Roopkund Trek in Uttarakhand

One should be in good physical condition before you embark on this trek. You should be able to jog close to 4.5 KM in 30 minutes to make your lungs strong to bear the high altitudes. Minimum age for this trek is 12 years old.

You should carry a power bank with you to charge your mobile phones. The stays are usually in camps, tents and guest houses. Only the stay in guest house has the promise of electricity but the nights you have to spend in the camps and tents you won't find electricity.

Usually, Wan village is the last point where you can charge your phone or cameras because beyond this point there is no electricity.

Roopkund trek takes you to an altitude of 15750 ft. requiring pristine physical and mental strength. It is a moderately difficult trek. So one should do other fairly easy treks to get used to the height and the altitude.

A rucksack which is at least 60L. Weather is unpredictable and you should also carry a plastic sheet to prevent the bag from getting wet or purchase a waterproof rucksack.

During the Roopkund trek, you will be provided meal based on the team you have signed up with. Usually, a meal is provided but it is mainly vegetarian. You may have to carry water bottles because although meal is given, the water bottles may not be included in the package.

The guides suggest that you also carry some energy bars and energy drinks besides water. Meals are usually provided three times during the course of the trek.

Altitude sickness is common and therefore this package include first aid medical kits and oxygen cylinders. There would be a trained and experienced trek leader with you throughout the journey and knows how to deal with altitude sickness.

Also, the trekkers are suggested to carry their own medications if there are any. Trekkers must listen to the trek leader and consult a physician before heading on with the trek. Alcohol consumption and other intoxication are banned during the trek. The trekkers are suggested to get accustomed to high altitudes before heading on if they feel sick.

Yes, porters will be available at an extra cost.

There are many kinds of shoes you can try out for trekking but they can be broadly classified into three types –

-Expedition boots These are designed for challenging treks and glacial traverses. Their USP is that they last longer – usually more than ten days. Their outsoles are thicker and more aggressive and the insole has a padding which actually feels very soft.

-Trek Boots These are hiking boots which have added support for the feet and ankles. Usually, their upper portions are made of suede or leather. They are especially good for the rough terrain – especially if you are prone to slipping and twisting your ankle during the hike.

-Plain hike shoes These look a lot like trail running shoes. They have flexible soles and they are really light weight. So if you are planning to have a short trek in Roopkund, then go for these. They are good for dry terrain and a warm weather. Maybe you can carry them during the pre-monsoon trekking season.

It gets a little bit cold during the trek if you are visiting during the September schedule. During the May to June period, the temperatures vary between 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius and at night it tends to get between 7 degree Celsius to -2 degree Celsius.

So it gets minus temperatures at night even during summers. If you are visiting during the August to October period, then expect a variation of 15 degree Celsius to 10 degree Celsius during the day time. At night the temperatures can fall as low as 5 degree Celsius to -5 degree Celsius.

The story behind the Roopkund Lake Trek dates back to the 9th century when people inhabiting the place were killed in a sudden valiant storm. There skeletons lying at the of the lake are visible till date when the snow melts. The area is uninhabited, in the Himalayas at an altitude of 5,029 m (16,499 ft).

Surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad mountains, the lake is a popular trekking destination. There is also a shallow lake, of about two metres, which you can visit and spend some time admiring nature’s beauty.

Roopkund though, has attracted attention because of the human skeletal remains that are visible at its bottom when the snow melts. Because of the human remains, the lake has been called Skeleton Lake in recent times.

Roopkund Lake is known for its scenic beauty and secrets. The lake is situated between high peaks and has old human bones. During the trek, you can see amazing views of mountains and beautiful alpine meadows. Roopkund is a glacial lake and a favourite place for visitors in Uttarakhand.

Roopkund Lake is situated at an altitude of 16,470 feet above sea level at the lap of Trishul massive in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state.

Roopkund lake is a high altitude glacial lake which is also popularly known as the mystery lake.

To reach Roopkund lake, you need to reach Kathgodam by train or bus. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to the base village, Lohajung. The trek starts from Lohajung and you will pass through various places like Didna, Ali Bugyal, Ghora Lotani, Bedni Bugyal and Bhagwabasa. The path is well-marked and expert guides are available. The trek is moderate to challenging, so be prepared for a trek of around 7 to 8 days.

The height of Roopkund trek begins from 8000 feet in the start and ascends up to a maximum of 16,499 feet above the sea level at the Roopkund Lake.

The Roopkund trekking trail is surrounded by different regions of the Himalayan snow-clad mountains from all the directions beautifully.

Roopkund trek is a total of 8 days and 7 nights trek that involves covering a total distance of 53 km.

The total distance covered includes Lohajung- Didna village-Ali Bugyal-Ghora Lotani-Bhagwabasa-Roopkund lake-Bedni Bugyal-Lohajung. Roopkund trek is a moderate trail that involves meadows, forests, lakes, and rocky terrain throughout the journey.

The Roopkund Lake Trek is moderately to highly challenging. The path includes high climbs, rocky ways, and some areas with snow. You need to reach an altitude of 16,000 feet. The weather can change quickly and it can hit the oxygen level. It is important to be physically fit for a more enjoyable trek. You need to follow the guidance of an expert for a safe journey. Overall, trekking provides amazing views but you need to be ready physically and mentally for this adventure.

Trekking to Roopkund is not recommended. Heavy snowfall covers the path and this can make trekking risky and challenging. During this month, there will be extreme cold weather and the route will be closed due to unsafe situations. You should plan your Roopkund trek itinerary in late May to mid-June or September to October for a safe experience.

Roopkund trek is definitely one of the most dangerous treks that can be done in the country. The maximum altitude of the trek is 16,499 ft close to the Roopkund lake. The lake is famous for having over a thousand mysterious skeletons at the bottom.

Also, because of the altitude, even experienced trekkers and marathon runners feel uneasy at different points of the trek. Quite a few people in each batch fail to complete the trek.

The Roopkund trek takes 8 days for completion, and it depends on the time needed for acclimatization.

For Roopkund trekking, the starting point is Lohajung, to which you can drive from Kathgodam. And from there you have to trek all the way.

- Arrive at Kathgodam, which is connected to all major cities in the country. From there, drive to Lohajung, from where the trek to Roopkund begins.

- From Lohajung, you trek to Didna village and spend the night in a tent.

- On the third day, you trek from Didna Village to Ali Bugyal

- On the fourth day, you go from Ali Bugyal to Ghora Lotani

- On the fifth day, you trek from Ghora Lotani to Bhagwabasa.

- On the sixth day, you go from Bhagwabasa to Bedni Bugyal and spend the night there.

- On the last day, you trek back to the little village of Wan. From here, you drive back to Kathgodam.

The trek to Roopkund is not very safe on account of the fact that the elevation is quite high, and the terrain is difficult. If a female traveler is going with a group, then there is no problem. You should start vigorous exercise to match on to the difficulty level of this trekking route.

It is not advisable to do the Roopkund trek solo because it is a difficult trek on rough and difficult terrain. As a result of this, trekkers may face dizziness, nausea and respiratory difficulties. There is also the chance of hurting themselves, so it is always advisable to go on this trek with a group or at least a couple of friends.

Many experienced trekkers have faced difficulties in completing the trek. So if you have some people with you, they can always help if you are in trouble. However, if you go solo, you will have to carry a lot of extra things like trail runners and medicine for yourself and be extra careful the whole time to prevent mishaps.

Here is the list of best Uttarakhand treks that you can book from Thrillophilia:

1. Kedarkantha Trek
2. Valley Of Flowers Trek
3. Rupin Pass Trek
4. Dayara Bugyal Trek
5. Tungnath trek