Roopkund Trail

Quick facts and essentials for the Roopkund trek.

Time to Hike: 8-9 days covering roughly 53 km including approach and return; typical itineraries include a couple of short acclimatisation days and varied daily stages.

Best Time to Go: Late May to early June and September to October offer the most reliable weather windows and open passes; mid-monsoon months are less reliable.

Getting there: Reach the trailhead by road from Rishikesh or Dehradun then drive to hill villages such as Lohajung or Wan to start the walk; most operators include the transfers.

Costs: Expect costs for road transfers, camping equipment, food, guide and porter services and local village fees; there are no staffed mountain huts on the route so budget for Camping and support.

Difficulty: High-altitude trek reaching the Roopkund basin at about 5029 m with steep moraine, scree and occasional icy patches; requires good fitness, acclimatisation and comfort on rough, exposed terrain.

The route sits in the Garhwal Himalaya and moves from shaded rhododendron and oak forests into wide alpine meadows such as Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal. These high pastures provide long, gentle walking days with dramatic ridgeline exposures as the trail gains altitude.

The final approach reaches the small glacial lake Roopkund at roughly 5029 m where weathered human bones are visible around the shoreline, a feature that draws both hikers and researchers. Nights are spent in tents on meadows and sheltered clearings; there are no permanent staffed huts so independent camping or organised groups are the norm. The skyline includes views of nearby high peaks, and the changing light on the meadows is a seasonal highlight.

The nearest commercial airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant) and many travellers route via Rishikesh by road. From the plains you will drive into the hills to reach the gateway villages; road sections can be long and may include rough mountain surfaces requiring a high-clearance vehicle.

Trailheads are commonly the villages of Lohajung or Wan and most parties walk the standard out-and-back route from those villages up to the lake and return the same way. Local operators in the trailhead villages can arrange pack animals, porters and tents if required.

For trekking to Roopkund in Uttarakhand the most dependable windows are pre-monsoon late May to early June and the post-monsoon months of September and October. Monsoon rains bring slippery trails, stream swell and poor visibility, while winter snow typically closes the high basin.

Book any guided trip, transport and camping support well in advance for the popular windows, and allow time for acclimatisation; local permit and fee rules can change, so confirm requirements with a local operator before you go.