Complete Roopkund Trek Guide
Trek Details & Route
8-day trek (base: Lohajung, 2,360m):
Day 1: Lohajung (2,360m) → Ali Bugyal (3,100m) via Didna village — 7 km, 4 hrs.
Day 2: Ali Bugyal → Bedni Bugyal (3,354m) — 5 km across high meadows with Trishul views.
Day 3: Bedni Bugyal → Patar Nachauni (3,644m) — 4 km.
Day 4: Patar Nachauni → Kalu Vinayak (4,175m) → Roopkund (5,029m) — 9 km, 7–8 hrs summit day.
Days 5–8: Return via Bedni Bugyal → Wan village → Lohajung.
Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal: Two of Garhwal's largest and most beautiful alpine meadows — Ali Bugyal (3,100m) has the finest Trishul view in the district. Bedni Bugyal (3,354m) has a glacial lake and the Bedni Kund (sacred lake). Both meadows are in flower in June and are among the most photographed alpine destinations in the Himalaya.
Roopkund lake (5,029m) — the skeletons: The lake holds approximately 800 human skeletal remains — DNA analysis (2019) has identified them as from three distinct populations, from different time periods (9th century CE, 17th–20th century). The precise history of the mass deaths remains controversial. The skeletons are visible through the ice when the lake freezes in the shoulder seasons.
Trishul massif: Trishul (7,120m), Nanda Ghunti (6,309m) and Trishul II (6,690m) dominate the horizon throughout the trek — from Ali Bugyal, the face of Trishul is unusually close and dramatic for a 7,000m peak.
How to Reach Roopkund
| Origin | Distance to Lohajung | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 226 km | 7 hrs via Tharali |
| Delhi | 450 km | 11 hrs |
| Kathgodam | 175 km | 6 hrs |
How to Reach Roopkund
Drive to Lohajung (226 km from Rishikesh, 7 hrs) — the trek start. Shared jeeps from Tharali to Lohajung. Taxi from Rishikesh to Lohajung: ₹3,500–₄,₅₀₀.
Budget, Difficulty & Tips
- Best time: May–June (meadows in flower, clear views before monsoon). September (post-monsoon, clear skies, skeletons visible through ice). Avoid July–August (monsoon, trail muddy, views closed).
- Difficulty: Challenging. The final ascent to 5,029m involves steep snow/ice slopes — ice axe and crampons may be required in May and September. Prior trekking experience above 4,000m recommended. All trekking groups must have a registered guide (forest department requirement).
- Guide mandatory: Roopkund National Park requires a registered guide. Cost: ₹800–₁,₀₀₀/day. Most trekkers go via organised operators (Indiahikes, Bikat, Trek the Himalayas) who handle permits, guides and camping.
FAQs
- Are the Roopkund skeletons still visible?
- Yes — the skeletal remains at Roopkund Lake are still present (as of 2026). The bones are embedded in the glacial edge and lake shallows, and visible when the ice is thin or melted (late September being the best window). The remains are protected — touching or disturbing them is prohibited. National Geographic and other researchers have studied them extensively; DNA results from 2019 revealed three distinct human populations from different periods, adding to rather than resolving the mystery.