Arrival in Lohajung (2,300 m)
Your Roopkund adventure begins with your arrival in Lohajung, a quaint village nestled in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The drive to Lohajung from Kathgodam, Rishikesh, or Dehradun is long but scenic—passing through lush valleys, river crossings, and the beautiful Garhwal and Kumaon hills. Lohajung serves as the base camp for the Roopkund trek and offers stunning views of the Nanda Ghunti and surrounding ranges.

Once you arrive, you can take time to explore the village, interact with locals, and prepare your gear. The crisp mountain air and peaceful surroundings will help you relax and acclimatize before the real trek begins the following day. Overnight stay is typically in a guesthouse or lodge.

Your trek officially begins today. The trail descends steeply to the Neel Ganga river, followed by a steady ascent through dense forests and terraced fields. You’ll cross rustic wooden bridges, encounter birds, and perhaps spot langurs along the way. The route offers beautiful views of the surrounding valley as you make your way upward.

The day ends at Didna Village, a traditional Himalayan settlement known for its warm hospitality and stone houses. This peaceful village is surrounded by forest and farmland, making it a calm resting point for your first night of camping or homestay accommodation.

Today’s trek is one of the more challenging yet rewarding stretches as you ascend through oak and rhododendron forests to reach the alpine meadows of Ali Bugyal. The trail is steep but gradually opens up into vast grasslands as you cross the tree line, revealing spectacular views of snow-capped peaks.

Ali Bugyal is among the most beautiful meadows in India, offering a 360-degree panorama of Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, and other Himalayan giants. With cool mountain breezes, wildflowers, and grazing sheep, it’s the perfect place to set up camp and soak in nature’s raw beauty.

This is a relatively easy and scenic day as you move from Ali Bugyal to its neighboring meadow, Bedni Bugyal. The route is mostly flat and offers ample opportunity to enjoy the vast landscapes, distant peaks, and rolling green hills. You’ll pass small shrines and stone structures along the way.

Bedni Bugyal is a sacred and picturesque location with a small lake called Bedni Kund and a temple dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi. Many pilgrims pass through here during the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra. You’ll camp here and enjoy a relaxed evening, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.

Leaving the comfort of the meadows, today’s trail gradually ascends toward the rocky ridges of Patar Nachauni. The trek begins with an easy walk but turns into a more exposed terrain as you gain altitude. The views become more dramatic with towering peaks closer than ever.

Patar Nachauni is an open, windswept ridge surrounded by massive Himalayan slopes. The name, which loosely translates to “dancing stones,” is steeped in local mythology. It’s a great place for acclimatization before you move higher the next day. Camps are set up here for the night.

This is one of the most memorable legs of the trek. You’ll begin with a steep zigzag ascent to the Kalu Vinayak temple, a black stone shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha located at over 4,300 meters. Pilgrims often offer prayers here before moving further on spiritual journeys.

After Kalu Vinayak, the trail descends slightly to Bhagwabasa, a cold and rugged campsite surrounded by loose rocks and snow patches. This area often receives snowfall even in summer. You’ll rest early here to prepare for the summit push to Roopkund early the next morning.

Today is the most awaited and challenging day of the trek. You’ll start before sunrise and hike on snow-covered trails to reach Roopkund Lake. The steep ascent, thin air, and freezing temperatures test your endurance. On reaching Roopkund, you’ll witness the eerie yet fascinating sight of ancient human skeletons scattered in and around the glacial lake.

If weather and conditions permit, you may ascend further to Junargali Pass for closer views of the Trishul massif. After spending some time at Roopkund, you’ll carefully descend back to Bhagwabasa and continue down to Bedni Bugyal for the night. It’s a long day, but incredibly rewarding.

The final day of the trek is a steady descent through Gahroli Patal and Wan village. You’ll pass through beautiful forests and streams before reaching the road-head at Wan. From here, a short drive takes you back to Lohajung.

At Lohajung, you can relax and celebrate the successful completion of the trek. It’s the perfect time to exchange photos, share stories, and enjoy a hot meal after days of walking through one of India’s most mysterious and majestic trekking routes.