Lohajung, Chamoli · Uttarakhand
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
A glacial lake at 5,029 m holding hundreds of human skeletons, reached over the deadly Ali–Bedni ridge.
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) is a difficult trek in Lohajung, Chamoli, Uttarakhand, reaching 5,029 m. The best time to go is June and September. Plan 8 to 9 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
The one thing not to miss
Bedni and Ali Bugyal
Twin high meadows, among the finest in the Himalaya.
- 2RoopkundThe small lake with ancient human remains around its edge.
- 3JunargaliThe ridge above the lake, facing Trishul.
- 4Check that the route is openOvernight camping on the high meadows has been restricted by court order since 2018. Ask a registered operator what is currently allowed.
A sample plan: 8 days
Day 1
Kathgodam or Rishikesh to Lohajung
Ask before you book what is allowed this year: camping overnight on the high meadows has been banned by court order, so the classic route below is not run the way it used to be.
Day 2
Lohajung to Didna
Down to the river and up to the village.
Day 3
Didna to Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal
Out onto the meadows.
Day 4
Bedni to Patar Nachauni
A short day for the altitude.
Day 5
Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa
Over Kalu Vinayak.
Day 6
Bhagwabasa to Roopkund and back, then down to Patar Nachauni
Start before dawn while the snow is firm.
Day 7
To Lohajung by way of Wan
A long descent.
Day 8
Lohajung to Kathgodam or Rishikesh
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- ❄︎May
- ❄︎Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- ❄︎Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The most atmospheric trek in India — meadow, high ridge, frozen lake and a genuine mystery.
Why not
Genuinely hard: 5,000 m, a steep ravine descent, and reports of route restrictions in places.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest permit; confirm current Nanda Devi Biosphere restrictions before booking.
- Guide
- Required in practice.
- Safety
- The Roopkund descent is loose scree at altitude — a fall here is serious.
- Phone & internet
- None after Lohajung.
Altitude
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) reaches 5,029 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Speak to a doctor before the trip if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, or are travelling with small children.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Chamoli, Gopeshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
12 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
4 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 53 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Microspikes For grip on hard snow and ice. Trek operators often provide these — ask before buying.
- Gaiters Keep snow out of your shoes.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
10 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 5,029 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest permit; confirm current Nanda Devi Biosphere restrictions before booking.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone after Lohajung.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Hill roads here are prone to landslides in the monsoon. Start early and check road status before you set out.
By road
From
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 225 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Kathgodam
- Almora
- Kausani
- Gwaldam
- Dewal
- Lohajung
The walk starts at Lohajung or nearby Wan.
Live directions from KathgodamFrom
Rishikesh
- Distance
- about 260 km
- Drive time
- 9–10 hours
- Rishikesh
- Devprayag
- Srinagar
- Rudraprayag
- Karnaprayag
- Tharali
- Dewal
- Lohajung
Buses and shared taxis. Public transport to Lohajung is sparse; most operators arrange transfers from Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake): questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
The best months for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) are June and September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in May and June and October.
How difficult is Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) is rated difficult. The trek is about 53 km in total, starting at 2,300 m and reaching 5,029 m.
How many days do you need for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Plan 8 to 9 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹27,000 for 9 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
By road: from Kathgodam it is about 225 km, 9–10 hours (Kathgodam → Almora → Kausani → Gwaldam → Dewal → Lohajung); from Rishikesh it is about 260 km, 9–10 hours (Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Tharali → Dewal → Lohajung). Public transport to Lohajung is sparse; most operators arrange transfers from Kathgodam or Rishikesh. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Permits: Forest permit; confirm current Nanda Devi Biosphere restrictions before booking. Guide: Required in practice.
Is Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is moderately busy in season. The Roopkund descent is loose scree at altitude — a fall here is serious.
What should you pack for Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
None after Lohajung.
Will I get altitude sickness at Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) reaches 5,029 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)?
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) is not a good choice for anyone who has not done a high-altitude trek before, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 5,029 m. Also keep in mind: Genuinely hard: 5,000 m, a steep ravine descent, and reports of route restrictions in places.
Close to Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Brahmatalabout 16 km
- Pindari Glacierabout 31 km
- Auliabout 34 km