AAWARAGANG

Why is Roopkund a Must-Do Trek?

Roopkund is a famous glacial lake in the state of Uttarakhand in India. This lake is famous due to more than five hundred skeletons of humans that are found at the edge of the lake. It is located in the Himalayas and rests at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters. Roopkund is located in the Chamoli district of Garhwal. It is closer to hill stations like Nainital and Kathgodam. At a distance of 217 km from Nainital and 235 km from Kathgodam, Roopkund is one of the major adventure attractions for people in the country and those traveling from abroad. Roopkund, which is located in the lap of Trishul massif is also known as the ‘mystery lake’. You can find human skeletons at the bank of the lake, which are believed to belong to the Palaeolithic age.

These are believed to be the skeletons of the heroes who had fought here in earlier times. Along with the skeletons of humans, you can also find the skeletal structure of horses and other animals. There are reports that these skeletons belong to the 12th century to the 15th century. It is believed by specialists that the death of many people in this region was a result of landslides, blizzards, or an epidemic. The human skeletons were re-discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, who was a Nanda Devi Game reserve ranger.

Later in 2004, a team of Indian scientists along with some Europeans visited the area to gain more information about the nature of the skeletons. 

Region

Uttarakhand | India

Duration

8 Days

Max Altitude

15696 Ft.

Trekking Km

53 KM

Grade

Moderate to Difficult

Get in Touch with Our Trek Expert

Monday – Saturday: 10 AM to 06 PM (GMT +5:30)

18000 /Person

Fixed Departure Dates

• 5% GST will be applicable on Trek Cost and Add-ons
• Services Kathgodam to Kathgodam | Included Transport

Add-ons

Insurance500

Transport1,000

Offload1,200

Overview

Trek Name: Roopkund Trek

Days: 7

Adventure Type: Trekking

Base Camp: Lohajung

Season:Summer | Autumn |

Month:April | May | June | September |

Country: India

Altitude: 15696 Ft.

Grade: Moderate to Difficult

Rail Head: rishikesh

Stay: Camping (Twin sharing) & Hotel/Guesthouse

Food: Meals while on trek & at Hotel/Guesthouse (Veg & Eggs)

Location: Uttarakhand

Distance: 53 Km.

Trail Type: Circle trail | Camping in various locations, starting and ending at the same point.

AirPort: –

Highlights:

• 5% GST will be applicable on Trek Cost and Add-ons
• Services Kathgodam to Kathgodam | Included Transport

Who Can Participate

• Age Requirement:
  • Minimum 14 years
• First-timers are welcome, though prior trekking experience is preferred. Good fitness is a must.
• Fitness Criteria:
  • The Trekker should have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance by jogging in 30 minutes without stress or 10 km of distance in 70 minutes without stress
  • If the trekker prefers cycling he/ she should be able to cycle 18 km of distance in 50 minutes.
  • Preparation Chart 
• If the trekker wants to carry a backpack then he/she should be able to carry a 10-12 kg backpack. If opt Off-load option then the trekker should be able to carry 3-5 kg backpack.
• If a trekker’s BMI is more or less than the normal range (18-27), please consult our Trek Coordinator before booking.

Special Offer

Special Offer: Trek As Many Times as You Want!

At Trek The Himalayas, we understand that sometimes the unexpected happens, and you may not be able to complete your trek. Whether you are unable to finish the trek, or you’ve successfully completed it and want to experience it again, we have a special offer for you!

Make a single payment and trek the number of times you want.

Terms and Conditions:

• This offer is non-transferable.
• Valid only for Trek The Himalayas limited fixed departures.
• The offer is valid for 5 years from the trek departure date.
• The offer does not apply if the participant has received a cash refund or voucher at the time of cancellation or transferred the trek.
• Participants are not required to pay for the trek cost again but will need to cover transportation and trek permit costs.
• To reserve your spot, you can use our online booking form or simply give us a call. A deposit must be wired, including the initial payment, for confirmation.
• The offer will be activated once the participant reaches the trek base camp/meeting point.
• aawaragang reserves the right to revoke this offer without refund if a participant violates safety norms, trek rules, or code of conduct; is blacklisted for misconduct, false information.

Roopkund Trek Itinerary

Quick Itinerary Detailed Itinerary

Day-1: Rishikesh to Lohajung

• Altitude 7,662 ft.
• Stay in guest house.
• Drive 210 km (10 hrs drive).
• Local market and network is available.
• Pick up time 06:00 am at the parking of rishikesh to lohajung

Day-2: Lohajung to Didna Village

• Trek 6.5 km.
• 7,662 to 8,045 ft.
• Reach Didna before lunch.
• accommodation in village home stay.
• No local market but Network is available.
• Till ruan bagad bridge gradual descent (4.5 km).
• Refill your water bottle at ruan bagad bridge from Neel Ganga river.
• After ruan bagad bridge 2 hours of a steep ascent to Didna Village (2 km).

Day-3: Didna Village to Ali Bugyal

• Trek 10.5 km.
• 8,045 to 11,320 ft.
• Accommodation in tent.
• Carry water and ors both.
• Reach Ali Bugyal by late noon.
• Keep your wind and waterproof handy.
• Tolpani is the last point for drinking water.
• First half of is through oak and rhododendron forest (Steep ascent).
• Second half of the trek is through big alpine meadows (gradual ascent).

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

• Trek 7 km.
• 11,320 to 12,818 ft.
• Easiest day of the trek.
• Accommodation in tent.
• 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 good for acclimatization.
• Ware proper clothing (this is the place where most of the trekkers get AMS).

Day-5: Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa via Kalu Vinayak

• Trek 4 km.
• 12,818 to 14,117 ft.
• Accommodation in tent.
• Reached 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, become tricky in may and June ).
• There will be snow on the trail in the month of may and jun and in sep and oct it will be a rocky trail.

Day-6: Bhagwabasa to Roopkund and back to Bedni Bugyal

• Trek 10 km.
• 14,117 to 15755 ft.
• Accommodation in tent.
• Start your trek by 4:00 am.
• Climb to Roopkund is 3 km.
• Challenging day of the trek.
• Carry energy bars, ors and water.
• Breakfast will be at Roopkund top.
• Reach Bhagwabasa back by lunch time.
• Reach Patar Nachauni camp by evening.
• In Aug, Sep, Oct can see skeleton but no snow.
• In May and Jun snow will be there but can’t see the skeleton.

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

• Trek 15 km.
• 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.

Day-8: Lohajung 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 some souvenir.

Roopkund trek in Seasons.

Summer Treks (April, May, June)
1. Less colder.
2. More windy.
3. Weather is unpredictable.
4. Cant see human skeleton.
5. Roopkund is in frozen condition.
6. Higher camps covered with snow.
7. Natural source of drinking water are easily available.
8. Best for those who want to see snow and want to do a difficult level of trek.

Autumn Treks (September, October, November)
1. Less windy.
2. More colder.
3. Mostly clear weather.
4. Can see human skeleton.
5. No snow at any camp site.
6. Roopkund lake is properly visible.
7. Natural source of drinking water are limited.
8. Best for those who want to see greenery and want to do moderate level of trek.

How To Reach

Pick-Up Information

• It is essential for everyone to arrive at Rishikesh (06:00 am)
• Pick-up Location – Tapovan, Landmark -Opposite Shiv Vilas Hotel
• Once you have reached Rishikesh, aawaragang will manage the rest of your travel arrangements, if you have opted for aawaragang pick-up service, you can select this option during the booking process by adding it as an add-on.

Options to Reach Rishikesh 

First, you can arrive at Delhi, Dehradun airport or Chandigarh. The journey from these locations to Rishikesh is explained below.

1. Take overnight train/bus to Rishikesh.

2. Take overnight train/bus to Haridwar and drive to Rishikesh (25km | 35 min drive with normal traffic).

3. Take overnight train/bus to Dehradun and drive to Rishikesh (50km | 1hr 20min drive with normal traffic).

( We always recommend going for the govt. Buses over the private ones outside the bus station as based on the experience we have found that there are very high chances of delay involved with private buses. Also, govt. Buses are always more reliable. Whichever bus you choose, just make sure to reach Rishikesh at least by 05:30 am. )

4.  Board a flight to Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant Airport) (21 km, 30 min). If you’re arriving by air, then come one day in advance.

Drop-Off Information

• The designated drop-off point is Tapovan, Rishikesh.
• Reach in Rishikesh by 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
• Please consider planning your subsequent travel arrangements after 10:00 pm.

Note – In July and August month always have a buffer day in your Itinerary due to the Monsoon.

• It’s highly advisable to keep a buffer day in your travel plan. If the buffer day is not used, it can be used to explore Rishikesh.

Cost Terms

Inclusions & Exclusions Cancellation Policy

Inclusion

1. Accommodation (as per the itinerary):

• Guest house, Home Stay.
• Camping while the trek (Twin sharing basis).

2. Meals (Veg + Egg):

• Meals while on trek(Veg + Egg).

3. Support:

• 1 Versatile base camp manager: handles communication and deploys extra manpower in emergencies.
• 1 Mountaineering & First aid qualified professional trek Leader.
• 1 Experienced high altitude chef.
• Local experienced guides (Number of guides depending on the group size).
• Enough support staff.

4. Trek equipment:

• Sleeping bag, Sleeping liners (if required), Mattress, Utensils.
• 3 men all season trekker tent (twin sharing), Kitchen & Dining tent, Toilet tent.
• Camping stool, Walkie talkie.
• Ropes, Helmet, Ice axe, Harness, Gaiters & Crampon (if required).

5. First aid:

• Medical kit,Stretcher,Oxygen cylinder,Blood pressure monitor,Oximeter,Stethoscope.

6. Transportation (as per the itinerary):

• Transport from Loharjung to Loharjung.

7. Mules/porters to carry the central luggage.
8. Cloakroom facility available at the base camp for additional luggage.
9. All necessary permits and entry fees, Upto the amount charged for Indian.

10. Trek Completion Certificate.

Exclusion

1. Insurance (Mandatory).
2. Food during the transit.
3. Any kind of personal expenses.
4. Mule or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Emergency evacuation, hospitalization charge or etc.
6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusion.

Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things).

1- Satellite phone/set phone – is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth’s surface.

2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) – is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.

3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) – are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.

Trek Essentials