Roopkund Trek

A Beautiful Heaven Ruined By Business Minded Trek Operators

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Duration
7 days 7 nights
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Altitude:
5150m
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Grade:
Moderate+
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Best Time:
May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
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Temperatures:
🚩
Starts From:
Lohajung
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Airport:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehraoon, Uttrakhand
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Railway:
Kathgodam, Uttrakhand

Key Geographical Highlights

8 Popular Peaks:

Chaukhamba I ( 7138m ), Chaukhamba II ( 7058m ), Chaukhamba III ( 6974m ), Chaukhamba IV ( 6854m ), Nanda Ghunti ( 6309m ), Trisul I ( 7120m ), Trisul II ( 6690m ), Trisul III ( 6008m )

1 High Passes:

Junargali ( 5150m )

1 Lakes:

Roopkund ( 4784m )

1 Rivers:

Neel Ganga

3 Villages:

Wan, Kulling, Didina

1 National Parks Or Forest Reserve:

Nanda Devi Outer Sanctuary

Reach Lohajung find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Roopkund Trek

(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)

▼ Day 1Arrival DayLohajung 2300m
Arrive In Lohajung
Overnight In: Lohajung (2300m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
Where and How To Reach Lohajung
Early morning, board your vehicle to get you to Lohajung Its a long journey and reaching Lohajung early will help
Day 1
555 - Kathgodam
Day 1
1375 - Debal
Day 1
2125 - Mundoli
Day 1
2300 - Lohajung
222Km, 7 - 8hrs.
▼ Day 2Trekking DayDidina 2450m
From Lohajung (2300m ) To Didina (2450m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Didina (2450m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today after breakfast, we have a small briefing on the trek and most importantly the team introduction. After we wrap up formalities quicly, we get ready for the trek. Our loads are packed and there we are, ready to hit the trail.

Our trail for the day is easier as compared to the entire trek and soon we get lost in the beauty of it. We trek through the forest following the Neel Ganga. The trail is initially easy which then starts to climb up steadily. As the trek continues, we get set into it and start negotiating the climb to Ali Bugiyal. After a good climb, we reach our destination for the day.

Didina is a beautiful campsite and we spend rest of the time exploring the place.
Day 2
2300 - Lohajung
Day 2
2450 - Didina
10Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 3Trekking DayAli Bugiyal 3400m
From Didina (2450m ) To Ali Bugiyal (3400m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Ali Bugiyal (3400m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
As we start the day, to leave our campsite at Didina behind and begin with an easy trek up to Tolapani. Tolapani is a cluster of some 6/7 huts of shepherds. It makes the place very picturesque and we spend some time here.

After Tolapani, we now start to negotiate switch-backs through the forest for about 2 hour which brings us to one of the best Himalayan meadows - Ali Bugyal. Its a lovely meadow amidst the forest and takes our heart instantly.

Day 3
2450 - Didina
Day 3
3400 - Ali Bugiyal
12Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 4Trekking DayPatharnachaunia 3887m
From Ali Bugiyal (3400m ) To Patharnachaunia (3887m ), Via - Ghora Lotani (3703m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs.
Overnight In: Patharnachaunia (3887m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Our morning is delightful today with views of great number of Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nandaghungti. Chaukhamba and Nilkantha. The sight definitely energizes us all as we prepare to start the trek for the day. We can see our route through the mountains as we are above tree line now. The trail is a easy walk and soon reach Ghora Lotani.

From Ghora Lotani, Patharnachauni is a gradual ascend. It is marked by the green trekker's hut built by the Forest Department for trekkers to rest for the night.
Day 4
3400 - Ali Bugiyal
Day 4
3705 - Ghora Lotani
Day 4
3890 - Patharnachaunia
4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 5Trekking DayBaghuabasa 4300m
From Patharnachauni (3887m ) To Baghuabasa (4300m ), Via - Kalu Vinayak (4328m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs.
Overnight In: Baghuabasa (4300m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
From Patharnachauni, our climb becomes tougher as we now start negotiating the switch backs to ascend Kullu Vinayak. Its a 2 hour steep climb. This stretch tests our mental stamina and physical health too. The Kalu Vinayaka top is marked by a small temple of lord Ganesha.

Baghua Basa is an easy walk from Kalu Vinayak top. The trail gently climbs down and take a slow left turn to reach the campsite of Baghua Basa, which too has green Trekker's hut.

Enjoy the beauty around !!
Day 5
3890 - Patharnachauni
Day 5
4330 - Kalu Vinayak
Day 5
4300 - Baghuabasa
4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 6Trekking DayBaghuabasa 4300m
From Baghuabasa (4300m ) To Baghuabasa (4300m ), Via - Roopkund (4930m ), Junairagali Pass (5150m ) - 6 - 7 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Baghuabasa (4300m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today is a special day for us. We begin our climb to Roopkund which takes us around 3 hours. The trail climbs up steadily and the last stretch is a good steep climb for an hour. We will find many trekkers walking on this trail and once we reach, we spend some time resting and enjoying the place

We are to cross the Junargali and hence do not have much time to kill. Much difficult task is still to be completed and we get ready for it and that's climbing the Junairagali Pass. We are up against a very steep wall of hard snow and is difficult to climb without support of ice axe. The fall is exposed and a slip can be fatal. Hence rope is necessary. Anti slip traction crampons can help if there is too much hard snow. Its takes about an hour to climb to the top.

From the top, the view is phenomenal. The vast stretch of Sheela Samudra - the glacier coming down from Trishul is visible. The Peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghungti stands right in front. Also seen is Ronti Saddle in between Nandaghungti and Trishul.

Its been a tiring but rewarding day. We now safely bring ourselves down, to the safety of our campsite at Baghuabasa.
Day 6
4300 - Baghuabasa
Day 6
4930 - Roopkund
Day 6
5150 - Junairagali Pass
Day 6
4300 - Baghuabasa
10Km, 6 - 7hrs.
▼ Day 7Trekking DayBedni Bugyal 3600m
From Baghuabasa (4300m ) To Bedni Bugyal (3600m ), Via - Pattharnachauni (3887m ), Ghora Lotani (3703m ) - 4 - 5 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Bedni Bugyal (3600m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today we retrace our track and bring ourselves to one of the most beautiful campsite in the Himalayas - Bedni Bugyal. Relax for the rest of the day enjoying great views
Day 7
4300 - Baghuabasa
Day 7
3890 - Pattharnachauni
Day 7
3705 - Ghora Lotani
Day 7
3600 - Bedni Bugyal
12Km, 4 - 5hrs.
▼ Day 8Trekking DayLohajung 2300m
From Bedni Bugyal (3600m ) To Lohajung (2300m ), Via - Gharauli Patal (3205m ), Wan (2459m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs.
Overnight In: Lohajung (2300m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
To we end our trek by descending down to Wan, a small village near to Lohajung. From Wan, we drive back to Lohajung.
Day 8
3600 - Bedni Bugyal
Day 8
3205 - Gharauli Patal
Day 8
2460 - Wan
Day 8
2300 - Lohajung
5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 9Trekking DayKathgodam 554m
From Lohajung (2300m ) To Kathgodam (554m ) - 7 - 8 Hrs.
Overnight In: Kathgodam (554m )
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: Morning tea, Breakfast
Today we end our trek and drive back to Kathgodam to board our onward journey to back home
Day 9
2300 - Lohajung
Day 9
555 - Kathgodam
7 - 8hrs.

Roopkund Trek - An Elaborate Description

Roopkund is a beautiful but mysterious skeletal lake with human bones too large for our size scattered all around...

The sight of the beautiful circular glacial lake, emerald in colour, in the covering of snow all round it with tall mountain walls rising over it. This sight inspires a mixed feeling - fearful, unbelievable, surprising, exquisite and what not !!

The Lake does look appealing to the eyes and is definitely photogenic, but what gives the lake its real worth is the name which it has got for itself - The Skeletal Lake. There are lots of other lakes in the Himalayas much beautiful than the Roopkund, but this lake is special. The mystery surrounding the lake due to lots of scattered human bones which are too big for the current generation of Indians, is what makes Roopkund one of the most sought after trek in the Himalayas. It took the World by its imaginations and lots of theories are available on the cause of the mass death around the lake. Recently, the theory reasoning a pilgrimage hit by a massive hail storm causing the tragic death is more believable as per a research study.

Apart from being focused around the lake of Roopkund, in this trek you come across 2 of the most beautiful Himalayan meadows - the meadow of Bedni Bugiyal and Ali Bugiyal. The lush green grass of these bugyals, a small lake of Bedni Kund reflecting the surrounding peaks, the shepherd with his flock of sheep, the locals with their intrinsic charisma, everything about this trek is such an experience !!

The Roopkund trek is done in two season - pre monsoon and post monsoon. While in May and June, the trail is mostly snowy, which adds to the beauty and thrill, trekking the Roopkund post monsoon gives the best experience of the meadows and the Skeletal lake, as the unfrozen lake reveals it true colour to take you by surprises.

The Sad Story Of Roopkund

Roopkund is perhaps one of the best treks to do in the Himalayas. Until recently, it was peaceful with few odd trekkers trekking in self organized small groups. The current scenario of this trek is very saddening. With unsurpassed and unregulated rise of irresponsible trekking agencies in India, and the false hype created by the online content marketing websites has made a huge negative impact on this trek.

The situation is such that in the pre-monsoon season of May-Jun, atleast 100 trekkers camp on each campsite, everyday on this trek. Few of the bigger operators and some of the pioneers bring bulk of trekkers to this wonderland. Most of this crown is not Nature Friendly. The rush is such that the local operators and these big companies cannot meet the demand. So, there lots of other small operators who get their groups too, most of these are nonprofessionals. Also, there are self organized groups too.

Then there are local resources to add to, like mules, mules-men, guides, porters, cooks, helpers, etc which accompany the groups. The trekker's hut built by the Government for the trekkers permanently occupied by bigger companies to use as kitchen. What kind of push is it on the Nature to accommodate that huge rush ?? I have no imaginations for it, hence I leave it upto the readers.

All these spoil the ambiance of the trek and we don't like organizing this trek until situation betters. We are more in favour of the Ronti Saddle Trek which is much peaceful once we cross the tourist spot of the Roopkund trek.

Roopkund Trek - Why Its A Must-Do

Grand views of Nandaghungti (6309m), Trisul I (7120m), II (6690m), III (6007m) and other lots of other peaks of Garhwal and Kumaon.
The mystery and history of the Skeletal Lake - Roopkund. Its a small circular high altitude glacial lake surrounded by snow on most part of the year. The lake is surrounded by human bones which reveals itself mostly when the snow cover is lesser.
The top of Junargali pass not only takes you atop 5150 meters, but also opens up the view of the valley of Sheela Samudra to you, which is just breathtaking.
The best bugiyals or meadows of the Himalayas - Bedni Bugiyal and Ali Bugiyal.
The ever charismatic locals and their way of life.
Keeda Jadi or Yartsa Gumba and its crazy drive amongst the locals during June, July.

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate+

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging+

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Cost Terms For The Roopkund Trek

Cost Terms

The above-mentioned cost is in the range of minimum to maximum per-person cost for this trek as per 1 - 12 people team.PackageInclusions as per this cost can be read below.
5% GST (goods and service tax) is applicable for all our purchases.
We follow dynamic pricing as per the actual team size on the trek. Going by our standardized service, appropriate safety measures, quality equipment, and ecologically sustainable - small group commitment, a higher team size will lower the cost whereas a lower team size will significantly increase the cost.
Group segmented pricing if not provided here, please write to us using the contact page or text us on Whatsapp number +918017216725.
You may choose to keep the trek open or make it private depending upon your requirements or choice. The actual per-person cost of the trek is subject to the actual team size joining the trek. If you make any customizations that drastically change the itinerary and cost as mentioned here, then it will mandatorily have to be a private group only.
If we have dates listed on our website on Our Upcoming Treks and it is not marked as private, it means other people have booked this trek for that date and have opened it up for other members to join to lower the cost. If your dates and choices match, you may join these treks
You may join an existing open group listed on our website or create your own group as per your convenient dates and choose to either keep it private or open it up to lower the cost if other members join the trek.
At any point, the team size cannot be more than 12 members ( 10 for challenging treks) unless there is a unique exception requested or agreed upon by all the team members.

International Guests

Trek cost for foreigners is slightly higher than the cost for our Indian guests, mainly due to the higher permit fee applicable for admission to National Parks or protected forest areas. Sometimes, it may be higher due to higher local crew wages and other specific arrangements we make to ensure a safe, comfortable and enriching travel experience in India. However, we absolutely DO NOT 'hyper-charge' our International Guests ever and at the same time, ensure that we meet all the standards for highly qualified trek leaders and guides, safety, medical preparation, evacuation strategy, rescue arrangements, eco-sensitive travel, high-value knowledge sharing about the area and customs of the locals.

Extra Cost For International Trekkers Rs. 3000 per person.

Booking Process

Booking can only be done after multiple communication via email / Whatsapp / Calls. After connecting with us and discussing your needs, we finalize the trek and its requirements. After finalization, partial booking fees can be paid online or through direct bank transfers after which we trigger our preparations and arrangements for your trek. International Trekkers can pay the partial booking fees using PayPal, Wise, Western Union or Direct Wire Transfer.

Customized Private Group For Roopkund Trek

Trekking is a very personal activity and is perhaps one of the very few activities that give you enough time to indulge with yourself or your beloved people, a group of special friends, or close family members. It helps you transform personal bonds to the next level as it brings out everyone's best and truest self. Trekking is most enjoyed when it is done in a small private group, personalized to serve your specific needs. The Himalayas are best experienced when there is silence and solitude around and when you are surrounded only by your best people. Your trek is most enjoyable when all the pain of arranging a smooth trek is taken care of by us, and you focus just on your trek and yourself. Most importantly, a small private trekking group is very flexible, personalized, and more enjoyable, is the safest, and follows the principles of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Most trekkers book us for arranging personalized private treks catering to their specific and unique requirements - Customize This Trek

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Batch Size:
25-40 <10