Overview
Nestled in the heart of the Uttarakhand Himalayas, the 3800-meter-high Brahmatal trek offers breathtaking views of some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, including Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, and Mt. Khamet. The trek is open all winter long, even during the months when most other trekking routes are closed, making it an ideal winter adventure for novices.
One of the most beautiful forest walks can be found in Brahmatal, which is also home to some of the oldest oak trees in the world. In the spring, the trails of these forests are covered in the red and pink blooms of rhododendrons, and in the winter, the scenery changes dramatically as pure white snow covers the area, turning it into a veritable winter wonderland.
The Brahmatal Trek offers further attractions, including endless ridgelines, vast meadows, and 360-degree vistas of massive peaks from the summit.
The 6 km journey from Lohajung to the Gujreni campsite passes through dense forests of Conifer, Cedar, Oak, and Fir. The Gujreni campsite is at the center of a beautiful clearing surrounded by Oak and Rhododendron with panoramic views of snow-capped ranges. The 28 km long Brahmatal trek starts from the base village of Lohajung in the Chamoli district in the Garhwal Himalayas.
The following day, the ascent climbs steadily. After two hours of walking, you will reach the Bekaltal lake, which is frozen in the winter and offers a peaceful perspective.
The trail out of the lake is still mostly covered in oak and rhododendron forests, though from this point on you can see Mt Trishul peeking through the trees. The forest soon opens up to an enormous meadow called Talindi Top, which rewards you with amazing views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti, among other mountains. The ascent continues past this point until you reach Jhandi Top, which offers views even better than those from Talindi Top. From here it is a 1.5km descent to the Brahmatal campsite, which is pleasantly situated at one end of a ridge and opens up to a breathtaking view of the blue silhouette of mountain ranges stacked layer after layer at the horizon. The lake is only 500 meters away from the campsite and is said to be the location where Lord Brahma meditated many years ago.
The trail leads through moderately inclined, dense forests before eventually translating into a stretch of ridge that opens up to breathtaking views of the immense valley below. The summit offers breathtaking views of several well-known Himalayan ranges, including Mount Trishul, sacred Mount Nanda Ghunti, Mount Chaukhamba, Mount Neelkanth, Mount Kamet, and Mount Hathi Ghoda. The trek to the summit starts the following day and is nothing short of exhilarating.
Although the track is fairly straightforward to follow, the approach to Brahmatal Top can be difficult in the winter months when there is a lot of snowfall. During these times, the snow can be knee deep, making the ascent and descent difficult.
Itinerary
We leave ISBT Dehradun no later than 7 AM in order to go to Lohajung, which is 294 km away from Dehradun and takes approximately 11 to 12 hours to reach. The drive is breathtaking.The trip starts with an ascent through the Kumaon area and into the Himalayan Belt of Garhwal. There are lots of roads here, and the Shivalik hills are visible in the distance. The scenery is serene, and the Ganga river flows by quickly.
After this, things really pick up. On our route to Lohajung, we will pass through three of the five famous Alaknanda river confluences: Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag.
The first confluence we will pass by is the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, where you can plainly see the blue of one combining with the teal of the other in the valley below. Devprayag is a lovely showcase of tradition.
The Rudraprayag, the meeting place of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, is located farther ahead from this location and is reached after 40 km on the banks of the Alaknanda river.
The third confluence of the Alaknanda and the Pindari River is about 33 km from Rudraprayag. Each confluence has its own special setting and is a sight to behold! Lohajung, which is 86 km from Karnaprayag and is situated in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal Himalayas, can be reached by late evening, about 8 or 9pm.
The hike starts at 9 AM from Lohajung and goes over a well-paved stone trail that heads into the forest. En route, one can glimpse the peak of Nanda Ghunti. Lunch will be packed for the day.Following a brief stroll through the forest, you will see Mandoli village nestled among the massive mountain ranges on your left. From here, the trail gradually climbs in long, winding curves, and further on, you can see the Kali Valley, which is the meeting place of the Kali and Pindari rivers.
After this point, the trail mostly winds through coniferous forests made up of Cedar, Oak, and Fir trees, which block out most of the sun. Rhododendrons grow in this area, and when they bloom in late winter and early spring, they paint the trail in beautiful shades of orange and red. In the winter, the paths are covered in pure white snow and lack any flower blossoms.
From here, the next notable location is a 10-meter wooden bridge that crosses a creek and allows you to fill up your bottles; once you cross it, you will arrive at Begum, which serves as a great spot to stop and enjoy the views of the vast Navali and Bagdi Bugyals.
From here, the next notable location is a 10-meter wooden bridge that crosses a creek and allows you to fill up your bottles; once you cross it, you will arrive at Begum, which serves as a great spot to stop and enjoy the views of the vast Navali and Bagdi Bugyals.
This area has an earthy aroma and is bordered by forests of umber-brown oak and rhododendron. After setting up your camps, try to spot some of the local birds, such as the Himalayan Woodpecker, Asian Barred Owlet, and Blue-fronted Redstart. Snowfall occurs here from late December to early March, which significantly lowers the temperature.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the campsite, as it provides a chance to focus inner as well as outward.
The trail from the Gujreni Campsite enters a thicket of forests, with a modest elevation throughout. Through the tall trees, you will get your first view of Mt. Trishul. The Bekaltal lake, surrounded by oak trees, is two hours' journey away.
This mud-brown water shows a significant concentration of dissolved organic matter; the lake is probably frozen in the height of winter. Take some time to enjoy the profound calm of this location.
For the next hour, the trail descends sharply into dense oak and rhododendron forests, offering a picturesque view of the Bekaltal Lake gradually receding below. The forests' nearly impenetrable canopy blocks out most sunlight, allowing patches of snow to remain on the trails well into the early spring.
About an hour later, the forest opens up to a breathtaking meadow known as Talindi Top, which provides some amazing views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. A kilometre away is the Jhandi top, which offers an even more breathtaking vantage point than the views previously provided at Talindi Top. The views are absolutely surreal, with the skies wide open and multiple layers of jewel-blue mountains layered on top of each other.
At Jhandi Top, the ridge's highest point, the trail starts to descend. From here, it is only a 1.5-kilometer downhill trek to the Brahmatal campsite, which is 500 meters away from the campsite. The Brahmatal Lake, which is completely frozen in the winter and is thought to be the location where Lord Brahma once meditated, is a site of great natural wonder.
Go outside and take advantage of the stunning photo opportunities this location offers, but be ready for extremely cold temperatures—they can drop as low as -7 degrees Celsius on some cold winter evenings.
After a light breakfast at the campsite, the trek begins at 6AM; this is the most visually fascinating day because the terrain is easier to navigate, and it also has the added benefit that we can leave our backpacks at the campsite because we will be spending the night here.
20 minutes into the trek, you will find the Brahmatal Lake nestled into a verdant clearing. The trail up to the lake is a steep incline climbing steadily through open grasslands; in the winter, this area is usually covered in a sheath of white snow making it no less than a Winter Wonderland while the lake glistens under the morning sunshine. In the winter, your trek leader will provide you with gaiters and microspikes depending upon the snow conditions.
After the lake, the trail climbs moderately and wraps around into a ridge. As you gradually ascend, you will notice the Brahmatal lake retiring in the valley below. The first ridge is a gentle ascent that leads to the final ridge climb. The last ridge eventually opens up to a breathtaking spectacle of snow-capped mountain ranges standing so close to you that it feels like you are watching them on a theater screen. Try to spot Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt. Chaukhamba, Mt. Neelkanth, Mt. Kamet, and Mt. Hathi Ghoda among the ranges.
Even if Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti are with you the entire way, the up-close view from the summit is still an exciting sight to behold. Take some time to really absorb the experience before returning to the campsite.
Following a delicious breakfast, we set out to descend back to Lohajung at 8 AM, taking the same route as the ascent. A long day of trekking lies ahead of you as the trail winds through dense forests of oak and rhododendron. Eventually, you will pass small shepherd's huts used by the locals to house their livestock. From there, you will follow a man-made stone trail that descends to the mountain villages that lead to Lohajung.
It will take approximately 7 to 8 hours to get to Lohajung. Once there, you can explore the village's slow-paced lifestyle and discover the many local legends. Do not miss the evening sunset, which is a beautiful sight to see as the orange rays gently brush the peak of Mt. Nanda Ghunti. After sunset, enjoy a hot dinner at the guest house.
Following morning tea, we will depart early at 6-7 AM for Dehradun, covering the three confluences of Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag en route. We should arrive at ISBT Dehradun by 6-7 PM. If you intend to return to Delhi that evening, you should consider booking a bus that departs at around 10-12 PM to allow for any delays that may occur during the route.
