The Roopkund trek

This 8 day Roopkund trek takes you to a glacial lake and is one of the most sought-after treks in India. If you love your mountain myths and mysteries, you'll be keen to see the eerie human remains that edge Roopkund lake, glowing in a ghostly manner in the always present mist. But apart from the skeleton watchmen, the Roopkund trek is a gorgeous mix of pristine lakes, lush green meadows, and beautiful pine and oak forests.

The trek to Roopkund is considered a moderately challenging one, and requires a good amount of cardiovascular fitness. Trekking to Roopkund takes you to a height of about 16,000 feet, and it can get very cold at the lake. In the later sections of the Roopkund trek, the air gets thinner and you might find yourself walking slower.

Destination

Roopkund Lake lies in the Nanda Devi Reserve, surrounded by the Mount Trishul massif. The Roopkund trekking trail starts in the greener sections of Uttarakhand, like Almora, Lohajung and Didna. As you ascend however, you'll begin to see the vegetation grow sparser and the distant peaks growing larger. From campsites in lush meadows, you'll start to see boulder-strewn vistas in all directions. The trek to Roopkund is a complete Himalayan experience!

Destination highlights

Visit the mysterious human skeletons at Roopkund lake. | Camp in beautiful alpine meadows and in forests. | Enjoy a challenging trek through some of the most gorgeous landscapes of Uttarakhand.

10500

15580

7000

51 km

34 hrs

8 km

Kathgodam Railway Station

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Kathgodam Railway Station

SUV/Tempo Traveller

Lohajung, Uttarakhand

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06:00

18:00

Do plan your trip to arrive early in the morning at Kathgodam Railway station. You'll be met by the guide, and your drive to Lohajung begins. The drive takes about 10 hours, and is a long one, but is very scenic. You'll be seeing rivers flowing along the roads, and you'll pass the Pindar valley and Almora. Overnight stay in forest guesthouse or a homestay in Lohajung.

Guest house/homestay

Tonight you'll check into clean, comfortable rooms in a guesthouse or homestay on triple sharing basis. If you want to pick up any last minute essentials for the trek, do so today in Lohajung.

Food

No meals will be provided today

Veg

Day 1 Milestone

Kathgodam

Lohajung

00:25 AM

The trek to Roopkund Lake starts from Lohajung to a village called Didna. It's a gorgeous climb, with short ascents and some easy downhill stretches, all through the oak and bamboo forests. In Didna, you'll walk through the village, and go beyond it a little, so that your tents can be set up in a meadow.

Tonight you'll camp in tents.

Today you'll be enjoying your first night of camping. You'll be provided with tents on triple sharing basis, as well as sleeping bags and mats. For your comfort, there are toilet tents set up at your campsites.

Food

Lunch | Dinner

Veg

Day 2 Milestone

Lohajung

Didna Village

05:30 AM

Today you'll be a little sore after your first day of the Roopkund trek, so you'll do some light stretching with your team in the meadow. This warms you up for the rest of your day, and gives you a roaring appetite for breakfast. The route for today is steep, and winds upwards through the last of the forest, before coming out to stunning views and more open terrain. You'll stop to admire the Garhwal peaks around you, and will continue to climb along these views for the rest of the day. Overnight stay in tents in Ali Bugyal.

Tonight you'll camp in tents.

Tonight you'll reach Ali Bugyal, which is known as one of the best campsites on this route. This alpine meadow has gorgeous views in all directions.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg

Day 3 Milestone

Didna village

Ali Bugyal

05:30 AM

After yesterday's steep climb, today's more relaxed route is a welcome one. You'll walk along a ridge, without any climbing, listening to the birds and breathing in the fresh mountain air. The views from the other side of the ridge are some of the best on this trek. You'll get to the campsite by early afternoon, which means you'll have time to relax and enjoy the views. This is also planned to allow you to acclimatize to the height gain over the last two days of the trek to Roopkund. Overnight camp at Lotani.

Tonight you'll camp in tents.

Today's route is planned to get to the campsite by afternoon, so that you have time to do some short walks at the new altitude, to get some rest, and to prepare yourself for a steep altitude gain tomorrow.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg

Day 4 Milestone

Ali Bugyal

Ghora Lotani

05:30 AM

Today you'll go from 12,500 feet to 14,500 feet, in just 4 kms of climbing. It's a short and rigorous climb, and the altitude gain might make it a little harder to climb. You can expect to feel short of breath, or maybe have a light headache or feel tired. This passes if you trek slowly, take breaks while walking, and drink sips of water when you stop. Your guides will help you to get over your symptoms, if at all you feel them. Some people don't feel any discomfort at all. You'll get to your next campsite, Bhagu Basa, where the harsh terrain and boulders everywhere make it hard to believe you were in a meadow just last night. Overnight in tents.

Tonight you'll camp in tents.

The campsite that you stay at tonight will be unlike anything you've seen before. All around you, the boulder-strewn landscape makes for dramatic views. When you set up camp, your tents will be put up in the shelter of the stone huts here, so that the sharp winds don't keep you up at night. Overnight stay in tents.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg

Day 5 Milestone

Ghora Lotani

Bhagwabasa

05:30 AM

Today's the biggest day of the trek to Roopkund. You'll start at 05:00 hrs, trekking through the dark, upwards through the boulders. There's a gradual climb followed by a steep ascent to the lake, and then you see it! You'll have some time to explore the lake, take pictures, or just sit down and take in the atmosphere. If you climb a little further, you'll get to Junar Gali, the highest point of the Roopkund trek. After that, it's time to head back. You'll trek to Bedni Bugyal, where you'll camp for the night. The views from the camp of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti are great company for the evening. Overnight in tents.

Tonight you'll camp in tents.

After a long day today, you'll be celebrating your Roopkund trek success! The campsite is a beautiful meadow, and the perfect place to sit and exchange stories. It's your last night of camping for your Roopkund trek, so make the most of it. Overnight in tents.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg

Day 6 Milestone

Bhagwabasa

Bedni Bugyal

05:30 AM

You'll trek to Wan today, passing through meadows and rhodendron forests. In Wan, the vehicles are waiting to drive you back to Lohajung. It's a short drive of 1 hour, but it'll be very welcome. Overnight stay in forest guesthouse or homestay at Lohajung.

Guest house/homestay

You'll be glad to return to civilization tonight, with a stay in clean and comfortable rooms on triple sharing basis.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch

Veg

Day 7 Milestone

Bedni Bugyal

Lohajung

05:30 AM

Today you'll say goodbye to the mountains and begin your long drive back to Kathgodam. It's a ten hour drive, but you'll be at Kathgodam by late evening. It's recommended not to book your onward journey for the same day, in case of delays on the road. Trip ends in Kathgodam.

The trip ends before nightfall.

Today you'll be driven back to Kathgodam. Trip ends at Kathgodam.

Food

No meals will be provided today

Veg

Day 8 Milestone

Lohajung

Kathgodam

07:00 AM

Includes / Excludes

Includes

  • Accommodation (camping) during trek on triple sharing basis
  • Sleeping bags
  • Sleeping mats
  • 2 nights accommodation in Lohajung ( guest house/hotel/home stay)
  • All vegetarian meals during the trek from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 7
  • All fees and permits
  • First aid and medical kits
  • Qualified and experienced trek leader
  • Guide and support staff
  • All transport from Kathgodam as per itinerary of the Roopkund trek
  • All applicable taxes

Excludes

  • Any meals during transit
  • Any meals during stay in Lohajung
  • Any expenses incurred due to natural reasons
  • Mule charges for carrying personal luggage (can be arranged for INR 300 per day for a 10 kg bag)

What to Wear

What to Wear

  • Poncho/rain coat or umbrella any one is must
  • Backpack (min 55 ltrs)
  • Floaters or sandals
  • Trekking shoes
  • 2 pair of quick dry tees and track pants
  • 3 pair of socks
  • Full sleeve sweater or fleece jacket
  • One heavy jacket
  • Sun cap
  • One scarf
  • Not to wear - Kindly do not wear expensive jewellery or gadgets.

What not to Wear

  • Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
  • Restrictive clothing
  • Flip-flops

Equipment / Gear

We Provide

  • All camping equipment
  • Crampons (if required)
  • Sleeping bags
  • Sleeping mats
  • Tents
  • First aid

You need to get

  • Light towel
  • Lip balm
  • Cold cream and sun screen (SPF 40+)
  • Water bottle 1 Lt
  • Headlamp or torch with fresh pair of batteries
  • Personal toilet kit and toilet paper
  • Personal medicine kit
  • Dark sunglasses
  • Gloves
  • Trekking pole
  • Camera with huge memory card and fully charged with extra batteries

Medical Kit

  • Personal or prescribed medication.
  • Crepe bandage - 3 to 5 meters
  • Band aid - 10 strips
  • Gauze cloth - 1 small role
  • Leukoplast - 1 small roll
  • Cotton - 1 small roll
  • ORS - 5 packets
  • Betadine cream
  • Moov spray
  • Crocin - 5 tablets
  • Avomine - 4 tablets
  • Avil 25 mg - 4 tablets
  • Diamox - 5 tablets
  • Combiflam - 5 tablets
  • Disprin - 10 tablets
  • Norflox - 10 tablets
  • Digene - 10 tablets
  • Diamox - 10 tablets

Cancellation policy

For cancellations made 24 days or more before departure of the trek to Roopkund: 95% of trek cost will be refunded.

For cancellations made between 14-24 days before departure of the trek to Roopkund: 70% of trek/tour cost will be refunded.

For cancellations made between 8-14 days before departure of the trek to Roopkund: 50% of trek/tour cost will be refunded.

For cancellations made less than 7 days before departure of the trek to Roopkund: No refund.

No show: No refund.

All refund amounts will be processed after deducting any transaction charges.

Rules on trip

Participants must adhere to the instructions of the team leader during the Roopkund trek.

Smoking, consumption of alcohol, narcotic drugs etc. is strictly prohibited on the Roopkund trek.

Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions

The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary of the Roopkund trek depending upon the weather conditions and other factors. If extra cost is incurred due to rescheduling, it will be borne by the trekker.

Please note that sometimes an unforeseen event may force changes in the itinerary of the trek to Roopkund. In such cases, your trek leader will suggest the best alternative similar to your original itinerary.

All the arrangements for the Roopkund trek are pre-planned and prepaid. In case of non completion of the Roopkund trek due to any reason whatsoever there will not be any refund for any unutilized services. Any extra expense due any alteration has to be paid extra.