Camping on the Raj Jat Route

Overview

The section of the Raj Jat route from Wan (2,440m) to Homkund (4,800m) has no permanent buildings above Wan except for the small GMVN hut at Bedni Bugyal. Beyond Bedni, camping is not optional — it is the only way to stay on the high route. This means everyone trekking to Homkund needs a tent, sleeping bag, and camping equipment rated for sub-zero high-altitude conditions.

Travel Planning

Campsite Guide

Wan Village Camp (2,440m)

Wan has limited covered accommodation (GMVN rest house + guesthouses) but a large flat area near the village suitable for tenting, used extensively during the Raj Jat when accommodation overflows. Good water source (village tap). Toilets: GMVN rest house (ask for access). Ground: flat grass/earth; tent pegs hold well. During Raj Jat: thousands of tents cover the flat areas around the village. Temperature at night: 8–12°C (comfortable by high-altitude camping standards).

Bedni Bugyal Camp (3,354m) — Recommended 2 nights

Bedni Bugyal is one of the great campsites of the Garhwal Himalayas — a 2 km-wide alpine meadow at 3,354m with a glacial lake at its centre and a 270-degree panorama of Trishul (7,120m), Nanda Ghunti (6,309m) and the surrounding peaks. Camping here with a mountain view is extraordinary in any season.

The campsite is the open meadow itself — camp anywhere on the flat grass away from the lake shore (minimum 50m from water). Flat ground is abundant. The GMVN hut (8 rooms) is in the northeast corner of the bugyal near the lake; if full, tent camping is the obvious alternative. Temperature at night: 2–6°C (August–September); frosted grass is common. Carry a sleeping bag rated to -5°C minimum. Water: Bedni Kund lake (treat before drinking; use iodine or Lifestraw). No toilet facilities beyond the GMVN hut; bury waste and observe Leave No Trace principles.

Patar Nachauni Camp (3,640m)

A wide flat plateau at 3,640m, above the bugyal zone. Less scenically dramatic than Bedni but an important acclimatisation camp. Ground: flat, firm; some grass, mostly rocky soil. Good tent-peg penetration. Wind can be significant here — position your tent with its foot toward the prevailing west-northwest wind. Temperature: -2 to 2°C at night. Water: small streams flowing from glacier melt; treat all water. No facilities.

Kailua Vinayak Camp (3,900m) — Most popular final acclimatisation camp

The small area around and below the Kailua Vinayak shrine at 3,900m is the standard final acclimatisation camp before the push to Homkund. The shrine itself is on an exposed rocky ridge; camping is in the more sheltered ground 100–200m below the shrine. Ground: rocky; tent pegs are difficult — bring rocks to anchor guy-lines as backup. Wind: often significant. Temperature: -4 to 0°C. Water: small glacial stream approximately 200m below camp; treat all water. No toilets; strict Leave No Trace practice essential (this is within the biosphere reserve buffer zone).

Shila Samundra Camp (4,200m)

The boulder plateau of Shila Samundra provides a challenging camping environment. Finding flat ground between boulders requires patience. Some trekkers carry a small foam pad specifically to level the tent ground on the boulder surface. Temperature: -6 to -4°C. Wind: can be extreme; a 4-season tent is strongly preferred over a 3-season tent here. Water: snowmelt channels; treat all water. Above this altitude, Leave No Trace is mandatory — the fragile high-altitude ecosystem is extremely slow to recover from any disturbance.

Homkund Camp (4,800m)

The glacial lake at 4,800m is the Raj Jat's final destination. Camping at Homkund is the ultimate experience on the route — the lake, the surrounding ice and rock, and the Himalayan peaks above create a landscape that is simultaneously severe and beautiful. Temperature: -10 to -6°C (August–September). A 4-season tent is essential; wind can be fierce with no shelter at the lake. Snowfall is possible even in August. Most trekkers spend one night at Homkund and descend the following morning. Extended stays at 4,800m are inadvisable for most people.

Camping Equipment Checklist

Tips

• Always camp at least 50m from water sources — this is both an ecological requirement in the biosphere reserve and a practical one (water sources can overflow in rain).
• Two-night stay at Bedni Bugyal is not optional for first-time altitude trekkers — the acclimatisation rest day at 3,354m makes the difference between a safe ascent to Homkund and a dangerous one.
• Carry out all waste — fire waste (ash), food scraps, packaging, and human waste (use a cat-hole at least 60m from water and 15cm deep above the soil). The biosphere reserve is strictly no-waste.
• Test your tent at home before the trek — discovering that a pole is broken or a zipper is jammed at Patar Nachauni at -2°C is not a pleasant experience.

FAQs

Can I rent camping equipment in Rishikesh or Karnaprayag for the Raj Jat?

Yes — Rishikesh has several trekking gear rental shops near Lakshman Jhula and on the Ram Jhula road that rent sleeping bags (₹100–₹200/day), tents (₹200–₹400/day), and trekking poles (₹50–₹100/day). Quality varies significantly; inspect rented equipment carefully before accepting it. For sleeping bags in particular, check that the temperature rating is genuine and that the bag is clean and dry. Karnaprayag has more limited rental options — Rishikesh is a better place to rent gear before starting the journey.

Is campfire lighting allowed on the route?

Campfires are prohibited within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer zone — this covers the entire section from above Wan to Homkund. No fires on the ground. Cooking stoves (gas or liquid fuel) are the only cooking option. During the Raj Jat itself, the langar organisers use specific cooking areas with minimal environmental impact; individual campfires are still not permitted. The restriction is both ecological and practical — wood is virtually absent above 3,500m and what remains is part of the fragile high-altitude ecosystem.