Two journeys, one lake
Genetic tests on 38 skeletons found South Asians who died around 800 CE and a group with eastern Mediterranean ancestry who died around 1800 CE.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Roopkund is a hard, high trek: six days on foot from village forest to a frozen lake above 5,000 m.
300+people
Whose remains lie in the lake
5,029m
Height of the lake
49km
Walking, over 6 days
2a.m.
Summit-day start
💪 Moderate plus🌸 May–Jun🍂 Sep–Oct⛺ 4 camps
Day by day
Eight days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Its day distances add up to 49 km; Wikipedia gives 53 km counting from Lohajung.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Dehradun → WanDrive via Rudraprayag and LohajungAbout 290 km🛏️ Homestay · 2,450 m
- Day 2Wan → Gheroli PatalForest climb6 km · 5–6 h🛏️ Tents · 3,200 m
- Day 3Gheroli Patal → Bedni BugyalOut onto the meadows4 km · 3–4 h🛏️ Tents · 3,500 m
- Day 4Bedni Bugyal → Patar NachauniVia Ghora Lotani5 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents · 3,870 m
- Day 5Patar Nachauni → BhagwabasaVia Kalu Vinayak4 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents · 4,330 m
- Day 6Bhagwabasa → Roopkund → Patar NachauniStart at 2–3 a.m.16 km · 10–12 h🛏️ Tents at Patar Nachauni
- Day 7Patar Nachauni → WanBack through the meadows14 km · 7–8 h🛏️ Homestay in Wan
- Day 8Wan → DehradunThe drive homeAbout 290 kmArrive late evening
Stories and nature
The lake of bones
The king's pilgrimage
Local legend says Raja Jasdhaval of Kanauj, his queen and a troupe of dancers were caught by a storm of giant hailstones on the way to Nanda Devi and died by the lake.
Nanda Devi Raj Jat
Every twelve years the Raj Jat, the Himalayan Mahakumbh, walks this same route from Wan over Bedni Bugyal and Roopkund to Homkund.
When to go
Two windows
The lake is iced over for most of the year. The bones show for about a month after the ice melts.
May–June
Snow on the upper trail and long days. Bikat's first season.
Sep–Oct
Clear autumn skies. Wikipedia calls mid-September to October the best time.
Winter
The lake freezes and the high trail is closed in by snow.
The meadows
A 2018 High Court order stopped overnight camping on the bugyals. On 20 July 2026 the Supreme Court set aside that limit and the 200-person cap; permits and the other rules still apply (JustWravel, Aug 2026).
Plan your trip
Getting to Wan
Wan is reached through Lohajung, a long day by road from Dehradun or Kathgodam.
- Dehradun🚌 About 290 km via Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Lohajung
- Lohajung🚙 About 45 minutes by jeep
- Wan
From Kathgodam, the nearest railhead, Lohajung is about 216 km and 8 hours by shared taxi. Nearest airport: Pantnagar.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹18,250 + 5% GST, Wan to Wan. Dehradun transport is ₹3,200 extra.
Summit day
16 km and 10–12 hours, starting at 2–3 a.m. over snow.
Permits
Forest permits are needed. Operators include them in the price.
Altitude sickness
This trek goes above 5,000 m. Acclimatise, tell your leader about any symptoms, and go down if they get worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Open again
The Supreme Court lifted the bugyal camping ban on 20 July 2026. You still need forest permits and a registered operator. JustWravel
Bring cash
Dewal has the last reliable ATM before Lohajung. Draw enough for your cab share and offloading. Trekkaro
Phone signal
Lohajung is the last place with a stable signal. Beyond it, networks are patchy or absent. Trekkaro
Stays in Lohajung
Homestays and guesthouses cost ₹500–1,200 a night. A thali is ₹150–300. Discover with Dheeraj
Shared taxi
Shared taxis from Kathgodam to Lohajung leave 7–8 a.m. and cost about ₹800 a person. Discover with Dheeraj
Offloading
Bikat charges ₹3,500 to have your backpack carried for the trek. Bikat Adventures
Shopping
Lohajung's few shops stock only basics. Bring everything you need. Trekkaro
Nearest hospital
For serious problems, Karnaprayag, about 98 km away. Himalayan Hikers
Evacuation
Evacuation from the upper camps is slow, and its cost is not in the trek fee. Himalayan Dream Treks
Insurance
Get a policy that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation. Discover with Dheeraj
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Roopkund things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
DecathlonBuy · thermals, socks, fleece, gloves, torch, polesPlot 1591, Haridwar Bypass Road · Website
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · shoes, jackets, bags, trek pants, ponchos, poles, torches, power banks, gaiters10 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Lohajung at the start of the trek
TrekkaroFree with trek · shoes, poles, microspikes, gaiters, −10 °C jacket · ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washingWebsite
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Roopkund page in October 2026. The trek reopened after the Supreme Court ruling of 20 July 2026, so many operators had not yet posted dates; check that yours has the forest permits.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.