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