Chopta Auli Mussoorie Package (7N/8D)
Overview
This eight-day loop from Dehradun goes well beyond the usual hill-station circuit, into the high meadows of Garhwal. You begin with two nights in Swiss camps at Chopta, a small meadow settlement among oak and rhododendron forest, and spend a full day on the trek to Tungnath – the highest of the Panch Kedar temples and often called the highest Shiva temple in the world – and on to the Chandrashila summit for a sweeping view of the Himalayan ranges.
Next comes Joshimath, your base for a day in Auli, the meadows and ski slopes above the town, with the Auli ropeway when it is operating, the man-made Auli Lake and, in winter, the chance to ski. The road then runs south to Kanatal, a quiet ridge on the Chamba–Mussoorie road, for the Surkanda Devi Temple and optional adventure activities such as the zip line and sky bridge walk. The last two nights are in Mussoorie, with a full day for Kempty Falls, Mussoorie Lake, Mall Road, Mossy Falls, Camel's Back Road, Bhatta Falls and Company Garden.
The trip suits active couples, friends and families with older children who are happy with one day of trekking and a few long mountain drives. You stay in 3-star hotels and Swiss camps with breakfast every day, travel in a private vehicle, and start and end at Dehradun airport or railway station, which makes it easy to fly or take a train in.
Package Features
The highest Panch Kedar temple and a summit with Himalayan views.
Two nights among the forests and meadows of Chopta.
Mountain views, Auli Lake and skiing in the winter months.
Hilltop temple, Himalayan views and an optional zip line.
Kempty, Mossy and Bhatta Falls in the Queen of Hills.
Arrive and leave by Dehradun airport or railway station.
Include Features
- 7 nights' stay on double occupancy (2 nights in Swiss camps at Chopta, 2 nights Joshimath, 1 night Kanatal, 2 nights Mussoorie) in 3-star properties
- Daily breakfast
- Pick-up and drop at Dehradun airport or railway station
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing and activities as listed in the itinerary (items marked optional or at additional cost are extra)
- GST
Excluded Features
- Flights or train tickets to and from Dehradun
- Lunch and dinner
- Entry tickets and camera fees, unless specifically included
- Optional: skiing equipment, lessons and slope charges in Auli, and adventure activities in Kanatal such as the zip line and sky bridge walk
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Dehradun Arrival – Transfer to Chopta
- Our driver meets you at Dehradun airport or railway station.
- Drive to Chopta (about 200 km, 8 hours) through the Garhwal hills.
- Check in to your Swiss camp and settle in for a quiet mountain evening. Overnight stay in Chopta.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive from Dehradun to Chopta
Day 2 Trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila
- Wake up to a fresh mountain morning and have an early breakfast at the campsite.
- Trek about 3.5 km to Tungnath, the highest of the Panch Kedar temples and often called the highest Shiva temple in the world.
- Continue roughly 1.5 km further to the Chandrashila summit for wide views of peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba.
- Walk back down to the campsite by afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the meadows around Chopta. Overnight stay in Chopta.
- Highlights of the Day: Tungnath Temple, Chandrashila summit trek
Day 3 Chopta to Joshimath
- After breakfast, check out from the campsite and drive to Joshimath (about 135 km, 6 hours), with mountain views along the way.
- Check in to your hotel on arrival.
- Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Joshimath.
- Highlights of the Day: Scenic mountain drive from Chopta to Joshimath
Day 4 Auli Sightseeing – Stay in Joshimath
- After breakfast, head up to Auli, the meadows and ski slopes above Joshimath.
- Ride the Auli ropeway, when it is operating, for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- Visit Auli Lake, one of the highest man-made lakes in the world, set against the snow peaks.
- If you are visiting in the winter months, try skiing on the Auli slopes (optional).
- Return to Joshimath in the evening. Overnight stay in Joshimath.
- Highlights of the Day: Auli Ropeway, Auli Lake, skiing slopes of Auli
Day 5 Joshimath to Kanatal
- After breakfast, check out and set off on the long drive south to Kanatal, following the Alaknanda river for much of the way.
- Check in to your hotel in Kanatal and relax.
- Spend the evening at leisure on this quiet ridge. Overnight stay in Kanatal.
- Highlights of the Day: Kanatal
Day 6 Kanatal Sightseeing – Transfer to Mussoorie
- After breakfast, visit the Surkanda Devi Temple, a hilltop shrine with sweeping Himalayan views.
- Try Kanatal's adventure activities, such as the zip line and sky bridge walk, if you wish (at additional cost).
- Later, drive to Mussoorie and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Mussoorie.
- Highlights of the Day: Surkanda Devi Temple, Himalayan views, adventure activities (optional)
Day 7 Mussoorie Sightseeing
- After breakfast, set out to explore Mussoorie, fondly known as the Queen of Hills.
- Visit the cascading Kempty Falls, the calm Mussoorie Lake and the lively Mall Road.
- Continue to Mossy Falls, Camel's Back Road, Bhatta Falls and Company Garden.
- Enjoy the cool weather and colonial-era charm of the town before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay in Mussoorie.
- Highlights of the Day: Kempty Falls, Mussoorie Lake, Mall Road, Mossy Falls, Camel's Back Road, Bhatta Falls, Company Garden
Day 8 Mussoorie to Dehradun – Departure
- After breakfast check out of the hotel and head down to Dehradun.
- Be dropped off at Dehradun railway station or airport as per your departure schedule.
- Your Uttarakhand trip comes to an end here with the mountains and meadows still very much in your memory.
- Highlights of the Day: Drive to Dehradun, departure
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is only confirmed once the itinerary has been agreed, the advance has been received and Luxe Trail Holidays have sent you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date the booking is subject to the relevant cancellation terms.
- Package price is per person sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation fees will depend on when we receive your request, the hotels and transport suppliers' own policies and any peak season restrictions. The applicable fees will be included in your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are issued to the original method of payment or to another method as agreed by you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Term
- Every traveller must have a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals will require a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Tungnath is at around 3680m and Chandrashila is even higher. It's a steep trek so if you have any heart, lung or blood pressure issues you should consult your doctor. Warm layers, good walking shoes and rain gear are a must.
- Tungnath Temple is shut down for winter (typically from around November to April/May). The trek in winter is entirely at the mercy of the snow and the weather and the summit section may be omitted altogether for safety.
- The Auli ropeway, skiing and the Kanatal activities all depend on the weather, the operators and the local authorities. Skiing is only possible when there is sufficient snow (generally January to March).
- The order of the sightseeing will of course be subject to change due to traffic, weather, landslides on the hill roads or local events.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any additional trips or detours will be charged separately.
- Standard check-in and check-out times apply (early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability).
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FAQ's
How difficult is the Tungnath and Chandrashila trek?
It's a fairly straightforward trek: about 3.5km from Chopta to Tungnath on a tarmac path, then another 1.5km or so on a more rough track to the Chandrashila summit (mostly uphill). Most people in reasonable shape can do it in a day with stops and will be back at the camp by the afternoon. Good shoes, warm layers and an early start will make it much easier.
When is the best time for this Chopta and Auli trip?
April to June and September to November are the most comfortable months with clear views from Chandrashila and pleasant days in Mussoorie. Dec to Mar Chopta and Auli are generally snowed in (Auli being ideal for skiing) with Tungnath Temple closed and some roads liable to be blocked. Avoid July and August as the hills are beset with heavy rain and the hill roads are very slow.
Can I ski in Auli on this package?
Yes if you're going in winter when there's sufficient snow (generally January to March). Skiing is optional and not included in the package price; equipment, lessons and slope fees are all paid for locally. Outside of the snow season day 4 is spent on the Auli ropeway when it's running, at Auli Lake and on the meadows.
Where do I stay in Chopta?
You spend both nights at Chopta in Swiss camps, which put you right at the start of the Tungnath trek and among the forests and meadows. Nights are cold even in summer, so pack warm clothes and a cap. The other five nights are in 3-star hotels in Joshimath, Kanatal and Mussoorie, all on double occupancy.
Why does the tour start and end in Dehradun?
Dehradun has an airport and a rail station with direct links to Delhi and numerous other cities and it is the nearest major gateway to Chopta and Mussoorie. Starting from here eliminates the long drive from Delhi and gives you more time in the mountains. If you'd prefer to start in Delhi then do ask us for a revised quote.
Are the Kanatal zip line and sky bridge included?
No. The zip line, the sky bridge walk and the various other adventure activities at Kanatal are all optional and you pay for them locally on the day. The visit to the Surkanda Devi Temple and the Himalayan views around Kanatal are part of the itinerary so you can just enjoy the ridge if you're not into the adventure sports.
