Roopkund: Trek to Skeleton Lake of the Himalayas

Roopkund, a well-known trek in Chamoli District is an offbeat attraction among adventurers. This lake trek of Garhwal is on the right side of the Badrinath route near the Pathar Nachuni. The lake for which you trek is known as the Skeleton Lake. People say that several skeletons are immersed in the lake and these are visible sometimes.

Apart from the mysticism of the lake, it is an example of pure natural beauty. Due to the beauty of the lake, people trek for days and reach this location. From a trekking point of view, it’s one of the preferred sites of Uttarakhand.

If you were looking for a trekking site in high altitude then you can think about coming to Roopkund.

Insights of Roopkund Lake & Trek

Roopkund trek’s final point is settled at approximately 4535 m elevation in the Chamoli District. The mountain peaks that are in the visible range from the top of Roopkund are Nanda Ghunti, Trishul and Mrigthuni.
As we said, Roopkund is an offbeat trek, so Lohajung is the last village or base camp before the trek starts. That is why Lohajung is considered the starting point of the Roopkund trek. The last well-maintained road is Lohajung Wan Road or Mundloi Road.

So we can say that the trek of Roopkund commences from Lohajung. Surrounded by dense forests of lush greenery, massive serene glaciers, and snow-clad mountains, the pathway of the trek is so majestic. Throughout the trek, you’ll get a mesmerising view of major peaks like Trishul, Neelkanth, Kedarnath and many others. The route that leads to Roopkund is encircled by the two twin Meadows recognised by the name of Aali and Medni.

It is believed that in 1942, a forest guard who was a Britisher discovered these skeletons in the frozen lake of Roopkund. This cryptic feature of the lake attracts a huge number of trekkers and wanderers. Being a glacial lake, it remains frozen almost all of the year, and the skeletons come into view only when the icy layer melts.

Is Roopkund Trek Challenging?

Yes, because of its steep routes, and high altitude, the trek is relatively tougher than that of other treks but not completely impossible. We can consider this trek a normal challenging one. Because there are even more challenging treks in Uttarakhand.

The trek, however, is a task in itself that could easily be done if the individual is an experienced or professional trekker. The recommended time period for this hike starts in the month of May till June and then again from September to mid-October.

How Roopkund is Unique than Other Lakes

In Uttarakhand, there are a number of treks mostly located on the off-beat critical terrains. Usually, these lakes are formed by melting glaciers or reservoirs of rainwater. The uniqueness of Roopkund lies in its aura and vibe. Because most of the lakes in Garhwal have a spiritual divine vibe. Instead, Roopkund is a mystic lake. However, this may be an assumption of mass. But whenever people get to know about the skeletons in the lake, they feel a bit different vibe there.

In this way, Roopkund is unique compared to other lakes. But it doesn’t affect the number of trekkers coming here. No matter what the vibe of the lake is, it still looks like a soul-calming glacial lake. Despite holding mystic vibes, Roopkund Lake is a rare sight to capture in the eyes.

How to Reach the Starting Point Lohajung:

Lohajung is a village located in the Chamoli, Uttarakhand that serves as the starting point for the trek of Roopkund Lake. The route of the village is connected with the two major cities, Kathgodam and Haridwar or Rishikesh.

From Kathgodam or Haldwani:

The route from Kathgodam to Lohajung covers about 218 km. If you travel in your conveyance, it would hardly take 7-8 hours, depending upon the traffic.
Either reach Kathgodam via railways or roadways as per your convenience, then you can take a bus/taxi to Lohajung. You’ll also be able to behold mesmerising vistas of some spectacular hill stations on this way.

From Haridwar or Risikesh:

The route from Haridwar is quite long as it is 282 km away from Lohajung. However, people often prefer this route as many picturesque scenic views of snow-clad peaks can be seen.
You can hire a van or taxi or even take a bus directly to Lohajung.

How to Ensure a Safe Stay During the Trek:

Many people like to take a halt in Lohajung for one night before starting their trek to Roopkund. The quaint village offers great amenities for staying. For being settled around an area and a lively neighbourhood, there’s nothing to fear about.

There are a number of Hotels and resorts that ensure affordable as well as comfortable accommodation for the travellers.
Moreover, in the trek, Camping is the most suitable option to reside. Tourists love to reside in camps or even small huts. However, it’s recommended to trek in a group for more security and safety and not solo.

What to Pack for the Trek:

Things needed to be carried to the trek are:

• Carry one or two water bottles at least, so you don’t wander in search of water.
• Wear comforting and balanced hiking shoes, they will help you in trekking to rough terrains.
• Pack an ample amount of warm clothes to be safe from the stormy winds and cold.
• You should also bring some rain gadgets such as ponchos or waterproof jackets for sudden weather changes.

Nearby Places to Visit

Some of the places nearby Roopkund, where you can visit and feel more adventurous.

• Aali Bugyal
• Brahma Tal Trek
• Bhenka Tal
• Monal Top Trek
• Bedini Kund
• Tadak Tal

Things You Should Avoid Doing in High Altitude Trek

There are a few tips and warnings that you must consider before or during this journey:

• You should not consume alcohol while trekking and living in the high-altitude camps. Overall avoid this in the entire Roopkund tour.
• While packing the luggage for trekking, you should carry only essentials and mini forms of things. Because it becomes more challenging when you trek by carrying the heavy bag on your back.
• In general, you should avoid taking such tablets and medicines on the trek, which causes sleeping effects or laziness. Because it will affect the speed of trekking as well as balance.
• We would recommend you go on a group trek to Roopkund. It is not advisable to do solo trekking on this challenging trek.
• Even if you are with a group on this trek, then you all should hire a trekking guide, who can make you reach the destination and return safely.
• You should not stand, sit or roam very close to the valleys on the high-altitude treks.
• Always be careful while capturing photos and videos in these elevated areas.

Conclusion:

In this blog, we have told you about the high-altitude trek Roopkund. This is well known among the adventurers and you can also plan to go on this trek. But you should check the best time before planning this tour. Besides that, firstly keep a check on your fitness. You must be healthy to go on such treks. So be healthy, be ready and plan the trekking on the vacation.