How is the Roopkund trek going to be like ?

A high altitude himalayan trek like Roopkund is more than just a trip. It is an experience of a life time. You will be treated to some of the best views which very few people witness in their life times.

People get to witness nature in its various hues, which can humble any human being. For a lot of us, every himalayan trek teaches us a whole set of new things and is almost a life changing event every time.

Weather and trek timings:

On the Roopkund trail, we start at 7700 ft and climb to 15700 ft in four days. You are in a new landscape everyday. So does the weather condition.

At the lower camps, temperature at night can be in the range of 6-10 degrees at night. At the higher camps the temperature can go as low as -1 degrees outside the tent. Day temperatures are pleasant generally around  14-16 degrees.

Our trekking day starts early and you will be out on the slopes by 7 am. On all days but the Roopkund day, the we reach the next camp by lunch time. Post noon, build up of local clouds often lead to rains. They usually last for a few minutes or about an hour or two. If you are lucky, you can get to witness hail too. These are not the monsoon rains and occur through the year.

We insist the early start for another reason. If you reach the next camp early, it helps people acclaimatize. The more time you spend at the next higher altitude the better it is for acclaimatization.

After a days trek is over, we gather in our tents and have fun playing games or singing or just joking around.

On the Roopkund day, we have an early start by 5 am. It is a long trekking day. As it is likely to be on snow, the going is easier when the snow is harder. Once the sun hits the slopes, you tend to sink in snow and walking takes more effort with constant slipping on snow.

Backpacks:

We at Indiahikes are trekkers ourselves. We believe that trekking is not just walking up a mountain. While we have porters and mules at Roopkund to carry supplies and equipment, we believe that trekkers must carry their personal belongings themselves to do justice to the true spirit of trekking. On our treks, trekkers are expected to carry their backpacks weighing not more than 7-8 kgs. If on any day a trekker finds it difficult to carry the backpack, we take it off him/her on that day.

Food:

On the trek we see to it that you get fresh, hot and nutritious food at every meal. You have breakfast before you start the days trek. You will be given snacks,toffees for munching on the way and hot lunch will be served at the next camp. Tea with snacks will await you in the evening and dinner will be served early by 8 pm.

The food served will be as per the pre defined menu. The menu is specially designed keeping in mind the altitude of your camp the effects it will have on your health. Feasibility and efficiency of cooking at the altitude is also another criteria.

Waste management and Toilets:

It is our and every trekkers responsibility to see that we leave the Roopkund trail as pristine as it was before we got there. We insist that no non biodegradable waste be thrown by either the trekkers or staff. The waste has to be collected and handed over to the camp managers, who will see that it is got off the hills and disposed in the cities.

Biodegradable waste will be collected buried once the team is set to leave the campsite.

Toilet tents will be available wherever feasible. Your guides will tell you more about the water points at the camping sites.

How tough is the Roopkund trek:

Roopkund is a medium difficult trek. As it takes you to high altitudes where walking is very different from walking in our cities. You owe it to yourselves to be in good physical shape before embarking on this journey. Follow our fitness regime from the day you decide to do the trek and you will sail through.