Roopkund Trek

Roopkund Trek

Uttarakhand 8 Days

Moderate

54 KM

MAX 15

MAX ALTITUDE

4785 mts.


12650 + 5% GST

Lohajung to Lohajung

Add Ons

Available Batches

Brief Description

Roopkund Trek is hands down the most popular trek in India. Roopkund, locally known as Mystery Lake, is a high altitude glacial lake in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Roopkund lies in the lap of Trishul massif and is famous because of the hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the lake. The Roopkund (lake) is located at an altitude of about 15,700 feet. It is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad mountains, making it a good trekking destination. The route leading to Roopkund passes through the twin Bugyals of Ali & Bedni. All along the Roopkund trail, you get amazing views of peaks like Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti. The beautiful campsites of Roopkund trek are a sight to behold. Roopkund is recommended for experienced trekkers because of it's moderate plus difficulty level. Roopkund trek best time is May - June, and September - October. Everything that you need to know like - Roopkund trek route map, itinerary, temperature, weather, height, photos, and videos is here on this page. Scroll to the end and read some amazing Roopkund trek blogs.



Itinerary

localtion
Day 1

Haldwani to Lohajung - 220 km Drive

Arrive in Haldwani by early morning, and board your vehicles for the drive to Lohajung - the base of Roopkund trek. The road winds through beautiful Kumaon region. We pass though Almora & Kausani. On the way, you will get some spectacular views of peaks like Kamet & Panchachuli. We will arrive in Lohajung by the evening & check into a guesthouse for the night. The town of Lohajung ( The starting point of Roopkund Trek ), located at 2300 M is also a small mountain pass connecting Gwaldam side to Wan side of the mountain. Spend some evening time in the small market of Lohajung which by the way closes very early or enjoy a beautiful sunset from the balcony of your guest house. Dine early & break into bed for a good long nights sleep.


localtion
Day 2

Lohajung to Tolpani | 8300 FT | 11 Kms

Our trail for the day is easier as compared to the entire trek and soon we get lost in the beauty of it. We trek through the forest following the Neel Ganga. The trail is initially easy which then starts to climb up steadily. As the trek continues, we get set into it and start negotiating the climb to Ali Bugiyal. After a good climb, we reach Didina. From Didina, Tolpani is a gradual 1 km ascent.


localtion
Day 3

Tolpani to Patar Nachauni via Bedni Bugyal | 12700 FT | 12 Kms

We start early today not just to enjoy the best views but also because it is a long day. We will walk through the twin meadows of Ali & Bedni. The trek is steep till we reach Ali Bugyal. From here, the trail comprises of long sections of a gradual ascent. You will realize on the trek that these meadows are one of the best in the country. As you are walking through the Ali Bugyal, Nanga Ghunti & Trishuli are prominently visible in the East. We trek on the marked trail. You will spot a small structure made from stones. It is a temple. Slightly to your right you can see a cluster of fiber huts green in color. Find a suitable spot here for the packed lunch. Starting from the stone structure, a section of the trail ahead is uphill & in the zigzag shape. After the lunch, we commence our trek and reach Bedni Bugyal Campsite by afternoon. From here, the trek is short. Walk slowly and steadily as next campsite is not very far. There is only one steep climb as you leave the campsite of Bedni Bugyal. After that, there are sections of mild ascent till we reach Patar Nachauni, situated at the foothill of the mountain at the top of which lies the temple of Kalua Vinayak. Stay in camps.


localtion
Day 4

Rest & Acclimatization

The day is reserved for rest and acclimatization after a very long Day 4.


localtion
Day 5

Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa | 14200 FT | 4 Kms

Distance wise today's trek is not very long but it is one of the steepest section of the entire trek. Taking an early start always helps. You have to climb the mountain right in front of you to the top. The trek starts with a flat walk, followed by a steep ascent to kalua Vinayak which is a Temple. The view in Patar Nachauni is restricted by mountains. But once you reach Kalua Vinayak you get a panoramic view. Some of the prominent peaks visible from this point are Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti. From Kalua Vinayak, the trail is downhill up to Bhgwabasa camps. We reach Bhagwabasa camps by early afternoon. It is the highest campsite of Roopkund trek. The night is extremely cold here. Bhagwabasa is used as a base camp for trek to Roopkund lake.


localtion
Day 6

Bhagwabasa to Roopkund (15750 FT) & return to Patar Nachauni {16 Kms (6 Kms Uphill, 10 Kms Downhill}

Starting early is the key today. As we get late snow starts melting and makes the climb difficult. Morning snow is fresh and easy to walk upon. Today's trek is a 4 km long gradual ascent with sections of steep ascent in between. In the last leg, you will have to climb down 250 feet to reach the Roopkund (lake). Roopkund is at the height of 15750 ft. If weather permits we will trek to Junargali which is just 250 ft up from Roopkund. After spending some time around we will head back to Patar Nachauni. Expect to reach by late afternoon.


localtion
Day 7

Patar Nachauni to Lohajung | 7700 FT | 15 Kms

Break camps early & head towards Wan. Today's trek is about 6-6.5 Hours. We descend to a village. We will take a brief halt at Ghairoli Patal, which is also a good camping site. We have to descend to the bottom of the valley where the river Neel Ganga welcomes us. It's not a bad idea to wash in the river after a strenuous downhill trek. From the river, it’s a half an hour uphill trek up to Wan. From Wan village its further one & half hour downhill up to Kasar Bagad which is the road ahead. We board a vehicle from here. Drive up to Lohajung. Check into the Guest House in Lohajung. The Roopkund trek ends here. You may plan your return the next day on your own. If you wish to book your return journey with us, select the suitable option while making your booking.


localtion
Day 8

Lohajung to Haldwani - 220 km Drive

In the morning board vehicle for the return journey to Haldwani. Reach Haldwani by evening. You are advised to book your return from Kathgodam/Haldwani after 9 PM to have sufficient time at hand in case of any delays in the road journey.



Frequently Asked Questions

Pick your question

Eligibility: Experience required

  • Should have at least 7-10 trek days in the Himalayas in their kitty.
  • For the trek’s achieving more than 5000 meters, a person must have a prior experience of trekking at altitudes of 3700 meters.

Eligibility: Fitness benchmark

  1. Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
  2. Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds

If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.

Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?

The trek begins from Lohajung which is about 200 km from Kathgodam/Haldwani. There are no direct buses from Kathgodam/Haldwani to Lohajung. But you can take a shared jeep which will cost you around INR 900. It takes around 12 hours to get to Lohajung from Haldwani/Kathgodam.

Kathgodam is well connected to Delhi through rail and road transport. Here is how you can reach:

By Road

Uttarakhand Roadways provides all kinds of bus services between Delhi ISBT to Haldwani. The distance between Delhi to Kathgodam is 294 km which takes about 7 hours to cover. You can book your bus tickets online through https://utconline.uk.gov.in/ or any other bus services available. You can also hire a private taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi. These taxis come at exorbitant prices.

By Rail

Kathgodam is the last railhead before Lohajung. Board Ranikhet Express from Delhi which reaches Kathgodam early in the morning. Or you can take Delhi Sampark Kranti which reaches Kathgodam in the night in case you want to stay the night.  

By Air

Pantnagar Airport is the closest to Lohajung at a distance of 256 km. There is one Air India flight running every day between Delhi and Pantnagar. It is suggested to make your bookings well in advance due to a low frequency of flights. In case you are flying to Pantnagar, take a taxi from the airport to Kathgodam and then take one of those shared jeeps to reach Lohajung.

Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?

Kathgodam is located in Nainital district of Uttrakhand. Nainital is 53 km from Kathgodam and can be reached by local buses. Nainital is a famous tourist spot in the mountains in visited by a lot of people all around the year. Naini Lake is the heart of Nainital where you can enjoy boating, yachting, and paddling. Perch on the Tiffin Top to enjoy the views of Nainital. Stroll at The Mall Road where you can buy some souvenirs from the trip.

Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?

One can expect full network till Wan Village and some points beyond this village. Garoli Patal is one point where you can expect reception. BSNL network connectivity is sparsely available through the trail till Patarnachauni.

Packing List: What to pack



Click here for packing list.

Eligibility: Requisite Skills

  • Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent.
  • Ascending & descending technique for mountain trails
  • Basic mountain mannerisms
  • Ascending & descending on snow
  • Basics of Mountain Sickness
  • Basics of Mountain Hazards
  • How to cross small water streams

Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?

The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.

Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?

When you arrive in Lohajung, your stay will be made at local guest house.The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email few days prior the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will be also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.

Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?

We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.

Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?

Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.

Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?

During the day, the temperature will range from 13-18 degrees Celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0-7 degrees Celsius. The higher the altitude you gain during Roopkund trek, the colder it gets. Refer this chart for Roopkund Temperature details: Roopkund Temperature

Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?

You can expect snows in the first season i.e. May-June. It is difficult to expect snow post monsoons in September when the Roopkund trek opens again for its second season. October is likely to receive fresh snowfall at higher altitudes if the climate is favorable.

Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?

You will be provided with good quality of gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.

Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?

If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.

Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?

A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.

Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?

Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.

Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?

Lohajung is a small town with a very small market. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.

Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?

Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.

Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?

Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.

Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?

You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.

Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?

Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes,and bread butter served in breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.

Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?

We have two pick-up points: ISBT, Tikonia Chowk in Haldwani and Railway station in Kathgodam. The dropping points remain the same.

Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?

Expect to reach Haldwani/Kathgodam late in the evening, post 17:00 - 18:00 Hrs. Make sure your bus bookings from these points to your respective destinations are late in the night, post 21:00 Hrs.

Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?

Roop kund trek best time is: May-June, September-October

Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?

Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?

Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?

ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.

About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?

Roopkund Trek - The Skeleton lake

One of the most popular treks of the country Roopkund takes you through alpine forests and meadows. The Roopkund lake is said to have skeletons dating hundreds of years. All along the Roopkund trail, you get amazing views of peaks like Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti. The beauty of the campsites of Roopkund trek is unmatched.


Why Bikat

Learning Experience
  • We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
  • We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
  • To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
  • These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs

Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.

  • Currently we have three levels:
  • Basic Membership
  • Summiteer Membership
  • Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
  • Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
  • Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
  • On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
  • Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
  • Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
  • Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
  • Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
  • We follow a rolling campsite model.
  • We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety

For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.

  • To ensure this:
  • Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
  • The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
  • Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
  • Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.

Reviews


What's Included

Whats Included

  • Food as per menu on the trek (starting with breakfast on Day 2 till Breakfast on Day 8)
  • Forest Permits/Camping Charges (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
  • Tents on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats
  • Micro-spikes, Helmets, and Gaiters, as required
  • Experienced Trek guide, cook, helpers
  • Porters or mules for carrying common luggage
  • Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification
  • 2 Nights Dormitory/Guest House Stay in Lohajung

Whats Not Included?

  • Meals during road journeys,if any
  • Meals duiring guest house stay (except the meals mentioned in Inclusions section)
  • Cost of any kind of travel insurance
  • Any expense of personal nature
  • Any expense not specified in the inclusion list.

Cancellation Policy

Cash Refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction

Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50% deduction

Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund

Voucher Refund

Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction

Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund

Please note
  • Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
  • This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.

Blog Posts

Certifications

Ministry of Tourism
Indian Mountaineering Foundation