Uttarakhand
Location
Uttarakhand
Duration
8 days
Max Altitude
15696 ft
Trekking
53 km
Grade
Moderate to Difficult
Monday–Saturday: 10 AM to 06 PM (GMT +5:30)
Location
Uttarakhand
Duration
8 days
Max Altitude
15696 ft
Trekking km
53 km
Grade
Moderate to Difficult
Monday–Saturday: 10 AM to 06 PM (GMT +5:30)
Roopkund is a famous glacial lake in the state of Uttarakhand in India. This lake is famous due to more than five hundred skeletons of humans that are found at the edge of the lake. It is located in the Himalayas and rests at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters. Roopkund is located in the Chamoli district of Garhwal. It is closer to hill stations like Nainital and Kathgodam. At a distance of 217 km from Nainital and 235 km from Kathgodam, Roopkund is one of the major adventure attractions for people in the country and those traveling from abroad. Roopkund, which is located in the lap of Trishul massif is also known as the ‘mystery lake’. You can find human skeletons at the bank of the lake, which are believed to belong to the Palaeolithic age.
These are believed to be the skeletons of the heroes who had fought here in earlier times. Along with the skeletons of humans, you can also find the skeletal structure of horses and other animals. There are reports that these skeletons belong to the 12th century to the 15th century. It is believed by specialists that the death of many people in this region was a result of landslides, blizzards, or an epidemic. The human skeletons were re-discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, who was a Nanda Devi Game reserve ranger.
Later in 2004, a team of Indian scientists along with some Europeans visited the area to gain more information about the nature of the skeletons.
The Roopkund Trek is a journey of adventure and discovery that takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes of the Indian Himalayas. The trek is named after the mysterious Roopkund Lake, also known as the Skeleton Lake, which is situated at an altitude of 15, 696 feet. The trek is a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and culture, as it takes you through dense forests, alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and traditional Himalayan villages. The highlight of the trek is the Roopkund Lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The lake is also known for its mysterious skeletons, which are believed to be the remains of ancient travelers who perished in a hailstorm. The Roopkund Trek is a must-do for anyone seeking an unforgettable trekking experience in the Himalayas.
Roopkund Trek is a 53 km trek.
Roopkund Trek takes 8 days to complete the trek.
The best time to do the Roopkund Trek is during summer (mid-Apr to Jun) and autumn (Sep to mid-Nov).
The maximum altitude reached during the Roopkund Trek is 15,696 ft.
Roopkund Trek is a moderate - difficult grade trek.
The highlights of the Roopkund Trek include the Roopkund Lake, grand views of Chaukhambha Range, Kedarnath, Kedar Dome, and Neelkanth Peak, camping in picturesque campsites.
During the Roopkund Trek, you will stay in a guest house in the base camp, and on the slopes you will be staying in tents (twin-sharing).
Yes, it is safe to do Roopkund Trek with an expert organization. However, it is always advisable to take necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines issued by the Trek Leaders and guide while trekking in the mountains.
Here's a list of essential items to pack for the Roopkund Trek:
Trekking shoes: A good pair of trekking shoes with a sturdy sole and ankle support is essential for the trek.
Backpack: A backpack with a capacity of 40-50 litres is suitable for carrying your essentials, including clothing, food, and water.
Warm clothing: The temperature at high altitudes can drop significantly, so it's important to carry warm clothing, including thermal layers, fleece jackets, and a down jacket.
Rain gear: The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so it's important to carry a rain jacket and pants to stay dry.
Trekking pants: Lightweight, quick-drying pants that are comfortable to walk in are ideal for the trek.
Headlamp or flashlight: A headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries is necessary for navigating through dark trails and campsites.
Water bottle: A reusable water bottle with a capacity of at least 1 litre is necessary to stay hydrated during the trek.
Sunglasses and sunscreen: The sun's UV rays can be strong at high altitudes, so it's important to carry sunglasses and sunscreen with a high SPF.
Basic first aid kit: A basic first aid kit with essential items like band-aids, antiseptic cream, and pain relievers can come in handy in case of injuries.
Personal hygiene kit: Toiletries like wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and tissues can help you maintain personal hygiene during the trek.
Yes, it is recommended to have prior trekking experience before attempting the Roopkund Trek as it is considered a moderately difficult trek. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, and the altitude can also be a challenge. It is important to have good physical fitness and stamina to complete the trek comfortably. Prior trekking experience can help you to be better prepared for the challenges of the trek, such as acclimatization, managing your energy levels, and dealing with the rugged terrain. However, if you are in good physical condition and have a positive attitude, with proper guidance and preparation, you can still attempt the Roopkund Trek even if you are a beginner.
Yes, it is highly recommended to hire a professional expert for the Roopkund Trek, especially if you are a beginner or have limited trekking experience. A professional can provide you with valuable assistance, including knowledge of the local terrain, weather conditions, and the culture of the region. They can also help you with navigation and ensure your safety throughout the trek.
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Hear Trekkers Share Their Roopkund Trek
First, you can arrive at Delhi, Dehradun airport or Chandigarh. The journey from these locations to Rishikesh is explained below.
1. Take overnight train/bus to Rishikesh.
2. Take overnight train/bus to Haridwar and drive to Rishikesh (25km | 35 min drive with normal traffic).
3. Take overnight train/bus to Dehradun and drive to Rishikesh (50km | 1hr 20min drive with normal traffic).
( We strongly recommend going for the govt. Buses over the private ones outside the bus station as based on the experience we have found that there are very high chances of delay involved with private buses. Also, govt. Buses are always more reliable. Whichever bus you choose, just make sure to reach Rishikesh at least by 05:30 am. )
4. Board a flight to Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant Airport) (21 km, 30 min). If you're arriving by air, then come one day in advance.
Note - In July and August month always have a buffer day in your Itinerary due to the Monsoon.
( If you prefer to travel independently to Base camp and don't want to take TTH's pick-up service, you can either take a government bus or book a private cab from Rishikesh. Your trek coordinator will provide guidance on how to arrange for the bus or cab booking. )
Summer Treks (April, May, June)
1. Less colder.
2. More windy.
3. Weather is unpredictable.
4. Cant see human skeleton.
5. Roopkund is in frozen condition.
6. Higher camps covered with snow.
7. Natural source of drinking water are easily available.
8. Best for those who want to see snow and want to do a difficult level of trek.
Autumn Treks (September, October, November)
1. Less windy.
2. More colder.
3. Mostly clear weather.
4. Can see human skeleton.
5. No snow at any camp site.
6. Roopkund lake is properly visible.
7. Natural source of drinking water are limited.
8. Best for those who want to see greenery and want to do moderate level of trek.
Government employees can avail the benefit of Special Casual Leave (SCL) when they join us for a trekking expedition. As per Pay Commission guidelines, up to 30 days of Special Casual Leave can be availed in a calendar year for trekking or mountaineering expeditions conducted through a registered organisation.
Trek The Himalayas is a registered adventure tour operator with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), making your trek eligible for SCL benefits.
To apply, email us at info@trekthehimalayas.com at least 30 days before the trek departure date, with the following details:
This benefit is exclusive to Indian Government employees and is applicable only for treks within India.
Since the inception of Trek The Himalayas, countless trekkers have chosen us to be a part of their trekking journey. Some experiences were learning moments, while many of you returned time and again, allowing us to be part of your most unforgettable adventures. Over the years, we have continuously evolved, improving our operations, and every detail that shapes your experience.

Through it all, you have shown us that we are not just another trekking company to you, we are family. Your trust, loyalty, and love mean more to us than words can express, and we cherish every step we have taken together in the mountains.
As a small way of giving back and saying thank you for choosing us again and again, we are excited to introduce something special: our heartfelt expression of gratitude to our valued and loyal trekkers.
We are launching two amazing policies to make your trekking journey even more exciting
YES! Not one, but TWO unbelievable policies
In the TTH Trek Ambassador Policy, anyone who has completed four treks with us gets the fifth trek absolutely free. You can choose from a variety of treks that we offer in himalayan states of India including Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. You just need to start creating your trek bucket list and we are here to help you accomplish it.
Thinking, “I have already done more than 6 treks with TTH, what about me?” In this case you automatically qualify for the policy and therefore, your next trek will be on us . In fact, for every 8 treks you complete, 2 treks are on us.

As Unbelievable as it Sounds, Your 5th Trek is Sponsored by Us - Choose any Trek You Love
Love the Chadar Trek? It could be free! Your dream treks including Markha Valley, Bali Pass, Pin Bhaba Pass, or Lasermo La Trek (launching soon) can be yours at no cost under this policy.
Just like five stars make a perfect set, you are that fifth star for TTH. But this star does more than shine; it guides and inspires. You will share your tips, your stories, your experiences, and help new trekkers enjoy the journey as much as you do. That’s why this trek is special, and it’s your chance to be a TTH Trek Ambassador on the trail.
Being an avid trekker comes with excellent trekking knowledge and experience, and we would love you to share that and guide fellow trekkers along the way.
You will be introduced as our TTH Trek Ambassador to your fellow trekkers. Your experiences will glorify the shine of treks! And we can't wait, just to see how you make the journey just as beautiful as the Himalayan trails themselves!
What about those who are just getting started?
Those who are just starting their trekking journey are also eligible for this policy, they just need to complete any four treks/expeditions with us (weekend treks, panch kedar excursion, and multi-sport adventures count too) and they will get the chance to become a TTH Trek Ambassador with their fifth trek absolutely free of cost.
After you become a TTH Trek Ambassador with Trek The Himalayas, you will unlock our Loyal Customer Policy, a perk that keeps giving every time you share the joy of trekking.
Once you complete all four treks with TTH, you receive a unique referral code that you can share with your friends and family.
When someone books a trek using your code, you will receive trek points based on the difficulty level of the trek and the referred trekker will receive the same amount of discount while booking the trek. Here is the breakdown of the trek points and discount you and your friend will get.
Kindly Note: 1 Trek Point = 1 Rupee
These trek points get added to your loyalty points balance and you can redeem these points while booking for your next trek. The more you refer, the more your balance grows.
For Example :
If you collect 15,000 as your trek points, you can use them to book any trek within that value. As your balance grows, the possibilities expand and you could use your points for treks and expeditions of higher value anywhere in India, and abroad. Your loyalty points open the door to all kinds of trekking experiences in India and Internationally.
Another great part of this policy is its flexibility. You won’t believe it, but you can also transfer these loyalty points to anyone you like if you’re unable to use them yourself. You can either share or split them with friends or family.
You can also track your loyalty points balance anytime in your TTH dashboard, and we will also keep you updated through notifications whenever the trek points are added or redeemed
This initiative is our way of appreciating trekkers who continue to walk with TTH again and again. When you complete four treks with us, you reach an important milestone in your trekking journey. Your fifth trek is then offered by TTH as a gesture of appreciation. You will step in as a TTH Trek Ambassador, sharing your stories and inspiring others with your experience. Along with this, you also unlock Loyal Customer policy in which you can earn the trek points by sharing the referral code with your friends and family.
If your upcoming trek is your fifth trek with TTH, the trek fee for that trek will be completely waived. To ensure smooth planning, you need to register and make the full payment at the time of booking. Once you successfully complete the trek, TTH will refund the eligible trek fee within a week.
Please note that GST and trek insurance are fixed mandatory charges, so they will not be refunded. Any optional add-ons, like transport, gear rental, offloading, or special meals, are also outside the refund scope.
Yes, it absolutely can. And that’s what makes this policy special. If trekking in Ladakh has been your dream, this could be your moment. Iconic treks like Chadar Trek and Markha Valley Trek are available as options for your free fifth trek
Of course! A trek is a trek, and all your TTH treks, including weekend or two-day treks count toward your free fifth trek.
Yes, and this is one of the nicest parts of the policy. The free trek benefit works in groups of four treks. After completing four treks, your fifth trek is free. If you have completed eight treks, the benefit comes again, and your ninth and tenth treks will also be free. In short,for every four treks completed with TTH, you earn free treks along the way. The more you trek, the more TTH gives back.
Trek The Himalayas offers a wide range of treks be it easy to moderate treks like Kedarkantha, Har Ki Doon, Ranthan Kharak or moderate to difficult treks like Bali Pass, Pin Bhabha Pass or Chadar. By the time you complete four treks in the Himalayas, you have already grown into an experienced trekker.
Naturally, you would now like to prefer to take a step up and choose a difficult trek as your fifth one. Here is where Trek The Himalayas stands out as it offers a variety of difficult treks. And luckily all of them are qualified as free treks under the TTH Trek Ambassador policy. With TTH, you get a variety of trek options to choose from. You can pick a tougher trail or go for an Easy or Moderate trek; the choice is yours.
Yes definitely, we’re happy to offer this. Young trekkers bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to the trail, which makes the journey even more special. If your child has completed four treks with TTH, they can choose a Summer Camp as their fifth free trek.
You’ll be happy to know that any himalayan trek from easy to difficult level can be chosen as your free trek. The best part is that treks like Chadar Trek, Markha Valley, and many other beautiful himalayan treks are included. You may also choose higher-grade treks such as Bali Pass or Pin Bhaba Pass as part of your free trek.
As a TTH Trek Ambassador, your role goes beyond just trekking. You become a mentor on the trail. Someone who guides and shares real experiences with fellow trekkers. After completing multiple treks with TTH, you bring valuable knowledge and perspective that naturally encourages others and adds energy to the group.
Your stories and practical tips help first-timers and intermediate trekkers feel more comfortable and motivated. This is where your experience shines and lifts the overall trekking spirit of the group.
Challenging and peak summit treks, however, follow a slightly different approach. These treks are designed for highly experienced trekkers and climbers, where every participant is already well-prepared and self-driven. In such settings, there is limited scope for peer mentorship, as the structure and demands of the trek are very specific.
That’s why challenging and peak summit treks are kept outside the free fifth trek option, not because they are out of reach, but because the Trek Ambassador role is best experienced on trails where your guidance, encouragement, and shared journey can add value to others.
To claim your free trek, please send an email to info@trekthehimalayas.com, and our team will take it forward from there.
Yes, you do. You need to pay the full amount at the time of booking, just like any regular trek. Once you successfully complete the trek, we process the return of the eligible trek fee within one week. This process helps us plan treks better and ensures that all participants are fully committed.
Each spot on a trek involves planning, logistics, and local arrangements. If someone cancels at the last moment, it directly affects the team and the opportunity for another trekker. Collecting the payment upfront helps us manage this responsibly. Once you complete the trek, the amount is returned as promised. If you cancel, the standard TTH cancellation policy applies.
To keep your trek planning smooth and fair, we collect the trek fee upfront. Last-minute cancellations can affect team arrangements and local logistics, so this pay-and-refund process keeps everything running smoothly while still giving you this special benefit fairly.
The trek that you actually complete as your fifth eligible trek will be considered under this initiative. Even if you have several treks booked in advance, the benefit applies to the trek that completes your fifth-trek milestone.
All four treks must be registered under a single email ID. This helps us confirm that the same person has completed all four treks with TTH. Please ensure your records are linked to one email ID.
The free fifth trek is only valid for treks within India. International treks, including those in Nepal or other countries, don’t qualify as your free trek. However, any international trek you’ve completed does count toward your total number of treks with TTH.
Each unique trek you complete adds to your total. If you repeat a trek you’ve already done, it won’t be counted toward your free fifth trek.
The free trek includes only the trek fee itself. Any extra costs like trek insurance, transport, gear rentals, offloading, or special meals are not included and will need to be paid separately.
To be eligible for the free fifth trek, we count only treks you’ve completed with TTH. But don’t worry, even if you’ve done weekend treks, pilgrimages, or international treks with us, they all contribute to your count. By the time you’re eligible, you’ve likely completed more than four treks with TTH anyway.
The Loyal Customer Policy is a special perk for TTH Trek Ambassadors. After completing four treks with Trek The Himalayas, you receive a referral code. When someone books a trek using your code, both you and the referred trekker earn trek points and discounts based on the difficulty level of the trek.
You become eligible for the Loyal Customer Policy after completing four treks with Trek The Himalayas and becoming a TTH Trek Ambassador. Make sure all your four treks must be unique.
A referral code is a unique code provided to you once you become a TTH Trek Ambassador. You can share this code with friends and family. When they use it while booking a trek, both of you receive trek points and discounts.
There is no limit to the number of trek points you can earn. The more you refer, the more points get added to your loyalty points balance, which you can redeem while booking your future treks.
There is no minimum limit for redeeming your trek points under this policy. You can start redeeming your rewards with as little as one trek point. Every trek point you earn holds value, giving you complete flexibility to use your points whenever and however you choose without waiting to accumulate a fixed number.
Yes! One of the best parts of the Loyal Customer Policy is that you can use your trek points to book any trek with TTH, including international treks.
This is the flexibility of the policy. You can easily transfer your points to friends and family, and they can use them for their own trek planning with TTH. Even if you want to split the points and use them with your friends, you can do that too and enjoy trekking together!
You can easily track your trek points anytime in your TTH dashboard. Also, we’ll keep you updated with notifications whenever points are added or redeemed, so you always know your balance.
No. Referrals must be for completely new members. Anyone who has already registered or trekked with TTH earlier will not be counted as a valid referral.
The Loyalty Customer accumulated points is valid for two years from the date it is issued.
To request a cancellation, please email us at info@trekthehimalayas.com using your registered email ID.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip
Refund Options
Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek.
Refund Options
Cancellation Policy (Emergency Cases):
In case of a death in the immediate family (parents, siblings, spouse, children) or if the trekker is hospitalized (min. 48 hours) or suffers a fracture (leg/arm) within a week before the trek, even if canceled a day before:
90% trek fee refund in cash & 10% as a voucher (valid for 1 year, for any India trek).
Valid documents required. We’re here to support you during tough times.
Note:
Booking and Payments
Itinerary and Modifications
Cancellations and Refunds
Force Majeure
Enter your weight and height to check if you’re fit for the trek.
Medical & Disclaimer Form (Mandatory Documents) Click here to download Medical & Disclaimer Form