Roopkund Lake Trek
Recommendation
Roopkund Lake sparkles at its best under the yellow sun.
Flowers, birds and insects celebrate the departure of the dark clouds
and sing welcome songs in honour of the glorious new sky. Herbivores
like mountain deer and mountain goats can be seen in herds near the
fresh filled waterholes.
The Roopkund Lake trek is dotted with beautiful landscapes, quaint
ponds and some of the largest meadows in Garhwal. During autumn,
after the snow melts, human skeletons can be seen clearly beside the
Roopkund lake. Moreover, just the sight of the Trishul and the
Nandaghunti peaks is well worth the while on your Roopkund Lake
adventure trek.
Roopkund Lake Trek
9 Day Trek
Altitude: 5029m
District: Chamoli
 Roopkund
Lake, also known as the ‘Mystery Lake’ (5029m), lies between
the slopes of the Trishul peak (7100m) and Nanda Ghunti (6310m). It is
called the Mystery Lake because some 30 years ago, 600 year-old
skeletons of humans and horses were discovered here by D N Majumdar, a
renowned anthropologist.
Scientists are of the view that these skeletons were either those of
the pilgrims of the Rajat Yatra to Homekund, or the remains of General
Zorawar Singh’s army that made a futile attempt to conquer Tibet,
but probably could not withstand the weather. The beauty and the
mystery of the lake attracts thousands of tourists from all over the
world each year. The round Roopkund Lake Trek starts from Mandoli and
ends at Ghat near Nand Prayag.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Drive 240km from Rishikesh to Mandoli, with packed lunch.
Mandoli is the roadhead to the trek. Dinner and overnight stay at GMVN
rest house or in tent.
DAY 2: Breakfast and trek 13km, with packed lunch, to Waan (2436m), a
small village. The route along the Waan-Gaad (Waan River) is
beautiful. Dinner and overnight stay at GMVN rest house or in tent at
Waan.
DAY 3: Breakfast and trek 12km, with packed lunch, to Bedni Bugyal
(3354m). Bugyal is a Garhwali word that means meadow. Bedni Bugyal is
perhaps the biggest meadow in Garhwal and offers an impressive view of
the Trishul peak, Nanda Ghunti peak, the Badrinath mountain range a
prefect trek for adventure enthusiast. Dinner and overnight stay in
tent. There are a few shepherds’ huts made of stone and hay at
Bedni Bugyal that can be used as night shelter.
DAY 4: Breakfast and trek 9km, with packed lunch, to Buggubasa
(4400m) through the Kovali pass (4500m). Dinner and overnight stay in
tent or a shepherd’s hut.
DAY 5: Breakfast and trek 6km, with packed lunch, on a steep route to
Roopkund (5029m). A small trek further beyond the lake leads to the
ridge from where the Trishul peak (7120m) looks amazing. Dinner and
overnight stay in tent.
DAY 6: Breakfast and trek 11km, with packed lunch, to Homekund
(4061m), another beautiful lake, via the Shail-Samudra Glacier. Dinner
and overnight stay in tent.
DAY 7: Breakfast and trek down 18 km, with packed lunch, to Sutola.
Dinner and overnight stay in tent.
DAY 8: Breakfast and trek down 18km, with packed lunch, to Ghat.
Drive 20 km from Ghat to Nand Prayag. Dinner and overnight stay at the
GMVN rest house or any of the hotels in town.
DAY 9: Breakfast and drive 191km from Nand Prayag to Rishikesh.
Best Time for Treks: April to June, and September to end-October.
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