful you enjoyed
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This place is awesome have visited with school trip once .. magnificent pictures
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Oh that’s great ! What was the season ?
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I think October
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Ok. People have told me that it’s awesome and different in every season. 😊
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Yup !! We had done campaigning and trekking and was magnificent
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Sure I can imagine 😃
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Wow Pooja. This place looks so mystical…. just inspiring. Lorelle. 😉
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Yes indeed..it was all because of the monsoons. Love the dramatic feel it creates. 😊
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Very dramatic. Like a movie set. 😉
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Yes indeed 😊
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Great post once again Pooja. It was breath taking … especially the first picture, My heart must have skipped a beat.. it looked so dangerous place where you were standing… be careful next time..
Try to post info on how to reach that place too, and a google map on that location would also help. Over all amazing place and hope you guys had great time! Cheers!
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Thankyou so much. And the picture deceptively looking dangerous but it’s not. There was meadows in front of me. Will try to post important information also next time.😊
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Thankyou so much for tagging me 😃
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Breathtaking views! Enjoy the tour via your great photos. 🙂
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Thankyou so much ! India is full of stunning and unspoiled locations that people don’t know much about 😃
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Pooja, soaking in amidst pristine lap of nature must have been an exhilarating experience. Oh, away from the chaos and the crowd, such a refreshing and rejuvenating trip it must have been. The pics are breathtaking!!
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Thankyou for expressing it so beautifully. Yes, it was far away from chaos and that’s what the most amazing part. Untouched and raw 😃
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Wow this looks incredible! So rugged, green, and smoky!
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Thankyou so much ! Monsoons brings out the glorious side of hills. Must explore ✌️
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Oh my God, loved the pictures and the way you described it so well. Feel like hopping into the pictures 😍
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Thankyou PC for commenting here. Means a lot 😘
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Amazing it is. So lovely clicks
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Thankyou so much for liking and taking out the time to comment ✌️
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Sounds amazing – and the photos, stunning!
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Thankyou so much . 😊
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Just Wow!!!!!
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Thankyou. Glad you liked the post 😊
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Thankyou so much 😃
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http://wp.me/p8SOYp-w
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Amazing vies, very nicely captured.
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Thankyou so much for reading 😄
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Interesting that I should read this now. I was in Switzerland last month, and you’re quite right – there are many similarities between the landscapes in these two places. The buildings are, obviously, quite different – there is nothing like the Tungnaath temple in the Swiss Alps.
Lovely photography and a fascinating account of your experience – your excitement comes through very clearly – well done! 🙂
Kindness – Robert.
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I was in Switzerland for only few hours but I noticed the similarity too( specially the views while landing ). Yeah architecture can not be the same 😄 but the landscape , meadows, lush greenery ,grazing belled cattles . I am in love with this place 😃
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I expect to see some beautiful photography from Switzerland on your blog when you are settled. Looking forward to that, Pooja. 🙂
Kindness – Robert.
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… and the cattle with bells on their necks – part of me was driven craaazy by that (they were near the hotel) but the better part of me loved that detail – and the sound soon became ‘normal’. 🙂
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Hahaha.. I could hear them in the night from the camp. But I found them soothing 😃
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me too (after a while) 😃
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http://wp.me/p8SOYp-w
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Brave and inspiring
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Thankyou so much. It’s a beautiful hike 😊
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Great photos. Heard a lot about Chopta, must go. How many days did you have there?
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Yeah chopta is unspoiled and picturesque destination in Uttarakhand. We stayed in chopta for 3 days. And thanks for expressing your opinion. 😊
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Amazing pictures!
Travel post are just so exciting. U really made me to visit the place real soon!
Also, i have started my own
Blog . Do visit .
My first blog talks about me only. About who i am.
https://beautifulinsideout781.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/who-i-am/
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Thankyou so much for stopping by. And you have also done a good job with your first post . Keep writing 😊
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It takes some fortitude to stay in places like this, but oh, what a payback. Absolutely delightful, I would’ve been thrilled too. Great post, Pooja.
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Surely, infact one of my friend wanted to stay in this place for life after looking at my pictures,but not too sure if would be able to manage without any internet connectivity. Thankyou so much for visiting and expressing your views 😃
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http://wp.me/p8SOYp-w
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Gorgeous!!!!
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Thankyou so much 😃
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Beautiful pics with lovely description…
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Thankyou for reading and appreciating. Means a lot 😊
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hey lovely I just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for The Liebster Award over on my blog! x
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Thankyou so much 😃
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No problem
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Wish I had read this before my ‘Char Dham Yatra’ (see my May 26 blog – Link> https://unstoppableafterseventy.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/on-to-my-last-journey/
Would have loved to halt for a day. If I remember right the legend about Kedarnath temple (Pandavas building it to atone for the sin of killing in Kurukshetra) is also the same. The blog ‘My Last Journey’ on May 26 was (as explained in it) for people to gve some guidance. But no one reads (they only ‘like’) and so no travel tips. I am reading not only this post but ALL your posts. I cannot i travel (nearing 80 in a few years),but can vicariously visit those beautiful places.
Thanks Poojaji.
someswar1@gmailo.com
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Thankyou so much for taking time and reading about my experience. India is abode to so many religious places nestled amidst picturesque landscapes. The connection between spirituality and natural beauty is deep. I am not a religious person but definitely a hard core nature lover. I love exploring such amazing temples with beautiful architecture and history too. Would love to read more from your blogging space.
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The very purpose of locating important temples in such places was to make people see , admire and experience nature, which they otherwise may not, The ‘yatra’ was worth it more for the exposure to nature than for religion
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Yes, absolutely. I agree. And to make the devotees climb the mountains for the love of GOD. It makes sense.
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Lovely .. Thanks for sharing
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Thankyou 😄
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http://wp.me/p8SOYp-w
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Beautiful pictures! You captured the mood of the Himalayas nicely.
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Thankyou so much. Pictures came effortlessly great. The charm of monsoons and enigmatic mist 😊
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Wow! Beautiful pictures! 🙂
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Thankyou for appreciating. 😊
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Thanks for the post 🙂 I am planning to visit this place
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Thanks for commenting and you must visit this place specially in monsoons. But all the seasons have thier own charm 😊
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Wow! Those are some stunning views, Pooja. Thanks for taking me there. 🙂
Cheryl
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Thankyou so much for appreciating ! I still can’t believe I was there. Now it’s only through pictures I am reviving that experience.
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Did you just gave a glimpse of heaven?
Wow! What a creation of our God Almighty! Amazing post. I am jealous of you husband and wife who could witness such a beauty called Chopta. Thanks for letting us know about such a scenic beauty in our country.
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Thankyou so much for this amazing comment. It was beyond words to explain how we felt being there. Infact my husband is from Uttarakhand and we have traveled extensively to all the best places. But we’re quite amazed with its unique beauty because it was under forest department. Hope you also visit chopta some day 😊
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The place is just breath taking.,
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Thankyou and yes it was ❤
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Wow this sounds incredible! Your photos are so lovely, they totally portray the vibe you describe 😍
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Ahh the place was magical enough that it forced me to write about it. Thankyou so much for appreciating 😃
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breathtaking views! thank you very much for visiting simply beautiful which led me to this amazing site! i cannot wait to read on. 🙂
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Oh I am so glad to know that you liked the post . Thankyou so much. 😊
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Wow. It looks amazing! So beautiful.
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Thankyou so much !
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What a beautiful place and gorgeous photos! A great getaway 🙂
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