Roopkund trek

Nestled in the Chamoli district of Garhwal in Uttarakhand lies a lake of mysteries and unknown wonders, Roopkund at an altitude of over 15000ft, is the origin of many stories and adventures. This forever frozen lake, surrounded by glaciers and tall snow-capped mountains, is a lock-box of many mysteries and untold stories and, at the same time, is the millennia-old icy graveyard to many forgotten souls.

Roopkund, or the “Lake of Skeletons,” gets named after the hundreds of human remains that remain buried in their snowy cascade to date and can be seen when the snow melts. With an estimated over 700 skeletal remains dating back to the 9^th century AD, Roopkund guards a piece of history in its frosty clutches that might never be fully deciphered. But the mystery only begins there. Upon analysis and carbon dating of 38 bodies, it was found that the human remains did not belong to one group exclusively. Data showed that some of the humans died 1000 years apart, rooting out the event of a single catastrophe. Genetic study shows one of the groups to resemble the present-day south Asian population while others closely share a lineage to Greeks. The south-Asian population also has its own diversity, with some having ancestry from the north of the subcontinent and some sharing lineage from the south. Many stories go around about the origins of these frozen people, and some say they are remains to an Indian royal family and their attendants who fell victim to a hellish blizzard, while others speculate they are remains of Indian soldiers who went to invade Tibet. There is also folklore popular in the villages about how Goddess Nanda Devi created a hail storm for anyone who dared to venture past the frozen lake. Yet another possible answer could be that it was a burial site of the victims of an epidemic, or the most likely answer can be that they are the remains of pilgrims but then again, how did the people from eastern meditation lineage end up in Roopkund. Who were these people? Did they travel here in different groups at different periods? How did they die? These are some questions one ponders upon seeing the perished, sometimes even with the flesh preserved in their crystal coffins.

As mysterious as Roopkund is, it is equally beautiful. Popular not only in India but also abroad, Roopkund is a one-of-a-kind mesmerizing destination located at the base of 2 grand Himalayan peaks, Nandghungti and Trishul. The Roopkund trek seems like a natural gift to people with the spirit of adventure, having the perfect balance of ethereal beauty and enigmatic mystery.

The trek to Roopkund is equally mesmerizing, with century-old Cypress trees welcoming you as the journey starts from Wan; the trek takes you through a trail by the river to the ascent along the windy trails amidst great oaks and beautiful Rhododendron trees. From hearing the burble of flowing rivers to the rustle of dry leaves, the journey rejuvenates your senses as you hike among the beautiful flora of Himalayan rose, pear, and walnuts. If you listen closely to the beautiful bird songs, you are sure to catch a glimpse of some magpies and flycatchers. With drifting clouds above and acres of lush green meadows ahead, the journey truly entraps the serenity of mother nature.

Summer (May-June):   The temperatures will be not as cold (ranging from 10 to 20 ˚C in the day and 0 to -2 ˚C in the night), but the weather will be windy, and one might expect a lot of snow in this beautiful spot.

Autumn (September-October):  Clear views and stary skies are the highlights of this season. Although the temperatures will get colder (10 to 15 ˚C in the day and -4 to -6 ˚C in the night), the climate will be less windy, and there will be less snow and more lush green meadows. The Roopkund remains thawed, and the carpet of the snow lightens, giving you a better view of the skeletons in their crystal cascades.    

Both seasons have their own charm, but you should be prepared for sudden weather changes as the weather tends to be fickle in these high altitudes.

Gharoli: Gharoli is surrounded by dense forests and offers spectacular views of Mt. Trishul and a few other high mountain summits. From the campgrounds in Gharoli Patal, Mt. Trishul appears to be absolutely stunning. The early morning view might easily bring a tear to your eye. Roopkund is truly breathtaking, with its combination of green meadows and azure sky as far as the eye can see.

Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda: One of the most breathtaking vistas this place has to offer is Mount Trishul and Mount Nanda Ghunti over all their splendor. They protrude from the surface, and you can see their entire face, including the 6,000-7,000 feet of Mt Trishul just in front of you. Imagine the magnificence as the sun sets on it. Soft, lush grassland carpets the trail to Bedni Bugyal. Another feature of the Roopkund lake hike is camping in Bedni Bugyal and walking in the Garhwal Himalayas, seeing the dusk reflection of sunlight on the Trishul Mountain top.

Roopkund Lake: Roopkund is a fascinating lake nestled in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand’s interior. This high-altitude glacial lake in Uttarakhand is located in the shadow of the Trishul massif. The region around the lake, which is located in the Himalayas and is about at the height of 5,020 meters, is desolate and bordered by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad peaks.

Neelganga: A river called Neelganga will be crossed on the Wan to Gharoli Patal Trail. After crossing this river, the trail gets steeper and leads to ridges where we can stop for tea. River Neel Ganga flows peacefully through a valley near Kulling, and its main attraction is its crystal-clear water. Trekkers are frequently spotted taking a break before continuing on to locations in the region’s top reaches of the mountains.

Bedni Kund: Bedni Kund is a portion of the Bedni Bugyal alpine meadows that cover 20 square kilometers in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. This is the alleged location where the goddess defeated Mahishasura.

Confirmation policy

• Email on booking@meandmountain.com or WhatsApp on +91-9051055011 the following details: Name of the participant(s), Name of the event, Date of the event, Email address (Note: This is not the Enrolment form) and proceed with the online payment either via the payment link shared via WhatsApp or the payment section on the website.
• Mode of payment: only online
• The participants will receive the Confirmation email and Ticket via email within 48 hours.
• Ater the confirmation, you will need to send the dully filled, signed and scanned forms (Enrolment, Medical & Self-declaration) to booking@meandmountain.com, before commencement of the expedition.
• The forms can be downloaded from the links below or ‘FORMS’ section in the home page.
• It is mandatory for all the participants to submit all 3 forms before the expedition, in absence of which Me and Mountain shall have a full right to deny the entry of that participant to the particular expedition.

Cancellation policy

• Cancellation done any time after the booking of the event shall be adjusted in any event later with ‘Me And Mountain Global Adventures Pvt Ltd’ only via Adjustment voucher. The Adjustment voucher will be valid for 1 year from the date of the event cancelled.
• Refer the section on Cancellation/Refund Policy for the detail cancellation policy.

Discontinuation policy

• In an event of a participant deciding on discontinuing the event mid-way due to any circumstance other than medical condition requiring emergency evacuation, he/she will require to do so by signing the ‘Discontinuation form’ after which he/she is set to go on own. In such situation the participant will neither be eligible for the Refund or the Adjustment voucher.

Our trek starts from Wan which is an hour’s drive away from Lohajung. Reaching Lohajung:

By Road

There are overnight buses from Delhi to Kathgodam. Then there are buses/cabs from Kathgodam to Lohajung.  Alternatively, you might get a direct bus from Rishikesh to Lohajung.

By Air

The nearest airport to Lohajung is Pantnagar and you need to book a cab from Pantnagar to reach Lohajung.

By Train

There are overnight trains from Delhi to Kathgodam. You will have to take a bus or hire a cab from Kathgodam for a further journey to Lohajung.