Peak Season
Chopta in October
Uttarakhand, India
October is Chopta perfected. Zero rain, crystal-clear skies, post-monsoon visibility at its peak. Every major Himalayan summit from Nanda Devi to Bandarpoonch is visible from Chandrashila with razor sharpness. Temperatures are crisp: 12-16Β°C daytime, 0-3Β°C at night. The meadow shifts from green to golden as grasses dry. Tungnath temple is open (it closes in November). The trail is dry, firm, and in the best condition of the year. Leeches are gone. This is Chopta's second peak season, matched only by April.
The October story
If you can only visit Chopta once, make it October. The Chandrashila sunrise in October is the finest short-trek summit view in the Indian Himalayas β the air is so clear that you can distinguish individual ridgelines on peaks 80km away. Start the trek at 4 AM with headlamps, reach the summit by 6:15 AM, and watch the sun hit Nanda Devi's east face while Trishul and Kedarnath glow pink. The trail is fast and dry β strong trekkers complete the Chopta to Chandrashila round trip in 5-6 hours. The forest is transitioning to autumn colors: oak leaves turning bronze, birch going yellow at higher elevations. Night skies are exceptional β no light pollution, no cloud cover, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. October weekends draw moderate crowds (40-60 trekkers) but nothing overwhelming. All dhabas are operational. Book accommodation early for Dussehra and Diwali long weekends when Chopta sees its highest annual footfall. Temperature at Chandrashila summit at sunrise will be -3 to -5Β°C β carry a windproof down jacket and gloves.
Why October scores 5/5
Weather
October is Chopta perfected. Zero rain, crystal-clear skies, post-monsoon visibility at its peak.
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF Uttarakhand / Forest Department. helpline: 1077 (UK Disaster Helpline). ambulance: 108 (slow β remote area). police station: Gopeshwar Police Station 40km. nearest hospital: Gopeshwar District Hospital 40km
Network
JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, AIRTEL: No
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) β Easy meadow terrain, Nature experience, Camping possible
Elevation
2,680m β Moderate altitude
Who should go
- βFirst-time travelers
- βSenior citizens
- βAnyone visiting Chopta for the first time β this is the definitive month
- βSummit sunrise chasers β Chandrashila in October is unbeatable
- βAstrophotographers β Milky Way visibility is excellent with zero cloud cover
- βLong-weekend trekkers from Delhi/Dehradun β Dussehra timing is perfect
- βFamilies with kids aged 10+ β dry trail, mild weather, no leeches
Who should think twice
- βBudget travelers during Dussehra/Diwali weekends β prices spike 50-80%
- βSolitude seekers on long weekends β Chopta meadow gets crowded
- βTravelers without warm layers β nights are genuinely cold at 0Β°C
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 | Snow-covered meadows, winter camping possible |
| February | 3/5 | Snow continues, winter wonderland |
| March | 4/5 | Snow melting, rhododendrons starting |
| April | 5/5 | Rhododendron season explodes |
| May | 5/5 | Peak season, perfect weather |
| June | 4/5 | Pre-monsoon, still good |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon, heavy rain |
| August | 2/5 | Monsoon continues |
| September | 5/5 | Post-monsoon, crystal clear |
| Octoberviewing | 5/5 | October is Chopta perfected. Zero rain, crystal-clear skies, post-monsoon visibility at its peak. |
| November | 4/5 | Late autumn, first snow possible |
| December | 3/5 | Early winter, snow setting in |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
2,680m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in October
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