6 Days
99
16+
Rishikesh
Discover the Beauty of Brahmatal Trek
Brahmatal Trek is a mesmerizing journey through the heart of the Himalayas, offering panoramic views of towering peaks like Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. In winter, the landscape transforms into a captivating snow-covered wonderland, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.
The trek’s highlight is the frozen lake, surrounded by pristine snow, adding an ethereal charm to the adventure. As you traverse untouched alpine meadows blanketed in snow, you are immersed in a serene and pristine environment that feels otherworldly.
The route takes you through dense forests of oak and rhododendron, which open up to wide, snow-covered clearings. These clearings serve as perfect vantage points to admire the stunning views and rest before continuing the journey. The pristine, white landscapes against the backdrop of the blue sky create a striking contrast that is a feast for the eyes.
One of the unique aspects of this trek is the sense of solitude and tranquility it offers. The trail is less crowded compared to other popular treks in the region, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty and enjoy moments of peaceful reflection. The crisp, cold air and the crunch of snow underfoot enhance the feeling of being in a winter paradise.
The climb to the summit is challenging but immensely rewarding. The sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top and witnessing the panoramic vistas of the snow-clad peaks is unparalleled. The experience is further enriched by the stories and legends associated with the region, adding a cultural and historical dimension to the trek.
Whether you are an experienced trekker or a beginner, Brahmatal offers an unforgettable adventure. The combination of challenging terrain, stunning landscapes, and the enchanting frozen lake makes it an essential experience for those seeking the true beauty of the Himalayas in winter.
Our journey starts at Rishikesh, with a pickup from the Trek The Himalayas office at 6:00 AM. From here, we drive to Lohajung, the base village for our trek. This scenic drive covers 250 km and takes about 1011 hours.
The route includes Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Dewal, and finally Lohajung. Along the way, you'll experience the serene beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas, with the River Ganga accompanying you for much of the journey. The drive passes through three major holy confluences: Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karanprayag.
Upon arrival in Lohajung, check into the guesthouse. If you arrive before sunset, you can witness the magnificent view of the Nanda Ghunti peak. Lohajung also has a small market where you can purchase any lastminute trek essentials.
Enjoy your evening in the tranquil village, and prepare for the trek that begins the following day.
The trek begins from Lohajung village, following a welllaid manmade trail upwards toward Gujreni. The trail ascends through the upper region of Lohajung and leads you through a charming forest path, punctuated by a few scattered houses. A short trek will bring you to Mandoli village.
As you climb higher, you'll reach the confluence of the Kali and Pindari Rivers in the beautiful Kali Valley. Following the water pipes, you'll pass a small cluster of homes adorned with rhododendron trees, transforming this part of the trail into a vibrant spectacle from February to March.
After a couple of hours of trekking, you'll reach Begum, a vantage point offering splendid views of Himalayan meadows. About 10 minutes from Begum, you'll arrive at a stream crossing. After another hour of trekking, you'll reach the Gujreni stream, where your campsite is located.
The campsite is surrounded by a dense forest covered with green oak, brown oak, and rhododendron trees, making it a great spot for birdwatching. You may spot Himalayan avian species like the Himalayan Woodpecker, Asian barred owlet, bluefronted redstart, and solitary snipe.
Brown Lake Bekaltal is just an hour and a half away, named for its brown color due to the high concentration of dissolved organic matter, often observed in lakes surrounded by forests or wetlands.
Today’s trek is comparatively shorter than the previous day. After a hearty breakfast, you will start your trek for the day. As you ascend, the trail leads you into the embrace of the Oak and Rhododendron forest with a ridge on your left. When you start walking on the ridge, you will get a stunning glimpse of the valley below as well as Bekaltal.
The meadows along the trek are a vivid interplay of colors. Halfway through your trek, the landscape becomes resplendent with the vibrant hues of Rhododendron trees dotting the region. As the journey progresses, the majestic Oak trees take over, adding an air of serenity to the path. After approximately an hour of trekking through this picturesque forest section, you'll notice the tree line gracefully receding, giving way to the vast meadows that beckon you forth.
Stepping into the meadows, a sight of unparalleled beauty unfolds before your eyes. The majestic panorama of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti, accompanied by their associated mountain ranges, graces the horizon with their aweinspiring presence. Nature's grandeur is showcased in all its glory, leaving you mesmerized by the majestic peaks of the Himalayas. Our next campsite, Tilandi, is situated on the edge of the meadows. From the campsite, you can see the entire stretch from Lohajung to Wan below and across the valley, one can see the renowned meadows of the Roopkund trail, namely Ali and Bedni Bugyals.
Amidst the mighty Himalayas, this short yet enchanting day on the trail proves to be a captivating experience.
Today, we will start our trek by walking on a ridge. The trail is mostly surrounded by Oak and Rhododendron trees. Walking amid the forest cover, we will make our way towards Jhandi Top. As we approach the vantage point, the mountain panorama begins to open up, offering an incredible view of Mt. Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul. From Jhandi Top, you can also map the entire Roopkund Trail.
Enjoy the beautiful views from the top before making our way to Brahmatal. From Jhandi Top, take the trail on the right and climb onto another ridge that will lead you to Brahmatal Top, the highest point on the trek at an altitude of 12,250 ft. The mountain views from this point are unparalleled.
From here, we will descend to the alpine lake, Brahmatal. The first glimpse of the lake is simply aweinspiring. Adjacent to the lake stands a small Nag Devta Mandir, adding to the ethereal atmosphere. If the lake is not frozen, you'll be treated to a clear reflection of the night sky, a sight that leaves visitors spellbound.
The Brahmatal campsite, situated at 10,600 ft, lies about 500 meters away from the lake on the left side of the slope. Don't miss the chance to witness the magical sunset from this campsite, a breathtaking moment that adds a perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable day on the trail.
Start your descent to Lohajung after a hearty breakfast, following a trail that leads directly from Brahmatal Lake. As you gradually ascend to Jhandi Top, the sparse vegetation gives way to breathtaking mountain views that play a delightful game of hide and seek with you.
From the summit of Jhandi Top, take the left trail to begin your descent towards Lohajung. As you venture onwards, the majestic mountain views will gradually recede behind you. Approximately a kilometer into the descent, the treeline embraces you once more, surrounded by lush Oak trees. Soon, you'll come across a serene clearing known as Khorurai, aptly named as Khoru translates to Oak. Take a welldeserved rest here, and if you wish to extend your trek for another day, this delightful spot could serve as a possible campsite.
Another 1.3 kilometers of descent will lead you to join the main trail. Continue your journey through the enchanting Rhododendron forest before transitioning to the wellmade, manmade trail. This trail serves as a vital connection between the mountain villages leading down to Lohajung.
After approximately an hour from your starting point, you'll reach the shepherd huts, known locally as chaani, where villagers and shepherds tend to their livestock. Continue on the welllaid manmade trail, following the path that connects these mountain villages to the picturesque destination of Lohajung. As you make your way through this enchanting landscape, cherish the memories of the magnificent mountains and valleys that graced your journey, adding to the magic of your unforgettable trekking adventure.
In the evening, enjoy snacks and dinner at the guesthouse, where you will stay for the night.
Today marks the end of your incredible trip. After morning tea with the Chalo Travellers team, we will head out towards Rishikesh. The drive from Lohajung to Rishikesh is approximately 250 km and takes around 10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. You should reach Rishikesh by 5:00 pm.
As we drive back along the same mountain roads, you'll have time to reflect on the beautiful memories created during the trek. Upon reaching Rishikesh, you can either book your onward journey or spend a few more days exploring Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Mussoorie. These destinations are rich in tourist attractions and will offer a delightful experience.
Important Notes:
Enjoy the final leg of your journey, and take home wonderful memories of your trekking adventure!
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