Roopkund Trek : Explore the Mystery of Skeleton Lake

Roopkund Trek Overview

• Starting Point: Lohajung (7,600 ft)
• Finishing Point: Lohajung (via Wan Village)
• Highest Altitude: Roopkund Lake (15,750 ft)
• Total Trekking Distance: 53 km (round trip)
• Trek Duration: 7 days (including acclimatization and return)
• Best Time to Visit:
  • Summer/Pre-Monsoon: May to June
  • Autumn/Post-Monsoon: September to October
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging (suitable for experienced trekkers)
• Key Attractions: Roopkund Lake (Mystery Lake with human skeletons), Bedni Bugyal (alpine meadows), Trishul and Nanda Ghunti mountain views
• Weather: Cold at high altitudes, temperature ranges from 5°C to -5°C near Roopkund Lake.

This high-altitude trek offers stunning views and a chance to witness the ancient mystery of the skeleton lake.

How to Reach Roopkund Trek

• By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, approximately 250 km from Lohajung.
• By Rail: Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest railhead, located 235 km from Lohajung.
• By Road: Lohajung is well-connected by road from major cities in Uttarakhand like Nainital, Kathgodam, and Haldwani.

Trek Difficulty

The Roopkund Trek is a moderately difficult trek, suited for trekkers with good fitness and some prior high-altitude trekking experience. The trek covers a distance of approximately 53 km over 7-9 days, and trekkers climb to a maximum altitude of 4,800 meters at Roopkund Lake. The path includes steep ascents, rocky trails, and snowy terrains, especially near the lake.

The unpredictable weather, cold temperatures, and high altitude can add to the challenge, making it essential to be well-prepared both physically and mentally.

Weather and Temperature

The weather on the Roopkund Trek can vary drastically based on the season:

• Best Time to Trek: May to June and September to October.
• Summer (May-June): During this time, temperatures can range from 10°C to 15°C during the day, but nights can drop to -1°C to 5°C, especially at higher altitudes.
• Post-Monsoon (September-October): Daytime temperatures can range from 7°C to 12°C, with nighttime temperatures dropping to -2°C to -7°C at the higher campsites.

Snow can still be found near the lake even in summer, and the trail can get slippery after rains, making the ascent more challenging.

Rural Village Culture

The trek passes through beautiful rural villages like Wan, Didna, and Lohajung, where you’ll experience the traditional Garhwali culture. The locals are warm and welcoming, and their hospitality provides a unique glimpse into the mountain life of Uttarakhand.

You can observe their simple lifestyle, traditional clothing, and terraced farming practices. Festivals and religious ceremonies, particularly around the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, add to the cultural richness of the region. Engaging with the locals gives trekkers a deep connection to the local heritage and traditions.

Wildlife

While trekking through the dense forests of oak, pine, and rhododendron, you may encounter a diverse range of wildlife. Himalayan Monal, musk deer, bharal (blue sheep), and Himalayan tahr are commonly spotted in the region. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard or the majestic Himalayan brown bear in the higher altitudes. The forests and meadows are home to a variety of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Flora and Fauna

The Roopkund trek route is a visual delight for nature lovers, with an abundance of flora. The trek begins with lush forests of oak and rhododendron, which are in full bloom during the summer months, creating colorful pathways. As you ascend, the landscape shifts to alpine meadows (Bugyals), like Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal, offering sprawling grasslands dotted with wildflowers. Above 4,000 meters, the vegetation thins out, and you are greeted by stark, icy landscapes with glacial moraines and snowfields near Roopkund Lake.

This blend of challenging trails, changing weather, vibrant rural culture, and incredible wildlife and natural beauty makes the Roopkund Trek a truly unforgettable experience!

The Mystery of the Skeleton Lake – Roopkund

Roopkund, also known as Skeleton Lake, is shrouded in mystery due to the discovery of hundreds of ancient human skeletons at the edge of the lake. Situated at a staggering altitude of 4,800 meters in the Himalayas, the lake reveals its eerie secret when the snow melts—exposing skeletal remains, some dating back to 850 AD.

The first discovery of these skeletons was made in 1942 by a Nanda Devi Game Reserve ranger, but the mystery surrounding the skeletons has puzzled scientists, historians, and trekkers for decades. Some initial theories suggested that the skeletons belonged to soldiers or pilgrims lost in the harsh mountains.

However, modern research, including DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating, and further studies, revealed that these remains belonged to two distinct groups: one group of taller individuals, likely of South Asian origin, and another group of shorter individuals who might have been locals. These people perished around 1,200 years ago.

The most accepted theory today is that the individuals died during a sudden and catastrophic hailstorm, with hailstones as large as cricket balls. The blunt force trauma marks on the skeletons indicate that they were caught in an open, exposed area with no shelter, leading to their tragic demise.

Adding to the mystery, along with human bones, skeletal remains of animals, including horses, were also found near the lake. The well-preserved condition of these remains is attributed to the cold, high-altitude environment, which prevented the natural decomposition process.

The Skeleton Lake continues to captivate the imagination of trekkers and researchers alike, earning Roopkund its place as one of the most enigmatic and fascinating treks in the Indian Himalayas. Whether it was a pilgrimage gone wrong, a royal procession struck by calamity, or an unknown disaster, the mystery of the Skeleton Lake endures, adding an aura of intrigue and awe to the Roopkund Trek