Roop Kund Trek

Junargali. Its 16000 feet. Snow all around. The cold is freezing. The air is thin. Breathing is hard.
Wispy clouds hang in the air; so close you feel you can almost touch them. And there in the distance,
the great Mount Trishul rises. Its a majestic sight. The snow-capped peaks set against the backdrop
of the piercing blue sky quite literally takes your breath away. And in that moment, it all comes
together. The breathlessness, the beauty, the feeling of wonderment that makes the world a much
better place. And the best part? It doesnt stop there. A little way behind the ridge lies the lake Roop
Kund. Another magisterial sight, the blue of the lake standing out in stark contrast to the white of the
snow. And one brilliant vista after another is what the Roop Kund Trek is. In this most incredible of
treks, set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, transverse wallpaper-worthy meadows, babbling
brooks, ancient oak forests and of course, snow to have the adventure of a lifetime.

The amazement that is the Roop Kund Trek

To say that the Roop Kund Trek is amazing is in itself a gross understatement. This intermediate trek,
going from about 8000 feet all the way up to 16000 feet features some of the most attractive sights
you are likely to encounter anywhere within the country. Read on to find out what makes the Roop
Kund trek what it is.

Some of the many reasons to go on the Roop Kund Trek

The locations visited on the Roop Kund Trek are some of the most beautiful out there. Whilst on the
trek, members will encounter the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal. These are supremely
manicured and a pleasure to experience barefoot, with the soft grass digging into your feet. The
sunset at the Bedni camp is a sight to behold. Further on is where it gets snowy and the sense of
adventure really hits you. The climb continues on to finally reach the main attraction, the Roop Kund
Lake. And it finally culminates at Junargali, where you will witness the majesty of the twin Himalayan
peaks of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. All in all, a magnificent trek, full of magnificent sights
that quite literally take your breath away. This trek is ideal for people looking for an adventure in a
truly alpine setting.

Roop Kund Trek Itinerary

- The trek in a nutshell: This trek, as mentioned, is an intermediate trek and not exactly
suitable for beginners, given the altitude and the climb. The trek goes from the base camp at
Lohajung at 8000 feet all the way up to Junargali, set at about 16000 feet. The entire course
is transversed over a period of 8 days, with 7 days of ascent and 1 day of descent. The Roop
Kund itinerary below will break down the entire trek in detail. Being of moderate difficulty,
this trek requires a certain modicum of physical preparation, which will be highlighted below.
It is not recommended for complete beginners since certain sections of the trek, especially in
the alpine region get tricky. The physical preparation for the trek is further highlighted below.
Read on to get detailed information about the Roop Kund Trek itinerary.
- Standard itinerary in detail
o Day 1: The trip starts with the basecamp. The basecamp is located at Lohajung,
Uttarakhand. It is located some distance away from the Kathgodam railway Station.
Kathgodam can be reached via train from Delhi or by bus. You can take a flight or the
train to reach Delhi from Bangalore. Lohajung is reached by road transport from
Kathgodam. There is a shop available that sells few trekking items such as jackets,
gloves etc. but it is unadvisable to rely on it for your trekking needs. The village itself
offers some highly picturesque views. The rest of the day is spent at Lohajung itself
before the trek begins the next day.
o Day 2: The trek begins with a short journey via car from Lohajung to the forests of
Wan. Wan is located at an altitude of about 8000 feet and the trek starts here. The
trial goes through beautiful forests bustling with ancient oaks and rhododendrons.
The days trek ends at the Didina village, where you will rest for the night. This day
also offers the first view of Mount Trishul in the distance.
o Day 3: This days journey is pure visual nirvana. The climb takes you through more
oak forests, with Mount Trishul hanging tall in the background. As the trek
culminates for the day, the forests give way to the beautiful meadow that is Ali
Bugyal. Bask in the beauty of it and continue on to the view that will possible rival
the one you just witnessed earlier- Bedni Bugyal. The entourage will camp here for
the night. Savour what is possibly the most amazing of campsites. This camp is set at
about 11000 feet.
o Day 4: Given the quick ascent from 8000 to 11000 feet, there is not much of a climb
on this day as the trekkers get acclimatised to the conditions. This day is spent in the
meadows, which shine in all their glory. It makes for a wonderful day of sight seeing
and taking photographs. Too many Instagram worthy scenes are on display here!
o Day 5: This days trek moves out of the meadows and into the mountains. Mount
Trishul and Nanda Ghunti follow you in the distance. The anticipation of adventure
hangs heavy as the setting gets more alpine with each passing minute. This
excitement, coupled with the scenic transition from meadow to mountain makes for
a truly brilliant day of trek. The trek ends at about 12000 feet on this day.
o Day 6: Its here! The snow, the cold, the adventure! The altitude climbs quickly on
this day of the trek. The air is much thinner than what you have experienced thus far
on the trip. The mountains in the distance frame the entire climb. Eventually, you
reach Bhagwabasa where the sight is simply marvellous to behold. At this point, you
are higher up than the clouds! It makes for a truly surreal sight. The clouds
alternatively hide and reveal the twin peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. The next
day awaits, bringing with it the most exhilarating climb of all- right up to Roop Kund.
You can almost feel the excitement coursing through your veins.
o Day 7: Its the big adventure day! This is the day you brave through the snow and the
steep climb to stare unbidden at the glorious mountains that have chronicled your
entire journey thus far- Mount Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. And of course, Roop Kund
Treks entire point- the Roop Kund Lake awaits. The days climb is short but technical,
requiring the use of ropes and harnesses at points. And it all comes to a close in the
final two minutes, when you round a ridge and there, dark blue against the white
background lies the famous lake Roop Kund. But thats not the ultimate sight, which
is some way off. Up you go some more through possibly the hardest climb yet and
thats where it all comes to a climax. Junargali offers the most brilliant unrestricted
view of Mount Trishul and the sheer beauty of it makes for a deeply emotional
moment. All too fitting, given this is where it all ends. The rest of the days trek sees
the travelling contingent come down to Patar Nachauni.
 o Day 8: The last day of the journey sees you make your way back through all the
Instagram-worthy places you transversed on the way up down to civilisation. You will
make your way past the snowy trails, the scenic meadows, the undulating forests
back to where it all began and where it sadly ends- Lohajung. But worry not for this
trek, with its beautiful memories set against beautiful backdrops stays with you for a
long long time.
- Major attractions: The main attraction, of course is the Roop Kund lake all the way up at
nearly 16000 feet and the legend surrounding the skeletons found nearby. Ali Bugyal and
Bedni Bugyal are two of the most scenic meadows anywhere. The view of Mount Trishul
from Junargali however takes the cake. That one view alone would be a reason to trek the
whole way.
- Fitness Level: Anyone attempting this trek should have a higher than average level of fitness
and are expected to be in reasonably good shape. The trek takes place at high altitudes of
8000 to 16000 feet, which is much higher than what most people are used to.
Breathlessness, fatigue, nausea etc. are common even amongst the fittest of climbers.
Hence, proper conditioning is a must before undergoing the Roop Kund Trek. Cardiovascular
endurance and strength are the two major facets of fitness. Trekkers are advised to train and
target being able to run about 5 kilometres within half an hour. They are also advised to
practice going up and down several flights of stairs, possibly with weights. Your lower body
muscles should be flexible to reduce risk of injury and prevent strain, so stretching exercises
for those body parts are advised.
- Things to carry: Backpack and trekking shoes are the bare necessities. A 60 litre backpack is
advised. So are good quality trekking shoes. Warm clothes are a must including sweaters,
thermals etc. Trekking pants are advised. Carry other miscellaneous items such as water
 bottles, cutlery, toiletries, a torch etc. A few medicines such as Crocin, Diamox etc. are
advisable to deal with the common problems that ail climbers at high altitudes.
- Best time: The Roop Kund Trek is best attempted during the autumn months, since that is
the time during which the Roop Kund lake melts and can be witnessed in all its glory. These
months are also conductive for the final ascent to Junargali which is quite tricky and not
recommended during bad weather conditions, as often encountered during the winter
months.
- Best suited for: Adults who have some trekking experience in the bag. As already mentioned
above, the trek requires a certain degree of physical fitness to withstand the thin air at the
high altitudes. In the furthest reaches of the trek, a distance of only a few metres can be
quite taxing to travel for the novice trekker. This trek really does offer everything you could
want for in a trek in spades.

Top winter treks

Winter is a wondrous time, with the cold and if you are lucky, snow lulling you into a sense of
astonishment and awe. Read on to find out about the top winter treks in India.

- Har ki dun Trek: A trek which is shrouded in as much legend as it is in beauty, the site after
which this relatively easy trek is named is believed to be the same from where the wise king
Yudhishthira ascended to the heavens, having outlived his mortal shell. It is therefore fitting
then that this winter trek is as divine as the story that precedes it. Set in Uttarakhand, this is
a trek best attempted from the last week of December to the first week of January. Snow
covers the entire length and breadth of the trial which makes for views that are absolutely
bonkers! The fact that the people who inhibit the places you visit along the way are friendly
and affable is an added bonus. This is definitely a trek to go on.

- Prashar Lake Trek: Set in Himachal Pradesh, this is one of the most serene winter treks on
offer. Taking place over a period of about 3 days, the golden jewel of this trek is the lake itself
which offers an amazing degree of tranquillity and peace just looking at it. It takes 3 days to
reach, covering beautiful sights along the way. The trip starts from the Baggi village and can
be undertaken by lightly to moderately experienced trekkers. This is another one of the
winter treks all covered up in snow and is all the more majestic for it.
- Kedarkantha Trek: This trek, which spans across four amazing days, is a beginner level trek
and can be attempted by just about anyone. Which is a massive delight for this is a trek
known not so much for its trails as it is for its amazingly beautiful campsites. They are
absolute pictorial nirvana and it is easy to get lost amidst that beauty. This is a trek best
attempted in the last week of December as well as in March and April to take in the entire
spectrum of beauty on display. The trek takes you through quaint pastures and meadows,
beautiful villages, all set to the expansive backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. Definitely of the
top winter treks to attempt!

- Sandakphu Trek: This trek is best attempted in the months from October to April. Once you
are on this week long experience, it wont be long before you figure out why this trek is
called the Trekkers Wonderland. As far as winter treks go, this one is right up there with
 the best of them. This trek holds the amazing distinction of being one that lets you see the
four tallest mountains of the world- Makalu, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga and Everest which makes
for quite an unforgettable experience. It goes without saying that this is one of the most
picturesque winter treks you can attempt, given the wide diversity of flora and fauna on
display here. This is an intermediate trek and not one that can be attempted by beginners.
The trek walks the fine line between Nepal and India, going in and out of the country
multiple times spanning the entire duration of the trip.

- Brahmatal Trek: Set with the Himalayas serving as a memorable backdrop, Brahmatal is a
beautiful 6-day trek that is best attempted in January and February. Much, if not all of the
trek is covered with snow and it makes for a sight to behold all round. This is a moderately
difficult trek that is not advisable for beginners. The trek goes over miles of amazing
landscapes and forests and even though this is one of the newer treks, it makes for an
amazing experience for the ones undertaking it.
 Top Himalayan Treks
The Himalayas, capped in snow and majestic in appearance offer some of the best trekking
opppotunities within the country. Find listed below the top Himalayan treks you can undertake in
India.

- Valley of Flowers: This trek, as the name suggests is quite literally full of flowers. It is best
attempted in the monsoon when the flowers are at their full bloom. It is quite an easy trek
that can be attempted by children as well. Greenery abounds the entire way on this trail. The
variety of flowers that you come across on this 4-day trek is simply breath-taking and for that
alone, this trek is guaranteed a place on the list of top Himalayan treks in the country.
- Kuari Pass: This is one of the easiest treks that can be undertaken in the Himalayas.
Comprising of picturesque forest trails, brilliant campsites that you will have no desire of
leaving and the Himalayas constantly in the background right from the get go, this is one of
those amazing treks that easily justifies a place in the top Himalayan treks in the country.
This is a 6 day long trek and is a must for any regular trekker with a love for the Himalayas.
- Rupin Pass: If you are in search of the perfect experience, this is the trek to go on. With an
ever-shifting scenery that throws up a surprise or two every hour, this is a Himalayan trek
that will hit all trekkers right in the eyes. Name anything and chances are this trek has got it,
be it meadows or waterfalls or quaint little villages. Being a 9-day trek, this is one of the
longest ones you can attempt and possibly one on the tougher side. Rising to an altitude of
about 15000 feet, it is definitely recommended that people attempting this trek have some
prior preparation and experience.
- Deoriatal: This is a trek that is best attempted from March until mid-April for this is the
timeframe during which the trail is at its most picturesque. This is one of the few treks that
are short enough to be done over a weekend. It is normally done in conjunction with a trek
to Tungnath and Chandrashila but can be done as a standalone trek as well. The deoriatal
lake as well as the Kedar and Neelkanth peaks are the prime attractions of this amazing top
Himalayan Trek.
- Kashmir Great Lakes trek: Kashmir! Ah, heaven on earth itself. Needless to say, this is one of
the most beautiful and amazing treks you can go on. Kashmir in itself is a beautiful place, its
scenic beauty far outstripping any single place in India. It is best experienced while it rains for
the beauty of the surroundings is in full swing at the time. Over the trek, experience endless
green meadows, surreal blue lakes and everything in between! This is a hard 8-day long trek,
requiring good prior levels of preparation but the scenic beauty that transcends the entire
trek alone justifies all the preparation that goes into it. This is easily one of the top
Himalayan treks that you can undertake in the country.
 Weekend Getaways
Who doesnt love to chill and relax on the weekends? Most of us look forward to catching up on
some sleep and spend a lazy Sunday in bed reading a book. Well, why not spend it doing something
more active and exciting? Here we present the best weekend getaways, places you can go visit on the
weekend and have an amazing time.

- Madurai: Considered to be the soul of Tamil Nadu, this South-Indian city is as beautiful as it
is ancient. It is, In fact, one of the oldest cities in India. The Meenakshi temple is the main
attraction of this great city but that is not all. Revelling in ancient architecture, this city is a
feast upon the eyes and with its bustling energy, a treat to all the five senses. The best part
of visiting Madurai is that all of its locales and tourist spots can be easily visited and captured
over the weekend thereby making it one of the best weekend getaways in India.
- Ooty- Quaint. Picturesque. Green. Just some of the words that spring to mind when we think
Ooty. This popular hill station, situated close to the Nilgiri hills offers the perfect weekend
getaway and is tailor made for the person looking to get away from the hustle bustle of a city
and just looking for some peace and tranquillity. A great pick.
- Rameshwaram: Another one of the temple towns in South India, this town is famous for Sri
Ramanathaswamy Temple which is one of the very few temples in India built in the Dravidian
style. The temples main attraction are its lingas which are made of sand, stone, salt and
other elements. Besides, Rameshwaram also has a number of other attractions such as the
Kothandaramaswamy Temple, the five-faced Hanuman temple and the famous Dhanushkodi
beach. It can be visited over two days and all the spots glossed over making this an ideal
weekend getaway.
- Puducherry: Popularly called the French Capital of India, this tiny town in Tamil Nadu is
famous for the influence that French culture exerts over every fibre of its being. The world
famous Aurobindo Ashram is the main attraction here. The French part of the town is famous
for its French cuisine and one can see quite a few French people milling about in this part of
the town. Being a small town, there isnt much to see making it the ideal weekend getaway
for someone looking for peace, quiet and searching for some enlightenment.
- Darjeeling: Tea. Pleasant climate. Indias definitive hill station. Darjeeling is all these and
more. The number of things to do in Darjeeling are numerous, from riding a bike around the
hilltops to exploring the fine architecture. Set magnificently against the backdrop of mount
Khangchendzonga, there is little more you could ask for from this magnificent hill station that
is surely one of the best weekend getaways that India has to offer.