The short version
- 18 days, about 53 km on foot, topping out at 4,801m. Rated Moderate on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
- 3Starts from Lohajung, reached via Kathgodam.
- 4One night gains more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹18,000 per person; 2 listed, 2 verified.
The trek
Overview
Roopkund is India's most mythologised trek — a glacial lake at 4,800m holding ancient human skeletons, visible through the clear water when the snow melts: a genuinely unique and unsettling natural mystery. The 8-day route from Lohajung passes oak forest, the stunning Ali Bedni Bugyal meadow and a high ridge, and the Trishul North face towers directly above the haunting lake.
Right for you if
- You've slept above 4,000m without getting properly sick
- You can climb steep snow to 4,800m, often in crampons, starting at 3am
- 8 days of tent camping is fine: nights well below freezing at Bhagwabasa
- You'd love Ali Bedni Bugyal's meadows, which are on the way
Think twice if
- It's your first Himalayan trek
- You'd book without checking: access past Bhagwabasa has been restricted at times, so confirm with the operator
- Fast-changing weather worries you: the upper section turns dangerous quickly
Season
When to go
Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
June: warm days and snowmelt streams running high in the afternoons. The monsoon can arrive in the second half of the month.
Autumn: the clearest skies and steadiest weather of the year. Nights get cold quickly from October, and early snow is possible in November.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Kathgodam
Nearest airport
Pantnagar, or Delhi then train
Nearest railway
Kathgodam
By road
Kathgodam to Lohajung, about 10 to 11 hours
Most operators run a shared pickup from Kathgodam early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 29 km with about 3,410 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 2, climbing 1,280 m. Operators vary it a little.
- Day1
Lohajung → Didna
Down to the Neel Ganga and a steep climb through forest to Didna village
7.7 km630 m470 msleep at 2,459 m
- Day2
Didna → Bedni Bugyal
via Ali Bugyal
Out onto Ali Bugyal, one of the largest high meadows in the Himalaya, and along to Bedni
≈10.1 km1,280 m310 msleep at 3,501 m
- Day3
Bedni Bugyal → Patar Nachauni
A short day along the ridge, good for acclimatising
≈3.9 km560 m80 msleep at 3,946 m
- Day4
Patar Nachauni → Bhagwabasa
Over Kalu Vinayak into rock and scree, the last camp below the lake
≈4.5 km400 m70 msleep at 4,277 m
- Day5
Bhagwabasa → Patar Nachauni
via Roopkund
Up to the lake of skeletons at 4,800 m before dawn, then all the way back down
≈10.1 km570 m930 msleep at 3,946 m
- Day6
Patar Nachauni → Lohajung
The long walk out
21.8 km830 m2,440 msleep at 2,335 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
2,335 m
Highest night
4,277 m
Highest point
5,029 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Moderate. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Roopkund Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
2 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹18,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Indiahikes4.8₹18,000
- Trek The Himalayas4.7₹18,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Roopkund Trek?
It's rated Moderate on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: jog 5 km in about 40 minutes, or climb 40 floors with a 5 kg pack. The highest point is 4,801m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Roopkund Trek?
May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Spring: longer days and rhododendrons lower down. Snow can linger on high ground into May, and afternoons often bring cloud or a shower.
How many days does the Roopkund Trek take?
8 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 6 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Roopkund Trek?
Most groups meet in Kathgodam. Nearest airport: Pantnagar, or Delhi then train. Nearest railway: Kathgodam. Kathgodam to Lohajung, about 10 to 11 hours.
How much does the Roopkund Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹18,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Roopkund Trek?
Forest department permits for treks inside sanctuaries and national parks. Operators normally arrange them; carry original photo ID.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.