Roop Kund

Did this trek more than a decade ago in the last week of October 2011, and was reminiscing the trip with old pictures. Thought to share here and recount some old stories too! Do excuse the quality of the pictures and video. The camera and phone were even older than a decade :) Back then, trekking scene was only beginning to get commercialized. I remember how locals would get offended if you offer them money for any food or shelter they provide. In fact, this was my last trek where one Bisht ji downright declined my money. Could only offer chocolates and maggi to the kids. Bisht ji was the only remaining family in Didna as others had migrated below, across the river, for winters. He was shearing wool (using a huge scissor) off his many sheep and offered the two of us dal-chawal. After a heavy brunch, we asked him about a shortcut (local woodcutter's route) to reach the top of Ali Bugyal. He was bit hesitant, rather concerned, but when we told him we are also Pahadi and quite used to lugging firewood from forest, he gave us directions, pronto. The normal route takes almost an entire day, but the super steep shortcut got us there in few hours! At Ali Bugyal, we waited for clouds to clear up to get a glimpse of Mount Trishul and it got dark in no time. Pitched the tent in a jiff but realized we were out of water atop a cold desert. Ended up extracting water from frozen slush and mud, in Bear Grylls style! I also had a lot of trouble starting fire for the first time, owing to moisture in the wood we carried. Took a lot out of me but it was needed to boil the water, which we later filtered using a piece of cloth. Thankfully, we had cans of baked beans for dinner. Next day, nothing adventurous happened, but we did start at 3:30am and the concluded the night at Van at 10:30pm after a full day, and much of the night, of hiking! Those were the days when you had to get back to corporate slavery and time was always limited. During entire trek, came across just one Korean girl with her guide at Bedni Bugyal (unless counting the biggest Bhutia dog I ever laid eyes on!). There was actually another foreign couple traveling with their cavalcade -- heated tents, silver cutlery, and all the comforts of a leisurely hotel. We didn't meet them as they camped somewhere above Didna, on the route we didn't take. Got to know about this couple and their lavish travel antics years later through a newspaper article. Wish to do it this trek again sometime. Enjoy the photos.

Roopkund is an amazing trek for a first time or novice high altitude trekker. May is great to see snow on the trail, but be warned that it will be very crowded. There will be camps all around. I personally suggest October season - skies are absolutely clear, very few trekkers and crowd, landscape is stunning because you see more than just white. Recommended trek companies - Indiahikes and Trek the Himalayas. I like these guys because among other things, they take care of the environment. Start in Wan village. Must stop - Ali Bugyal.

Roopkund Trek is hands down the most popular trek in India. Its a moderate trek,The Roopkund (lake) is located at an altitude of about 15,700 feet. One can enjoy everything greenery, mountains, valley, rocky mountains, waterfall, jungle and endless walk everything Summit day is scary and tiring as well but your mind is full of joy becouse you have completed trek and saw the Roopkund lake and trishula mountains. It is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad mountains, making it a good trekking destination. The route leading to Roopkund passes through the twin Bugyals of Ali & Bedni.

A must visit if you are an adventurer. The whole trek is amazing. Chilly winds, occasional rains, hail storms are included in the package. Reaching the lake, on the final day, tests your will. Once you reach the top, the view will recharge you. But the trek dsnt end there. Getting down is even more difficult. So please follow your Guides' instructions. Carry the necessary equipment. Sign-up for this trek if you have a good trekking experience. As you gain altitude, one can get problems in breathing. So prepare yourself 2-3 months before registering. Most of these parts are untouched and therefore are pollution free. So, try and maintain it. Be responsible. Do not litter. Do not scream or talk loud. Keep your ears open and mouth shut. Maintain the serenity of the place for the future generations.

One of the amazing trek of Uttrakhand. Forest, wildlife, Meadow field, Himalaya View, Bolder Zone.... Everything is in this trek. Must do trek but unfortunately government disided to close this trek. Due to heavy rush on Meadows field & negative impact on glaciers. Did this trek long ago in month of October. Lot of memory with this trek. Stay in Bedini & Bhaguwasa with sub zero temperature was amazing.

One of the toughest trek of my life😀but we enjoyed so much. This trek will avail you two well know bugyals during the trek as bedni and Ali bugyal. This trek has so many stops according to the capacity of the group. It a tough to challenging type of trek. Please go with full preparation. Best time to go in rainy season because in winters or summers it will be full of snow and you can’t go to the final roopkund. Don’t go without the guide because this place is very far from everything and you may can get hurt there.

Amazing trek. Especially if you get to do junargali, the view is just breathtaking.You get to see all three peaks of Mt. Trishul and majestic view of Nanda ghunghti ranges. Also at the last base camp before summit, if you are lucky and the night sky is clear, you will get to experience the most beautiful and a full semicircle milky way. Certainly an experience of a lifetime. Although it will be cold like hell.The temperature will probably be in negative if you visit in June and the lake will be frozen. The October trek gives a clear view of the lake as the snow has melted by then and the temperature will be warmer.

Roopkund trek is one of the very famous treks in Uttrakhand . It is moderate to difficult level of trek. Quite long trek with view of mountains, valley, clouds, windy spaces, grasslands and abundant snow. One should be trek ready with all essentials specially dry ration, water and good trekking shoes. It’s quite tough trek but worth taking the pain. It has many stoppage points. but when we were traveling we were very much short of time we started at wan village and came in exactly 48 hrs. Otherwise it’s a 7-8 days trek. Please dnt do the same. Most of the stuff for travelling is available at villages on rent. For night can stay at cheap hotels in village.