The Roopkund storytrek
The mother of all trek trails. If you haven't done this trek, well, well, well...!
8000 feet to 16000 feet in a matter of days, it's a roller coaster of a ride!
One of the most popular treks in the world, RoopKund is much more than a trek destination; in fact, it's a minefield of stories.
Every square inch of the land is replete with stories.
Not for nothing is this part of Uttarakhand known as KedarKhand, meaning 'part of Shiva'.
Join us on the enchanting Roopkund storytrail as we take you to storyspots, right from Devprayag to Rudraprayag to Karnprayag to Wan to Bedni to PatharNachauni to RoopKund, on an adventure of a lifetime!
Roopkund lake is famous for the centuries' old human bones & skeletons that you still find there. It's been a source of mystery for anthropologists and historians alike. The Discovery Channels and The NatGeo have their version of the stories, while the locals will narrate their rivetting versions, in their own unique style.
Apart from the stories, Roopkund is a roller coaster of a trek. your heart stops beating for a moment when, after hiking through deep forests for over 8 kms of deep, dense oakwood forests, you suddenly hit the famed Bedni bugyal...an unending, lush green high-altitude meadow in the middle of the mountains. It's a sight in front of which your childhood fairy-tales will pale!
Cross the Neelganga river, and navigate the dense oak forests to your first camp at Gairoli Patal, dry leves rustling under your feet, while birds can be heard cooing; following you or leading you.
Mount Trishul and Mount NandaGhunti beckoning you all through the trail.
Two gigantic meadows that await you on the trail.
Steep climb to Kalua Vinayak (Black Ganesha).
Violent weather at the Baghu Basa campsite.
Feel your heart coming to your mouth as you walk along a sharp, exposed ridge towards Junargali, while holding onto a rope.
The route followed on the Roopkund trek overlaps with a pilgrimage which occurs every year, called the Raj Jat Yatra. This festive pilgrimage is held each year to worship goddess Nanda Devi, and people from several villages of the Kumaon and Garhwal participate in this Yatra. This Yatra starts from a small village 'Nauti' near Karnaprayag, and goes beyond Roopkund to Homkund.
A small Yatra is held every year, and, like the Kumbh, a large Yatra is held every 12 years.
If you time your trek accordingly, to be here during this Yatra, you will meet a lot of locals dressed in their traditional attire participating in the festival. Meeting these welcoming and warm-hearted people will be a mesmerising encounter.
This is a trek that will refresh your body and rejuvenate your soul.
Hop on!
Itinerary in brief
Customised itineraries are also available
Day 0
Overnight train to Kathgodam
Day 1
Drive down to Wan village (220 odd kms).
Stay overnight in rooms.
Enjoy this quaint little village amidst the mountains.
Day 2
Trek from Wan to Gairoli Paital (10000 ft).
8 kms.
Stay overnight in camp.
Day 3
Trek from Gairoli to Pathar Nachauni (12700 ft) via Bedni (11500).
7 kms.
Camp overnight.
Day 4
Trek from Pathar Nachauni to Baghua Basa (14100).
5 kms.
Stay overnight.
Day 5
Trek from Baghua Basa to RoopKund (15750), and, if possible, further upto Junargali (16000).
Back to Pathar Nachauni.
12 kms.
Camp overnight.
Day 6
Trek back from Pathar Nachauni to Wan.
15 kms.
Stay overnight in rooms.
Day 7
Drive back to Kathgodam.
Catch the overnight train (Ranikhet Express) to Delhi.
Get lost in memories forever :)
Gallery
Some of our pics from this trail.
Each pic here tells a story of it's own!