Why Roopkund is a great trek

Arjun Majumdar reviews the Roopkund trek. Find out why the Roopkund trek gets a score of 4.5/5

roopkund trishul from bedni



arjun-indiahikesI have often been asked to review a trek for those who are first timers but would like to try an high altitude trek – and it always puts me in a quandary – it is hard to choose between some of the high altitude treks in India.


This time I am going to review the Roopkund trek in Uttarakhand. And I am going to pick reasons to do the trek that are not familiar to most.

Trekkers are a bit predictable when they describe the Roopkund trek. They talk about the vast greenery of the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal. They talk about the thrilling climb over snow to reach the skeleton lake of Roopkund. Some of them also mention the trek through the oak forests near Wan and a few go on to talk about the climb to Junargali (a ridge beyond and higher than Roopkund).

Frankly, very few actually describe the Roopkund trail for what it is worth.

So here are my three reasons why you must do the Roopkund trek.

1. Ideal for beginners. Do the trek if you are a beginner to trekking and still want to experience high altitude. And make no mistake. Roopkund is a very high altitude trek. It climbs to 15,700 feet which is higher than Mt Blanc, Europe’s highest summit. There are very few trails in our country that is as safe for beginners as the Roopkund trail is and yet climbs to such a high altitude. The trail is wide and well laid out. There is no chance to get lost or lose your way. Frankly, you don’t even need to take a guide on this trek if you follow the Roopkund blog. A guide comes in handy only when you have to traverse the snow patches on your final climb to Roopkund.
 
I’ll be blunt here. The Roopkund trek is too much of a good thing for a beginner. The trekker gets such a complete package on this trek – that they often start comparing all treks with the Roopkund trek. Unfortunately not all treks are as grand as the Roopkund trek.

2. Trishul. There are many unique things about the Roopkund trek. For example, the twin meadow of Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal is the largest high altitude meadows in our country. On your trek you are going to be in the meadows for two and a half days – a fact that is missed by most. Two and a half days spent in meadows is a lot of time and unique to any trek in our country. Each of those hours spent in the meadows is going to be a treasured moment of your life for many years to come.
 
There are other things unique about the Roopkund trek. People talk about the oak forests above Wan. What most don’t know is that these are the densest oak forests in this part of the country. Vertically they stretch for over 3,000 feet. These protected forests are virgin and largely untouched by mankind. Each of the oak trees in the forest is over fivei hundred years old.
 
Trishul, the first 7,000 meter summit to be climbed by man, is closest seen on the Roopkund trail. It towers over the trek from Day two until Day 5, getting closer as you approach Roopkund. When you stand on top of Junargali at 16,000 feet, there is nothing that stands in between Trishul and you. In Indian Himalayas, getting so close to a major summit is unique to a trail.
 
I must add here that Trishul is also one of the most beautiful mountain faces that you will ever see in your life. Everest is tall and mighty but Trishul takes your breath away by its sheer beauty. Just to see Trishul would be my second big reason to trek to Roopkund.

 3. Climb to Roopkund. Again, not all treks present such a magnificent adventure on snow as the Roopkund trek does on its final climb to Roopkund. The setting is truly alpine and the thrill high. Few who get a chance to climb to Junargali find the experience so moving that they break down in tears. I did too.

My final reason to do the Roopkund trek: Experience a trekking adventure that touches the core of your heart by its sheer intensity and thrill. It is an adventure that is rare on most treks.
 
So here it is in a nutshell: The Roopkund is a grand trek to do. It has everything going for it – great forests, vast meadows, alpine snow land, terrific views and an adrenaline kick. I would give the Roopkund trek a 4.5/5 for this combination.

Note: The Roopkund trek requires physical preparation.

To register for the Indiahikes Roopkund trek, click here: www.roopkund.com

 

Comments   

 
#12 Guest 2013-03-28 12:41
Hi Arjun,
your review has inspired me a lot. i had done small trek of Himalaya also I m regular treker of our Girnar Forest of Junagadh- gujarat and use to trek 20-25 kms in a day in forest but I never enjoy snow Treking. Please inform me whether enough snow on the trek of Roopkund in the month of August-Setp?
 
 
#11 Guest 2012-12-10 20:50
is it wise to go for roopkund trek in january..i am free in this january and i really want to go there.please suggest some guideline and some updates of the weather.

Thanks.
 
 
#10 Arjun Majumdar 2012-09-25 07:55
Hi Raena

Nag Tibba is a good trek to do if you want to get a first feel of the Himalayas. You do get terrific views from the top. http://www.indiahikes.in/weekend-treks/nag-tibba/ Another trek that you can think of doing is the Dayara Bugyal trek (again super views) -- though it takes 4 days. http://www.indiahikes.in/himalayan-treks/dayara-bugyal/

Arjun


Quoting ra:
Hi Arjun! I am in a quandry and would love some help! I am at Tehri Garhwal and am looking for a trek tthat would take a max of 3-4 days. I have been told of the Nag TIbba trek. I ahve friends from abroad and they are looking at experiencing the grandeur of the Himalayas. I have never been to the Himalayas and have no idea what I am signing up for. While the trek needs to be moderate, we would still like to get a feel and view of the mountains. Roopkund sound ideal. Nanda Devi is too far for us to get to....any suggestions? We plan to travel on 27th October 2012.
Regards,
Raena
 
 
#9 Guest 2012-09-22 06:03
Hi Arjun! I am in a quandry and would love some help! I am at Tehri Garhwal and am looking for a trek tthat would take a max of 3-4 days. I have been told of the Nag TIbba trek. I ahve friends from abroad and they are looking at experiencing the grandeur of the Himalayas. I have never been to the Himalayas and have no idea what I am signing up for. While the trek needs to be moderate, we would still like to get a feel and view of the mountains. Roopkund sound ideal. Nanda Devi is too far for us to get to....any suggestions? We plan to travel on 27th October 2012.
Regards,
Raena
 
 
#8 Guest 2011-06-30 06:25
plannin 2 do roopkund in july 3d week is it good tym..?? plz reply n my group ends at number 2:-) u tink its an good idea..??
 
 
#7 Guest 2011-06-16 12:03
thanks for sharing your experience and for inspiring us.
 
 
#6 Arjun Majumdar 2011-06-13 10:40
Quoting Almas Sikandar Ahmed:
Great insights Arjun!!! And I totally agree with everything you have written. You do Roopkund.... and your hooked on Trekking for Life ! :lol: The only thing I can suggest is not to give the impression that Roopkund is a walk in the park.



Almas, I quite agree with you. Roopkund is definitely not a walk in the park. Participants need to prepare themselves before attempting this trek.

It is simple actually. Jogging, running, doing some strength and flexibility training is more than enough for the Roopkund trek.

Arjun
 
 
+1 #5 Guest 2011-06-10 14:01
Also please add a link on this page so that I can share it on FB.
 
 
#4 Guest 2011-06-10 13:59
Great insights Arjun!!! And I totally agree with everything you have written. You do Roopkund.... and your hooked on Trekking for Life ! :lol: The only thing I can suggest is not to give the impression that Roopkund is a walk in the park.
 
 
#3 Guest 2011-05-26 12:20
Hey. Wonderful review. I was planning to do this in September. Is that a good time? If not, could you suggest some other 7-8 day trek in the himalayas suitable for beginners during that time of the year?

Thanks!