Arrive at Lohajung village

Whether you are coming from Rishikesh or from Kathgodam, there will be a long drive to reach the base village of Roopkund trek – Lohajung. Both roads are scenic and will usher you into the adventure mode as you pass through meandering mountain roads, hamlets, refreshing greenery and finally arrive at Lohajung, a lively mountain town in Chamoli district, at an altitude of 7,662 ft. The majestic view of Mt. Nanda Ghunti during sunrise and sunset will be forever etched in your mind. You can go for a stroll in the village market to quickly restock your necessary personal items or rent trek gear. You will also get mobile networks in Lohajung.

So, rest, rejuvenate and get ready for the exciting journey ahead. You will get comfortable accommodation at the guest house on a sharing basis. The actual trek starts from Day 2 onwards. 

Lohajung to Didna Village

The journey towards the mysterious alpine lake, Roopkund, begins today. First thing first, a good spread of breakfast. This will prepare you for the journey ahead. We will start around 8:30-9:00 am. So stay prepared with your rucksack and other necessary items like water and small snacks to munch on the trail. 

First you will have a slight ascent on the jeep road towards Wan village. After 1 and a half hour walking you will reach Kulling, 6km ahead of Lohajung. Kulling is a picturesque mountain village with a small population. 

Ahead of Kulling the trail will take you to a small stream fed by Neel Ganga and after further descent you reach Neel Ganga where you need to refill your water bottles. 

After Neel Ganga the road ahead will start getting moderately steep until you reach Didna village, which is situated at an altitude of 8000 ft. You will be passing by a refreshingly green ancient forest to rejuvenate your senses. After about two hours of climbing you reach the top of a ridge with a panoramic view. Once you reach Didna you will be reaching your Day 2 accommodation at comfortable village homestays. 

You will be reaching late afternoon, have warm snacks and rest and rejuvenate for the day. Evening there will be a briefing for the next day. Enjoy the fresh, crisp village air devoid of pollution and have a restful night. 

Didna Village to Ali Bugyal (meadow)

On Day 3 of the trek to Roopkund you reach the biggest alpine meadow, Ali Bugyal. This will be also the camping and resting spot for Day 3. Today you will gain some more altitude and reach at a height of 11000 ft. 

From Didna village itself you can have a view of Ali Bugyal, which is located on a mountain top! Naturally to reach to this mountain top you will have to trek on a steep trail. Brace yourself for the upcoming adventure! But here is the good news – the trail has gradual ascent and not much challenging gradient. 

As you continue you will come across Tolpani, a major shepherd abode with friendly and welcoming people. Today’s trail will also take you through ancient, mysterious mountain forests decorated with Oak, Birch, and Rhododendron trees.

The climb will take approximately 3 to 4 hours, and you will observe the treeline slowly making way for the vast expanse of the grassland, Ali Bugyal! On clear weather, get ready to spot famous peaks like Mt. Trishul and Mrighthuni, which are the tallest mountain peaks in this part of the Himalayas. Today your stay will be arranged in sharing tents, the camping of Roopkund trek. After you reach the campsite, retire to your tent, rest and then you can visit temple at Bedni Kund, which is nearby.

Ali Bugyal to Patar Nachauni via Bedni Bugyal and Ghora Lotani

Day 4 starts on a refreshing note amid nature and after a good, warm breakfast we start on our way. Our next camping location is Gora Lutani, a perfect and picturesque camping spot. 

We will reach our destination today after much adventure as today’s trail is marked by quite an altitude gain, from around 12,500ft to 14,500ft. On the way we will pass through Patar Nachauni.  

After a trek of around 10kms, you will reach today’s campsite, Ghora Lotani. Today’s walk will be a bit strenuous with slow, continuous ascent, which puts a lot of stress on your legs. Also, as the air gets thinner with higher altitude you will feel the effect of strenuous breathing. Today’s campsite we will also use for acclimatisation. Rest well as tomorrow we will start very early in the morning for the final push to the mysterious skeleton lake, Roopkund! 

Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa via Kalu Vinayak

We are already on Day 5! Today the adventure starts pretty early! We will need to get ready and start by early morning so keep your bag and trekking gear ready! 

But we will have a good breakfast first to refuel ourselves for the long day ahead, stretch for a smooth walk after yesterday’s weary trek and then start on our way. Today we will cover another 10kms and the trail will get steeper as we push to the final altitude of 15696 ft.

Today our final destination will be Bhagwasa, located at an altitude of approximately 14000 ft. To reach Bhagwasa we will cross the Kalyuvinayak temple. The path towards this temple is tricky but a view from this temple and the visit to the temple itself is pretty rewarding. 

Be aware of the signs of AMS like headache or bloated stomach and inform your trek lead immediately if you have symptoms of AMS. The air will get thinner as you gain altitude. From Kaluvinayak temple a grand view of Roopkund will instill fresh energy in your mind and body to push for the final stretch of the trek! 

Bhagwabasa to Roopkund and back to Bedni Bugyal

Star of the trek, Roopkund lake visit is on Day 6, today! So, gear up for this exciting day and a lifetime worth of memory of visiting a unique lake in the lap of the Himalayas! 

Day 6 will need you to start even earlier than any of the previous days! We will start the journey at around 4:00 am. So, retire to your sleeping bags early the previous day and get up fresh and ready for the trek on Day 6. 

The strenuous and uphill climb to Roopkund lake is around 3 kms. In the thin air this walk will feel very strenuous but once you are able to reach the lake you will know all those steps and efforts were worth it. Roopkund Lake is surrounded by mystery! The near-about 500 skeletons in the lake, preserved, will take your breath away! There are many stories and theories surrounding the deposition of these skeletons in the lake, but no one knows for sure how these skeletons ended up here. 

Once you reach the lake, and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings, immerse yourself in the mystery and exalt at the feeling of reaching the highest point of the trek, rest and have a good breakfast. After that and spending some more time around, catching our breath and the beautiful scenery, we will start our return journey to Bedni Bugyal via Bhagwasa. 

Patar Nachauni to Lohajung via Bedni and Wan

Day 7 is the last day of the trek and we will retrace our way all the way to Lohajung. Get ready for another day of adventure ahead as you keep descending the trail. It will be quite strenuous and steep descent that may put a lot of pressure on your knees and ankles so make sure you have necessary support like a good ankle covering trekking boot and trek poles. 

However, the accompanying scenery will again divert your mind from the pain and make you reflect on the refreshing mountain view, settlements along the way. Through the zig-zag strenuous trail amid the forest you will reach Gahroli Patal and then continue the journey towards Neel Ganga. You will again pass the Wan village and then continue the journey onwards till you reach Lohajung. On this return journey you will cover a distance of 18 kms and after taking proper rest and pit stops on the way you reach the final destination, Lohajung, almost after 10 hours. It will feel like bliss after you reach the village. 

Wake up leisurely today. Day 8 and the last day already! You will bid adieu to the mountain and retrace your way back to your home. Whether you want to return to Kathgodam or to Rishikesh, there will be a long drive ahead. So plan your journey ahead accordingly. Alternatively you can stay a day back in Lohajung, enjoy the thrilling ziplining and spend a day to rest and recuperate after the strenuous trek to Roopkund.