Roopkund: The Mystery Lake Trek (Uttarakhand) - 5025 Mtrs

 

TRIP DETAILS

Roopkund is a mountain lake, lying in the Garhwal Himalayas in the Chamoli district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand.Situated at a high altitude, the lake remains frozen almost throughout the year. Roopkund is also called the 'Mystery Lake', or the 'Skeletal Lake', on account of the several hundred human skeletons found scattered in and around the lake. 

The Roopkund Trek is to a Himalayan trekker what the movie 'Sholay' is to a hardcore Bollywood buff. Just like Sholay is the complete Bollywood entertainer (it has action, drama, comedy, romance), Roopkund is the quintessential Himalayan trek. This trek has snowcaps, meadows, lakes, forests, folklore; and yes, it has an intriguing flashback too.

A Forest Officer stumbled upon these skeletons in the year 1942, and this surprising discovery triggered a series of visits from scientists from all over the world who wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery. A lot of research went into finding out how so many skeletons came to exist near this lake, and eventually it was concluded that these skeletons belonged to a group of pilgrims, who were caught unprepared in a hailstorm( somewhere around AD850 ). The hailstones were as big as cricket balls, and with no shelter in site, they succumbed to injuries on their skulls. National Geographic aired a story regarding this lake, which made the lake a popular destination among trekkers. Aside from all this myth and mystery around the trek, the Roopkund Trek is the perfect route to showcase the surreal Himalayan beauty;and it the perfect trek to initiate you into high altitude treks. The trek starts from Lohajung, situated at an elevation of 3200 meters, and after gradually trekking uphill for 5 days you will reach Roopkund which lies at approximately 5000 meters above sea-level.

There are two time windows in a year when you can do this trek – once after winter from mid-May to mid-June, and once post monsoon during September and October. You can choose the post-winter variant if you want to have some fun with snow, or you can choose the post-monsoon variant if you want to stroll through lush green Himalayan meadows. Whatever the season, the weather in the mountains is delicately balanced, and can go from sunny to cloudy in minutes. This adds another dimension to the adventure, and you should be equipped with wind and water proof clothing to face these weather changes.

The route followed on the Roopkund trek overlaps with a pilgrimage which occurs every year, called the Raj Jat Yatra. This festive pilgrimage is held each year to worship goddess Nanda Devi, and people from several villages of the Kumaon and Garhwal participate in this Yatra. This Yatra starts from a small village 'Nauti' near Karnaprayag, and goes beyond Roopkund to Homkund. If you are lucky enough to be on the trek during this Yatra, you will meet a lot of locals dressed in their traditional attire participating in the festival. Meeting these welcoming and warm-hearted people will be an unforgettable encounter. The Roopkund trek is a most enriching experience for the body and the soul. This time spent amidst the mountains will remove the cob-webs from your mind and will thoroughly rejuvenate you.

• Trip Name: Roopkund Trek
• Destination: Uttarakhand
• Grade: Moderate
• Best Time: June to September
• Duration: 13 Days (Delhi to Delhi)
• Trip Cost: USD - On request (Min 2 Pax on Twin Sharing) & USD - On request (Min 2 Pax on single occupancy)
• Maximum Altitude: 5025 Mtrs
• Highlights: Truishul massif, Nanda Gunti Peak, City of Temple –Haridwar, Yoga Capital of World – Rishikesh, Bedani Bugyal (one of the meadows in the Asia), Auli Bugyal lake at Roopkund.
• Activities: Trekking, Camping, Photography

ROOPKUND TREK BRIEF ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive Delhi and transfer to Hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Drive to Rishikes (225Kms) via Haridwar. Rishikesh is known as “Gateway to Himalaya” and centre of Yoga & Meditation.

Day 3: Drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung (258 Kms) via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag.

Day 4: Start the trek from Lohajung to Didana (10 Kms). Trek along the River and cross it near Didana Village for camping.

Day 5: Trek to Bedni Bugyal via Ali Bugyal (5-6Kms)

Day 6: Trek to Bhaguabasa via Bistola and Kailu Binayak (9Kms/4-5 Hrs)

Day 7: Round trek to Roopkund (12 Kms Up & Down). Situated below the Jurighati Dhar, this beautiful lake is known as “mystery lake” after some gigantic human skeletons are found here in the lake. The skeletons are still visible during summers when the water is clear and not frozen.

Day 8: Start return trek. Turn right and descend down towards Bhuna Village (4-5 Hrs)

Day 9: Trek to Sital (4-5Hrs). Trek is mostly downhill following a packed mule track.

Day 10: Trek to Ghat (8Kms) and drive further to Rudraprayag (29 Kms)

Day 11: Drive to Rishikesh (164 Kms). Enjoy ‘Ganga Arti’ in the evening.

Day 12: Drive to Delhi (225 Kms) and transfer to the Hotel.

Day 13: Fly to onward destination from Delhi international airport.