Roopkund (locally known as Mystery Lake) is a high altitude glacial lake in Uttarakhand state of India, lies in the lap of Trishul massif and famous due to hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the lake. The lake is located at an altitude of about 5020 m. It is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad mountains, making it a good trekking destination. The route leading to the lake passes through the twin Bugyals of Ali & Bedni. All along the trail you get amazing views of peaks like Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Neelkantha, Trishul & Nanda Ghunti.
Ideal Itinerary
Day 1 :- Kathgodam Station to Lohajung Village – 224 Km (By Road)
Day 2 :- Lohajung Village to Wan Village – 14 Km (By Road) & Wan Village to Patar Nachuni via Bedni Bugyal – 15 Km (Trek)
Day 3 :- Patar Nachuni to Bhagwabasa (4100 m) via Kalu Vinayak – 4 Km (Trek) & Bhagwabasa to Roopkund Lake (5020 m) – 3 Km (Trek)
Day 1 :- We basically three friends took Roopkund Trek at 5020 m height in Summer of 2012 from Delhi. We first took a overnight train from Delhi to Kathgodam Station in Uttarakhand. Then in the morning from outside of Kathgodam Station we took and changed shared cabs thrice as there was no direct economical option available. We reached almost in the dark around 7 pm at Lohajung Village after long tiring road trip. Where we found Patwal Ji and his beautiful home stay. After that we had refreshing bath, short hike and tasty food in the night.
Day 2 :- Next Morning Patwal Ji also arranged the Guide and whole trek for us in cheapest way. He arranged cab also to take us to nearest point 14 Km away Wan Village from where we started our trek started to Patar Nachuni in same day of 15 Km. It was a trek mostly through alpine dense forest & water streams. In which clouds or mist were also making it more amazing and inspiring. We ate our carried dry fruits and parathas in between and moved towards Bedni Bugyal which is alpine meadows ground. Later in the trek we reached Bedni Bugyal where we saw many camps of different organizers and also a DFO person in a dhaba who took little money for allowing us to go beyond. After that weather started to turn bad and covered the whole valley under it. Luckily soon we reached to Patar Nachuni Camp it started raining heavily as we were not having any raincoats then. In patar nachuni there was a little network & I was highly tired but wanted to make a call to my home for which when I got out of my camp it was complete cloud covered and scary dark that raised my frustration more after we started thinking to go back. After having food and we went for the uncomfortable night due to higher altitude where it is difficult to get proper sleep.
Day 3 :- It was most motivating morning because of clear and sunny weather. We moved towards Kalu Vinayak after breakfast by steep hike then downwards till Bhagwabasa (4100 m). It was a wonderful morning with high energy level and no backpack this time which we left at Patar Nachuni. There was no problem till glaciers comes into trail and last stretch of trek due to high altitude it was getting tough with each step. We could hear our hart beat with our each step but we were enjoying it. And after reaching to Roopkund Lake what we felt and saw made it all worth. We were blessed, awestruck, happy and satisfied to be at such an amazing place. From there on Roopkund Lake Trek become our closest and dearest trek of our lives. After spending little special time there we came back to Patar Nachuni and took a rest for the day.
Day 4 :- Next morning after breakfast we trekked down to Wan Village and took a cab from Wan to Lohajung Village at Patwal Ji Guest House.
Day 5 :- This day we took early morning first bus from Lohajung to Rishikesh
- We found no difficulty during this trek but found many incredible views of Nanda Devi & Trishul Peak for unforgettable memories.
- These are some pics of our memorable experience of first trek to incredible Roopkund Lake.
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