I Took a Detox Trip to Chopta & Auli: Here’s What the Experience Looked Like 

Detox is a necessity, especially when everyone around you is trying to seek something out of you, and travel is the best way to do that.

And when I say travel, I don’t just mean going up to some place, clicking photos, and heading back.

I mean real travel, where you explore the person who is hidden in the layers of practicality, responsibility, and tasks to accomplish.

I took one such trip to Chopta and Auli, where I wasn’t chasing views but finding myself. 

So, if you’re someone willing to have a life-changing experience, read on to grasp what these beautiful places have in store for you.

Personalised Attention at Every Step 

For someone like me, who is regulated by the clock hands, going on an unplanned trip itself was a surprise.

With little time to plan and hundreds of questions in my mind, like Why do I even exist? I headed on my first solo trip ever to the mini Switzerland of India.

I feel the only thing that led me to this trip was the desire to be understood, not by some mob of people but by the nature that embraces me.

The last-minute itinerary that, by the way, turned out great was designed to explore everything at my own pace, no deadlines, no distractions, just you, nature, and memories that are never gonna fade away.

The journey showed me different chapters of life everyday with encountering people from different walks of life, to endless conversations with strangers, and answers that resolved the doubts my heart carried for years.

This trip made me feel the emotions and criteria of being a human, and drove me out of the nagging urge of perfection, resolving the doubts I had about myself.

The End and the Beginning of the Mindfulness-Rishikesh 

The life-changing journey began in Rishikesh. I tried very hard to capture what I saw in words, but no word could do justice to the beauty that blends in the air of Rishikesh.

 The Ganga Arti at Triveni Ghat, floating lamps of hope in the water, and delicious food in hustling markets, was the best start this trip could ever have.

And, Ganga, the river that takes your griefs away, whoever stated that Ganga is the one who will end your struggles, we are friends without introduction.

With this as a start, it was pretty difficult to go to sleep because every angle had a story that you don’t want to miss.

But anyway, this raised my expectations from this trip, which was met pretty well by the next day’s experience.

The next day, I headed to Chopta, the base camp for Tungnath temple, and by the time the journey moved forward, the detox had already begun, not through drastic change but through small, mindful moments that made it count. 

Fun Fact Chopta is the epicentre of Panch Kedar, the five most sacred temples in the state.

Scaling the Mountains and reaching Tungnath 

When I signed up for this trip, I had only two things on my mind:

• A detox from the world 
• Reaching the greatest heights

And at first, I was not sure about any of them. But I began hiking right after reaching Chopata, for someone like me, taking up hiking was like a camel determined to swim.

It was a 5 km stretch to the peak, and then setting off to the base camp. The feelings at that point could not be categorised in any form.

I was smiling with tears in my eyes, with trembling legs, while I got into the trekking gear.

After reaching the base, my progress to detox had already improved.

From this point, Tungnath was 3.5 km away, and Chandrashila- our ultimate destination was beyond that.  

 The journey wasn’t about doing more; it was about experiencing less, more intentionally. The moment I reached Tungnath, something in me relaxed and settled.

The idol of Shiva was so divine and beautiful that I stared at it for a really long time, and Idon’t even remember how long. I just kept looking at it.

When I moved ahead to Chandrashila, scaling the peak, and finally reached there, what I encountered was the true definition of beauty.

If there is a word invented for Chandrashila, it has to be mesmerising.

From Trekking to Quiet Mountains-Exploring Auli 

Just like movies, every experience involves a twist, so I decided to switch from trekking to peace. The next day, it was time for transition, from hustling hikes to scenic calmness.

We arrived at Auli. People also call it the ‘Mini Switzerland,’ and I agree with them.

Arriving in Auli felt like stepping into a quieter rhythm of the Himalayas. The wide-open slopes, crisp mountain air, and uninterrupted views created an atmosphere that naturally encouraged stillness. 

You know what a perfect day, according to me, is? It is spending the entire day walking across scenic viewpoints and finally reaching Niti Valley as the last stoppage. 

The village is a beautiful one, engulfed in the rusticness of rural India. We explored the Bhotia Culture and then set out for Malari Village.

The settlements were picturesque, and the architecture was something that I had never seen. I never imagined this rather simple destination to encompass this calm and quietness- a perfect retreat for introverts like me.  

Every Bit That Added to the Detox- Comfy Accommodations  

And let’s not forget the comfort of accommodations. It played a huge role in shaping my entire travelling experience. 

It was Blackberry Cottage; it didn’t feel just like a hotel, but a home away from home! The spaces were aligned with natural beauty outside.

It felt warm, cosy, and relaxing. And the cherry on the cake was my balcony that opened to a view of mystic mountains and lush greenery.  

There was even a common room with books and a small stage. Often at night, we all gathered here and talked. Conversations that flew easily over some light music and hot chai.

 I was happy to move beyond Teams meetings and corporate discussions to lighthearted experiences that we shared under one roof.   

It was no longer about the journey or where I went, but about the mindfulness that was in the environment. Somewhere between shared laughter and mountain silence, I realised I wasn’t checking my phone anymore.   

The Invisible Details That Made It Feel Tailor-Made 

What truly defined this trip for me was that I wasn’t following any strict timeline. The entire journey went smoothly.

From my first-ever trek to simply watching nature in peace, the trip was more than reaching the destination; the Tungnath trek felt like a slow meditation.

Just like what I needed. 

The slower rhythm reduced the decision fatigue. It was the main highlight of this journey. It made the trip feel more restorative rather than exhausting. 

Plans were adapted as per the weather conditions. The pauses felt organic. And the best part, there was always room to slow down. The result was a seamless flow that felt natural, intuitive, and quietly personal.

Last Glimpses

On the whole, if I say this trip restored something in me that never broke, I won’t be wrong. Those beautiful Himalayas, calm riverbeds, and answered the question I have been asking myself, moreover, that I am a part of this nature. A human with imperfections and a soul who is allowed to have scars.

Chopta and Auli not only inspire, but they also heal what‘s broken inside you. So, no matter who you are or what age group you belong to. This trip is all you need to discover yourself.

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