Roopkund Trek

Day 1 :- Kathgodam to Lohajung

Altitude: 7,662 ft.

Drive 210 km (10 hrs drive).

The vehicles start at 06:30 am at the parking of Kathgodham railway station.

Route:- Kathgodam – Bheem Tal – Almora – Kausani – Gwaldam – Dewal – Lohajung .

Local market is available.

We begin with a 10 hour journey through scenic winding roads of Kumaon and Garhwal region. The route is almost always foggy or misty and goes through the vegetations of coniferous forest. The long serpentine road is full of curves and bends hence it is advisable to carry motion sickness pills if you frequently require them. The roads are generally bumpy and the journey is cold. Woollens are advised to be kept in handy. The night is spent in guest houses or lodges available nearby.

 

Day 2 :- Lohargunj to Didna Village

Trek 6.5 km.

Alttude: 7,662 to 8,045 ft.

Trekkers would be accommodated in village home stay.

No market.

Network is available.

A gradual descent to Ruan Bagad Bridge (4.5 km).

Must taste the water at Ruan Bagad bridge from Neel Ganga River and refill your bottles.

After Ruan Bagad bridge, we begin a 2 hour steep ascent to Didna Village (2 km).

We start the trekking today. Begin your day with a homemade breakfast and then start with the ascent on the jeep road; till the village of Wan. An hour and a half later, we reach Kulling, located at a distance of around 6km form Lohajung. Kulling is a small village in the district of Garhwal, with a small population. One can find nature is found in its full glory here. Exotic birds can be spotted easily; the air is crisp and cold. After a break at Kulling, we gradually descend towards a narrow concrete plain which cuts through the village and its vicinity and takes you to a small stream. This small stream originates from the Holy Ganges and is called the Neel Ganga. We descend further to reach the bed of Neel Ganga. We cross the road on the right side of the bridge. The ascend moderately steep and ends at the village of Didna, situated at an altitude of 2450mts, 8000ft. After a climb of around two hours under the canopy of evergreen alpine forests and towering trees, you reach the top of the ridge, the view from where is breathtaking! It is surprising to find huge open lands at such a high altitude on the lap of the mountains. Nearby, one finds two sister villages, very close to each other Didna and Kuling. The first village is inhabited during the summer and monsoon months while the second one is popular during the winters. The days trek ends at around 3pm, after which lunch would be served. We have covered a total distance of approximately around 10kms. The night is spent in a traditional guest house.

 

Day 3 :- Didna Village to Bedni Bugyal or Ali Bugyal

Trek 10.5 km.

Altitude: 8,045 to 11,320 ft.

Tents are installed.

Carry a lot of water.

Reach Ali Bugyal by late noon.

Keep your wind cheater and waterproof items ready.

Tolpani is the last point where drinking water is available.

At a staggering altitude of 3400mts or 11000ft, today’s trek takes us to the beautiful Ali Bugyal, which is one of the highest inhabited locations of the country. Seated on the top of the mountain, Ali Bugyal is clearly visible even from far off vicinity. The trek will take you to the top of this mountain. On the way, one can find the temporary settlements of local shepherds known as Tolpani and their massive herds of sheep. Take a break, wander around, share their food and make merry ! As one ascends upwards, the tree vegetation gradually recedes, and the plain grasslands start. Before this, one could have seen Oak, Birch, and Rhododendron trees growing in plenty in the areas. If you have the fortune of visiting the place during the spring season, you can see the magnificent view of the valley covered with thousands of Rhododendron flowers in vibrant colours. The climb takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach Ali Bugyal and what view ! Vast expanses of lush green meadows meet the eye and your heart is already tumbling and wandering playfully on their slopes… During summer months, the fields are covered with a blanket of vast stretches of grass and flowers of various bright colours and serve as pastures for wild horses and cows.

If the weather is clear, it is easy to spot the peaks of Trishul and Mrighthuni, the tallest mountain peaks in this part of the Himalayas. Another half an hour of trekking will take you to Bedni, the camping spot for day 3. After lunch, visit the nearby temple in Bedni Kund, and if the weather is clear here you might be able to view the Garhwal Himalayan ranges.

 

Day 4 :- Ali Bugyal/Bedni to Patar Nachauni via Bedni Bugyal and Ghora Lotani

Trek 7 km.

Altitude: 11,320 to 12,818 ft.

A simple easy trek.

Accommodation in tents.

Reach Patar Nachauni before lunch.
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 for acclimatization.

Ware proper clothing (most of the trekkers might feel the onset of AMS).

For today’s trek we have the option and the leisure of starting slightly late after taking some much needed rest. We head out for Ghora Lotani via Patat Nacholi. Ghora Lotani is an ideal place to camp and the route is is utterly picturesque. We gain steep altitude today from around 12,500 ft to 14,500 ft. The high altitude might make you feel the effects of the weather changes, the long exhausting walks will make your legs hurt, and the thin air will make breathing difficult. But, together in a group you shall persevere, inspired by everyone.  The scenic journey and the rewarding destination are going to be motivating enough for you to keep going. The camp site is reached after 10 kms of trekking. Get a good night’s rest, the next day is going to start early and is going to be eventful to say the least.

 

Day 5 :- Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa via Kalu Vinayak

Trek 4 km.

Altitude: 12,818 to 14,117 ft.

Accommodation in tents.

Reach the Camp site by lunch.

Patar Nachauni to Kalu Vinayak Tempel .
(first 1 km is gradual ascent and rest 1.5 km is steep ascent).

Kalu Vinayak to Bhagwabasa (gradual descent 1.5 km).

There would be snow on the trail in the month of May and June and in September and October, it would be a rocky trail.

WAKE UP ! It is the lengthiest day of the trek and the most strenuous one too… With this in the pocket, there’s nothing stopping you. You must stretch and do a mild work out before you leave for the trek. Feast and fill yourself over the breakfast and head out into the heaven that awaits you. We are to trek over a span of 10 kms today. The road is going to be extensively curved and risky with plenty of chances of injuries to anyone who is careless enough to underestimate the terrain. Our initial destination is the Kalyuvinayak Temple, for which we climb a stiff 200 ft over 2 kms. Proper dressing gear and sturdy well gripping shoes are advised. As you climb, the air gets thinner, and so the oxygen density decreases, this might lead to headache and acute stomach pain, but some rest should do away with the problems. As you reach, you marvel as to how it was possible to even imagine a temple at this altitude, let alone building it. The temple is carved out of stone with absolute intricacy and brilliant details. The view from the temple is a sight to behold. One can easily see the Trishul peak and the bell shaped Nanda gunti on either side of the spot. We now begin final approach to Bhagwabasa nearby. Reach and camp and rest. The trail ahead is challenging enough. Call it a day here.

 

Day 6 :- Bhagwabasa to Roopkund to Patar Nachauni

Trek 10 km.

Altitude: 14,117 to 15755 ft.

Accommodation in tents.

Trek starts pre-sunrise around 4:00 am.

Climb to Roopkund is 3 km.

Trek is Challenging.

Must have energy bars, ORS and water.

We feast (Breakfast ? ) at the Roopkund top.

Reach Bhagwabasa back by lunch.

Reach Patar Nachauni camp by evening.

In August, September, October the skeleton is clearly visible with no snow.

In May and June one can enjoy the snow but can’t see the skeleton.

We start early morning. The final destination is finally within our grasp. We are about to reach an altitude of 16,000 ft, the pinnacle of the trip. Trek is not going to be easy. Thin air makes trekking simple 4 kms seem like a dearth of a ‘Mushqill’ (difficult) task. But the merry spirits with you are going to get you there. Reaching the lake is a heavenly experience and makes you feel elation beyond measures. Kiseed by the bliss of the Himalyas, you stand in the guard of Sentinel Mountains towering above you. The lake is said to have more than 300 skeletons of a king and his villagers who were struck by a blizzard when they were travelling to Nanda Devi. If you’re lucky enough, and the water is clear and not frozen, you’ll be able to see the skeletons. We then climb to the Nanda Devi Temple from where we decide if it is safe enough to begin on the Junargali pass trek, depending upon the weather conditions. Hence the return journey begins. It is hectic for multiple reasons because you are exerting more force on your legs to brake. We travel all the way down to Patar Nachauni and camp for the night. It is a hard and long route on the way back. Get plenty of rest.

 

Day 7 :- Patar Nachauni to Lohajung via Bedni and Wan

Trek 15 km.

Altitude: 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.

A relatively easy affair compared to what you’ve gone through. The descent is much quicker and you will get the opportunity to explore places much better now. As you pass through the villages and scattered huts, you’ll reach a diversion of the road into two. Take the one on the right. Stick with the group and avoid unnecessary venturing and short cuts. Our milestone would be Neel Ganga, post which we reach Ran Ka Dhar. The village is very laid back and welcoming and gives warm vibes. Stay a little and rest and then find cars waiting for you that will carry you to the Loharjung guest house. You fin1aly have beds and warm blankets to sleep on.

 

Day 8 :- Loharjung to Kathgodam

10 hrs drive.

Drive 210 km.

Reach Kathgodam by 6:00 pm.

On the way to Kathgodam at Kausani you can buy herbal tea and souvenirs.

As the journey draws to an end, you travel by cars back to where it all started. With memories and sweet nostalgia, bid everyone farewell as the cars drop you at the Railway station. Carry some mint to prevent nausea during the car travel. Buy souvenirs and presents. Get excited. You may depart, but your heart shall forever be captured by the hills of Himalayas. The journey ahead is barely enough time to solve its mysteries…