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Roopkund Lake Trek

One of the most challenging and the most celebrated trekking in the Garhwal Himalayan ranges are the famous Roopkund Trek. Roopkund is actually a beautiful crystal clear Himalayan lake, located on the lap of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. A trek to Roopkund is being termed as the most mysterious treks in Garhwal Himalayas due to the presence of some kinds of mysterious skeletons of any group that exist there since ancient ages. It could be some kind of natural calamity or the curse of God (what people speculate), the troop of the king of Kannauj had been died at this spot which attracts many trekkers here.

The starting point of the Roopkund Trek is Debal and the lake is located on the Nanda Jat route to Hemkund. The Roopkund Lake is a shallow lake with the depth of only 2 meters, where the human skeletons can be easily visible at its bottom. Roopkund is the destination of a religious event in Garhwal called the Nanda Jaat yatra which repeats in every 12 year. Thousands of people participate in this event, and many devotees continue their journey to Roopkund. In the month of September the mystery lake of Roopkund melts for about a fortnight or so, yielding its dark secrets. This astonishing lake is being surrounded by snow capped Trishul peaks of Himalayas.

The Roopkund Trek is one of the most impressive treks to find a group of attractive peaks of the Himalayas all around. All through the strenuous journey, the trekkers can find the bountiful attractions of captivating peaks like Bander Pooch Peaks, Haathi Parvat, Chaukhambha Peaks and the mighty Trishul peaks. All these environs are completely placid with snow bound rugged areas and the trekkers can get a hint of finding themselves at Lord Shiva’s true abode at the Himalayan peaks where the presence of the number of large and small temples of Lord Shiva are the best examples for it while experiencing the Roopkund Lake trekking tours.

Equally the Shivling Base Camp and the Baghu Basa area can be the perfect location for camping while trekking at Roopkund.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Delhi - Haridwar - Srinagar (125 kms/4-5 hrs)
In the morning catch an AC Train from New Delhi station at 06:55 hrs. Arrival at Haridwar by 11:25 hrs and then drive towards Srinagar. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2 Srinagar - Karnprayag - Wan (2200 mts /7200 ft) (170 kms/6-7 hrs)
The day starts with a beautiful drive along the river Ganges. Enroute visit the famous Prayags (confluences) of historic as well as religious importance. Devprayag is the most pristine as its the place where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form most revered Ganges. Continue to drive further via Rudraprayag and Karanprayag to reach Wan by evening. Dinner and overnight stay in tents/tourist rest house.

Day 3 Wan - Bedni Bugyal (3350 mts/11000 ft) (10 Km/ 4-5 hrs)
The day starts with the beautiful walk through the village of Wan. The school kids, farmers ploughing their fields, women with their cattles is common sight while passing through the village to the ridge of Rankiyadhar. From here the frontiers of the village ceases and the trail descends to the river Neelganga. After the river crossing its a steep climb through the dense forest of Rhododendron and Oak to Gairoli Patal. The trail still continues to climb to the ridge top called Dolia Dhar which is marked with a temple. From here there is a bifurcation to the Ali meadows. After this the trail traverses on the left and slightly climbs to the meadows at Bedni, probably one of the best camping sites in the Garhwal Himalayas. Overnight stay in tents. Bedni Bugyal Bedni Bugyal is a charming green meadow adorned with flowers in a spell binding varieties, in full bloom. There is a small lake called Bedni Kund situated in the midst of the meadow, where Tarpans are offered by the devotees. Situated nearby is a small temple where the devotees pay their obeisance, during their halt at Bedni Bugyal. The peaks of Nanda Ghunti, Trishul are real sites to admire.

Day 4 Bedni Bugyal
Rest day for acclimatization/exploration. Overnight in tents.

Day 5 Bedni Bugyal - Bagubassa (4100 mts/13450 ft) (8 km/ 4-5 hrs)
The trail from Bedni continues to climb gradually on the true left of the valley to the ridge at the end of the meadow. The peak of Nanda Ghunti and Trishul are real sites during this hike. From here the trail moves on to the true right of the valley and becomes almost flat until it reaches Patar Nachaniya. From here the trail ascends steeply to reach the top of the ridge marked with the Temple of Ganesha. After this its a kilometer walk to reach Bagubassa. The campsite at Bagubassa is marked with rocky structures. Bagua means flowery park and Basa means place. And rightly the place was full of variety of flowers including the rare Bhram Kamal, a special godly lotus found at only and between the altitudes of 14000 - 15000 ft. Overnight in the tents.

Day 6 Bagubassa - Roopkund (4450 mts/14600 ft) - Bedni Bugyal (7-8 hrs)
The trail from Bagubassa is prominent as it gradually passes through delightful alpine pasture lands offering magnificent views of the Trishul, Nanda Ghunti and Badrinath peaks. On the later part the trail becomes steep until you reach the lake. When there is no snow one can see human skeletons remains with flesh attached to it. These remains have been preserved in the alpine condition for centuries. It is believed that these are the remains of about 300 persons who died about 500 -600 years ago. Later start retracing your steps towards Bedni Bugyal. Overnight in the tents.

Day 7 Bedni Bugyal - Wan (10 km/ 3-4 hrs)
The trek from Bedni to Wan is real fun. The walk is maximum downhill gives an opportunity to enjoy forest trail. This will take 3-4 hrs. Overnight in the tents.

Day 8 Wan - Rishikesh (270 km/ 10 hrs approximately)
After an early breakfast drive to Rishikesh. Lunch enroute. Arrival at Rishikesh by evening. Upon arrival check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9 Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Early in the morning transfer to Haridwar railway station and from here catch an AC train for Delhi at 06:30 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 11:50 hrs. Trip and services ends.