Roopkund Trek: A Mysterious Skeleton Lake Trek
March 20, 2020
Roopkund Trek: A Mysterious Skeleton Lake Trek
Roopkund Trek is in Uttarakhand. We all know that Roopkund trek is famous for itsSkeleton Lake. The Lake is mysterious because more than five hundred skeletons of human are found at the edge of Skeleton Lake or Roopkund Lake.It’s one of the best sites to trekking in Garhwal. Roopkund does not attract people in India but Trekker from abroad visit Roopkund each year.
The mystery of Roopkund remains a question for everyone. Some people believe that these skeletons are of heroes who had fought in the earlier times.
What makes this trek different?The main attraction of this trek is the mystery behind the skeletons in the lake due to which it is also known as the ‘Skeleton Lake’. There has been many stories and theories behind this presence of the skeletons in the lake, but it was revealed that they are the remains of the people who faced a severe hail storm and died.
While you go for Roopkund trekking, you will feel a natural charm and mystery in the environment. The Kund is situated around 16,499 ft. above the sea level. There are many unknown facts about this trek, which will push you to go for this trek and some of them are mentioned below:
- If you are going for a trek for the first time, then this is the right choice for you. This trek is safe, adventurous, mysterious, and beautiful or we can say that it is a complete package.
- Obviously, everyone knows about the oak forests which are found above Wan, but do you know that these forests stretch for more than 3,000 feet.
- You can see Mount Trishul, which is the first 7,000 metre summit climbed by man, closest in front of you. Such a sight is unique in Himalayan Trails.
You will experience many such things which will compel you to return to Roopkund for another breathtaking experience of the trek.
Trek Itinerary : Roopkund TrekAltitude:7191 Ft.
Time taken:153 Km, 9 to 10 hrs approx.
On your Roopkund trek, the journey will be a little longer, which includes one or two breaks. The road will start from Dehradun and will take you to Nanapyrag from where the Sutol is 44 Km, The route goes through coniferous forest and unrelenting curves, a village with all provisions of purchasing food essentials required for the rest of the journey. You will cross few villages in between such as Ghat, Gulari, Sital and last you will reach Sutol. The extremely curvy and winding road gains considerable height. The roads are so thrilling, it is generally foggy during most of the time, and temperatures remain cold. And Roopkund trek best time is if you want to trek in heavy snow, the best time would be from May to June. Less snow, months of August and September are best.
This could be the best trek in Uttarakhand as it is opened after a long time, and the Roopkund trek package is worth picking this summer.
Time taken:3 to 4 hrs approx.
Trek Gradient:Moderate
The actual trek begins today of your Roopkund Trek. After a good home prepared breakfast, the walk starts on the level ground with a slight ascent towards Talkapad, An hour and a half walk on the flat surface then again the rise, Exotic birds can be spotted very quickly; the air feels crisp and fresh. Gradually descend towards the village. At the start, you will notice a narrow concrete plain which cuts through houses and fields and takes you to a small stream. The road ahead is moderately steep. You will take a few breaks in between and have your lunch, as you cross the Sutol you will reach Tatra village that is 3 Km from Sutol and then you will heat to Talkapad. There is so much about the beauty of Roopkund trek that will make you less tiring and along with that treks in India are the famous and most admirable one.
From Sutol, Talkapad is 8 Km, the trail encompasses evergreen alpine forests and trees which are huge in size. Total distance covered during the day is approximately around 7 to 8 Km, and the night is spent in the camp with dinner.
Altitude:14,029 Ft.
Time taken:approx. 4 to 5 hrs trek
Trek Gradient:Moderate
Today's Roopkund trek involves trekking through the beautiful village’s. The trek will take you to trek on top of the mountain, after the start, the trail will take out of the village. Treks in India are admirable, and Roopkund is one of them and here it goes On the right, the trail is slightly ascending with a very gentle gradient. On the way, temporary settlements of local shepherds known will be seen; they are very friendly and warm in welcoming people.
Oak, Birch, and Rhododendron trees are the only trees that grow in these areas, as you trekking to Ghimtoli that is 5 Km from Talkapad and from Ghimtoli to Bhagwabas is 1.5 Km.
As you will reach Ghimtoli, you will be trekking a few steps to Bhagwabas, and the camp for the 3rd day can be located between Ghimtoli or Bhagwabas.
Altitude:16,499 Ft.
Time taken:8 to 9 hrs trek
Trek Gradient:Difficult
Start early on this day in your Roopkund trek to reach the mega destination – Roopkund. At an altitude of more than 16000ft, it is undoubtedly the highest point on the trek and treks in India are worth picking through the path is not that complicated to trekking, but even the 4km walk will take a breath out of you and tire you like hell. But no trekking is easy, right? During monsoon, the snow covering this area is very less and shallow, which makes the path reveal itself correctly. From Bhaguabasa you are trekking to Roopkund– The mystery island. The lake of skeletons is one of the most mysterious places in the world. Till date, even archaeologists, and scientists are not able to find out how there were so many skeletons on the bed of the lake. There are theories and fables which state that once a king and his fellowmen were going to Nanda Devi, and, unfortunately, a severe hailstorm led to their deaths. If you are fortunate, then from the edge of the lake, you can clearly see somewhere around 300 human skeletons. This view in itself is breath taking, and people go crazy after seeing this. From this place, the trek will be along a hard and steep terrain. After the steep trekking gets over, you will find the Nanda Devi temple. This is very near to the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. A perfect site for taking good snaps with friends and other fellow trekkers, this is also a well known and loved trek in Uttarakhand.
After witnessing the beauty, you will come back to Ghimtoli and Bhagwabasa, and stay there in the camp, have your dinner and rest.
Altitude:11,003 Ft.
Time taken:9 to 10 hrs trek
Trek Gradient:Difficult
On your 5th day of Roopkund trek, you will head towards Bedni Bugyal from Ghimtoli/Bhawabasa. The descent along the path is twice tricky that of the ascent it is so steep that one might have the feeling of falling down from the top. Move along to discover a cave-like structure called as Bhagwabasa or the abode of the tiger. You further trekking down to reach ground level. You continue backward to Bedni Bughyal. Your day will end at the campsite amidst lush greenery. This trip is one of the longest, covering over a long distance taking about 8 to 9 hrs for completion. The legs will push you to deep sleep as they need a lot of rest. But before going to bed, do realize the whole trek was not at all easy and requires a whole lot of determination and courage to complete it, and Roopkund is one of the best trek in Uttarakhand for the travelers so an act of courage can make you witness beautiful things.
On your 6th day of Roopkund trek, you will head towards Talkapad from where you have started your trek and by keeping the memories you will descent towards Talkapad in the morning, and the journey of this beautiful trek in Uttarakhand will come to an end earlier.
On your 7th day of Roopkund trek you will head to Sutol from Talkapad, it will be your second last day on this beautiful Roopkund trek where you had all the fun and adventure in the best trek of Uttarakhand.
On your 8th day Roopkund trek you will head towards your destination from Sutol, by capturing all the memories in heart and by making new friends you will go back from this beautiful trek, and there are many treks in Uttarakhand where Roopkund is one best trek in Uttarakhand.
