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Roopkund Trek - Mystery Lake

Trip Duration :- 7 Nights 8 Days

Roopkund is a high altitude glacial lake in the Uttarakhand state of India, situated at the elevation of (4600m) lies in the lap of Trishul massif. Roopkund, the beautiful and mysterious lake has held the attention of trekkers not only because of the enchanting landscape surrounding it but also because of the presence of several bones and skeletons that can be seen in its waters. For years no one could figure out what had happened. The mystery has finally been solved by an international team which found out that around 850 AD, a group of pilgrims faced an unusually severe hailstorm which caused hundreds to die. Roopkund also known as Mystery Lake, Skeletons Lake is a high altitude & glacial lake in the Uttarakhand state of India. The area is uninhabited, in the Himalayas at an altitude of 16,470 feet.
Roopkund trek is one of the most famous and also quite a difficult trek amongst all the trekkers. It is at an elevation of about 16,500 feet approx. If you want to enjoy the snow and some difficult level of trekking experience and then visit it in the summer season that is from April to June. But if you are more interested in greenery and want a moderate level of trek then visit during the autumn season that is from September to November. Roopkund (locally known as Mystery and Skeletons Lake)is a high altitude glacial lake in the Uttrakhand state of India. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif and is famous for the hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the lake.


Roop Kund Trek

Roop Kund Trek Itnery



Day 01: Rishikesh to Lohajung
After an early breakfast drive to Lohajung. the entire drive today is along the Ganga. Alaknanda and Pindari river. we stop at Deoparyag the historical town situated on the bank of for the famous confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda river. we stop at Rudraparyag for lunch. After lunch we drive along the Pindari river. Arrive Lohajung and check in guest house. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 02: Lohajung to Didna Village
Morning after breakfast trek to Didna village, Sanitary works Architecture and design Astrakhan Walk down diagnolly across to the valley of the Bedni Ganga. Cross over to the other side of the valley and climb past the village of Didna through thick forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak to reach the camp site. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.

Day 03: Didna Village to Ali Bugyal to Bedni Bugyal
Morning after breakfast trek to Bednibugyal, The trail now follows the ridge with lovely views of towering summits of Chaukhamba, Neelkanth and Kedarnath on one hand and the picture postcard views of the villages of Wan, Didna and Kuling on the other side. A climb through a rhododendron forest takes us to the meadows of Ali Bugyal rolling on to join equally magnificent meadows of Bedni Bugyal. Dinner and overnight stay in the tents.

Day 04: Bedni Bugyal to Bhagubasa
Morning after breakfast trek up to Bhagubasa. The trail climbs up to the Pathar Nachauni ridge to get closer views of Trisul, Nanda Ghunti, Neelkanth, and Chaukhamba. A steep zigzag brings us to the caves of Bhagubasa where one can find some rock shelters which are used by the pilgrims. Dinner and overnight stay in the tents.

Day 05: Bhagubasa to Roopkund to Bhagubasa
TAfter an early morniong breakfast climb the steep zig-zag and narrow trail leading to the Skeleton lake of Roopkund (4850m). If the snow cover is not too thick, one would find the skeletal remains of the humans and horses dating back to 13th century. A steep walk up from here to the ridge gives a close up view of Trisul and Nanda Ghunti. Return all the way down to camp at Bedni Bugyal. Dinner and overnight stay in the tents.

Day 06: Bhagubasa to Bhuna
Morning after breakfast trek down to Bhuna. A long descending with imaging view will lead us to Bhuna. On the way enjoy the view of Himalayan peaks and meadows. Arrive Bhuna and camp. Enjoy bone fire to night. Dinner and overnight in stay in tents.

Day 07: Bhuna to Kanol to Sitil
An early breakfast trek down to Sitil. We finish our last day walking at Sitil. Check in guest house .At evening visit a very small market to see the life style of Himalayan people. Dinner and overnight stay in tent/guest house.

Day 08: Sitil to Rishikesh
Early morning after breakfast drive to rishikesh, We stop at Rudraparyag for lunch. Arrive Rishikesh and departure to your next destination.


Roopkund Trekking Guide


Roopkund, within the state of Uttarakhand in India, may be a famous glacial lake. This lake is legendary thanks to quite five hundred skeletons of humans that are found at the sting of the lake. it's located within the Himalayas and rests at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters. Roopkund is found within the Chamoli district of Garhwal. it's one among the simplest sites for Trekking in Garhwal. it's closer to hill stations like Nainital and Kathgodam. At a distance of 217 km from Nainital and 235 km from Kathgodam, Roopkund is one among the main adventure attractions for people within the country and also for people that are travelling from abroad. Roopkund, which is found within the lap of Trishul massif is additionally referred to as the ‘mystery lake’. you'll find human skeletons at the bank of the lake and it's believed that they belong to the Palaeolithic age.

These are believed to be the skeletons of the heroes who had fought here within the earlier times. along side the skeletons of humans, you'll also find structure of horses and other animals. There are reports that these skeletons belong to the 12th century to the 15th century. it's believed by specialists that the death of the many people during this region was a results of landslides, blizzard or a plague. The human skeletons were re-discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, who was a Nanda Devi Game reserve ranger.

Later in 2004, a team of Indian scientists along side some Europeans visited the world to realize more information about the character of the skeletons. On extensive research and findings, they found human skulls, bones and other jewellery. The DNA of the skeletons was taken, and it appeared that the people belonged to several classes and showed different features and morphological structure. There was a gaggle of short people and tall people that were believed to be closely associated with one another. Though the precise number of the skeletons can't be ascertained, but a complete number of around 500 hundred skeletons were found. it's also believed that an equal number of skeletons perished thanks to the natural environment.

The carbon dating of the skeletons at the Oxford University Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit determines the age of the skeletons to be somewhere around 850 AD. Later extensive research has been administered in various parts of the country and therefore the world. Many scientists are of the thought that the people didn't die of a plague but thanks to sudden hailstorms. The hailstorms are alleged to be as big because the size of a ball, and as there was no shelter within the open areas of the Himalayas, people may need come under its disastrous and direct effect. it's considered together of the strongest reasons for the extinction of the natives of this area.

The cold and icy weather are often said to be the rationale for the preservation of the skeletons for such an extended time. The favourable weather prevented the skeletons to decay off and decompose into soil. With landslides that were rampant within the area, many bodies slipped into the lakes and stayed there for an extended time. The bodies that fell into the lake had a greater shelf-life as compared to those which remained within the open. However it's still not determined if this group of individuals lived here, or if they were heading towards a destination. Historical evidence of any trade route towards Tibet has not been established. Therefore it's hard to decipher the important purpose of the group of individuals that were victims to the present natural calamity. There are possibilities that the group could also be heading towards the Nanda Devi pilgrimage where Nanda Devi Raj Jat festivities happen once every 12 years.

Lohajung is that the starting trekking point for Roopkund. The Roopkund trek also can be called Skeleton Trek thanks to the presence of various skeletons in and round the lake. The lake is surrounded by snow clad mountains and rock- strewn glaciers.

Trekking in India and selecting the Roopkund trek is an adventurous journey which passes through many exotic and delightful locations. As you trek towards the lake, you'd find lush green grassy land and conifer forest ranging towards the autumn of hills. Thereafter the trek takes its way along the Pindar River. you'll enjoy the natural and plush green great thing about the environment with the pleasant breeze that blows all around you, giving a soothing effect to your senses.

Roopkund may be a picturesque, beautiful and attractive tourist destination within the Himalayas. Located at the bottom of two Himalayan peaks, Trishul and Nandghungti, it attracts people that have an adventurous side to life. There are religious festivals that happen in autumn, held at the alpine meadow of Bedni Bugyal, where the nearby villages participate. The lake is roofed with ice all the time and it adds to its beauty. it's a pleasant travelling destination together is surrounded by mountains from all sides. Trekking in Uttarakhand also gives you the prospect to trek the Himalayas. you'll also choose the Nanda Rajjat Yatra.

There are many routes for a trek to Roopkund. one among the foremost common routes taken by travellers and adventurers is thru Lohajung up to where you'll pass by road. Trekking begins after now. There also are some plains or flat areas where you'll camp during the night. If the weather isn't foggy, you'll easily see Bedni Bugyal and Trishul. On your thanks to Roopkund, you'd also find many grazing lands for horses, sheep and mules. you'd encounter a couple of temples and lakes on your journey. Many waterfalls also are visible on the slopes of the encompassing mountains. However, it should be kept in mind that the weather is usually hostile throughout the year and travellers got to be fully equipped and ready for these conditions