Chopta.

A long 8-9 hours drive from Delhi via Rishikesh to Mandal which is the base camp area. Some basic homestays are there, but the food is just superb! Loved the feel and vibe of the place overall. Another one hour drive from Mandal to Chopta (from where the Tunganath trek also starts). Had a scary experience in Chopta when my vehicle almost slipped into a deep gorge when we skid on the cover of thin ice on the meandering roads! However lived to tell this tale, and would go back again. The lovely birds and animals covered there included Scarlet Finch, Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture, Pink Browed Rosefinch, Brown Dipper, Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher, Monal, Red-Headed Bullfinch, Gray-crested Tit, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Pygmy Cupwing, Yellw-Bellied Fairy-Fantail, Himalayan Tahr and many many others! The natural beauty of the place is unparalleled and pristine. The photographs below does some partial justice to it.