Dear team,

The Roopkund trek is a rare trek that has everything going on! It has few of the biggest meadows, in the form of Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal, it has deep virgin forests, the mysterious lake of Roopkund and of course, the climb to Junargali, with stunning views of Mt.Trishul and Mt.. You're seriously in for a treat.

Now for some details about the travel to the base camp.

Base camp: Lohajung(2,350 mts/ 7,700 ft), your base camp for Roopkund Trek is situated at the base of the Garhwal . It is a small village located in Chamoli district, in the interiors of . The trek leader will meet you at the base camp.

The travel details are below:

Pickup time: 6.30 am from Kathgodam station. (The vehicle will be parked just outside the railway station).

Travel time: From Kathgodam to Lohajung­ 10­11 hrs

Transport Cost: Rs 5,500/­ per vehicle each way for Sumo/MAX (5­7 seater) Rs 9,500/­ per vehicle each way for Tempo Traveller (10­ 12 seater)

Please pay the money to the cab driver. All are expected to share the total cost.

Cab driver details will be given 2 days prior to departure.

Travel stop: Ideally the vehicle makes two stops : First for breakfast at KAINCHIDHAM and ; Second for lunch at GWALDAM. But they are not our permanent stops, the driver may stop at any other place too depending on the circumstances.Travel on a light stomach for a comfortable journey. Carry sufficient water and a light jacket.

Return travel: Trek ends on the eighth day and you will reach Kathgodam around 7 pm. Trekkers are on their own from Kathgodam. However, from there you may take the Ranikhet express at 8:40 PM which reaches Old Delhi Junction on the next day at 4AM. The bit about how to get there and back should help you. Phone network availability on the Roopkund trek: Lohajung­ Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, BSNL

Ali Bugyal/ Bedni Bugyal­ Idea, Vodafone

Bhagwabhasa­ Idea, Vodafone

Signal will be intermittent in the mountains. Do not depend on it. Finish all your important calls at Lohajung. Please inform anxious family members about limited phone connectivity.

Note: There is always a good chance that Lohajung may not have electricity. So be prepared for the "if" situation too.

A little guide for your Camera/DSLR's: Charge your camera batteries before commencing the travel. Also, if you may do carry extra silicon­ lithium batteries for when you run out of your original battery. Also, carry a good water­proof packaging for your camera too! It is often a common mistake on part of the trekkers when they make their checklist. So many of them keep water­proofing for bags and themselves but forget the same for their cameras!

That's it for now! You'll hear from me again in a few days! :)

If you missed out on the previous email, you can take a look at it here:

Welcome to the Roopkund trek

Do drop me an email if you need help with anything!