Roopkund Trek

Roopkund, in the state of Uttarakhand in India, is a famous glacial lake. This lake is famous due to more than five hundred skeletons of humans that are found at the edge of the lake. It is located in the Himalayas and rests at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters. Roopkund is located in the Chamoli district of Garhwal. It is one of the best sites for Trekking in Garhwal.

Roopkund is one of the major adventure attractions for people in the country and also for people who are travelling from abroad. Roopkund, which is located in the lap of Trishul massif is also known as the ‘mystery lake’. You can find human skeletons at the bank of the lake and it is believed that they belong to the Palaeolithic age.

Trekking in India and choosing the Roopkund trek is an adventurous journey which passes through many exotic and beautiful locations. As you trek towards the lake, you would find lush green grassy land and conifer forest ranging towards the fall of hills. Thereafter the trek takes its way along the Pindar River. You can enjoy the natural and lush green beauty of the surroundings with the pleasant breeze that blows all around you, giving a soothing effect to your senses.

Roopkund is a picturesque, beautiful and attractive tourist destination in the Himalayas. Located at the base of two Himalayan peaks, Trishul and Nandghungti, it attracts people who have an adventurous side to life. There are religious festivals that take place in autumn, held at the alpine meadow of Bedni Bugyal, where the nearby villages participate. The lake is covered with ice all the time and it adds to its beauty. It is an enjoyable travelling destination as one is surrounded by mountains from all sides. Trekking in Uttarakhand also gives you the chance to trek the Himalayas. You can also go for the Nanda Rajjat Yatra

Day 1 :- Rishikesh to Lohajung

Altitude 7,662 ft.

Stay in guest house.

Drive 250 km (10 hrs drive).

Local market and network is available.

Pick up time 06:00 am at the NatRaj Chowk Rishikesh

Route:- Rishikesh – Deoprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karanprayag – Tharali – Dewal- Lohajung.

Day 2 :- Lohargunj to Didna Village

Trek 6.5 km.

7,662 to 8,045 ft.

Reach Didna before lunch.

Accommodation in village home stay.

No local market but Network is available.

Till ruan bagad bridge gradual descent (4.5 km).

Refill your water bottle at ruan bagad bridge from Neel Ganga river.

After ruan bagad bridge 2 hours of a steep ascent to Didna Village (2 km).

Day 3 :- Didna Village to Ali Bugyal

Trek 10.5 km.

8,045 to 11,320 ft.

Accommodation in tent.

Carry water and ors both.

Reach Ali Bugyal by late noon.

Keep your wind and waterproof handy.

Tolpani is the last point for drinking water.

First half of is through oak and rhododendron forest (Steep ascent).

Second half of the trek is through big alpine meadows (gradual ascent).

Day 4 :- Ali Bugyal to Baguwabasa via Bedni Bugyal,Ghora Lotani, Patarnachauni and Keluwa Vinayak

Trek 11 km.

11,320 to 14,117 ft.

Accommodation in tent.

Reach Baguwabasa by early evening

Ali Bugyal to Bedni Bugyal (gradual ascent 2 km).

Bedni Bugyal to Ghora Lotani (gradual ascent 4 km).

Ghora Lotani to Patar Nachauni (gradual descent 1 km).

Spend some time at Ghora Lotani good for acclimatization.

from Patarnachauni 1 km is gradual ascent and rest 1.5 km is steep ascent).

Kalu Vinayak to Bhagwabasa (gradual descent 1.5 km, become

Day 5 :- Bhagwabasa to Roopkund & Jyunargali Top And Back to Patar Nachauni

Trek 10 km.

14,117 to 16300 ft.

Accommodation in tent.

Start your trek by 4:00 am.

Climb to Roopkund is 3 km.

Challenging day of the trek.Carry energy bars, ors and water.

Breakfast will be at Roopkund top.

Reach Bhagwabasa back by lunch time.

Reach Patar Nachauni camp by evening.

In Aug, Sep, Oct can see skeleton but no snow.

In May and Jun snow will be there but can’t see the skeleton.

Day 6 :- Patar Nachauni to Lohajung via Bedni and Wan

Trek 15 km.

12,818 to 7,662 ft.

Accommodation in guest house.

Patar Nachauni to Ghora Lotani (1 km gradual ascent).

Ghora Lotani to Bedni Bugyal ( 4 km gradual descent).

Bedni Bugyal to Doliya Dhar ( 0.5 km gradual walk).

Doliya Dhar to Ghaeroli Patal ( 3 km steep descent ).

Ghaeroli Patal to Neel Ganga ( 4 km steep descent ).

Neel Ganga to Ranka Dhar ( 1 km moderate ascent ).

Ranka Dhat to Wan Village road head ( 1.5 km gradual descent).

Wan Village to Loharjung ( 45 minutes drive, road condition is not good).

Route :- Patar Nachauni – Ghora Lotani – Bedni Bugyal – Doliya Dhar – Ghaeroli Patal – Neel Ganga – Ranka Dhar – Wan Village – drive to Lohajung.

Day 7 :- Lohajung to Rishikesh

10 hrs drive.

Drive 250 km.

Reach Kathgodam by 6:00 pm.

Roopkund trek in Seasons

Summer Treks (April, May, June)

1. Less colder
2. More windy
3. Weather is unpredictable
4. Can’t see human skeleton
5. Roopkund is in frozen condition
6. Higher camps covered with snow
7. Natural source of drinking water are easily available
8. Best for those who want to see snow and want to do a difficult level of trek

Autumn Treks (September, October, November)

1. Less windy
2. More colder
3. Mostly clear weather
4. Can see human skeleton
5. No snow at any camp site
6. Roopkund lake is properly visible
7. Natural source of drinking water are limited
8. Best for those who want to see greenery and want to do moderate level of trek