Itinerary Description
Grade:
Moderate
Location:
India
Maximum Altitude:
0 mts
Duration:
9 Days
Introduction Roopkund Trek needs no introduction. Located at a height of 4786 meters, the mystical lake is the magnet that has pulled mountain lovers and adventure freaks into the world of trekking. It has everything - the most beautiful meadows, an alpine lake, dense forests, beautiful campsites, and gigantic views of the revered mountains like Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Trishul. But more than everything, it is the mystery of the skeletons lying at the bottom of Roopkund Lake that attracts the attention of mountaineers and trekkers. Within a few days, you go from 8,000 ft (2430 m) to 15,000 ft (4572 m) on this trek. The reward i.e., Roopkund Lake comes later. The excitement level remains high throughout the trek despite the challenges. If you're a trekker, Roopkund is an experience you do not want to miss. Best Time to Trek Roopkund trek provides small windows in the summer and autumn seasons i.e., May-June and September-October for trekking. The trail remains closed due to heavy snowfall and monsoon conditions. Summer: May is when you can expect the lake to be frozen. As we approach Roopkund, we would need crampons and an ice axe depending on the thickness of the ice. Come June, the meadows are in full bloom. Autumn: September-October offers clear skies and unobstructed views of the mountains. The lake is clear and you can spot the skeletons at the lake bottom. Difficulty Level Roopkund Trek is a strenuous trek that involves long distances, steep sections, and quick altitude gain. Hence, it is reserved for experienced trekkers. It is a high-altitude trek that requires prior experience in the mountains. You must be physically active and have a high level of fitness.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Haldwani (424 m)/Kathgodam (554 m) - Lohajung (2300 m): 220 km/10 hours
Day 2: Lohajung (2300 m) - Tolpani (2529 m):11 km/5-6 hours
Day 3: Tolpani (2529 m) - Patar Nachuni (3870 m) via Bedni Bugyal (3354 m): 12 km/8 hours
Day 4: Acclimatization Day
Day 5: Patar Nachuni (3870 m) - Bhagwabasa (4328 m): 4 km/4 hours
Day 6: Bhagwabasa (4328 m) - Roopkund (4800 m) - Patar Nachuni (3870 m): 16 km/
Day 7: Patar Nachuni (3870 m) - Lohajung (2300 m): 15 km/6.5 km
Day 8: Lohajung (2300 m) - Haldwani
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Haldwani (424 m)/Kathgodam (554 m) - Lohajung (2300 m): 220 km/10 hours
Assemble outside Haldwani bus stand or outside Kathgodham Railway Station to board transportation to Lohajung, a quiet town ahead of Almora and Kausani. Expect to reach Lohajung by supper time.
Day 2
Day 2: Lohajung (2300 m) - Tolpani (2529 m):11 km/5-6 hours
Trail: The trek begins from the isolated valley of Wan which takes you to a small stream called Neel Ganga. From this point onwards, it is a steep climb through dense forests before you reach the open meadows of Ali Bugyal. The trail passes through a remote village called Didna. Our campsite lies 1 km ahead of it.
Campsite: The campsite of Tolpani is surrounded by trees and offers front-row seats to mystical mountains.
Day 3
Day 3: Tolpani (2529 m) - Patar Nachuni (3870 m) via Bedni Bugyal (3354 m): 12 km/8 hours
Trail: Today is going to be a long day as we walk through the most beautiful twin meadows of the country - Ali and Bedni Bugyal. Prepare yourself for a two-hour steep climb to Ali Bugyal followed by the gentle trails of Bedni Bugyal.
Campsite: The campsite of Patar Nachuni is located at the foothill of a mountain.
Thrilling point: Make a stop at Bedni Kund where you will find a man-made stone structure right in the middle of a pond. Trekkers stop here to seek the blessings of the mountain gods. The views of Nanda Ghunti and Trishul keep you accompanied throughout the trail.
Day 4
Day 4: Acclimatization Day
Since we traveled a long distance and gained significant height the previous day, we will utilize this day to acclimate and rest. Soak in the views of mother nature and bask in the ambiance of lofty mountains. It is going to be a tough day tomorrow.
Day 5
Day 5: Patar Nachuni (3870 m) - Bhagwabasa (4328 m): 4 km/4 hours
Trail: It is the steepest section of the Roopkund trail. So, muster all energy you have to conquer the mountains. The stiff climb culminates at Kalu Vinayak Temple where you will be rewarded with enchanting views.
Campsite: The campsite of Bhagwabasa is downhill from Kalu Vinayak Temple. Since it is the highest campsite on the Roopkund trek, it gets windy at night. Make sure you wear enough layers to keep yourself warm.
Thrilling point: staggering panoramas of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti.
Milestone of the day: One can spot Roopkund lake from Kalu Vinayak Temple. It is also surprising to see a traditional stone temple at such an incredible height. Locals believe it has been there for centuries.
Day 6
Day 6: Bhagwabasa (4328 m) - Roopkund (4800 m) - Patar Nachuni (3870 m): 16 km/
Trail: it is the most challenging day of the trek with, of course, high dividends. The 4 km uphill battle to Roopkund can leave you out of breath. From this point, you will have to walk 250 meters downhill to get to the mysterious skeleton lake. If time permits, we can also visit Junargali Pass, a 45-minute climb from Roopkund
Campsite: After spending some time by the lake, we will walk back to Patar Nachuni which is a long hike.
Thrilling point: Once you reach Roopkund, you can see the 300 skeletons lying at the bottom of the lake. The mystery of the human skeletons still baffles scientists. It is a sight that one cannot easily forget.
Caution: The air is thin around the lake. So, you may experience difficulty in breathing. Please inform your trek leader for proactive assistance.
Day 7
Day 7: Patar Nachuni (3870 m) - Lohajung (2300 m): 15 km/6.5 km
We retrace our steps to Wan village where the transportation to Lohajung will be waiting for us. If time permits, we can take a small break at Neer Ganga and dip into its refreshing waters,
Day 8
Day 8: Lohajung (2300 m) - Haldwani
We check out of the guest house in Lohajung and drive back to Haldwani. It will be dark by the time we get there. So, you are advised to make your flight or train booking for the day after.
WHAT'S 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
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- ●Meals during road journeys, if any
- ●Meals during guest house stay (except the meals mentioned in Inclusions sect
- ●Cost of any kind of travel insurance
- ●Any expense of personal nature
- ●Any expense not specified in the inclusion list.
- ●Transportation from Haldwani/Kathgodam to Lohajung & back to Haldwani/Kathgo
Are you eligible for this adventure?
Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to a height of 4,130M and is rated a moderate level trek for its long trekking distances. For its elevation and distances, it is recommended for trekkers with some prior experience in the high-altitudes.
Grade
Moderate
Max Altitude
0 mts
Distance
54 km
WIMRS Level Required
Terrain
Prerequisite Skills
Fitness Benchmark
WIMRS Level Required
WIMRS 4
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a level 4 adventure on the Bikat Rating Scale.
This makes it mandatory for you to have high-altitude experience of preferably multiple treks marked at level 3 on the WIMRS. The altitude, the terrain, and the nature of the climb demand a certain level of endurance and a need for you to be aware of how your body reacts to the various features of the high-altitude environment.
If you do not know what level of WIMRS trek would suit you best, worry not! Fill out this Form:
We will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.
Packing List
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
🟩 Trekking Gear
- Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
- . Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
- Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
- U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1*
- Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each*
🟩 Footwear
- Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle with water resistant trekking shoes Qty -1
- Pair of light weight Crocks/Sandals Qty -1
🟩 Clothing
- Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty – 2*
- Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
- Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
- Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
- Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
- Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
- Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
- Rain wear (Poncho/ Jacket & Pants) . Qty-1
- Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
- Woolen cap. Qty-1
- Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1
🟩 Toiletries
- Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
- Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 (Minimum SPF 30)
- Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1
🟩 Miscellaneous
- Camera (Optional)
- Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
- Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)
Here are a couple of tutorials on What & How to pack your rucksack for your upcoming trek from our experts:
Note-
- *For long trek please carry one spare sunglass
- *In winter trek please try to carry one hot water bottle
- * For long and winter trek to carry warm pent one pair
Frequently Asked Questions
Roopkund Trek in Uttarakhand is a moderate plus level trek i.e. it requires more strength and endurance than easy and moderate level treks. It is a high altitude trek climbing to the height of 5,029 metres. Therefore, it is recommended that you first gain experience of trekking to altitudes of 3000 metres, and then move up a notch with Roopkund Trek.
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.
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
Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
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
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.
Roop kund trek best time is: May-June, September-October
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack.
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.?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lohajung is a small town with a very small market. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
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.
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.
We have two pick-up points: ISBT, Tikonia Chowk in Haldwani and Railway station in Kathgodam. The dropping points remain the same.
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.
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
Why Wanderin Man?
(SET- Safety, Expertise & Trust )
Safety
- ●Small Group Size in the ratio of 6:1 (participant to leader)
- ●No compromise on safety and sustainability promise
- ●Experienced and Certified Mountaineering Professional Leaders
- ●Region Mapped with Emergency Evacuation Plan
- ●Certified Standard Equipment by UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation certification) & other Similar Bodies
- ●Minimized Risk Management Standard Operating Procedure are applied for every Trek and tour
- ●Certified First Aid Support and Doctors* with constant availability of Safety Equipments like Medical Kit, Rescue Kit
- ●Constant communication is aided with the help of Communication Devices
- ●Certified and registered Transporter for transportation purpose
Expertise
- ●Founders of the company have extensive experience of 15 years having organized 8k+ peak expeditions.
- ●Under the umbrella of Wanderin’ Man Adventures 15+ adventure activities Programs have been organized
- ●Founders have mountaineering certifications from the esteemed mountaineering institutes of India.
- ●Team is composed of experienced mountaineers and trek leaders with thorough understanding of norms and procedures.
Trust
- ●Trust has been the hallmark of our company since its inception be it any program on the list.
- ●Special emphasis is laid on the use of standard procedures and equipments as per the mountaineering norms
- ●95% of our clients have availed our service on repeat basis.
- ●Our business has expanded primarily based on the “word of mouth” from our existing clients to new ones
What Our Customers Say
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund (All events including Friendship Peak Expedition except other Mountaineering Expeditions) - Cash refunds are only available for bookings made without any discounts, such as promotional codes or dynamic discounts. Additionally, cash refunds are not available for shifted batch bookings or if the booking status is "Booked". The amount of the refund will be determined based on the following guidelines:
Cancellations made up to 45 days before the departure date
Cancellations made up to 31 days before the departure date
Cancellations made between 30 and 21 days before the departure date
Cancellations made between 20 and 11 days before the departure date
Cancellations made less than 11 days before the departure date are not eligible for a cash refund.
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