Roopkund Lake

Roopkund also known as 'Mystery Lake' is situated at 4778 M above mean sea level. Apart from the mystery factor "Roopkund" truely signifies its name as it also means " Beauty's own lake".

All along the route are panoramic views of the mighty himalayan peaks - Nanda Ghungti (6310 M) & Trishul(7120 M) One is intoxicated with the buggyals of Bedni & Ali as they are carpeted with the beautiful himalayan flora most of the trekking season. What attracts you the most is the mystery surrounding the lake. Over 300 people have believed to met their untimely demise here some 500-600 years ago. Though a number of stories & legends relate the happenings but the mystery still prevails.

Every 12 years a large number of devout Pilgrims most of them from Garhwal and kumaon make an strenous trek to the lake from Nauti Village. They follow a four horned lamb that is born every 12 years near Wan village. The lamb leads them to Nanda Devi shrine through Roopkund & Homkund & than carries on, on its own & finally miracuasly disappears. This is the famous "Nanda Raj Jat Yatra" . There is smaller anual verson celebrated every year around the end of August or beginning of September that starts from the village of wan & culminates at Bedni Bugyal. The event in itself is so full of vibrant colors that it truely reflects the cultural richness of people of Garhwal and Kumoun.

Roopkund is also known as the Mystery or Skeleton Lake. This is because of a large number of human skeletons that are lying scattered around the lake. There is an interesting story behind the lake.

In 1942, a park ranger stumble upon the skeletons here and thus the name Mystery Lake or Skeleton Lake came to be associated with Roopkund. There are about six hundred human skeletons scattered around that makes this place both beautiful and thrillingly mysterious.

When the skeletons were first found, it was believed that an epidemic, landslide or blizzard must have been the cause of so many deaths. Carbon dating conducted on samples in 1960s indicated that these may be the skeletons of people belonging to a period between 12-15th centuries.

Trek To Roopkund
Though there are different trekking routes that can be chosen from, generally trekkers prefer to start from Lohajung. Lohajung is the last road head after which one has to trek to reach Roopkund. From Lohajung one has to trek to a place called Ran Ki Dhar where camping for the night can be done. The next camping stop is at Bedni Bugyal which is about 12-13 Km from Wan. From here Bhaguwabasa is about 10-11 Km trek from where another few hours trek will lead to Roopkund

How To Reach
By road, Lohajung which is the last road head en route Roopkund is about 155 Km from Almora, 217 Km from Nainital and 235 Km from Kathgodam.

Location: Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state in India
Altitude : 5, 029 meters ASL
Attractions : Lake Roopkund (the Mystery Lake or Skeleton Lake)
What To Do : Trekking; Viewing surrounding peaks
Best Time to Visit : Last week of August to last week of October