Roopkund Trek

Information

Distance

53.0 km

Duration

6–9 days

Max elevation

5,029 m

Country

India (IN)

Difficulty

Berat — tanjakan panjang ke ketinggian >5.000 m, risiko cuaca & ketinggian, medan bersalju di segmen puncak

Best Season

Mei–Juni dan September–Oktober

Permits & Fees

Akses ke danau dibatasi demi konservasi menyusul putusan National Green Tribunal (2018); perlu izin Forest Department Uttarakhand dan pemandu lokal terdaftar. Pastikan status jalur terbaru sebelum berangkat.

Description

Roopkund is a Himalayan trek in Garhwal, Uttarakhand (India), that culminates at a glacial lake around 5,020 m — nicknamed 'Skeleton Lake' after the hundreds of ancient human skeletons found at its rim, which DNA analysis links to several death events around 800 and 1800 CE. The roughly 53 km route starts from the village of Lohajung and crosses two of Indian Himalaya's most celebrated alpine meadows, Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal, framed by the peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. It is usually completed in 6–9 days, with a steep and often snow-covered summit push toward the lake and the Junargali ridge. The best windows are May–June and September–October; access to the lake is now restricted for conservation, so permit status should be verified beforehand.

Trail Highlights

Danau glasial 'Skeleton Lake' berisi ratusan kerangka manusia purba (±800 M & ±1800 M) di ketinggian ~5.020 m, dua padang rumput alpine legendaris Ali Bugyal dan Bedni Bugyal, serta panorama Trishul (7.120 m) dan Nanda Ghunti (6.310 m).