Roopkund Trek

This universe is full of astonishing miracles, mysteries & conundrums. When we talk about the beauty of ‘Devbhoomi’ i.e. Uttarakhand, a tiny but aesthetic region in India, the first thing comes into our mind is the alluring beauty of nature with piousness filled in the roots of it. But not everything is unambiguous; some mysteries, remains forever. One of such mysterious place is ‘Roopkund’; located at an uninhabited high mountain region of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, Roopkund Lake is also known as ‘The Mystery Lake’ or ‘The Lake of Skeletons’.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Haridwar

DEPARTURE TIME

Please arrive by 6:00 AM for a prompt departure at 7:00 AM.

RETURN TIME

Approximately 7:30 PM.

WEAR / Self Carry Things

Warm cloths, Sock, Sleeper, Hand gloves, Cap, Torch, Water bottle, Rain coat, Rack sack, Neck sack, Sunscreen lotion, min 30 SPF, Personal things (Tooth Brush, toothpaste, Toiletries), Camera, Personal Medicines

PRICE INCLUDED

Trek Fee	Vegetarian Food (Waan Village to Waan Village )
Sleeping Bags, Guides, Cooks, Porter charges	Trek Permits,Forest Camping Charges
Accommodation on twin sharing	Carry mats, Camp fire
Transport(Haridwar to Haridwar)	First Aid box
Qualified and experienced trek leader and support staff

NOT INCLUDED

Any kind of Air/Train/Bus fare to and from Haridwar

Porter/mule charges to carry your personal bag. (Rs 1300 )

Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals

Any service not mentioned in “Price Includes”

+4.50% Service tax

Travel insurance

On the way lunch(vehicle), Soft drinks, Mineral Water etc.

Any claim or delay charges due to natural calamities, Bad weather, land slide, road blockage etc. or anything that is not mentioned in above insurance.

About the Destination:
The Rookund is situated at an expeditious altitude of around 5,029 meters (16,499 ft) in the heart of Himalayan Range. One of the most curious, mysterious and an amazing Trek destination of Rookund is well known throughout the whole world that is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad mountains.

About the Departure:
The depth of the particular lake is about two meters. There are many alleged stories present in the history of Skeleton Lake. The lake was first found by a British forest guard in 1942. It was also said that the skeletons were of Japanese soldiers who died while crossing that route during World War II. The skeletons are visible in the clear water of the shallow lake during a one-month period, when the ice melts. Along with the skeletons, objects like wooden artifacts, iron spearheads, leather slippers, rings etc. were also found. When a team from National Geographic magazine retrieved about 30 skeletons, flesh was still attached to some of the skeletons. One study identified the skeletons as those of Indians, and not of Japanese. Later studies placed the time of mass death around the 9th century AD (1200 years old).

We have few batches for this trek
Batch 1:- 02 June to 08 June 2017
Batch 2:- 09 June to 15 June 2017
Batch 3:- 16 June to 22 June 2017
Batch 4:- 08 Sept to 14 Sept 2017
Batch 5:- 15 Sept to 21 Sept 2017
Batch 6:- 22 Sept to 28 Sept 2017
Batch 7:- 29 Sept to 05 Oct 2017
Batch 8:- 06 Oct to 12 Oct 2017

Day 01: Haridwar to Waan village, by road

On this day, we pick you up early in the morning at Haridwar Railway station/Bus stand, from where we drive to Waan village from Haridwar via Rishikesh and Devprayag. Notably, Devprayag is a well-known, holy city which is the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, after this the rivers become the holy Ganga. We arrive Waan by the evening and check into a hotel to take rest. Dinner & overnight stay is our responsibility.

Day 02: Waan village to Bedni bugyal by trek (13km/6hrs)

After breakfast we proceed our trek to Bedni bugyal from Waan village. Our camping ground for the day at Bedni. In the afternoon we take a walk around the Bedni Kund and visit the small temple inside the boundary of the Kund. Clear weather will unfold mighty Trishul and Nandaghunti in front. At last we enjoy or dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 03: Bedni bugyal to Patar Nachuni by trek ( 5km/3hrs)

Today we trek to Patar Nachuni. Region of Patar Nachuni is surrounded by meadows and occasional mountain tops. After reaching patar Nachuni we rest for the night at the provided spot.

Day 04: Patar Nachuni to Buggubasa by trek (5km/5hrs)

After breakfast we proceed our trek to Buggubasa from Patar Nachuni. Region of Patar Nachuni is surrounded by meadows and occasional mountain tops. The top of the ridge going almost straight ahead is Kailu Vinayak. You reach the temple of Kalu Vinayak, which houses an idol of Lord Ganesha. The temple is constructed by arranging irregular pebbles and bricks atop each other. You may stop here and pray to the deity for good luck before hiking further, if you are a theist (Humour). After reaching Buggubasa we rest for the night at the provided spot.

Day 05: Buggubasa to Roopkund and Back to Patar Nachuni by trek (11km/7hrs)

We start this day early in the morning by 5 am to Roopkund. It is a moderate climb to Roopkund for about 4 km but as the altitude gains, the body tires more. Depending upon snow conditions it may take us 2 to 4 hours to reach. Until mid of June the trail is covered with snow. During monsoon to late September snow will be much lesser. The trail is well defined but on snow it is difficult to locate. From the region of Buggubasa camping ground, the trail is traverse at the beginning, till we reach a place called Chhiria Nag, which means staircase formation like a snake. From this point the climbing is moderately steep and one final steep climb on rock leads us to a flattened trail. Fortuntely, owing to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat (Yatra) in 2014, the trail has been maintained and in well condition. From here we can see the depression ahead which our destination, Roopkund (~4850m/15900ft) is. We spend some time clicking the photographs and offer puja to the small temple of Goddess Nanda Devi. The shallow lake has remaining of skeletons which are almost 1200 years old. There are still remains fossils semi decomposed torsos on the other side of the lake, which is a permafrost area. Depending upon the weather condition/time and team condition we may decide to attempt Junargali Pass (~ 5100 m, 16700 ft). The pass is between the ridges joining two low altitude peaks, Chandaniya Kot (on the left) and Kali Dang (on the right). Without snow in September it will take 30 to 45 min to reach the top. From top Nanda Ghunti and Trisul massif are magnanimous. The depression between Bethartoli Himal and Nanda Ghunti is the famous Ronty Saddle. We return on the same trail to Patar Nachuni and spend the night.

Day 06: Patar Nachuni to waan village by trek

Today is a long way descending till waan village. Now we follow the same path back. This feels like a cakewalk after the strenuous day before. We continue our trail back to Ghora Lautani and then to Bedni Bugiyal. After reaching Bedni camping ground, we take the trail on the right. Now we go down on the Bugiyal while we see the green fibre huts on our right. After going down for a while the road splits. Here we take the right hand side trail which goes downwards and slowly we enter into the tree line again. In few places the gradient down is steep and goes through the forest all the way. (Note: Avoid taking the shortcuts as it may hurt your knees) After descending for an hour we reach an opening inside the forest called Gahroli Patal. we continue to move downwards till we reach the river bed of Neel Ganga. From here we climb to reach the top of the Waan Village which is called Ran ka Dhar. Now we enter into the village of Waan and continue to descend. The village is stretched on both sides of the mountain and indeed huge comparing to normal Himalayan villages. Here we enjoy or dinner and overnight stay at the rest house.

Day 07: Waan village to Haridwar by Road

On this day, we start towards Haridwar to end this memorable journey. This is the last point of our journey and Galaxy Expedite Traveling Pvt Ltd is quite optimistic that we all shall take many unforgettable good moments & memories back to our homes and shall meet again with a new journey destined.