- Region :- Uttarakhand
- Duration :- 5 Days
- Grade :- Easy To Moderate
- Max Altitude :- 12,100 Ft.
- Approx Trekking Km :- 24 Kms.
Resting in the depths of the Uttarakhand Himalayas, the Brahmatal trek treats you to soaring views of some lofty mountain peaks such as Mt. Trishul, Mt Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Khamet. At an altitude of 3800 m, the Brahmatal trek is open throughout the winters when most of the other trekking routes are closed making it a perfect winter trek for beginners.
Brahmatal hosts one of the loveliest forest walks that are home to diverse bird species and century old oak trees. During spring, the trails of these forests are carpeted in the red and pink blooms of rhododendrons. In winters, the landscape transforms dramatically sheathing the region in pristine white snow, making it nothing short of a Winter wonderland.
Long, never-ending ridgelines, expansive meadows, and 360-degree views of colossal peaks from the summit are some of the other attractions of the Brahmatal Trek.
Spanning over 28 km, the Brahmatal trek begins from the base village of Lohajung located in the Chamoli district in Garhwal Himalayas. The 6 km trek from Lohajung to the Bekaltal campsite runs through dense forests of Conifer, Cedar, Oak and Fir. The Bekaltal campsite is at the heart of a beautiful clearing surrounded by Oak and Rhododendrons with panoramic views of snow-capped ranges.
Another 2-hour trek will lead you to the Bekaltal lake, frozen during the winter months, making up for a tranquil view.
The trail heading out of the lake continues to remain dominated by Oak and Rhododendron forests. You start catching glimpses of Mt Trishul through the woods from here on. The forest soon opens up to an expansive meadow, Talindi Top, that rewards you with spectacular views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti amongst others. The ascent continues beyond this point until you reach Jhandi Top which surpasses the views offered by Talindi Top. It is a 1.5 km descent from here onwards to the Brahmatal campsite. The campsite is delightfully set at one end of a ridge, opening up to a stunning view of the blue silhouette of mountain ranges stacked layer after layer at the horizon. The Brahmatal lake is only 500 M from the campsite. According to legend, the lake is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma meditated ages ago.
The trek to the summit begins the next day and is nothing short of thrilling. The trail climbs through moderately inclined dense forests eventually translating into a ridge stretch that opens up to gaping views of the tremendous valley behind. The summit offers awe-inspiring vistas of some well-known Himalayan ranges like Mount Trishul, sacred Mount Nanda Ghunti, Mount Chaukhamba, Mount Neelkanth, Mount Kamet and Mount Hathi Ghoda.
While the trail is relatively easy to navigate, the ascent to Brahmatal Top can be challenging during heavy snowfall season. The snow, during these times can run knee deep requiring some effort during ascent and descent.
COST OF THE TREK
- Lohajung to Lohajung: Rs. 7000/-
- Rishikesh to Rishikesh: Rs. 9400/-
Available Dates
- 26 Dec To 30 Dec 2022 (Xmas Special)
- 30 Dec To 03 Jan 2023 (NYE Special)
Day 1:- Rishikesh to Lohajung
- Altitude 7,662 ft.
- Stay in guest house
- Drive 290 km (10 hrs drive)
- Local market and network is available
- Pick up time 06:00 am at the parking of ISBT Rishikesh
- Route:- Rishikesh - Devprayag- Srinagar- Rudraprayag - Karanprayag- Dewal - Lohajung.
Day 2:- Lohajung to Bekaltal
- 9,690 ft, 4-5 hrs trek, 6 km
- One third of the trek through village and rest through frost
- Stay in tent
- Moderate level ascent through forest
- Hot lunch at camp
- Spring and manmade water points are available
- Go to Bekaltal lake for evening walk
- Bekaltal lake is 15 minutes walk from camp site
Day 3:- Bekaltal to Brahmatal
- 10,450 ft, 6 – 7 hrs trek, 7 km
- First 1.3 hours is steep ascent via Bekaltal Lake, then gradual ascent for few hours and at last steep descent and then gradual descent till camp site
- Hot lunch/packed lunch, depend on weather and snow condition
- No water points, it’s advisable to carry at least 2 liters of water
- Very scenic day, can see Shivalik and greater Himalayas both
- Go to Brahmatal lake for evening walk, 500 meter far from camp site
- Stay in tent
Day 4: Brahmatal to Brahmtal Top via Brahmatal Pass and Back to Lohajung
- Altitude :- 10,450 ft. to 11,250 ft. via 12,200 ft.
- Trek :- 9 km, 7-8 hrs
- Moderate level of ascent till Brahmaltal pass (few slops have steep ascent)
- After Pass, all descent till Lohjung Base Camp via Jhandidhar & Daldum.
- No water points, it’s advisable to carry at least 2 liters of water
- Rhododendron and oak Forest
- 360 degree of view from summit
- First 180 degree angle covers Chaukhambha, Mandir, Mana, Nilgiri, Neelkanth, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Maitoli all the way to the Panchachuli ranges, rest is Shivalik himalayas
- Once you reach base camp, Check in to Guest House and Rest.
Day 5: Lohajung To Rishikesh
- Conclude the trek and depart to Rishikesh early morning at 05.30 am.
- Reach Rishikesh by Evening.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:- Arrive at Lohajung (2331 m) (294 Kms)
- Distance covered: 294 km from Rishikesh to Lohajung
- Duration: 11-12 hours to reach Lohajung
- We will see you the first day at Rishikesh railway station. The pickup place is Rishikesh bus station early in the morning. An overnight train travel from Delhi could be sufficiently convenient.
- The journey uphill from Rishikesh to Lohajung will take you cruising through mountain alleyways connecting the lower Himalayan belt of Kumaom hills to that of Garhwal. This is going to be a hectic 10 hour drive, despite the marvellous changing vistas of the mountains. For the first few hours, the course of our journey will be running parallel to river Ganga and Alaknanda flowing blustery. Soon, a softy Pindar river will meet our path.
- Look out for a few of the best known tourist hubs nestling in Uttarakhand’s sublime hills. We will pass through Devprayag, Srinagar, and Karanprayag—all celebrated hill stations. Upon entering the last stretch of the drive, near Lohajung, the mesmerizing Nanda Ghunti peak will come to sight. We will reach Lohajung guest house, our halt for the night around 5:00 pm, close to dusk and just in time for tea!
- Note: If you are not carrying something of winter clothing or basic gear, the Lohajung market can come in pretty handy.
Day 2:- Lohajung to Bekaltal (06 Kms)
- The first day’s trek spanning 5 hours will kick off from Lohajung up a snaky trail going into the forest. After a short while the forest will give way to a small village named Mandoli to your left. Here you can fill your bottles and take a first major hiatus. The trail continues in mostly gradual ascent curves. A little way higher, you will come across the valley where two mountain rivers Kali and Pindari confluence. This is the Kali valley, lying in a splendid green scrap even in the midst of wintry heights. We will trek on further to stumble upon a huddle of mud huts. You are going to find a grove of rhododendron here that sure grows red and heavy from February to March, but at the peak of winter, the trail will be pretty matte.
- Crossing this point, trek on to find the next identifiable landmark—a wooden bridge over a stream. This steam is a viable water point which you can access going down the slope. Crossing over on to the other side, you will reach Begum — a nestling rest point on the slopes overlooking a vast expanse of bugyals at distance. From here, the path bends on to two more chattering streams, the last being Gujrani stream. Take approximately an hour’s hike after crossing the last stream to reach the beautiful Bekaltal gleaming peacefully in the summer while partially frozen over in the winters.
- We will be camping in the vicinity by the lake Khopdaliya. Enjoy the stillness and the quiet of this place with the thick oak forests closing in from around.
Day 3:- Bekaltal to Brahmatal (08 Kms)
- Today’s trek will take you through thickets of oaks and rhododendrons over steep slopes for quite some time before finally coming out to a meadow. This is the meadow of Telandi. In the winter, you will find the green expanse of Telandi transform into a vast snowfield and crossing the area, a gala of thrill.
- The meadow rolls till 11,500 ft.- the highest point, from where begins a slow descent to Brahmatal. To your left from here, you will find a small temple, bright yellow flags flying in the air. Walk down the slope to the temple and find the trail winding towards the Brahmatal Lake, about 500 meters away from the temple now. We will find the valleys of Almora and Nainital rise and fall around us as we go. The soaring peaks of Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, and others of the Greater Himalayas can be spotted far across the sky. We will be camping at the mark 500 meter away from the lake, nestling in the beautiful aura of the place.
- Note: Make sure to carry 2-3 litres of water on today’s trek since there are no water points on this trail.
Day 4: Brahmatal to Brahmatal Top & back to Lohajung( 10 kms/ 9hrs)
- Right after breakfast, get ready to climb to the top of Brahmatal.
- Tread along the tricky pathways which go through Chota Jhandidar and Bada Jhandidar.
- This trail is encircled by a mountain ridge with valleys on both sides.
- It will take 3 hours to reach Brahmatal Top.
- On this journey, revel in the glimpses of magnificent Himalayan Ranges. Mt. Trishul is very close along with the views of Nandhaghunti.
- From the top, you can revel in the exotic views of snow covered Himalayan Ranges.
- After summit session you will trail back to Lohajung directly via jhandidhar & Daldum.
- Once you reach here, check-in to your guest house and take a rest.
Day 5: Lohajung to Rishikesh
- Conclude the trek and depart to Rishikesh early morning at 5:30 am.
- SR will arrange vehicles to take you to Rishikesh.
- Then Move toward Rishikesh.
- Reach Rishikesh By 06 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is this trek good for me?
The Brahmatal trek is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers. For the novice, it is a great start to enter the world of trekking. The Brahmatal trek can get a bit rigorous for the first-timers. Therefore, it is recommended to the first timers to maintain good physical stamina and read extensively. Any experienced trekker would love to go on this weekend trek for the love of its views and trekking.
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Why should I go for this trek?
The beautiful trek to the glacial lake called Brahmatal is one of the most beautiful treks in the Himalayas. The trail of Brahmatal Trek is snow laden and has one of the most breathtaking views to offer. The Brahmatal is where Lord Brahma meditated as per Hindu mythology and is of great religious significance. The famous Roopkund trail can also be seen from the Brahmatal trail. Some of the prominent peaks visible during the course of the trek are Trishul, Nandaghunti, Chowkhamba, Nilkanth, Kamet, Hathi, and Ghoda peaks. Brahmatal trek is a must do for all the snow lovers.
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What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL network connectivity is sparsely available on the trail.
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What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
At Lohajung, the base camp of the trek the trekkers will have a stay at a guest house before the start of the trek. During the return also the stay will be at a local guest house at Lohajung.
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What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
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Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
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What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
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Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
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Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
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What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
Note : Normally SR expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 1800/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 2200/- if you inform us after reaching Lohajung
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
How to Reach
By Air :-
- Jolly Grant Airport is the airport serving Dehradun, located about 48 km from the Rishikesh. There is a daily flight from Delhi for Dehradun, reach Rishikesh one day early if coming by flight.
By Train:-
- An excellent rail network connects Haridwar/Dehradun to other important cities like Delhi, Mussoorie, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kolkata.
- From Delhi -DDN NZM AC EXPRESS (2205)
- From Kolkata- Doon Express (13009)
- From Mumbai- Dehradun Express (19019)
- From Chennai- Dehradun express (12687)
By Bus:-
- There is regular bus service from Delhi to Rishikesh, from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate.
- We would suggest you to take only government buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Private buses ply from outside ISBT and they are not trust worthiness.
- Usually buses drop you at Rishikesh bus station.
- SR's Tata Sumo or similar vehicles will pick-up you from Rishikesh Railway Station at 6:00 am.
- Pick-up is included in the cost of the trek
- You will reach Lohajung by 6:00 pm
- Food from Rishikesh to Lohajung is not included in the trek cost
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the Trek: Get a full refund (minus 5% trek cost). The money will be transferred to the same bank account from where the transaction was made.
Cancellations prior to 15 days from the start of the Trek: 50% Refund. The money will be transferred to the same bank account from where the transaction was made.
Cancellations prior to 5 days from the start of the Trek: 10% Refund. The money will be transferred to the same bank account from where the transaction was made.
Note: SR holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice
Trek Essential
Basics Gear | |
Back pack & rain cover | (50 - 60 ltr) with comfortable shoulder straps |
Day pack + rain cover | 20 - 30 ltr (If hire a mule or porter) |
Walking stick | Advisable (At least one) |
Head torch | 1 Nos. |
Water bottle/Hydration pack | 2 bottles of one litre each |
People who use hydration pack | |
1 hydration pack and 1 bottle of one liter | |
Carry at least one thermos flask | |
Snacks | Energy bars, dry fruits, electral/ors |
Personal Medical Kit | Consult your doctor
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Be comfy at the trek |
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T-shirts | 2 Full sleeves (Non-cotton) |
Fleece T-shirts | 1 Nos. |
Fleece jacket | 1 Nos. (Alternative: a woollen sweater) |
Down feather / Hollofil jacket | 1 Nos. |
Wind & waterproof (jacket & pant) | 1 Pair |
Thermal inners (upper and lower) | 1 Pair |
Trek pants | 2 Synthetic (avoid shorts, fitting denims, capris) |
Poncho | 1 Nos. |
Personal Utilities | |
Sunscreen cream | Hand sanitizer |
Moisturiser | Antibacterial powder |
Toilet Paper & wipes | Toothbrush and toothpaste |
Lip balm | Quick dry towel |
Think about your head |
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Sun cap | 1 Nos. (One that covers the neck as well) |
Woolen cap | 1 Nos. |
Balaclava | 1 Nos. |
Neck-gaiters | 1 Nos. |
Sunglasses | Dark with side cover, it should be U/V protected. |
People who wear spectacles- | |
(A)- Use contact lenses. (Not for Chadar trek) | |
(B)- Photo chromatic glasses. |
Mind your step |
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Trekking shoes | 1 Pair (Waterproof, high ankle with good grip) |
Floaters/flip-flops | 1 Pair (Optional) |
Cotton socks | 5 pairs |
Woollen socks | 3 pairs |
Gaiters | 1 Pair (TTH team will notify you if required) |
Keep these handy |
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Waterproof gloves | 1 Pair |
Fleece/woollen gloves | 1 Pair |
What is included in the tour
- Transport from Rishikesh to Loharjung and return.
- Accommodation. (Guest house, Home stay, Camping)
- Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
- Trek equipments (Sleeping bag, mattress, Kitchen & dinning tent, crampon, utensils, tent)
- All necessary permits and entry fees.
- First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
- Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Food during the transit.
- Insurance.
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head