Roopkund itinerary

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Roopkund Trek Itinerary:

• Altitude Range: 2621 m – 5029 m.
• Trek Grade: Moderate to Tough.
• Best Season: May to October mid.

Detailed Trek Itinerary:

• Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar (Altitude: 314 m, Distance: 210 km)

Haridwar is a gateway for several pilgrimage of Uttarakhand. It is reachable directly from Delhi by road, railways or by airways as well. Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is only 35 km from Haridwar. Here you can explore clusters of temple along with several ghats. Har Ki pauri is one of the famous ghats in Haridwar, to see evening prayer and ritual is such a divine experience here. There are a good number of hotels and rest houses available for accommodation.

• Day 02: Haridwar – Loharjunga (Altitude: 2130 m, Distance: 240 km drive)

After driving 240 km you’ll reach Loharjanga. There are two routes to reach Loharjanga; via Haridwar and via Gwaldam (a hill station in Chamoli district). Via Haridwar route, you’ll pass through Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Loharjanga. Loharjanga is a commencement place for Roopkund trek. It is town that thrives on adventure tourism and so it not difficult to manage accomadation, supllies, guides and porters.

• Day 03: Loharjunga – Didina (Altitude: 2550 m, Distance: 5 – 6 hour trek)

From Loharjunga a trail leads to Raun Bagad (Bagad means a spot where a river widens out to form a bed with sandy embankments) which takes 2 – 3 hours to reach there. An alternative route is to take road from Loharjunga to Wan. It’s a 6 km easy walk to Kulling village followed by a steep descent to Raun Bagad. The road route is easier than the Curzon trail. There is river named Neel Ganga, which flows between Wan and Loharjunga. The trail to Raun Bagad starts from Banq village and then passes through a mixed forest of rhododendron, oak and pine trees and several water streams. All along the trail of Raun Bagad you’ll explore various flora and fauna. The trails levels out after passing through 4 -5 villages and here you’ll found two trails ahead. Here watch for a fork in a trail where the main Curzon trail moves upwards towards Wan and the smaller trail descends to Raun Bagad. You need to be on the smaller trail. From the fork in the trail it is 10 minute walk to Raun Bagad. An iron bridge marks the end of the trail to Raun Bagad and start of the climb to Didina. You can rest at Raun Bagad for a while and enjoy the sightseeing of a tall water fall. After crosing river trail starts to climb upto Didina village. Didina village can be a bit confusing with many trails running into it. Stick to the trail that goes around the village, this leads directly to the Didina camp site, clearing 200 ft above the village. Didina campsite is small green meadow just 10 min trek above the village, gazes across the valley.

• Didina – Ali Bugyal – Bedni Bugyal (Altitude: 3350 m, Distance: 6 – 7km trek)

There are two routes to reach Ali Bugyal from Didina; via Tolpani and a direct trail towards Ali Bugyal.
Tolpani is small cluster of shepherd hut and around 3 km trek from Didina. It is perched at altitude of 1000 feet above Didina and the trail moves away from Ali Bugyal’s general route. If you want to explore more then follow this trek, traverse across the mountain side which joins the Ali Bugyal trek after a steep climb.
Otherwise you can take the direct trail to climb towards Ali Bugyal through the oak forest.
There is another option, trek to Tolpani and muse the hidden adventures of Toplani then return to Didina, stay overnight in campsite of Didina and next day climb to Ali Bugyal.

Next Day start early, stiff climb will wait at beginning and then easy walk at the end towards Ali Bugyal. En route there are enchanting views of Trishul and dense oak forest will remain with you. After 2-3 hour trek forest starts to thin and then oak forest left behind and a large green span will reflect your eyes. It is an indication that you reach Ali Bugyal. You’ll experience unique beauty of nature…several miles of lush green meadow, shiny, adequate charm and stunning landscapes.
You can camp here for the day or further trek of 5km more will take you to Bedni Bugyal, another green carpet of this trek. It is an easy leisure route and end with a short steep climb of 10 min.
There is a tea stall and GMVN rest house available at Bedni Bugyal. Trekker can book it in advance or they can camp here.

• Bedni Bugyal – Patar Nachuni – Bhagwabasa (Altitude: 3505m to 4419m, Distance: 5 – 7 km Trek)

From Bedni Bugyal to Bhagwabasa, trek starts with an easy assent then gradually descends followed by a stiff climb and ends with an easy walk. En route first time thin air and high altitude will affect travelers. Trek up to Patar Nachuni is a gradual climb and easy route. You have to traverse through a large span of meadows and you’ll found Ghora or Patar Nachuni Lotani meadows, which is a last stop for the horses. You can camp in Ghora Lotani for the day or can move ahead towards Bhagwabasa. Ghora Lotani offers splendid view of Bedni and surroundings and clear water streams out of the side of slope is a water source.
Patar Nachuni – Bhagwabasa: From here the destination is Kalu Vinayak and now the trek goes through a tedious zig – zag route and height is increased rapidly and you get breathless very soon. Climb slowly; distance is not so much, taking rest after every 15 – 20 minute climb will help you breath. Trail to Kalu Vinayak is a thrilling and toughest one.
Kalu Vinayak is small stone shrine where black idol of Lord Ganesha is main deity. Just beside the temple, snow line begins and trail from Kalu Vinayak to Bhagwabasa goes through an easy walk of 2 km. Now you can see snow patches alongside the trail.
Bhagwabasa is a small cluster of huts and local habitants of the region provide services like accommodation (per bed basis) and they can also cook for you. There is a campsite known as Hunia Thal in Bhagwabasa just 5 min far from these huts. It is a rocky place and enough room for 4 tents. You have to carry your own sleeping bags and tents because nights are extremely cold.

• Bhagwabasa – Roopkund (Altitude: 5029 m, Distance: 5 km Trek)

This route remains snow capped throughout the year. Gradual climb and snow patches make some difficulty to trek further, thus you have to leave Bhagwabasa early in the morning. At that time snow is still hard and you can settle your footsteps easily. At some part the trek is steep but most parts are moderate trek. Roopkund is a crater surrounded with snowy mountains. It takes only 2 to 3 hours to reach Roopkund from Bhagwabasa.
You’ll enthrall to watch this mysterious lake and experience the thin air on such high altitude.
Roopkund – Junargali: An additional climb of 200 feet from Roopkund in snowy patches will take you to Junargali. Most of the trekkers complete their trek in Junargali and believe Roopkund trek can’t be completed without traverse Junargali. This trek takes only 20 – 30 minutes but special care must be taken; take rope and ice – axes. Junargali indicates the end of Roopkund journey.
While returning from here care must be taken because snow starts melting and looks tricky and dangerously sloping. Getting down from Roopkund is often difficult. As soon as possible, try getting down from snowy patches safely and land in Bhagwabasa. Now you’ll not find any difficulty to getting down and you can trek back up to Ghora Lotani/ Patar Nachuni in the same day.

• Bhagwabasa – Patar Nachuni – Bedni Bugyal – Wan – Lohajunga

Retrace your path while returning from Bhagwabasa. Explore the meadows till Ali Bugyal then you’ll reach the point where forests start and then trees like Oak, Rhododendron and Cyprus will praise you on completion of Roopkund journey. After a few km down you’ll get a place of green huts that indicates Ghairoli Patar. Here you’ll get glimpse of Mount Trishul.
Trekking back to through a descent ridge, there is river known as Neel Ganga. Rest here and refresh yourself by this pristine water. Wan village is just half an hour climb from this river and after a long journey you’ll get entry in a busy civilization area. Nearest road junction from Wan village is Kasar Bagad, here you’ll find local jeeps up to Loharjunga.
Loharjunga is main junction and from here you can directly move to Rishikesh or Haridwar.

• There is one another itinerary for Roopkund trek that is followed by many travelers, as:

Delhi – Kathgodam – Gwaldam – Deval – Mundoli – Loharjunga – Wan –Ghairoli Patar – Ali Bugyal – Bedni Bugyal – Patar Nachuni – Kalu Vinayak – Bhagwabasa – Roopkund.