During winters, the Brahmatal trek is one of the best destinations in the Himalayas for snow trekking. In fact, it is the only winter trek in the Himalayas that takes you through frozen alpine lakes. And offers you massive views of snow-capped Himalayan Peaks.
Brahmatal Trek is set up beautifully in the laps of Gharwal Himalayas in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The trek offers you a thrilling experience of trekking on snow through the dense forest, carpeted with snow all around. From day one till the end of the Brahmatal Trek, you will be spellbound by the views around you.
The trek starts from the Lohajung village and continues through the dense forest of oak, cedar and fir trees. In the middle of the forest, you come across Bekaltal. It is a small alpine lake. You camp just below this picturesque lake on the first day of your trek.
Moving ahead from Bekaltal, you reach the famous Brahmatal Lake. It is a massive alpine lake that completely froze during winters. According to locals, it is believed that Lord Brahma meditated on this lake ages ago. Watching the lake and camping just beside it is a sheer joy and a rare experience.
On the final day of the trek, you reach the Jhandi summit. From there, you have a 360-degree view of massive Himalayan peaks and the famous Roopkund trail. You witness the mighty peaks of Mt Trishul, Mt Nanda Ghunti, Mt Kamet, Mt Chaukhamba, Mt Neelkantha and Hathi Ghoda.
During the spring season, you witness a different scenery on the trail of the Brahmatal trek. You find it carpeted with red and pink Rhododendron flowers. The whole forest seems like a colourful wonderland. Walking through it with such colours around will surely ignite the joy inside you.
The best time to do the Brahmatal trek is from December to March. But during December, you will find less snow compared to January and February and a more crowd. So if you want less crowd and more snow on the trail, then January and February are the best time to venture on Brahmatal Trek.
Your adventurous journey starts from the Rishikesh bus stand early in the morning on day one. You, along with all other trekkers, will board the transport and head off to Lohajung.
The thrilling drive passes through the rolling hills of Gharwal. On the way, you pass through the holy Sangam of Devprayag. Here the two rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, meet to form the mighty Ganga river. Then after crossing Devprayag, you drive through many towns and beautiful local markets, bustling with locals. Throughout the journey, you also have rivers flowing beside you. You can see these green coloured rivers gushing down the valley.
You reach Lohajung base camp by evening. On reaching Lohajung, our team welcomes you with hot tea and snacks. Post tea, you can explore the local market. And buy trekking stuff, in case you have forgotten something. But just remember, here you will not get anything of good quality.
Today after the delicious breakfast, you start to trek from Loohajung towards Bekaltal. It is an easy hike today as you find a well-laid path. But during heavy snow, you find 2-3 feet deep snow on the trail. Then the trail enters the forest just after five minutes of the hike.
After crossing the first section of the forest, you come across Madoli village on your left. It is a small village with few settlements. Just in the backdrop of the Mandoli village, you see the Kali Valley, where the river Kali and Pindari confluence.
Moving ahead from here, you enter a more dense forest of Coniferous, Cedar, Oak, fir and Rhododendron trees. You continue to walk through this dense forest to the Bekaltal campsite.
During winters, the whole forest floor and trees are covered by snow. But during spring, you find forest blooming in red and pink colour due to Rhododendron flowers blooming everywhere. Inside the forest, you can spot many Himalayan species of bird-like Himalayan woodpecker, Asian Barred Owlet and Blue-fronted Redstart.
After a thrilling trek through the forest, you reach the Bekaltal Campsite. It is a picturesque campsite and set up in the middle of the dense forest. Just 10 min from the campsite lies the spectacular Bekal Tal lake, surrounded by oak trees. Post lunch, you visit the Bekaltal in the afternoon.
From the campsite, you start to climb up and continue to climb inside the dense oak and rhododendron forest. After a short climb, you pass the Bekaltal. During winters, you find the lake completely frozen and reflect the picture of surrounding trees.
Just above the Bekatal, the trail climbs steeply with numerous turns. And after some time opens to a vast meadow on the ridge. From the ridge, you have a spectacular view of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. You can also spot the famous Roopkund trail while walking on it.
You continue to walk on this meadow for a while, with beautiful views of snow-capped peaks in front.
After some time, you reach the Jhandi Top, which is the highest point today. Spend some time here immersing yourself in the views around. Then from here, the trail descends towards the Brahmatal Lake campsite. It is a kilometre and a half distance from Jhandi top and an easy descend for you.
The campsite is beautifully set up at 500m away from Brahmatal Lake. After settling in the camps, visit the spectacular Brahmatal Lake and immerse yourself in the picturesque setting.
Today you start early at 6 am as you will be back at the campsite by afternoon. The trail today is easy to walk on and offers a grand view of the Himalayas. In the beginning, the trail gradually climbs up towards and continue towards the Brahmatal lake. You reach the lake after an easy climb for 20 minutes. You find the lake beautifully set up in the middle of the Grassland and frozen during winters.
Spend some time immersing yourself in the views around and then continue to climb towards the first ridge. While walking on the ridge, you can see a deep valley with trees below. After some time’ you reach a point where it steeply climbs and takes you to the second ridge.
As you walk on the second ridge, it open to a grand view of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. You see peaks so close that you are awestruck but such a view. You see the mighty peaks of Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt. Chaukhamba, Mt.Neelkantha, Mt. Kamet, Mt. Hathi Ghoda. Spend some time here witnessing the beauty of nature and rejuvenating yourself. And then return to the campsite.
Today your trek ends with an easy descend to Loahjung through the same route you climbed a few days ago.
After the delicious breakfast, you start your trek and gradually descend towards the forest. Then for the next few hours, you continue to walk on the well-laid path inside the forest and pass by many small local huts and villages.
Finally, after trekking almost throughout the day, you reach Lohajung.
Your adventure ends today as you depart for Rishikesh after a delicious breakfast. You will reach Rishikesh by evening. Hence, book your onward journey only after 10 pm.
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