If you're wondering where to stay in Chopta, pick a camp at Chopta or nearby Duggalbitta or Baniyakund, so you're close to the Tungnath trail. For more comfort, stay in Sari village or Ukhimath and drive up. In Auli, stay on the slopes in snow season; stay in Joshimath if you want cheaper rooms and a proper market.
Choosing a stay on this route is a little different from most hill stations. Chopta has almost no hotels, and the hotels you find online under "Chopta" are often several kilometres away. Auli has hotels, but in winter the road from Joshimath can close for a few hours. This guide explains each area honestly so you know exactly what to expect.
Why Chopta has camps, not hotels
Chopta lies inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, where permanent construction is restricted to protect the forest and wildlife. That's why Chopta itself has camps and a handful of simple lodges, not big hotels.
Many properties listed online as "Chopta hotels" are actually in Duggalbitta, Baniyakund, Sari or Ukhimath. That's not a bad thing; you just need to know how far you'll be from the trailhead.
There's also no grid electricity at Chopta or Duggalbitta. Camps run on solar panels or generators for a few hours each evening.
Where to stay in Chopta: area by area
| Area | Distance from Tungnath trailhead | Stay type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chopta | At the trailhead | Camps, basic lodges | Early starts and the Chandrashila sunrise |
| Baniyakund | A few km before Chopta | Camps, cottages | A balance of access and comfort |
| Duggalbitta | About 5–7 km | Camps, cottages, a few resorts | Families wanting a bit more comfort |
| Sari village | About 28–32 km | Homestays, guest houses, grid power | Deoria Tal and a quiet village stay |
| Ukhimath | About 29 km | Hotels, GMVN guest house | Comfort, mobile network and ATMs |
Chopta
Stay here if the trek is your priority. You'll walk out of your tent straight onto the trail, which matters a lot if you want to see sunrise from Chandrashila. It's the most basic option but also the most memorable: meadows, forest and stars all around.
Baniyakund and Duggalbitta
A few kilometres down the road toward Ukhimath, these areas have more cottages and some small resorts, often with attached bathrooms. You'll need a short drive to the trailhead in the morning. In heavy winter snow, camps from Chopta often move guests down here.
Sari village
The base for the Deoria Tal lake walk. Sari has homestays with home-cooked Garhwali food and grid electricity. It's about an hour's drive from Chopta, so it works best on a 6-day trip that includes Deoria Tal. See our Deoria Tal trek guide.
Ukhimath
A proper small town with hotels, a GMVN guest house, ATMs and mobile network. It's the winter seat of Kedarnath, with the Omkareshwar temple. Choose it if you want hotel comfort and don't mind a 1–1.5 hour drive to Chopta.
What a Chopta camp is really like
- Tents: usually for two to four people, on raised platforms or ground sheets, with mattresses, sleeping bags and heavy quilts.
- Toilets: some camps have toilets attached to the tent; many have shared toilet blocks. Ask before you book.
- Hot water: usually in buckets, on request.
- Power: a few hours a day. Bring a power bank.
- Network: patchy, and none at many camps.
- Food: simple home-style meals (dal, rice, roti, sabzi), plus Maggi and tea. A bonfire in the evening when the weather allows.
- Cold: nights are cold even in May. In winter, temperatures drop well below freezing.
If you're comfortable with that, a night at a Chopta camp is often the highlight of the whole trip.
Where to stay in Auli: Auli vs Joshimath
| Auli | Joshimath | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to ski slopes | On the slopes | About 14–16 km by road |
| Stay type | Resorts, hotels, cottages, GMVN resort | Hotels, guest houses, homestays |
| Price | Higher, especially in snow season | Lower |
| Market, ATM, pharmacy | Very limited | Yes |
| Views | Nanda Devi from many rooms | Valley views |
| Best for | Snow and skiing trips | Budget trips, adding Badrinath |
Staying in Auli
Auli has hotels, cottages and resorts with heaters and hot water. Many rooms look straight at Nanda Devi, and in winter you can walk out onto the snow from your door. It's the best choice from January to February, when snow can close the road from Joshimath for a few hours. With the Joshimath–Auli ropeway closed since January 2023 (latest status), staying on the slopes matters even more in snow season.
Staying in Joshimath
Joshimath is a busy pilgrim town on the road to Badrinath, with cheaper hotels, restaurants, ATMs and pharmacies. It works well outside snow season, or if you're adding Badrinath to your trip.
Joshimath was affected by land subsidence in 2023. Hotels open to guests are operating normally; if you're concerned, ask which part of town your hotel is in.
What stays cost
- Chopta camps: the most affordable option on the route; prices vary with tent type and whether the toilet is attached.
- Sari homestays: usually around ₹800–₹1,500 per room per night, with dinner and breakfast.
- Auli hotels and resorts: more expensive, with the highest prices from Christmas to February.
- Joshimath hotels: a good mid-range option, generally cheaper than Auli.
Prices are lowest in March and October–early November, and highest at Christmas, New Year and on snowfall weekends.
The simplest option is a package with stays included. Our Auli Chopta tour package comes in Standard (camps in Chopta, basic hotel in Auli or Joshimath), Deluxe and Luxury categories. See the full Auli Chopta trip cost.
Which stay suits you?
| You are... | Chopta side | Auli side |
|---|---|---|
| A trekker wanting sunrise at Chandrashila | Camp at Chopta | Joshimath or Auli |
| A family with young kids | Cottage in Duggalbitta | Hotel in Auli |
| A couple wanting comfort | Resort in Duggalbitta or hotel in Ukhimath | Resort in Auli |
| On a tight budget | Shared camp at Chopta | Hotel in Joshimath |
| Visiting Deoria Tal | Homestay in Sari | Joshimath or Auli |
| Skiing in January–February | Camp or cottage near Chopta | Hotel in Auli |
Still choosing between the two places? Read Auli vs Chopta.
Booking tips by season
- Christmas–New Year and snowfall weekends: book 3–4 weeks ahead. Chopta camps fill first.
- May–June weekends: book about 2 weeks ahead.
- Winter: after heavy snow, camps at Chopta may close and move guests to Duggalbitta or lower. Ask what the backup plan is.
- Always ask: attached or shared toilet? Heater available? How many hours of power?
- Pack right: even the best camp is cold at night. See our Auli Chopta packing list.
Let us choose your stays
Tell us your comfort level and budget, and we'll pick the right camps and hotels for your group. Call or WhatsApp +91-90459-16770, +91-78307-18687 or see the package. Planning the whole trip? Start with our Auli Chopta travel guide.
