ROOPKUND LAKE

Duration
8 Days
Trek Altitude
15,748 Feet
Destination
Dehradun
Trek Distance
52 KM
Group Size
12
Best Time
Summer, autumn

Roopkund Lake Trek

Roopkund is a mysterious lake in the interiors of district Chamoli.The lake is rather shallow having a depth of about 2m with the edges covered with snow for most parts of the year. When the snow melts;human and equine skeleton remains can be seen, some of them with flesh attached. These remains have been preserved in the alpine conditions for centuries. It is believed that these are the remains of about 300 persons who died about 500-600 years ago. There are many theories about these findings but none are satisfying. Hence the lake is known as the Mystery Lake. Some believe them to be those of General Zorawars’ soldiers who died here in a vain attempt to conquer Tibet, while others maintain that they are the skeletons of the zealous pilgrims, who went on the Raja Yatra to the base of Trishul. It is however one of the popular treks in Garhwal as it abounds on spectacular mountain scenery. The trek to Roopkund is very scenic and passes through the magnificent Bedni Bugyal. The trek goes through the outer periphery of the Nanda Devi national park and is one of the best treks to view the magnificent peaks of the Nanda Devi Park.

 

Itinerary

We begin the journey early in the day. Its a long drive and after we set out from Dehradun we proceed towards Devprayag, the confluence of River Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. We stop enroute for breakfast preferably at Kaudiyala, at someplace overlooking river Ganges. The drive further provides us opportunity to visit two more Prayags, i.e. Rudraprayag and Karanprayag. We stop for lunch at the latter. Finally we make our to Lohajung. We reach Lohajung by evening and retire to the comfort of a guest house.

The first day’s hike takes us to the beautiful village of Didna, which is situated at an approximate distance of 9 kms, which lies on the opposite, eastern bank of Neelganga river. After we descend down almost all the way to the river bed below, we climb up the ridge towards village Didna. The trail here is marked by the vivd flora all around and Rhododenderon trees can be seen, identified by their disctinc red flowers. The ridge futher up on the eastern side climbs up to Ali Bugyal, to the North of which is located Bedni Bugyal, our destination for the next day. Overnight in camps.

Today we will trek 11 km to reach the Alpine Meadow of Bedni Bugyal (3350 mts), probably one of the best camping sites in the Garhwal Himalayas. There are two trails from Didna to Ali Bugyal, while one trail climbs up straight, cutting through the steepest slopes, the longer trail with lesser gradient goes around the edge of the ridge. It is this trail that we take. Ali bugyal is a massive meadow with the topmost section going all the way up to 3,520 meters. We cover the length of Ali Bugyal and finally reach Bedni Bugyal further ahead. From Ali Bugyal we get great views of snowcapped mountains. Trishul, a seven thousander peak can be seen in all its magnificence. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

We begin the day at ease and after breakfast we head up the trail clearly visible from Bedni almost halfway to Patar Nauchani. The entire elevation gain is only up to the topmost section that is already visible to us. After reaching this section we get splendid views of the snowcapped Trishul up ahead and Nanda Ghunti to our left. The trail henceforth descends slightly as we proceed further to Patar Nauchani campsite.

After breakfast we trek to Bhaguwa Basa. Bhaguwa means flowery park and Basa means place. And rightly the place is full of variety of flowers including the rare Brahma Kamal(state flower of Uttarakhand), a special godly lotus found only between altitudes of 14000 – 15000 ft. Today we will trek 5 km, to reach today’s campsite at Bhaguwa Basa. Dinner and overnight in tents.

It is a hard day and by early morning we are at Roopkund (4800 mts). Roopkund is a picturesque and beautiful tourist destination in the Himalayas, located near the base of two Himalayan peaks: Trishul (7120 m) and Nandghungti (6310 m). In the afternoon we trek back to Bedni Bugyal for dinner and overnight stay.

Today we set out towards Wan and finally drive to Lohajung. The route taken goes through dense forests with plenty of Rhododenderon trees (Buransh), the red flowers of which are used to extract and make a juice. We descend to Gharoli Patal and further down to the bed of a river stream before we begin climbing towards Wan village. This journey will take 3-4 hrs. From Wan we drive to Lohajung which lies 17 km from here. Dinner and overnight in guest-house in Lohajung.

Today, after breakfast, we return back to Mundoli drive back to Rudraprayag. We visit the confluence of rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda. Continue the journey to Dehradun.

FAQ's about Roopkund Lake Trek

Roopkund Lake—16,500 feet (5,029 m) above sea level and 135 feet (41.1 m) in diameter—freezes almost permanently. The surrounding beaches and hills are covered in snow. Only the heat of summer reveals its secrets as the waters don’t stir and hundreds of bones float to the surface.

It is worth visiting scenic camps in Roopkund trek. Roopkund is recommended for experienced trekkers as it has a medium plus difficulty level. The best time to trek in Roopkund is May – June, and September – October.

Roopkund (also known as “Mystery Lake” and “Skeletons Lake”) is a remote lake in the Indian Himalayas. It is located at a distance of 52 km from Karnaprayag in Uttarakhand, India.

The weather makes the Roopkund trek pleasant with hot afternoons during the summer months of May and June. Frost is reported at night and in the morning. The autumn months bring clear skies and views. During the months of September and October, the daytime temperature in Roopkund is hot and beautiful.

Temperature: 13 to 18 degrees Celsius during the day and -5 to 7 degrees Celsius at night. Roopkund Walking distance : 53 km. Maximum elevation: 15,748 feet.

Roopkund Lake is popular for its mystery. Human bones and the remains of horses from ancient times can be found here, earning the nickname “Mystery Lake”. Located over 4,800 meters above sea level in the Indian Himalayas, Roopkund Lake has long puzzled archaeologists and researchers.

Roopkund, which is about three meters deep, is best known for the hundreds of human skeletons found on the banks of the lake. Human skeletal remains can be seen beneath it as the ice melts.

Buried deep in the Himalayas at an altitude of 5029 meters above sea level, Rupkund Lake is a small body of water (~40 meters in diameter) colloquially known as Skeleton Lake due to the scattered remains of a few hundred ancient humans because of its shores.

Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport is 195 km away and Rishikesh is the nearest railway station at a distance of 170 km from Karnaprayag. The starting point of the Debal Rupkund trek is 57 km from Karnaprayag.

There are many theories about the journey of the bones and skulls of Roopkund Lake. Some scholars believe that there are the bones of General Zorawar Singh of Kashmir and his troops who returned in 1841 after an attempted conquest of Tibet.

The correct answer is Uttarakhand. Roopkund is a high altitude glacial lake in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located at the foot of Trishul Mountain. Located in the Himalayas, the lake is surrounded by rocky glaciers and snow-capped mountains.

From May to June, temperatures in your campsite will range from 5°C to -1°C during the day to 3° to -4° C at night.

It then passes a pass at fifteen thousand feet and leads up a series of switchbacks through scree to Roop Pond. About a hundred and thirty feet deep by ten feet, the lake is an emerald gem in a bowl of rocky ice.

Reviews

Inclusion
  1. Transport support from and to Dehradun: starting from pickup on day 1 to drop on day 8.
  2. Guide and cook fees.
  3. Rent for camping equipment.
  4. Forest entry charges.
  5. Porter and mule support to carry camping equipment. Please note that personal luggage can be carried by mules and/or porters on chargeable basis.
  6. All veg meals starting from day 1 dinner to day 8 breakfast.
  7. Tented accommodation throughout the trek.
Exclusions
  1. Personal expenses like tips, personal medicines, phone calls etc
  2. Any transport support during the trek apart from what is included above
  3. Any cost or services not mentioned in the Inclusions
  4. Accommodation apart from the trek
  5. Adventure Insurance
  6. Cost arising due to unforeseen incidents like bad weather, medical evacuation, roadblocks etc
  7. Porter and mule support to carry personal Luggage can be arranged at an additional cost of INR 350 per bag per day (weighing up to 12 kg)
  8. Lunch box for packed lunch/breakfast. To avoid using polythenes and Aluminium foils. Keeping the Himalayas clean is our own responsibility. Reduce the use of Plastic when you are in the abode of the Sacred Himalaya