There is nothing surprising about the fact that the Great Himalayan region is an ultimate destination for a truly unforgettable trekking experience. In this region some places are easy to reach while others need an arduous journey. More so when certain parts of this great landscape are faraway from the outside world and waiting to be explored. Brahmatal Trek in Himalayas is remarkable yet one of the underrated places.
A paradise on its own, Brahmatal is located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. It is a worthwhile adventure destination that gives you not just peace of mind, but an unmatchable lifetime experience. This alpine water body is extremely breathtaking and naturally glorious. Particularly during winters, the aura of Brahmatal is completely transformed, as a result, it looks like an unparalleled miracle.
However, as amazing as it appears, Brahmatal Trek is quite an underrated landscape of the Himalayas. Amidst the popularity and admiration of other prominent treks, people know relatively little about Brahmatal. Which is why, they also have very little idea about the overwhelming beauty and importance of this place.
We are now revealing the exotic appeal of Brahmatal trek and the features that make it so fascinating. You will also know why it should be the prime destination for your next trek, especially in winters.
So here’s why you should visit Brahmatal trek in winter:
Wonderful Scenic Trails
This terrain is so incredible that every twist and turn is full of great surprises. There are truly unbelievable vistas waiting for you to be appreciated. So be ready to be amazed whenever you shift your sight to a new direction. In other words, from start to the end of this trek, you will just feel like going on a journey to some wonderland. At one instance, you are crossing magnificent slopes, the next moment you encounter fresh water streams. The views while walking through ridges look extremely picturesque and magical.
Divine Significance
Brahmatal Lake is also admired and revered due to its innate connection to the Hindu culture. There is an interesting story behind the origin of this lake. According to Hindu scriptures and belief, Bramha Ji needed sacred water to wet his fingers for turning the pages of Vedas. So he created Brahmatal lake to obtain this water.
Another widely believed ancient story for the existence of this lake was that Brahmaji wanted a very tranquil environment for his spiritual meditation and penance. This lake served as the apt place for him to do so. Thus if you want to experience this divinity and go through this spiritual journey, Brahmatal Trek is a lifetime destination.
Perfectly Frozen Lakes
Bramhatal lake turns into a frozen solid surface during the winter months. There is a completely magical visual spectacle from December to March. This is the period when snowfall transforms the entire landscape. The very first visual of the lake will make you stunned as it seems no less than a winter wonderland. Isn’t it a unique experience walking on a transparent ice cover? You will be thrilled to stroll around a place that resembles a mirror. As the fun isn't over, there is yet another lake in the vicinity - Bekaltal. Just as Brahmatal, Bekaltal lake has equally alluring frozen aura.
Unique Mountain Peaks
The Brahmatal Trek offers some of the popular and widely known Himalayan peaks. These summits are extended along the trail allowing you to thoroughly enjoy your journey.
Prominent peaks visible from Brahamatal Trek:
- Mt. Trishul: Mt. Trishul lures you away with its three majestic peaks. It resembles a holy trident that’s why Trishul.
- Mt. Nanda Ghunti: Another breathtaking peak you can’t take your eyes off is Mt. Nanda Ghunti. It’s often seen alongside Mt. Trishul and both the companions are the highlight of the trek.
- Mrigthuni: Mrigthuni is the next captivating peak oozing out its charm as seen from the trek. This majestic peak is one of the highest in this region.
- Mt. Chaukhamba: If you aren’t surprised enough, Mt. Chaukhamba appears as one more impressive summit from the trail.
- Mt. Neelkanth: Clearly visible from Bramhatal trek, Mt. Neelkhant is an extremely gleaming peak. This stunning high-altitude mountain is a wonder to watch.
Breathtaking Forest Covers
One of the magnificent features of Brahmatal trek is the way different forest covers are dispersed. The beauty is such that you are bound to get thrills as you proceed. This trek is thronged by insanely attractive and thick, green canopies. The oak forests give a refreshing scenery while rhododendron trees radiate unrivaled charm. The vistas turn out extremely captivating when these forests bloom with exotic flowers. Apart from that the lush alpine meadows and coniferous trees are just icing on the cake.
Rich Diversity of Wildlife
Entering in the terrain of Brahmatal trek, you are experiencing a place that is highly rich in biodiversity. The place is bustling with a multiple variety of birds and animals. Their habitats are equally mesmerizing. If luck strikes on that day, you might witness the glorious Himalayan Monal, Barasinga, Musk deer, and Himalayan Bear. If these are not enough to treat your eyes, the higher rocky trails offer you more such as Himalayan Tahr (goat), barking deer, and Griffon. You can also enjoy seeing exotic birds on certain campsites along the trail.
How to Reach Brahmatal
The crucial and prominent junction before setting foot on this journey is Rishikesh. If you are opting for air travel, the nearest airport is Jollygrant Airport at the outskirts of Dehradun city. Or if you are choosing to travel via train, Dehradun is the nearest station.
After leaving Rishikesh and driving almost 250 Km, you reach a beautiful village - Lohajung. This is where your actual trekking journey begins. From Lohajung, you will take the route to Gujreni, then move towards Tilendi, and finally Brahmatal via Jhandi Top.
The trail takes you to some of India’s extremely alluring places hidden deep into the Himalayas. For instance, the breathtaking ridge that takes you from Tilandi to Jhandi Top is quite unforgettable. The picturesque glimpses of mountain peaks of the extensive Himalayan range soothing from a distance. Although a captivating lake is waiting at the destination, the hike itself is more compelling.
Trek Difficulty and Fitness
No doubt you are enthusiastically looking forward to this trip, but you must know how easy or difficult the trek is going to be. To talk about this trek, it is an easy trek but becomes moderate during winters. So it is convenient for beginners and experienced trekkers.
- As a rule of thumb, your heart should be in its healthiest state whenever Himalayan trails are concerned. For that you should strengthen your heart muscles.
- To complete easily and comfortably, every trek needs you to increase your stamina with the help of strength training.
- Yoga and breathing exercises are a powerful way to make you mentally resilient.
- Acclimatization of the body is also necessary for these altitudes. So from the start of the trek you need to follow a certain pattern – hydrate properly and take rest and repeat.
Safety and Precautions
It is indeed a good thing to be positive towards any prospects of trekking expeditions. But never be complacent about your safety as it comes before anything else. So adventure in the Himalayas needs proper safety and precautions in place so that there is no room for error.
- You need to have basic yet reliable trekking equipment.
- Make sure to bring layered clothing because it helps in quick drying. It’s also useful in adapting to temperature changes, especially in winters.
- Waterproof outerwears keep you safe from rain and wind.
- Shoes are a crucial component of your safety. So you must diligently look for qualities like durability, waterproofing, and ankle support.
- You can take extra-precautionary measures like spikes for extra slippery treks.
- You will also need personal safety stuff like first-aid kit, trekking poles, headlamps, and power banks.
- Himalayas are known for their sudden weather turnaround as you will have no idea about overcast conditions. So always pack a raincoat and poncho.
- Make sure to always maintain a clean and unpolluted environment whenever on the trail. So don’t throw waste and litter on treks.
- Always respect local culture.
What Experts Suggest to Make it More Memorable
Right now there are many active and seasoned experts who are helping many trekkers with their invaluable knowledge and experience.Trek The Himalayas have a fleet of such expert hikers. Let’s see what they to say:
- Take your Himalayan experience to the next level with a good quality camera. Since you aren’t taking snaps like a usual restaurant hangout, it’s a lifetime experience. So it’s an opportunity to create moments that are going to stay with you forever.
- You are the best judge to know how your body behaves and in which condition. So understand the responses and listen to it. In other words, if your body doesn’t allow you, don’t put in too much effort. Just take a rest.
- Strike a cordial and healthy engagement with native people and try to know something different from them. They are the ones who know every legend and every backstory regarding the place. So naturally it will be fun to share it with others.