“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing the lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac

 

The Brahmatal is a lake tucked deep among Uttarakhand’s Himalayas. This lake, nestled among the Himalayan ranges, offers a captivating view of nature at its most natural. The weather has a big impact on the temperature at the lake. During the winter, the temperature can drop as low as -4 degrees at night, while the daytime temperature can reach a maximum of 10 degrees.

Late in December, the first snowflakes fall, and by the beginning of January, the entire peak is blanketed in immaculate white snow, which is one of the main reasons why Brahmatal is one of India’s top hiking destinations and one of the best trekking places to visit in the winter!

The Brahmatal trek takes you to a height of up to 12,500 feet in Uttarakhand’s majestic Himalayas. Over the course of six days, you journey over an infinite expanse of beautiful white snow, covering around 22 kilometers. Lohajung, which is set at an altitude of around 7,000 feet in the highlands, serves as the base camp for this walk to Brahmatal Lake. This trek will take you through spectacular natural phenomena such as the sight of a frozen lake, rivers roaring alongside your path, sprawling Oak and Fir forests, vast stretches of snow-covered meadows, quaint little hamlets along the way, and, of course, breathtaking views of the various Himalayan peaks, which are almost unreal in their beauty.

Your journey to Brahmatal begins in the Uttarakhand town of Rishikesh. From New Delhi, you can take a direct train to Rishikesh. You can alternatively take a direct bus, which will take you there in about the same amount of time. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.

You’re almost in the middle of the mountain views at Jhandi Top. Jhandi provides you the stunning views & best spot on the trek. Mt Trishul rises to your right, while Mt Nanda Ghunti rises to your left. The Ronti Saddle, the ridge that joins Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti, is even visible!

 

Mt-Trishul-Views-Brahmatal-

MYTHOLOGY OF BRAHMATAL TREK

Mythology and Mountains go hand-in-hand! Brahmatal trek has been named after the Brahmatal Lake which has its mythological beliefs. According to the Hindu mythology, the Brahmatal is the place where the creator Lord Brahma meditated millions of years ago and is of great religious significance. Hence, the place got its name from it. It is situated at Brahma Bugyal in the Garhwal Himalayas.

 

Ajan Top Lohajung

BEST TIME FOR BRAHMATAL TREK

Winters are the best time for Brahmatal trek and best done in December to February. Brahmatal is one of the best winter trekking destinations in India. Adequate amount of snow is the another reason that Brahmatal trek is getting popular in recent years. October to November, or the autumn season, is also a great time to enjoy this trek.

The Brahmatal hike is not too difficult as compared to other winter treks like Kedarkantha, Kuari Pass, Dayara Bugyal.

 

Read   Kedarkantha Trek Blog – Complete Trek Guide

 

WHERE IS THE BRAHMATAL LOCATED?

Brahmatal lake is located near Lohajung in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

 

Brahmatal trek how to reach

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR BRAHMATAL
TREK

Treks can be challenging but also extremely enjoyable. Trekking can be a tremendous misery if you don’t do any pre-trip training or have a good degree of fitness. Trekking preparation may be strenuous and sweaty, but you know what? When you are able to trek up to the mountain, you will be the one who will be able to appreciate the breathtaking outcomes. So there are a few suggestions that can help you to improve your fitness level:

1. Stairs Climbing & Long Walks
Walking isn’t difficult unless you’re doing 10 kilometers every day. Yes, you heard me correctly. The first step in your Himalayan trek training should be to walk 10 kilometers every day. If this is an issue for you (as it may be in the beginning), then you must strengthen your stamina, my buddy. So, on the first day, walk 2 km, then 3 or 4 km, and then 5 or 6 km on the third day, until you have built up your capacity to walk 10 km every day.

2. Improve Flexibility
The importance of body flexibility in the hiking process cannot be overstated. You won’t be able to keep your body in the trekking process for very long if you aren’t flexible enough. So, to improve your body flexibility, start with basic leg stretching while cycling, playing soccer, football, or even swimming. Aside from that, you can do leg-based cardio in the beginning and later work out in the gym with squats and lunges.

3. Stamina Building
One of the most significant requirements for trekking is stamina. Running, cycling, and cross-training are some of the strategies to increase your stamina. Aerobics and Zumba are also beneficial if done at a fast speed for at least 30 minutes three times a week. Jogging can also be done outdoors in a park or on a treadmill.

4. Healthy Diet
Aside from being physically fit, you’ll need to make some significant dietary modifications to increase your build and stamina for the trek. To build internal strength, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and drink enough water.

 

Brahmatal Trek best Time
Jhandi Top, Brahmatal Trek

THINGS TO CARRY FOR BRAHMATAL TREK

The following are some of the items that must be brought to the Brahmatal Trek. Please keep in mind that if you are planning to hike the trail alone rather than with a group or package, you will need to bring additional sleeping and cooking supplies.

 

1. Clothes

  • T-shirts/shirts, trekking pants
  • Windproof Jacket
  • Raincoat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection

2. Winters Cloths

During the winter, at least four to five layers of clothing are
required, including woolen fleece jackets, thermals, gloves,
caps, mufflers or neck warmers, and socks.

3. Footwear

  • Hiking Boots
  • Sandals or slippers for nights
  • Crampons and Gaiters (If You doing it in winters)

4. Toiletries

  •   Toothpaste and brush, liquid soap, Sanitizer, Tissues
  •   Sunscreen lotions, and lip balm are all items to have on hand.

5. Electronics 

  • Power banks and chargers
  • Extra memory cards and batteries for the camera
  • Headlamp Torch

6. Snacks 

  • ORS, glucose, energy bars, biscuits, chocolates, dried fruits

7. First Aids

  • Diamox is an essential drug for headaches, stomach distress, and other symptoms of altitude sickness.
  • Also keep sprains, band-aids, volini spray.
  • consult a registered medical practitioner for more.
Lohajung Base Camp
Lohajung village The Base Camp

IMPORTANT TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE ATTEMPTING BRAHMATAL TREK

  • Finding the best shoes for trekking in the Himalayas and purchasing them, or even
    renting them for your walk to Brahmatal, is always a good idea!
  • If you don’t want your goods to get damp while walking through snow or rain, make
    sure your trekking bag has a rain cover.
  • Because of the high height, there’s a good possibility you’ll suffer Acute Mountain
    Sickness on the Brahmatal climb, so make sure you get acclimatized by taking plenty
    of stops along the way! Additionally, it is critical to ensure that you are eating enough
    nutritional food during Brahmatal trek to avoid the beginnings of illness.
  • If you are a first-time trekker, it is always best to plan ahead and begin exercising at
    least two weeks before the trek. Because you’ll be climbing to the 12500 feet high
    Brahmatal Lake, practicing yoga to strengthen your lungs is also a possible
    alternative!
  • Stay hydrated and drink more water
  • During the high trekking season, from December to January, pre-booking of lodging, guides and equipment is required. Better to book with Heaven Riders India
  • Don’t litter. Keep trails clean and take your belongings back and dispose of garbage in the proper place.
  • Always carry original and copy of valid ID
  • Consumption of alcohol and smoking lead to Dehydration & AMS

 

Bekaltal Campsite

ATM & MOBILE NETWORK IN BRAHMATAL TREK

If you forget to withdraw money from one of Dehradun’s ATMs, Dewal has one ATM that you can use before starting the hike. We advise you to withdraw cash from Rishikesh to avoid the problem of cash. Some shop establishments at Lohajung accept UPI transactions.

Lohajung has strong network coverage whether you are using any mobile network except Jio. Jio doesn’t work very well there. In the mountains, signals will definitely fluctuate. So it is recommended that all the crucial calls should be completed at Lohajung and families should be informed about the limited phone connectivity.

 

ITINERARY FOR BRAHMATAL TREK

Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung
Day 2: Trek to Bekaltal (9,600ft)
Day 3: Trek to Brahmatal via Jhandi Top
Day 4: Reach the Brahmatal Top & enjoy the Summit Day
Day 5: Trek to Lohajung via Jhandi Top
Day 6: Departure Day

 

Mt Trishul Views Brahmatal trek
Mount Trishul views

HOW TO REACH BASE CAMPS

Most of the blogs and itineraries will tell you to reach Kathgodam. As compared to it, Rishikesh is well connected to New Delhi and Dehradun. You can take an overnight Volvo bus to reach Rishikesh, which is the most convenient mode of travel from Delhi.

Rishikesh provides plenty of stay options like Hotels, Hostels. Stay a night in Rishikesh and rest before you start the trip. From Rishikesh, you can take a shared cab or bus to Lohajung.

 

By Air
Book your plane tickets to Delhi or Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun if you’re flying from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, or any other city.
1. Rishikesh is 20 Km from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
2. From Delhi Airport, Rishikesh is about 251 kilometers

 

By Train
Fly to Delhi & take the train to Rishikesh. There are 3 – 4 trains that run from Delhi to
Rishikesh. You can take anyone, according to your schedule
1. KCVL YNRK SPECIAL
2. ADI YNRK SPECIAL
3. UDZ YNRK SPECIAL
4. DEHRADUN SPECIAL

 

By Road

After reaching Rishikesh, start your journey to Brahmatal Trek base camp which is Lohajung (256 kilometers from Rishikesh at 7,700 ft). It’s a narrow pass that cuts through the mountain’s Gwaldam face and into the Wan valley. You can board a shared cab or bus or hire a taxi from there to reach Lohajung.

Route Map:  Rishikesh — Devprayag — Srinagar— Karnaprayag — Dewal — Lohajung is the route to take.

 

RENTING GEARS IN LOHAJUNG FOR BRAHMATAL TREK

Don’t worry if you have not purchased gear for your trekking. In Lohajung, there are approximately 3–4 stores where you can find basically everything for your trekking. Charges are very nominal for all the equipment like:
1. Trek Pole
2. Trekking Shoe
3. Poncho
4. Jacket
5. Microspikes
6. Gaiters
7. Trekking Backpack

 

For Gear Rentals Availability  Call +91 73800 87934

 

THINGS YOU CAN BUY IN LOHAJUNG BEFORE BRAHMATAL TREK

1. Gloves
2. Woolen Socks
3. Woolen Cap, Sun Cap
4. Water Bottle
5. Goggles
6. Neck warmer/Muffler

 

Layers of mountains Brahmatal trek

PLACES YOU CAN VISIT AFTER THE BRAHMATAL TREK

1. Wan Village
Wan is a tranquil village in Chamoli with untouched beauty and vegetation, located at a height of 2400 meters and only 15 km from Lohajung. It also serves as a starting point for hikes such as Ali-Bedni Bugyal and Roopkund. The route that leads to this location follows the contours of the hills. It is the greatest destination for a nature lover to go sightseeing and admire the lush flora of the area. Until you reach Wan, there are three water streams to cross. However, after you arrive, the location has lodging for its visitors to stay the night. However, if you want to be closer to nature, try camping in the village with a tent. Must visit place in Wan Village is Latu Devta Temple.

2. Ali-Bedni Bugyal
Ali-Bedni Bugyal is the highest and largest high altitude meadow of Asia. It lies on the famous Roopkund trail. Ali-Bedni Bugyal is a 4 days trek from Wan village. There’s another which starts from Kuling village and goes through Didina village. Didina village is a small himalayan village.

3. Ajan Top
On day 1 or after finishing your trek, one can visit Ajan top, which is 45 minutes from
Lohajung. Ajan Top gives you 360-degree views of the area. Ajan Top is a short and straightforward hike that may be performed in a single day. Mrightuni, Tharkot, and Nanda Ghunti will be visible from all sides. In the center, there is also an Ajan Temple. You can get here by cutting through little communities and the wilderness. If you visit the Ajan Top, don’t miss the sunset!

4. Auli
Auli, India’s leading ski resort destination, is a small but picture-perfect village. Auli’s skiing slopes, which were originally built as a paramilitary outpost, are popular with both tourists and pros. Auli conducts a number of snow adventure events during the winter. You can also sign up for Skiing course at this location.

5. Haridwar & Rishikesh
If you have an extra day or two to spare on your trip, you should consider visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh. In Haridwar, you can explore the Har Ki Pauri Ghat, Maa Mansa Devi Temple, and Maa Chandi Devi Temple.

Now is the time to travel to Rishikesh, an ancient town situated against the Himalayan backdrop and with the beautiful Ganga flowing through it. Rishikesh has a variety of ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as centers for philosophical study, yoga, and other ancient Indian healing practices. The legendary Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula, which are the main attractions, are a must-see. If you are in Rishikesh, don’t miss Beatles Ashram & Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat

6. Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek
The summit of the Chandranath Parvat, on which the Panch Kedar’s Tungnath temple is located, is known as Chandrashila, which literally means “Moon Rock”. The magnificent Chandrashila top serves as a lookout point for a breathtaking view of the Great Himalaya. In fact, Tungnath Mahadev Temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world.

 

 

THINGS TO DO AFTER BRAHMATAL TREK

1. Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh: Enjoy a spectacular bungee jumping experience at
Mohan Chatti, India’s first fixed-platform bungee jumping location. Buckle up because
this adrenaline-pumping adventure sport will present you with a thrilling adventure. It
is India’s highest bungee jumping spot, at a height of 83 meters.

2. Rishikesh Rafting: Rishikesh is a well-known rafting destination in India. Rafting in
Rishikesh attracts adventurers from all over the world. The Ganga River, which runs
from Gangotri to Rishikesh, is full of thrills and excitement. Rishikesh has several
rafting spots, including Brahampuri, Shivpuri, Marine Drive, and Kaudiyala. Kayaking is also available here.

3. Flying Fox in Rishikesh: Rishikesh is not only a hub for a variety of adventure
activities but also the best of them. Flying fox is an adventure sport in which the
player is linked to a chord and descends across a valley. Rishikesh’s finest feature is
that it has Asia’s longest flying fox track.

4. Hot Air Ballooning: It is one of the adventurous activities in Uttarakhand that allows
you to see the picturesque beauty from above. The greenery and majesty of the
quarter may be seen while touring the sky in a vibrantly colored hot air balloon. This
activity is worth attempting whether you’re on a family vacation or a trip with a group
of friends. You can do this thrilling activity near Dehradun Airport.

5. Skiing & Snowboarding at Auli: If you ever dream about skiing &
snowboarding then this is the chance. Auli’s skiing slopes are the best place to form
all kinds of skiing activity. There are many schools there, who will guide you properly
& provide you with all types of skiing gears.

Other than above things you can also attend Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, Yoga & Meditation Classes, Paragliding, Cliff Jumping, Beatles Ashram, Cafe Hopping around Rishikesh, Kayaking, and Eat at Chottiwala Restaurant.

 

If you are looking for other winter treks you can visit our website www.heavenridersindia.com or call us on +91 73800 87934 or email us at: [email protected]

 

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