Trek to mysterious Skeleton Lake
Roopkund Lake 2024
June - October
₹ 14999+ 5% GST
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
Roopkund Trek
via Ali Bugyal (4,800 m)
₹14999+ 5% GST
Haldwani to Haldwani
+ Rs. 1989 Backpack Offloading
+ Rs. 2200 Haldwani - Haldwani
+ Rs. 688 Mandatory Insurance
Difficulty Level - 4
Lohajung- 7 Days
Up to 15% off in May-Jun batches for a limited period! ✨
Batches: May, June, September & October 2023
Roopkund Lake Trek is a popular trekking route located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The trek takes you through beautiful valleys, meadows, and forests and culminates at the stunning Roopkund Lake. The lake is also known as the 'Mystery Lake' due to the presence of hundreds of human skeletons at the bottom, which are believed to be the remains of travelers who died here in a hailstorm centuries ago.
The trek starts from the small village of Lohajung and passes through several villages and dense forests before reaching the alpine meadows of Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal. From there, the trail leads to Roopkund Lake, which is located at an altitude of 16,499 feet. The trek takes around 6-8 days to complete, depending on the route and itinerary chosen.
Roopkund Lake, also known as the "Mystery Lake" or "Skeleton Lake," is a high-altitude glacial lake located in the Uttarakhand region of India. The lake is known for containing the remains of hundreds of human skeletons, which were discovered in the 1940s.
The discovery of the skeletons has led to various theories about their origins, including that they were the remains of a group of pilgrims who died due to a sudden hailstorm or an epidemic, or that they were the remains of an army that perished in battle.
In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Roopkund Lake is also a popular trekking destination due to its beautiful natural surroundings, including snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and forests. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks, and takes trekkers through remote villages, dense forests, and high-altitude meadows.
Itinerary of Roopkund Trek
Here's a detailed itinerary for the Roopkund Lake Trek:
Day 1: Drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung (213 km/ 9-10 hours)
The Roopkund Lake trek starts with a drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung, which is a small village situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The distance between Kathgodam and Lohajung is around 213 kilometers and it takes around 9-10 hours to cover this distance by road. The route passes through the beautiful towns of Almora, Kausani, and Baijnath, offering stunning views of the Himalayan mountains and the surrounding valleys. Lohajung is the starting point of the Roopkund Lake trek and serves as the base camp for the trek.
Day 2: Lohajung to Didna Village (10 km/ 5-6 hours)
On Day 2, the trek starts from Lohajung towards Didna Village. It is a 10 km trek that takes around 5-6 hours to complete. The trail passes through the forests of oak, rhododendron, and maple. You will also pass through a few small villages and cross a few streams along the way.
The trek is a gradual ascent and you will gain an altitude of around 700 meters during the trek. The path is well-defined and easy to follow. Didna Village is a small village located at an altitude of 7,800 feet above sea level. It is the last village on the trek and offers a scenic view of the surrounding mountains. Overnight stay will be in tents or homestays in the village.
Day 3: Didna Village to Ali Bugyal (12 km/ 6-7 hours)
The trek from Didna Village to Ali Bugyal is a beautiful stretch that takes you through lush green meadows, dense forests, and scenic mountain views. The trek begins with a gradual ascent through the forests of oak and rhododendron trees. The trail is well-defined and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After trekking for around 2-3 hours, you will reach the open meadows of Tolpani. This is a great spot to take a break and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains around you.
From Tolpani, the trail continues to climb steadily towards Ali Bugyal. This stretch is quite steep, and you may need to take a few breaks along the way. As you approach Ali Bugyal, the trail opens up to a stunning meadow with lush green grass and panoramic views of the mountains. This is a great place to camp for the night and enjoy the scenic beauty around you.
Day 4: Ali Bugyal to Ghora Lotani (11 km/ 5-6 hours)
The trek from Ali Bugyal to Ghora Lotani is an interesting and challenging one, with some steep climbs and descents through a beautiful forested landscape
After breakfast, begin the trek from Ali Bugyal to Ghora Lotani, which is about 11 km away and should take 5-6 hours to complete. The trail descends from Ali Bugyal through a dense forest of oak and rhododendron, with occasional clearings that offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
After about 2 hours of descent, you will reach the village of Bedni Bugyal, which is a popular camping spot for trekkers. Take a short break here to rest and admire the stunning views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks. From Bedni Bugyal, the trail descends further to the Bedni River, which you will have to cross over a small bridge. The river is a tributary of the Neel Ganga, which you will encounter later on in the trek.
After crossing the river, the trail climbs steeply up to the other side of the valley, passing through more forested areas and crossing several small streams. After another couple of hours of trekking, you will reach the campsite at Ghora Lotani, which is located in a small meadow surrounded by towering peaks. Settle into your tents and enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long day of trekking.
Day 5: Ghora Lotani to Bhagwabasa (14 km/ 7-8 hours)
The trek from Ghora Lotani to Bhagwabasa is a challenging day of the Roopkund Lake trek.The trek starts with a steep climb of around 4 km through a dense forest of rhododendron and oak trees. After the initial climb, the trail becomes relatively easy and gradually ascends towards the open meadows of Bedni Bugyal.
Bedni Bugyal is a vast meadow that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is known for its high-altitude grasslands. Bedni Bugyal is a vast meadow that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is known for its high-altitude grasslands.
Day 6: Bhagwabasa to Roopkund Lake (5 km/ 3-4 hours)
On Day 6, the trek will continue from Bhagwabasa to Roopkund Lake. The distance covered on this day will be around 5 km, which will take approximately 3-4 hours to complete. The trek starts early in the morning as it is a steep climb to Roopkund Lake. The trail passes through a moraine field, and you will get to see the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks. The path is rocky and challenging, and you will need to be careful with your footing.- The lake is located at an altitude of 5,029 meters and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
As you climb higher, you will see the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the glacial lake of Roopkund. The lake is located at an altitude of 5,029 meters and is known for its skeletal remains. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and the view is breathtaking.
After spending some time at the lake, you will head back to Bhagwabasa for the night.
Day 7: Roopkund Lake to Bedni Bugyal (12 km/ 6-7 hours)
After spending some time at the mesmerizing Roopkund Lake, the trek continues towards Bedni Bugyal on Day 7. The trail mostly descends through a steep and rocky terrain before reaching the Bedni Bugyal meadow. The trek also offers panoramic views of the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks along the way.
Start the day early in the morning and leave from Roopkund Lake towards Bedni Bugyal.
The trail descends through steep and rocky terrain, so trek carefully. Pass through Junargali, a high-altitude mountain pass offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Continue trekking through the scenic meadows of Bedni Bugyal, filled with a variety of alpine flowers. Reach Bedni Bugyal in the evening and set up camp for the night.
Relax and enjoy the beauty of the meadow, and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the surrounding mountains.
Day 8: Bedni Bugyal to Lohajung (10 km/ 4-5 hours)
After breakfast, start trekking down towards the Neel Ganga river. Cross the river and continue on the well-defined trail. The trail passes through forests of rhododendron and oak trees, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
After a while, you will reach the village of Wan, where you can take a short break and have some tea or snacks. From Wan, it's a short drive to Lohajung, where you will spend the night in a guesthouse.
Overnight stay in Lohajung.
Day 9: Drive from Lohajung to Kathgodam (213 km/ 9-10 hours)
On Day 9, you will drive back to Kathgodam which is the nearest railway station.- Overnight stay in Kathgodam (optional).
Included
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Food as per menu on the trek (starting with dinner on Day 1 till Breakfast on Day 8)
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Forest Permits/Camping Charges (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
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Tents on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats
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Micro-spikes, Helmets, and Gaiters, as required
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Experienced Trek guide, cook, and helpers
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Porters or mules for carrying common luggage
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Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification
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2 Nights Dormitory/Guest House Stay in Lohajung
Not Included
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Meals during road journeys, if any
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Meals during guest house stay (except the meals mentioned in the Inclusions section)
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Cost of any kind of travel insurance
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Any expense of personal nature
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Any expense not specified in the inclusion list.
