The Roopkund trek

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.