Roopkund with Ali Bendi Bugyal 8D

Roopkund (The “Lake of Skeletons”)

• Description: Roopkund is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand, known as the “lake of skeletons.”
• Location & Altitude: It is situated at 16,500 feet (approximately 5,029 meters) at the base of Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas.
• Dimensions: The lake is only about 130 feet wide and is covered in ice for most of the year.
• Surroundings: It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush green meadows, creating a beautiful contrast.
• Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra: The lake is a significant point on the route of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a 280-kilometer pilgrimage that takes place every 12 years.

Lohajung

• Description: Lohajung is a small village in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
• Location: It is surrounded by mountains and offers a stunning view of the Trishul mountain of the Nandadevi mountain range.
• Base Camp: Lohajung is famous as the base camp for several trekking expeditions, including the Roopkund and Brahmatal treks.

Note on Trek Status: The provided text mentions that the Roopkund trek is “recently prohibited.” This is a crucial detail. In 2018, the Uttarakhand High Court banned overnight camping in the alpine meadows (Bugyals) of the state to protect their fragile ecosystem. This order made the traditional Roopkund trek itinerary, which relies on these campsites, virtually impossible to complete as a commercial trek. While the trek is not technically “banned,” commercial operators often cannot run the classic itinerary, and some have shifted to offering the shorter Ali Bedni Bugyal trek as an alternative.

Ali, Bendi Bugyal

What it is: Ali Bedni Bugyal is a pair of high-altitude meadows (known as “Bugyals” in the local language) located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.

Altitude: Ali Bedni Bugyal is situated at an altitude of 3,459 meters above sea level.

Views: The meadows offer magnificent views of prominent Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Chaukhamba, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, and Mt. Trishul.

Trekker’s Paradise: The text highlights that the area has everything a trekker could wish for, making it a popular destination for those who appreciate natural beauty and stunning vistas.