Roopkund Uttarakhand 2024 - Mysterious Skeleton Lake

Roopkund Uttarakhand

The Roopkund Lake, located among the friendly Himalayan peaks, remains a mystery. The remains of human bones and horses from the Palaeolithic period can be observed here, earning it the moniker “Mystery Lake.”

The thrilling trip to Roopkund trek begins in Lohajung, a little pass in the Garhwal Himalayas at 16,499 feet above sea level. This tiny lake, with a depth of around 2 metres, is the most popular in all of Uttarakhand. The lake is ringed by a rock-strewn glacier and is tucked among breathtaking alpine landscapes.

Roopkund jhil is nearly always frozen. The skeletal bones discovered at Roopkund are thought to be 500-600 years old. Traveling to Roopkund allows you to wander through villages rich in Pahari culture.

Mythology about Roopkund Trek

According to Hindu mythology, when Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva were on their way to Kailash after annihilating the demons, the goddess wished to purify herself. Lord Shiva then used his Trishul to construct a ‘kund’ or lake for his consort to bathe in. Parvati became enchanted by her gorgeous reflection while swimming in the lake. As a result, the lake was called Roopkund.

According to another legend, Raja Jasdhaval, the King of Kanauj, enraged the Goddess Nanda Devi by taking his pregnant wife, as well as countless dancers, musicians, and attendants, on a pilgrimage to the Nanda Devi temple. After disturbing the quiet of her holy country with their lavish entourage, Rani Balampa, Queen of Raja Jasdhaval, gave birth in a nearby cave (considered unclean for a period of time). The entourage, along with other bad happenings, enraged the Goddess, and she unleashed her fury in the shape of a terrible storm. It is reported that hailstones the size of tennis balls dropped on the pilgrims’ heads, causing their instantaneous death.

Roopkund and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra

Every 12 years, the legendary ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra’ takes place from Nauti village near Karnaprayag to Homkund near Roopkund. This yatra is in honor of Goddess Nanda. This difficult holy yatra attracts a huge number of pilgrims from Garhwal and Kumaon.

There have also been several legends told about Roopkund’s strange human skeletons. According to studies, individuals perished from hailstorms during the 12th and 15th centuries. But what those folks were doing there remains a mystery.

Places to See in Roopkund Trek

Roopkund Trek has 3 tourist attractions and places to visit. Roopkund Trek has three tourist attractions where visitors may spend their free time. Here is a list of all the Roopkund Trek sightseeing alternatives:-

Roopkund Lake
Bedni Kund
Homkund Lake

Best Time To Do Roopkund

Roopkund is accessible between May and June, as well as August and mid-October. The difficult environmental conditions only allow hikers to trek between the first week of May and the first week of July. June is the best month to visit the twin Bugyals/meadows of Ali and Bedni since the meadows are in full bloom by this time. Trekking in Roopkund is also enjoyable during the latter week of August and the first week of October. The sky is still clear, and the temperature is ideal for a walk.

Roopkund Trek Suggested Itinerary

Day 01: Kathgodam-Lohajung (Drive:225 km, 10 hours)

Ranikhet Express will take you to Kathgodam. There are two ways to go to Lohajung from Kathgodam. If you are traveling in a group, taking a cab to Lohajung is the best alternative. If you want to save money, divide your journey into two parts: Kathgodam to Gwaldam by bus/shared cab and then Gwaldam to Lohajung. Lohajung has affordable lodging options.

Day 2: Lohajung-Didna Village (Trek: 6.5 kms)

Wake up early in the morning, and walk the trail to Raun Bagad, which is located behind the Lohajung bus stop. This well-marked track descends through mixed woodland, taking around two and a half hours to reach Ruan Bagad. You can also get there by using the route that leads to Wan village. After a 6-kilometer hike to Kuling village, there is a steep incline leading to Ruan Bagad. After passing the iron bridge, the ascent to Didina village begins. After a difficult ascent, you will arrive at Didina in about an hour. For the night, stop at Didina.

Day 3: Didna Village-Ali Bugyal (Trek: 10.5 kms)

Begin early; there are two alternate ways from Didina to Ali Bugyal. Take the route to Tolapani, which has a cluster of shepherd houses. Tolapani is visible from the valley and is only 3 km distant. Take the route that goes to Tolkaan from Tolapani. This meadow walk winds through switchbacks and dense oak trees. Take a sharp left towards the south and go to the ridge.

Alternatively, you can ascend to Ali Bugyal without passing through Tolapani. If you want to enjoy the breathtaking views, come here before the afternoon. Relax among the natural landscapes and spend the night in the tents.

Day 4: Ali Bugyal-Patar Nachuni via Bedni Bugyal and Ghora Lautani (Trek: 7 kms)

Day four is a simple walk; simply follow the straight line in front of you for 3 km. Soon, you will come to a ridge from where the view is breathtaking. Ghora Lotani is a lovely camping with stunning views. Pitch your tents here and spend the night rolling around under the stars.

Day 5: Patar Nachuni- Bhagwabasa via Kalu Vinayak (Trek: 4 kms )

Prepare to journey on the snow line, which will get you closer to an altitude of 14,500 feet and give you the shivers of the weather. Begin the walk early in order to arrive at Bhagwabasa before the weather becomes unpleasant. Ascend to Kalu Vinayak via a difficult zig-zag path that leads to the peak. This portion will take around an hour and a half to complete. Bhagwabasa is about 2 km away. The route to Bhagwabasa passes through snow areas and provides spectacular vistas along the way.

Day 6: Bhagwabasa-Roopkund- Patar Nachuni (Trek: 10 kms)

Begin your journey as early as 4 a.m. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be to navigate the snow, as it will be hard and your feet will not sink in. Roopkund is a 3-mile uphill trek from Bhagwabasa that takes 3 and a half hours to reach.

When you get to Roopkund, take in the wonderful vista of the glacier lake and, if the weather permits trek up to Junargali. Junargali is around 30 minutes away. You can start early in order to return to Bedni Bugyal via Bhagwabasa. Crossing this treacherous stretch requires caution due to the possibility of snowy slopes.

Day 7: Patar Nachuni-Lohajung via Bedni and Wan (Trek: 15 kms)

Prepare to return to Lohajung through Wan village. This well-marked track is simple to navigate. On a clear day, you may see the Trishul mountain when driving back from Bedni Bugyal to Wan village. As you go through the lush rhododendron trees, you will see a sharp fall for the Neel Ganga River.

It will take around an hour to ascend the ridge above Wan village from here. The trip to Wan village takes around 6 and a half hours. Then it is an hour’s journey back to Lohajung, where you may spend the night.

Day 8: Lohajung to Kathgodam (Drive: 210 km)

Bid farewell to the thrilling hiking adventure and depart from Lohajung village for the post-breakfast drive to Kathgodam.

Staying in Roopkund Trek

Roopkund has no hotels, resorts, or guesthouses due to its distant position. When trekkers stop for the night, they bring tents with them and sleep along the trail. Wan, the trail’s final inhabited settlement, has a limited number of low-cost lodging options. Wan is the last location where you may get lodging when traveling to Roopkund. The remaining trekking path requires you to bring your own camping tents for lodging.

Roopkund Trek Food Guide

Trekkers bring the food supplies they purchased before beginning their journey. Packaged food is generally a best choice in these isolated regions.

Important Note:- It is a Humble Request to all the trekkers and travelers please don’t litter, whatever you bring over anywhere, collect it bring it with you, and throw it in the garbage box. Thank You.

Roopkund Trek Travel Tips

Traveling during the monsoon season should be avoided since the mountainous area of Uttarakhand receives a lot of rain. Furthermore, the area is prone to landslides and roadblocks.
At such high heights, the weather is uncertain, so bring a raincoat.
Inform a member of your family or friends about your trek and tell them when it will begin and end. Avoid trekking alone in the Himalayan wilderness.

NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding the Roopkund Trek, Uttarakhand like the trek route, travel tips, and itinerary, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.