AB
Abhishree B
2024-06-17
“The landscape changes from thick forests to beautiful meadows to rocky terrain to snow covered mountains. Weather changes at every step you gain.”
Roopkund Trek
Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
“A high-altitude mystery trek through Ali and Bedni Bugyal to the legendary Skeleton Lake beneath Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.”
Altitude
16499 ft
Duration
8 Days
Difficulty
Moderate to Hard
Best time
May – Jun Sep – Oct
Standout Experiences
- The landscape changes dramatically: oak and rhododendron forests give way to Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal, then to the rocky, snow-prone terrain above Bhagwabasa.
- At Kalu Vinayak, a small Ganesha shrine marks the steep climb out of the meadows and opens the view towards Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.
- Roopkund is unlike an ordinary Himalayan lake: its small glacial basin carries the mystery of ancient human remains discovered around its shores.
- Junargali brings you close to the great peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, with the Roopkund basin directly below the ridge.
Overview
Updated 18 Aug 2026
- Walk across Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal, two vast high-altitude meadows with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti rising beyond them.
- Reach the mysterious Roopkund Lake at roughly 4,800–5,000 m, a small glacial lake famous for its ancient human remains.
- Climb past Kalu Vinayak and Bhagwabasa, where the green meadow trail gives way to loose rock, snow and thin high-altitude air.
- Stand beneath the huge faces of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti at Junargali, one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the route.
Trek essentials
Max altitude
16,499 ft
Duration
8 Days
Total distance
53 km
Elevation gain
7,999 ft
Trek type
Loop
Starting point
Lohajung
Trail type
Forest, alpine meadow, rocky and snow terrain
Average cost (indicative)
₹15,000–₹18,500 per person for the trek package, typically plus 5% GST; transport may be extra. Current 2026 advertised prices include ₹14,900–₹18,500 depending on operator and inclusions.
Temp. range (°C)
-10°C to 20°C
Snow months
May–June at higher elevations; snow can persist into early season
Rain risk
High during July–August monsoon; landslides and slippery trails can affect the Lohajung approach
Best season
Mid-April–June and September–mid-November; May–June gives more snow at high camps, while September–October generally offers clearer skies.
Highest point
Junargali Pass, approximately 5,029 m / 16,500 ft; Roopkund Lake itself is approximately 4,800 m / 15,750 ft.
Current status
Open again in 2026 after the Supreme Court of India set aside the 2018 high-altitude bugyal camping restriction on 20 July 2026.
Trek Route
Detailed Itinerary
holiday_villageStayHomestay
signal_cellular_altDataPartial
boltPowerAvailable
- Leave Rishikesh around 5–6 AM for the long 10–11 hour mountain drive to Lohajung; keep breakfast and lunch flexible because the road winds deep into the Garhwal hills.
- The road climbs through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag, following river valleys and passing major confluences before turning into narrower mountain roads.
- Expect forested slopes, terraced villages and occasional Himalayan views through the bends; as you near Lohajung, Nanda Ghunti becomes one of the striking peaks on the horizon.
- Reach Lohajung around 5–7 PM depending on road conditions, settle into the guesthouse/base camp and use the evening to check your backpack, water and warm layers.
Packing List
Must Have
Trekking Boots
layers
3-Layer Clothes
backpack
50L Backpack
water_drop
Hydration
timeline
Trekking Pole
ac_unit
Down Jacket
back_hand
Gloves
Woolen Socks
lightbulb
Headlamp
thermostat
Thermal Layers
medical_services
First Aid Kit
battery_charging_full
Power Bank
front_hand
Winter Gloves
directions_walk
Trek Gaiters
Good to Have
photo_camera
Action Cam
water_full
Hydration Bladder
checkroom
Quick-dry Towel
directions_walk
Trek Gaiters
thermostat
Thermal Layers
Technical Overview
terrain
Forest to Alpine Snow
The trail changes character almost every day. Lower sections wind through oak and rhododendron forest with leaf-covered dirt, bridges and stream crossings, then open into the huge Ali and Bedni Bugyals. Above Patar Nachauni the ground becomes rockier and more exposed, while the Bhagwabasa–Roopkund section can involve boulders, snow, ice and steep switchbacks.
info
A Serious High-Altitude Finish
The trek rises from roughly 2,300–2,400 m at Lohajung to around 4,800 m at Roopkund, with the optional Junargali ridge reaching about 5,029 m. The final ascent is physically demanding because the trail becomes steep and rocky while the air is much thinner. Proper acclimatization, slow pacing and close monitoring for altitude symptoms are essential.
ac_unit
Fast-Changing Mountain Weather
Weather can change quickly once the route climbs above the tree line. Summer daytime temperatures can be comfortable in the lower sections but drop sharply at the upper camps, with wind making conditions feel colder. Snow patches are common around the high camps in May and June, while monsoon rain can make the approach roads and lower trails slippery and unstable.
info
Forests and Great Himalayan Meadows
The lower trail passes through dense oak, rhododendron, maple and deodar forests, where Himalayan birds can often be heard even when wildlife stays hidden. Above the tree line, the landscape opens dramatically into Ali and Bedni Bugyal, with sweeping grassland and seasonal alpine flowers. Clear days bring strong views of Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Chaukhamba and Neelkanth.
When to Visit
local_florist
Snowy High-Altitude Spring
May – Jun
Lower forests and meadows begin opening up, while the upper trail around Bhagwabasa and Roopkund can still hold deep snow. The final climb is cold, demanding and highly dependent on the year's snowfall and current route conditions.
calendar_today
Wet Meadow Season
Jul – Aug
The bugyals turn intensely green, but monsoon rain can bring slippery trails, cloud, leeches on lower forest sections and unstable mountain weather. The traditional high-altitude route also requires careful checking of current access and camping restrictions.
calendar_today
Clear Mountain Views
Sep – Oct
Early autumn is valued for clearer skies and strong views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, while the upper route remains cold and can receive fresh snow. Nights around the highest camps can fall well below freezing.
ac_unit
Deep Snow and Closed High Route
Nov – Apr
The high Roopkund route becomes a serious winter environment, with snow and freezing temperatures covering the upper trail for long periods. This is not the normal season for attempting the traditional Roopkund crossing.
Other Information
Logistics & inclusions
- check_circleReach Lohajung by road from Rishikesh or Kathgodam. Current operator itineraries put the Rishikesh–Lohajung drive at roughly 250–270 km and about 10–11 hours, normally starting around 5–6 AM.
- check_circleLohajung is the main base village, with guesthouse accommodation, small shops and mobile network. Keep a buffer because mountain-road delays can affect both the approach and return.
- check_circleThe classic route uses camps at Gehroli Patal, Ali/Bedni Bugyal, Patar Nachauni and Bhagwabasa, with Lohajung accommodation before and after the trek.
- check_circleOffloading by mule or porter is available through organised operators, but availability and weight limits vary. Indiahikes currently lists a 9 kg offload limit.
- check_circleCarry original identification and copies. Current organised operators require participant information for obtaining local permissions and trek permits.
Permits
Required: Yes
Current organised-operator procedures require local/forest permissions for the Roopkund route, with participant identity details submitted for the permission process. The 2018 camping restriction was lifted by the Supreme Court on 20 July 2026, allowing trekking operations to resume, but trekkers must still follow current Uttarakhand Forest Department and local authority rules. Exact permit/forest-fee amounts are not consistently published and should be confirmed with the operator before departure.
Safety
Risks
- Acute Mountain Sickness and more serious altitude illness above 3,000 m, with the greatest concern around Patar Nachauni, Bhagwabasa and the Roopkund/Junargali section.
- Steep, loose and rocky terrain, snow and ice patches, exposed slopes and difficult footing on the summit approach.
- Rapid weather changes including hail, thunderstorms, snowfall, strong winds, cold exposure and poor visibility.
- Landslides, road blockages and delays on the long mountain approach to Lohajung, particularly during or after heavy rain.
- Remote terrain and slow evacuation in the event of a serious injury or medical emergency.
Precautions
- Build fitness before the trek and do not treat the route as a beginner-level easy walk; the upper sections are genuinely strenuous.
- Ascend slowly, hydrate regularly and report headache, nausea, unusual fatigue, dizziness, breathing difficulty or worsening symptoms immediately to the trek leader.
- Start the Roopkund summit day very early, carry adequate warm layers and use microspikes/gaiters when snow or ice conditions require them.
- Do not attempt Junargali in poor visibility, high wind, fresh snowfall or unstable snow conditions.
- Carry a personal first-aid kit, headlamp, water-treatment backup and power bank; stay with the group in exposed or high-altitude sections.
- Follow the current permit, camping, waste-management and Forest Department instructions exactly because the route has only recently reopened after an eight-year restriction.
Emergency
Lohajung is the principal road-access base for the trek, while the upper route has limited medical infrastructure and difficult evacuation. Organised operators should carry first-aid and emergency equipment and have an evacuation plan; confirm the operator's current emergency protocol, insurance coverage and local evacuation arrangements before departure.
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roopkund Trek difficult for beginners?expand_more
What is the best time to do the Roopkund Trek?expand_more
How do I reach the Roopkund Trek from Delhi or Haridwar?expand_more
Is there snow on the Roopkund Trek in May and June?expand_more
Why is Roopkund called Skeleton Lake?expand_more
Is the Roopkund Trek currently open and permitted?expand_more
Roopkund vs Brahmatal: which trek is better?expand_more
What makes the Roopkund Trek special?expand_more