BEST TIME: SEPTEMBER                             GRADE:STRAINOUS

Besides its rivers,rivulets and streams,Garhwal is famous for its high altitude lakes,which hold up a mirror to the awesome peaks that surround them.Not one of the most beautiful but certainly the most fascinating lake in Garhwal Himalayas is ''Roopkund'',the mystery lake. At an altitude of 4777 metres, this glacial lake is about 50 metres in diametre. It is so named, because on its banks lie the remains of human skeleton of scores of men who perished many centuries ago.

Many mythological account and stories are heard about the remains, they range from Tibetan traders to refugees of  Tughlaks army,who were here  on a mission to Tibet, under General Zorawar Singh.

Homkund is yet another lake, situated at  a distance of 8 kms beyond Roopkund. Homkund is the final destination of Nanda Jat Yatra, commences after every 12 years . Along the route, one can witness the excellent close view of Nanda ghunti (6309 mts) , Trshul (7142 mts) , Chaukahamba (7138 mts), and other important peaks. 

Apart form the lakes and peaks, the trek passes through one of the best bugyals (alpine meadows)  of the area o.e Bedni. Bedni have long been related to myths and mystries. Even today, the local people witness the presence of fairies. According to a popular belief the vedas were written in the sylvan haunts of Bedni. Regularly visited and worshipped temple of Goddess Nanda Devi is situated amidst the meadow.

 HIGH LIGHTS OF THE TRIP:

• Drive along the Alknanda and Pinder valley
• Out standing mountain view of Nanda  Devi Group of peaks . e.g Nanda Ghunti, Neelkanth, Trishul,And other peaks.
• Close encounter with rare high altiutde flora and flora.
• Trek to finest high altitude Himalayan lakes of Roop kund , and Home Kund.
• Trek through finest high altitude meadows. 

ITINERARY

DAY 01.ARRIVE RISHIKESH

Afternoon arrive Rishikesh and transfer to Hotel.After dinner meet the crew followed by briefing on the Trek.Overnight hotel.

DAY 02. RISHIKESH / DEBAL          DRIVE :8-10 HRS.                               O/N  CAMP

Morning after breakfast drive to Debal.Lunch enroute at Karanprayag.The entire drive is along Alaknanda river upto Karnprayag.After karanprayag the road goes along the Pinder river,coming from Pindari glacier.Arrive Debal and camp.Dinner and overnight camp.

DAY 03. DEBAL / MANDOLI / WAN     DRIVE :1-2 HRS   TREK :3-4 HRS         O/N CAMP

Morning after breakfast drive to Mandoli. Arrive and commence trek to wan.The first two kms are steep ascent afterwards the trek is almost flat.The entire trek goes through thick forests of Arrive wan and camp near Tourist Bungalow.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 04.WAN /BEDNI                    TREK: 5-6 HRS                                            O/N CAMP

The first two km of the trek today is flat and goes through Bugyal [Meadow].After a km.we cross the Neel-Ganga.The steep ascent of 9 km to Bedini starts immediately after crossing the river. Arrive Bedni and camp in the meadow.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 05.BEDNI / BHOGUBASA          TREK: 5-6 HRS                                        O/N CAMP

Today one can have the outstanding view of Trishul, Nanda Ghnti , Neel Kanth peaks. The steep ascent starts as we leave the camp and continues upto kailu-vinayak,One of the most unique black granite statue of Ganesha,situated on the top of pass.Here one can witness rare high altitude Himalayan flora e.g. metha [fen kamal] and Braham kamal.The last section of today's trek is flat upto Bhagu-basa cave.Meals and overnight camp/cave.

DAY 06. BHOGUBASA / ROOPKUND / SILASAMUDRA     TREK: 6-7 HRS         O/N CAMP

Morning we trek to Roopkund asteep ascent for 3-4 hrs,after exploring the area we trek to juragali pass,from here trek to silasamudra,is very steep.Today we camp at silasamudra,situated at the base fo'' TRISHUL'' [Shiva's trident] peak 7142 mt.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 07.SILASAMUDRA/HOMKUND/CHANDANIA GHAT      TREK:7-8 HRS      O/N CAMP

Morning after breakfast we trek to Homkund,the finishing point of ''NANDA DEVI -Raj Jat Yatra, Which is celebrated after every twelve years. Gradual ascent for Homkund starts as we leave the camp.Today we cross ''Nandakini river '' to reach chandania Ghat.Arrive Chandania Ghat and camp.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 08. CHANDANIA GHAT

Day at leisure.Meals and overnight tents.[this day can be adjusted elsewhere incase of any problem].

DAY 09.CHANDANIA GHAT / SUTOL            TREK: 6-8 HRS                           O/N CAMP

Morning after breakfast we trek to sutol.Today the trek is almost flat or down hill.Arrive sutol and camp.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 10.SUTOL / GHAT                                TREK: 6-8 HRS                            O/N CAMP

Today we trek to Ghat.An easy but long day.Meals and overnight camp.

DAY 11.GHAT / RISHIKESH                         DRIVE: 8-10 HRS                        O/N HOTEL

Morning after breakfast drive to Rishikesh.Arrive Rishikesh and transfer to Hotel for Meals and overnight stay.

DAY 12. RISHIKESH/OUT

Morning after breakfast proceed for onward Destination.

The campsites may change as per the weather and circumstances. 

ALTITUDE : 

• Rishikesh : 340 mtrs    Debal : 1218 mtrs.   Mundali : 2134 mtrs.
• Wan  : 2439 mtrs.   Bedni :3354 mtrs.  Roopkund : 5029 mtrs.
• Homkund : 4061 mtrs.   Sutol : 2194 mtrs.  Ghat : 1335 mtrs.