‘ROOPKUND LAKE TREK’: Most Coveted Himalayan Trek in India

Posted byDhirendra S ChauhanPosted inUncategorized
8th JUN 2013 – FEELING BREATHLESSLY EXCITED POSING AGAINST THE MYSTERIOUS ‘ROOPKUND LAKE ‘ IN THE BACKDROP

ROOPKUND LAKE TREK :

It was an amazing and unforgettable trekking experience of my life which demanded toughness and strong resolve to reach the destination-The Roopkund lake at 16,000 Ft, locally called the mystery lake or the skeleton lake. As per Hindu mythology, hundreds of pilgrims who went to Nanda devi shrine for pilgrimage died in a sudden violent hailstorm in the 9th century AD. around 300 skeletons were found in the lake and have intrigued the anthropologists, scientists and historians alike. That’s why it is called the mystery lake. It was a 5-days trek from Loharjung(Chamoli-Uttarakhand) from 5th June 2013 to 9th June 2013. I had reached Loharjung via Moradabad (I also visited my Polytechnic,Moradabad on 03/06/2013 after 33 yrs of completing my Electrical Engg. in 1980), Haldwani, Almora, Kausani & Baijnath on the 04-06-2013 for undertaking the covetted Himalayan Trek.

AT MY POLYTECHNIC ,MORADABAD
AT MY HOSTEL
ROOPKUND TREK
AT KAUSANI
TEAM OF THE ROOPKUND TREK -2013 ,4 CLIMBERS,1 MANAGER + 2 PORTERS

Day 1 (5th June 2013) –

Basecamp – Loharjung/Waan at 8000ft. msl

Started for Camp-1, Didina at 9,000 Ft after traversing the hilly terrain for 11 KMs and finally took rest in the camp preparing for the next camp.

AT CAMP-1 DIDINA
ENJOING THE COOL REFRESHING SURROUNDINGS OF THE DIDINA CAMP.
ALI BUGYAL
The India Hikes Camp at Bedini Bugyal
BEDINI KUND

Day 2 (6th June 2013) –

We set out from Didina for Bedini Bugyal climbing for 5 KM & then were fascinated by miles of astounding scenic beauty of the alpine meadows probably the most beautiful meadows of the world. Also, we crossed the virgin forest and our team of seven persons comprising of 4 trekkers, a guide, two luggage bearers along with two horses. Also there is a Bedini Kund here (There is a festival celebrated here every 12 years)with the gurgling brooks on the way. The cool breeze and the fresh cold water of the streams eased our tough steep climbs of the hills. The view of the Ali bugyal/meadows was breathtaking and mesmerizing experience.

Camping at BHAGWABASA CAMP-III. Clearly visible are the peaks-Mt Trishuli(23500 ft) & Mt.Nandaghunti(20800 ft) in the backdrop
Final Climb to the ROOPKUND LAKE

Day 3 (7Th June 2013) 14,700Ft.

Started for Bhagwabasa via Kaluvinayak and Patar Nachuni and took shelter in the tents/sleeping bag it being very cold outside in Bhagwabasa. From here we could clearly see the peaks of Mt.Trishuli at 23,500ft & Nandaghunti (20,800 Ft).It was nice awesome feeling. I was feeling quite amazed viewing the enchanting panorama.

WAY TO THE ROOPKUND THROUGH GLACIERS
KALU VINAYAK

Day 4 (8th June 2013) : Final climb to the ROOPKUND LAKE :

Early morning we set out at 0330 hrs for Roopkund crossing the glaciers. At 0500 watched the sunrise over the Mt. Trishuli. We reached the destination Roopkund at 0800 hrs. The view of the kund was so very breathtaking that we could not afford to blink our eyes. We stood spellbound on viewing the amazing spectacle. At 16000 Ft, there was the lake partially filled with water and ice with many skeletons and skulls lying scattered in the lake and all around it. For a moment we couldn’t utter a word being spellbound. Then we offered prayers at the small shiv-parwati temple and proceeded to Junargali (16500 Ft) from where we could see the Mt. Trishuli very clearly and vividly. After having our fill of the magnificent sights, we started our backward journey to Loharjung/Waan.

SUNRISE AT JUNARGALI
THE ROOPKUND LAKE
HALF FOZEN ROOPKUND LAKE

Camp 4 – During our return journey we took night halt at the Patar Nachuni Camp.

Day 5 (9th June 2013) – We started the return journey from Patar Nachuni to Waan/Loharjung and reached at 1700 hrs. which marked the conclusion of our quite memorable & exciting Himalayan trek to-the mysterious Roopkund Lake.

Published by Dhirendra S Chauhan

I am a travel enthusiast from Jaipur, India always full of curiosity to explore new places marked by some cultural, geographical & historical significance around the globe. Also I love visiting places full of adventure/mystery & have undertaken many amazing trekking expeditions to difficult locations needing toughness of body, soul &the spirit. I have explored most of Indian states/UTs to learn about their culture,had cultural exchange with people & learnt to respect their religious beliefs/customs.In September 2019, we went on our first foreign trip(50 days)to Netherlands, France, Belgium& Switzerland.Again in July 2022 ,we got a chance to visit Europe & have visited(75-day trip)Italy ,Portugal, Germany,Spain & Vatican city. The trips were full of amazing monuments,natural landscapes & places of great scenic beauty.Enjoyed the visit enormously.Having traveled so much I felt like travel blogging & here I am doing just that !Apart from travel-blogging I also like poetry. Basically I am an Electrical Engineer retired recently from Central Govt. Service after serving for 38 yrs. Meanwhile I have completed my Master of Social Work degree to pursue my Social obligations towards my fellow beings & am engaged in rendering Social Services to the needy &the disadvantaged ! Also I will like to pursue my new-found interest/hobby of writing Travelogues to benefit my readers by providing max. details like statistics, demography, historical origin, way of life , professions , languages spoken & the culture/customs associated with any place. While enjoying any tourist place, I simply advocate that one must also try to learn about the place. I travel and then share the collected information with the potential traveler .Hence the name of my site - Travel and share.😊

30 thoughts on “‘ROOPKUND LAKE TREK’: Most Coveted Himalayan Trek in India”

    1. Thanks Mansi for your “amazing” reaction! The place was indeed amazing spectacle to get your eyes on!In fact, it was an encounter with a reality about which you keep reading &one fine morning you find yourself face to face with it! OK then brace yourself for another traveltale coming soon from me!😛

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  2. Reading the blog word by word it felt like I am visiting this place feeling the thrill and chill of journey. Waiting for next blog. Keep writing and and keep inspiring us.

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    1. Thanks dear for your interest and admiration of the trek!I will be posting some more of my travel stories soon. !Keep commenting in a unbiased way, I will be encouraged to come up with old journeys worth sharing to benefit whomsoever interested in touring & traveling! Wish you:happy reading till then!

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  8. Superb penning down of the experience which is a mix of glacial travel as well as history of ancient tribes. After reading the blog it looks like the place is shopper stop for people having hobby of either high altitude treks, snowfall and anthropological interest. Congratulations for your first blog

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  9. Thanks for congratulating me for my first blog which happens to be my favourite one till now.Also thanks for your critical appraisal of the trek! You are right when you consider it a shoppers stop offering a variety of people with different pursuits in Roop kund, But frankly speaking, I didn’t go there as an Anthropologist, a Scientist or a Historian to unearth the truth of the much- hyped Roopkund Lake but just for the simple joy of scaling a high altitude trek with a mysterious aura to the expedition .I liked your frank and straight comments . Keep it up and keep supporting your blogger in question!

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    1. That’s a very encouraging statement! I will write more enthusiastically if it inspires people to view the mesmerizing landscapes and scenic beauty of our homeland .Thanks and keep following /commenting on my blog !

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  11. Amazing place and very well written blog sir. This trip reflects your fitness. I would love to visit this place. Thank you and please keep sharing your experiences sir.

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    1. Thanks Himli for your nice encouraging comments.That was my first ever blog some six months ago.I am a keen admirer of your blogs and have been following with lot of interest.Pl find some time out for me and comment on my blogs unbiasedly, so that I can improve on my blogging.Thanks a lot !

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      2. I will look forward to it although you will not be disappointed as there may be something interesting for you also!Only one must have a bit of patience in digesting the’Historical part’of my blog!Pl.take your time!Happy reading😊

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  15. Definitely one of the difficult treks , appears to be a daring adventurous trip. But once you have reached the destination with views of these inky blue skies, snow clad mountains and their reflections in the clear lakes , it takes all the pain away.

    P.S. Skulls/ skeletons in the backdrop is bit of hair raising experience.

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    1. Yes Akanksha ,it was a tough trek but the resolve to reach the destination propelled me forward although a few climbers younger to me (I was 55 then) had pulled out of the trek not having both the physical and mental strength for the same.Thanks for your valuable analysis!

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  17. What an amazing post! The way you’ve described the journey to Roopkund Lake is captivating, and the photos truly bring the experience to life. It’s clear how much effort and passion went into this trek, and I’m so grateful you’ve shared your memories with us. The lake and its surrounding landscapes look absolutely stunning! Thanks again for the inspiring write-up and the beautiful pictures!

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    1. Thanks for your whole hearted appreciation of the post, Neeraj! I hope it was worth it! I too go through your lively posts on Himachal Pradesh, the holy land of Gods and have loved your beautiful presentations ! I hope you will keep encouraging me by going through other posts on my site!God bless you

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