Mini Switzerland Sacred Retreat: Chopta & Tungnath

Chopta — often called the Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand — is a pristine high-altitude hamlet in the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary at 2608 m. Untouched by mass tourism, its velvet bugyals (meadows) stretch beneath snow-capped peaks, alive with Himalayan Monal birds and wild goats. This 4-day retreat covers the sacred trek to Tungnath — the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3680 m and part of Panch Kedar — and the further 1.5 km ascent to Chandrashila Peak (4000 m) offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and Trishul. The mirror-like Deoriatal Lake at Sari village — reflecting the mighty Chaukhamba massif — is one of Uttarakhand's most photographed sights. En route, visit the Dhari Devi Temple at Srinagar.