8 Days 7 Nights LOHJUNG, DIDANA, BEDNI BUGYAL and BHOGUBASA Forest Trip Package

The trip starts after morning breakfast. We drive to Lohjung passed Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Tharali. First following the Ganges until Deoprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet. The road then follows the Alaknanda River up to Karnaprayag and then follows the Pindar River up to Tharali. The road conditions are good until Karnaprayag; thereafter there are often rough sections to Mandoli. On arrival we check in to Guest house run by locals Mandoli / Lohjung 2250m. These are basic accommodations and good enough for one night stay.

We have early start today as we need to pack our horses and divide the gear onto them. After breakfast, we start trekking down into Gyan Ganga Valley through rhododendron and oak forest. After about two hours downhill, we follow the river before a climb to Didana village. We camp above Didana village for an overnight stay. It takes about 4 hours to walk this distance to Didana village. We can witness tremendous view of Trishul above the Shilasamudra glacier, as well as Nilkanth to the north-west.

Today starts with a serious uphill section through forest. About three hours later, we reach the tree line and if the clouds allow we will have wonderful views of Chaukhamba and Nilkanth. At this point, we will reach a grassy ridge leading to the meadows of Bedni Bugyal. This high meadow is the main area used for camping by travellers on the great pilgrimage to Roopkund which takes place every 12 years. It is a beautiful and interesting place dotted with shrines and temples. Overnight stay at camp.

Today we trek to a higher place and then come back down to the same camp at Bedni Bugyal to improve the acclimatization process. Overnight stay at camp.

Today we trek to Bhojbasa. The trail crosses a hump to reach Bistola and then climbs up to Bhogubasa, an improvised stone shelter that is generally used by local pilgrims. Overnight stay at camp.

In the morning if the weather is clear you will have great views of Trishul and the mountains around. An arduous trek of about three hours gets you to Roopkund. At Roopkund, if the snow is not too deep, the mysterious skeletons and remains of human beings and horses can be seen, as detailed in the books of Shipman and Tilman. There are also great views of the surrounding glaciers and high peaks. The lake is very scenic and we rest here and take in the atmosphere. We hike another 30 minutes or so up to the ridge above the lake where you will be rewarded with wonderful views of Trishul and the surrounding mountains. After spending some time exploring the area we return to Bhogubasa. Overnight stay at camp.

The route from here is different to the standard trek to allow a shorter itinerary. Our day begins with a 3-hour return trek to Bedni Bugyal - a long steep descent through a fine forest of firs and rhododendrons and across a beautiful clearing. After another drop down, we reach the river which is a good place for lunch. After lunch we climb upwards to reach the main valley, and onward to Wan which lies at the head of the valley. We camp above the village on a wide tree lined terrace. Just above us is the sacred grove of Latu, another famous local Devta spirit, whose temple lies under one of the biggest Deodar Cedar trees in India. Wan is a fascinating old village where the men and women continue to wear traditional Garhwali brown, homespun wool blankets pinned across the chest. Overnight camp.

We walk down to village and to the road head where we meet our vehicles to drive us back to Rishikesh. Drive down along the river to Rishikesh 10 hours. Trip finishes at the arrival at Rishikesh.