Overview
Region :- Uttarakhand
Duration :- 6 Days
Grade :- Easy To Moderate
Max Altitude :- 12250 Ft.
Approx Trekking Km :- 22 Kms.
Brahmatal Trek
Magnificent camping near frozen Lake of Brahmatal Trek.
Nothing lasts forever, not even the cold January snow. One peculiar kind of trek which comes to mind while talking about trekking under harsh conditions, deprived of many resources yet blissful experiences, is the Brahmatal Trek . It is an understatement to call Brahmatal Winter snow Trek, one of the most awe-inspiring treks in India.
Some precious moments make life worth living for us. Similarly, the frozen lake that’s part of the Brahmatal Trek is insidiously beautiful with the icy land proving to be an ideal place to camp and enjoy the timeless moments in life. The Brahmatal Winter Trek is still a hidden one and considered an undiscovered treasure, untouched by humans. The silent echoes of the ancient forests are so still enough that you can even hear the crackling of dead forgotten leaves beset on the snowy path you happen to traverse.
March and April, this time of the year appeals trekkers from across the globe and invites travel enthusiasts from different age groups.
The simple reason behind the gathering of about thousand people from the world is the views of the summits that stun the onlooker, and the breathtaking scenic views of the Brahmatal Trek, totally engulf the travelers. You may greet the crystal clear blue skies which encompass the whole horizon geometrically. Every side you ponder, you see the mighty Himalayas guarding you against the monstrously icy winds from the North. A regular day would include seeing at least 4 ranges 7000 ft. and above.
However, the Brahmatal temperature in December is astonishingly cold and is inconvenient for travelers to trek along this side.
View of frozen lake in winters
Emerging out of the forests, to reach the highest point during the Brahmatal trek and watching the sunshine over the snow-clad mountains can be one the one of the most eye-opening and self- affirming views that you can capture. While the pristine lake murmurs, do look forward to camping along its side on the snow. Pray that the sky is clear for it will be lit by stars that will glow brightly on the surface of the Brahmatal lake.
What makes this Trek different
Trekking to Brahmatal will give you many sites such as the view of peaks Nandaghunti, Mrugathani, Trishul, etc., trek through streams, conifers, peaceful hamlets, beautiful valleys, etc.
Several trekking routes to explore are a perfect place to capture the stretching sky's breathtaking view and those fields covered with white snow. This trek is just opposite to the famous Roopkund trek, which is one of the most attractive factors.
What makes this tour very interesting
› No high-altitude mountain sickness due to coming near to the forest region. And this is an easy trek as compared to others.
› The trail isn't that abrupt and sheer in comparison to different treks. So, beginners, families, and students can easily try this trek.
› You were given to see such a lot of heavenly bodies at one location like the panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges, meadows, lakes, pine forests, an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna surpassing via bona fide Garhwali history and Kumauni and valleys of Chivalric mountain ranges
› During the wintry weather season, this fascinating Brahmatal trek remains protected in snow and the white sheet of snow makes it appear to be a magical wide snow-land.
Itinerary
Day 01: Rishikesh To Lohajung
The journey uphill from Rishikesh to Lohajung will take you cruising through mountain of Garhwal. This is going to be a hectic 8 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 Kosi, flowing softly. Soon, a blustery Pindar river will meet our path.
Day 2: Lohajung to Bekaltal
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.
Day 3: Bekaltal to Brahmatal
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 Tilbudi Via Brahmatal Pass
Start your day early in the morning as you will be heading towards the Brahmatal lake which is an uphill climb. You will be greeted with Oak and Rhododendron trees on the way which has a charm of their own. After a while, the zigzag ascent trail will take you Brahmatal Lake. On a bright day, the lake looks charismatic and the sunlight makes it look even more artistic. As you walk ahead you will come across a small stream which is formed by the melting of snow. You might get fooled by every passing top which will feel like the last ascent. After walking for a while and crossing the meadow, the final climb towards the pass begins.
It will be a tiring walk towards but as soon as you reach the top you will be greeted with a magnificent view of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. Take your time and click some jaw-dropping pictures that will last a lifetime. As soon as you start descending, you discover that the trail is different from that which got you up. You will be able to witness a 180 degree of the entire Himalayan range and peaks such as Haukhambha, Mandi, Mana, Nilgiri, Neelkanth, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Maitoli become visible. As you continue to descent, after an hour you will reach a clearing surrounded by trees on all the sides which is the Tilbudi campsite. You will be camping here for the night.
Day 5: Tilbudi To Lohajung Via Wan
After having your breakfast you will start your descent to Wan which is a trail filled with Oak and Rhododendron trees. This is a very beautiful trail which allows you to click end number of scenic pictures. After walking some distance you will come across a water source at Chota Tilbundi.
Half an hour later you will be able to spot Wan village which is visible below. From here onwards it will take you half an hour more to reach the road from where TTH will arrange vehicles to take you to Lohajung.
Day 6: Lohajung To Rishikesh
After a good night’s sleep at our Lohajung guest house, we will go back to Kathgodam today. Destination will be reached by 6:00 pm. We can manage a brief stopover at Kausani to commemorate the trek with souvenir shopping.
How to Reach
By Air :-
The nearest airport to Kathgodam is the Pantnagar Airport located at a distance of 32kms from Kathgodam. The airport is connected with Delhi by 4 round flights per week. Taxis are easily available from the Airport to Kathgodam.
By Train :-
Kathgodam has its own railway station which is just a kilometer away from the main city. Trains to Kathgodam from the other parts of the country are frequent as it is the Gateway to the Kumaon region. Taxis to various major destination of Uttarakhand are available from the station.
By Bus:-
Being the gateway to the Kumaon hills, Kathgodam has an excellent railway network connecting with the other destinations of the state. Buses to Kathgodam are easily available from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi.
Fitness level required
Although Brahmatal is an easy trek, you will need good lung capacity and leg strength to reach the summit safely and back. If you are struggling most of the time, you won't be able to enjoy the trek. With the end goal being enjoying the trek thoroughly and not just completing it, the following is the fitness level we recommend.
Practice jogging/running four to five days a week and see if you can cover 5 km in 30-40 minutes. In addition to this, you can also add some resistance workouts for legs (like squats and lunges) and core workouts into your training schedule.
If you are completely new to the world of trekking and are unsure of your fitness levels, we recommend starting with a level 2 trek from our portfolio. Treks like the Beas Kund or Bhrigu valley, which are of lower altitude and lesser duration, are excellent choices.
These will give you an idea of the terrain you are likely to encounter at Brahmatal while equipping you with the knowledge of layering on Himalayan Treks, the kind of gear you will need, fitness levels required, etc.