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Roopkund — host of Nanda Ashtami Trek Gathering

Festival · UTTARAKHAND

Nanda Ashtami Trek Gathering.

September · Roopkund

Trekkers and pilgrims gather at Bedni Bugyal (en route to Roopkund) for Nanda Ashtami prayers at the high-altitude meadow shrine.

Why it mattersreligious

Going for this? Roopkund in September

NakshIQ score
3/10
Wait

September sees monsoon retreating. By the third week, the Roopkund trail starts becoming viable again. The skeleton lake has its brief second window — post-monsoon clarity with the last of the summer melt revealing bones. Bedni Bugyal is green and flower-dotted. The Trishul views return. Late September treks are possible with experienced operators but weather is unpredictable. This is the adventure window.

See the Roopkund September guide →

Getting there

Elevation
5029 m
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant, Dehradun — 230km to Lohajung
Nearest railway
Rishikesh — 210km to Lohajung

Live in Roopkund

Where to stay in Roopkund

  • Lohajung Homestays

    ₹500-1,000/night
    homestay · Lohajung village

    Multiple homestays in the Roopkund trek gateway village. Warm quilts, home-cooked Kumaoni food, and hosts who've seen trekkers come and go for decades. Best acclimatization base.

  • Lohajung Valley Stay

    Rs 1000-2000/night
    homestay · Village Bank, near Lohajung, Chamoli

    Cozy retreat surrounded by forests in a tranquil mountain setting, perfect base for Roopkund trek

  • Raftaar Adventure Homestay

    Rs 800-1500/night
    homestay · Lohajung Village, Chamoli District

    Situated at the base camp of Roopkund, Brahmatal, and Ali Bugyal treks with affordable rooms and home-cooked meals

All stays in Roopkund →

Where to eat

  • Hotel Hema Lohajung Restaurant

    Lohajung · ₹

    SignatureAloo paratha with curd

    Year-round operation — useful for Dec-Feb Kedarkantha-via-Lohajung trekkers when most other dhabas are shut.

  • Bedni Camp Kitchen (seasonal)

    Bedni Bugyal base · ₹₹

    SignatureTrek-camp dal-rice plate

    Not a venue you can show up at — must be on a booked Ali-Bedni Bugyal trek itinerary. The camp shuts in winter.

  • Hotel Devi Bhavan Wan

    Wan · ₹

    SignatureMandua roti + dal

    Mandua roti is dark, dense and slightly bitter — local Garhwali staple, asks for ghee or jaggery to balance. Wan is one of the few places to taste it freshly made.

  • Mountain Shepherds Lohajung Dining

    Lohajung · ₹₹

    SignatureCommunity-trek thali

    Ask about Niti Valley rajma — distinctive flat black-spotted variety grown at 3000m+, sold by the kilo if you're heading back to the plains.

All eateries in Roopkund →

What else to see in Roopkund

  • Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)

    Mysterious glacial lake at 16,500 ft with hundreds of ancient human skeletons visible when ice melts.

    lake
    4-5 days trek

Other festivals in Roopkund

Other festivals in September, elsewhere

See every festival in September →

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