Chakrata vs Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
Pick Chakrata for
peace and quiet, tight budgets, road trips, fewer people, an easier walk, a smaller budget, fewer days
Pick Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) for
camping, adventure, a real challenge
| Chakrata | Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Uttarakhand, Dehradun | Uttarakhand, Lohajung, Chamoli |
| Highest point | 2,300 m | 5,029 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Difficult |
| Trek distance | No trek needed | about 53 km |
| Days on the ground | 2–3 | 8–9 |
| Best months | Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov | Jun, Sep |
| Snow likely | Jan, Feb | May, Jun, Oct |
| Crowds in season | Quiet | Moderate |
| Daily spend | about ₹2,200 | about ₹3,000 |
| Gateway | Dehradun | Kathgodam |
| With kids | Good | Not advised |
| With seniors | Good | Not advised |
| Permits | Some areas need a military pass — check locally. | Forest permit; confirm current Nanda Devi Biosphere restrictions before booking. |
Chakrata: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake): when to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- ❄︎May
- ❄︎Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- ❄︎Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely