Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

Basic details for the day: The trek will be about seven kilometers long and take approximately five to six hours to complete. You’ll start at a height of 7,600 feet in Lohajung and finish at the Didna campsite at a height of 8,100 feet. While the maximum height change for the trek will be only 1,300 feet, the route has two significant elevation changes: you will first descend 1,000 feet from Lohajung to the bottom of the Wan Valley, then ascend an additional 2,000 feet to the summit of the Didna plateau. The trek will begin with breakfast and end with dinner; on your first night in the wilderness, you will be sleeping at the Didna campsite. Expect pleasant daytime temperatures but be prepared for cool nighttime temperatures.                          

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: Today’s trail is an example of a classic Himalayan V-shape. You will start with a moderate descent from Lohajung to the base of the Wan Valley. The first half of the trail is rocky and exposed, passing close to small groups of village houses and terraced farming areas. Just before arriving at the iron bridge crossing the Raun Bagad River, the trail dramatically changes. The second half of today’s trek is much more difficult; you’ll be trekking steeply in a zig-zag pattern through dense oak and rhododendron forests. The trail can be quite difficult due to the soft mulch or dry leaves on the forest floor, but if you maintain a steady, rhythmic pace, you will have no problem making it to the Didna plateau.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: The day's main feature is the Neel Ganga (Raun Bagad) River. Its waters are a beautiful blue colour, bubbling and swishing over large glacial stones. You then trek across a bridge into a mystical forest, where sunlight barely reaches the ground through thick moss growth on tree branches and old lichen hanging down from them. When you come out of the tree line near Didna, you see the expanse of the valley you have just crossed with Lohajung Mountain standing tall at the far end of the valley.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: Didna is a unique and seasonal village. Many people are transhumant and have two homes; one during the summer time for farming, and another lower down in the valley for the long, harsh winters. Architecture in this community is primarily traditional in design featuring slate roofs and carved wooden windows. Locals work on the fields of Mandua (finger millet) and Chaulai (amaranth) in this area. You will see the quiet, yet resilient, way of life of the high-altitude Garhwali people for the first time. In this region, the daily rhythms of life are completely governed by the sun and the changing seasons.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: The net altitude gain on this trek is only a mere 500 ft. This creates a steep ascent from the bridge crossing over the river and provides a great opportunity for a serious cardiovascular workout. Practice synchronizing your breath with your footfall to keep your heart rate steady. There will also be an emphasis on keeping your knees safe on this descent; use trekking poles to assist in balancing the load of your body weight. Hydration will continue to be important for you as you will be gaining altitude after descending from a deep draw; this means you still need to be drinking water on this trail.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: Many trekkers feel that the trek from the bridge to the Didna is the true start of the trek. Many quote the peace of being in an Oak forest as their favorite part of that first section, and many have expressed how cool the temperature becomes each time they come under the shade of an Oak tree. As one trekker said, the hardest part of the first 30 minutes after crossing the bridge was adjusting to the rhythm I had created, but everything changed when I found my rhythm. The rest of the forest was like I had entered a different world. Many trekkers feel that arriving in Didna is a huge relief, and they are always amazed at how fast the atmosphere changes when moving from a busy village road to a secluded village in the mountains.

Camp Information & Logistics: At 8,100 ft, the Didna site represents a new experience of true mountain living. This is where you transition away from electricity and having reliable plumbing. You will be wearing either high-quality trekking tents or sleeping in a rustic village homestay. Your trek leader will perform your evening health check (checking for oxygen levels, SpO2) at the Didna campsite. This campsite has been placed strategically, so you have to trek to Ali Bugyal in two manageable portions, to prevent you from becoming completely worn out before tomorrow's steep trek to the meadows. 

Practical tips for trekkers: You will encounter streams of pristine river water while trekking; please fill your water thermoflask or bladder at the Raun Bigad bridge, as the natural mineral water is clean and refreshing. At the top of your day pack, keep your fleece jacket, as you can cool down quite rapidly while resting in the shaded forest. Finally, use your trekking poles today; they are very important to saving your quads on the 1,500 ft descent and providing you with stability on the very steep 2,000 ft ascent to Didna.

Basic details for the day: The day's success will come from the fact that you've crossed 9 km of ground over a time period of 6 to 7 hours trekking and have ascended from Didna to the highest point at Ali Bugyal. You will make a significant ascent 3,200 ft of 12,500 ft to receive a packed lunch on the meadows before descending slightly to a campsite (11,300 ft) at the foot of the Kholal Tal glacier - the summit day of this trek. With each day’s meals you will have received a hearty breakfast, a bagged lunch to eat on the meadows and a celebratory dinner back at your campsite. You should prepare yourself for an enormous drop-off in temperature as you make your way to camp.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: The first part of your trek is an unrelenting and steep uphill trek along one of the densest (thickest) groves of Oak and Rhododendron trees in the Himalayas, and much of the terrain has soft dirt with intertwined roots beneath it. You'll put forth a significant amount of physical effort, but when you get to the end of the trees, that's when you will have the defining moment of your day it feels like you have just exploded into a sea of grass in the Ali Bugyal region. From there, you will enjoy the less strenuous trek along the soft, velvety, green ridge that makes up the final segment of your day's trek as you come down toward the last part of your day's trek down to Khobal Tal (campsite). You can expect to see a change in terrain type, with a mixture of high-dew grass and gently sloping, small glacier-marked depressions in the ground.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: These are truly breathless views you're experiencing here. As soon as you enter the Ali Bugyal area, the first thing you'll notice is the incredible view of the whole of the high Himalayas, with large peaks such as Trishul (7,110 meters) and Nanda Ghunti dominating the mountain landscape around you. The size of these grass-covered meadows is more than anything else in Asia when trekking through them, it truly feels as though you're trekking on a huge green carpet in the sky. In addition to being greeted with massive meadows, you'll also be able to see two contrasting features. Khobal Tal provides a still reflection of your stay at this mountain altitude and is the perfect setting for your next trek.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: While there are no other trekkers to be found in these meadows, you'll likely run into Gaddi and Bakarwal shepherds, who also live in the same way that they have for centuries. You will also see the small stone shelters that they have made for themselves, and you will have the opportunity to see a way of life that has been around for a very long time. Additionally, the various meadows of Bugyal are all very spiritually important to the people of this area, as they believe that the Vedic sages performed their penances on these ridges, and therefore, the often times excellent silence in these areas gives way to the very deep quality of being within a Bugyal.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: With over 3,000 feet of elevation gained today, expect this to be an important day for AMS prevention. Take your time and trek at a slow, rhythmic, micro-step pace. Stay hydrated since your blood needs the oxygen that water provides to function properly. If you feel a dull headache or nausea when you arrive at Ali Bugyal, let your guide know immediately. To help your body acclimatise, we will use the ascent high, sleep low principle by trekking higher to 12,500 ft. and then descending to 11,300 ft. to sleep. 

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: Trekkers often describe the feeling of leaving the forest as being very spiritual; one trekker shared that they could hardly catch their breath in the dark woods before reaching the wide-open landscape with a view of a 7,000 m peak. The feeling of trekking along the ridge is often described as feeling weightless, like you are trekking on top of the world with clouds and peaks all around you.

Camp Information & Logistics: Khobal Tal (11,300 ft.) is a wilderness camp located at a high altitude. Logistically speaking, on this particular night you will be the most isolated, having no access to any mobile network or electrical power source. Your tents will be pitched on alpine grass, and the air is thin; therefore, every task will require more effort than if you were at a lower elevation. Your trek leader will pay special attention to provide you with oximeter checks this evening since this is the first night your body will have to sleep above the important 10,000 foot elevation.

Practical tips for trekkers: Water is rare on the meadows, so you should fill up your thermoflask at the last possible place where there is water at the edge of the woods before hitting the treeline. The sun at 12,500 generally is hard; use high-SPF sun block and wear polarized sunglasses to protect from snow blindness/UV glare. Leave your down jacket and wool hat in your day pack because as soon as the sun sets behind the Trishul massif, it will take about a minute or two for the temperature to drop from nice to cold.

Basic details for the day: Today you will be enjoying the views of a beautiful trek over 7 km in approximately 5 to 6 hours. Today has an overall altitude loss of approximately 800 ft in elevation. You will also be taking in the best views of the most famous ridge lines across the Tethys trek. You will receive breakfast at your high camp, a packed lunch to eat near the holy waters, and a hot dinner at the campsite after you move to your next campsite. After the cold temperatures last night, you will be descending slightly lower to Gehroli Patal where you can breathe a little easier, air will still be cold with temperature. 

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: The day starts with a fantastic ridge trek headed west from Khobal Tal toward Bedni Bugyal (alpine meadow). The terrain consists of a mixture of gently-sloped alpine meadows and well-marked trails that are typically grass or gravel. Your main highlight will be the drop down toward Bedni Kund (a natural body of water in a depression on the alpine meadow). After spending some time at the Kund, your path treks from the open windswept grasslands back toward the edge of the forest. You will follow a path that gradually descends through the mixed forest zone where there is a softness of pine needles and soil as you arrive in the clearing of Gehroli Patal.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: On this day, you’ll get a taste of the legendary Double Trishul experience. The tranquil, emerald waters of Bedni Kund 11,500 ft. create an exquisite mirror for Mount Trishul 7,120 ft. and Nanda Ghunti, both of which tower above you. You’re entirely surrounded in the amphitheatre of vegetation and glaciers. As you continue your trek toward Gehroli Patal, you’re treated yet again to unparalleled views of the Wan Valley, which is an abyss. Notably from this ridge, sunsets are remarkable for the deep orange Alpenglow that remains on the summits long after the valley casts its shadow on them. 

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: Bedni Kund is also the spiritual centre of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra. Among the things you will discover is the small stone temple of Vaitarani, where pilgrims have traditionally paid their respects as part of the grand twelve year pilgrimage. In Bedni Kund, in the midst of the haunting silence and the many legends of the surrounding area, it is believed to be the resting spot of Goddess Nanda Devi as she transitioned to the high slope. Being in the presence of rocks and flowing water, which are richly regarded as sacred by locals of Chamoli district, adds to the trek opportunities and experiences of living history.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: While you are going downhill now, today you will want to focus on knee safety. The downhill portions are very rough on your knees and the parts between Bedni and the forest will be the hardest. Use your trekking poles to absorb impact. You've acclimated to the altitude on the previous evening at 11,300 feet, but you should not forget to stay hydrated. Additionally, spending a night at Gehroli Patal at 10,500 feet will help you achieve a higher quality of sleep and help to recover from the strenuous exertion of the previous day.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: Day four is one of the most peaceful days for trekkers. Many of them will tell you that the morning at Bedni Kund was very meditative due to the sheer size of the Himalayan mountains and how still the water was, which gives you a feeling of peace. Yesterday was challenging because of the trek, but today was about the spirit of the mountain, stated one of our trekkers. Also, when you transfer back into the trees from the high, windy meadows of Gehroli Patal this is frequently identified as an emotional transition in the experience.

Camp Information & Logistics: Gehroli Patal is a beautiful campsite located at the junction of the meadows and the forest. From a logistical standpoint, this site provides slightly more protection from the high-altitude winds compared to Khobal Tal. Here you will be sleeping in a large tent that has been pitched at the edge of a slightly sloping area. Although there is still no electricity or mobile networking capability, the atmosphere is usually quite cozy and allows for small campfires (if permitted) or dining tent sessions that are more communal in nature. Your trek leader will continue to monitor your SpO2 level to ensure that you are recovering well after summitting.

Practical tips for trekkers: Water sources are minimal in the open meadows, so please make sure to fill your thermoflask at the Khobal Tal campsite before leaving. The sunlight reflecting off the water at Bedni Kund can be very bright; therefore, make sure to wear sunglasses to avoid difficulty seeing clearly. As you move back into the forest zone, be careful to check your footing periodically as there may be some slippery spots along the trail. Make sure to charge your camera/phone fully (with a power bank) because this is likely to be your best opportunity to get mirror reflections of all of your amazing mountain views.

Basic details for the day: The last leg of the trip consists of a 5km walk and 15km alternative transport via vehicle though the descent will see you go from a high of 10,500 ft back down to 7,600 ft. You will be travelling for around 3-4 hours on foot, plus approximately 1 hour via vehicle, while dropping about 2,900 ft in elevation. After breakfast at your campsite, you will enjoy lunch on the trail and return to the Lohajung Guest House for a nice dinner to celebrate your return to 'civilisation', trading tent-life for two nights in a warm bed and being able to sleep with the ambient temperature lowering from 5°C  - 8°C.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: On the final trekking day, you will be taking another steep, consecutive downhill trek from the edge of the high-altitude forests back down to the valley floor. The trail is already well established and well defined though it is zig-zagging. You'll need to work your way through this virtually coastal-like dense canopy of ancient Oaks and Rhododendron where the trail will be cushioned by a dense cover of dry leaves or humus. As the trail drops further down to the Neel Ganga River it will cross over a strong, solid bridge before making a sharp ascent to reach the road-head at Wan Village. Once at Wan it is approximately 30 km of driving before you will return back to the comfort of Lohajung.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: You will see some of the oldest trees in this area. Their massive trunks will be covered in silver moss. As you go down into Wan valley, you will be able to see evidence of settlement terraced farms and small villages. The sound of the roiling glacial waters will be a very powerful auditory backdrop for your last couple of hours trekking on the trail. When you look back at Wan, it will be the last and highest view of the ridges you have lived on during the last three nights.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: Wan is a true high-altitude Garhwali village and the focal point for the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra. You will see the local Latu Devta temple, which is a revered site of faith for the local people because the temple deity is believed to reside behind closed doors. The local life in Wan is alive; you will see children walking to school and locals who are busy with their apple orchards. This is where your trekker identity becomes part of civilization again. You can use this time to thank the local porters and muleteers who have made your trek possible.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: Today’s priority for safety is impact on your knees and tibia. The 5 times 2,400 feet of elevation change would put a lot of force through the patella. Keeping your boots tied tight will prevent hitting the front of your boot; using trekking poles can help reduce some of that downward force (approximately 20%) when you are in an area that has thick air at 7,600 feet; also, your breathing will become much easier and your feelings of lethargy from being at a higher elevation will go away.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: The trekkers describe this day as having a combination of feelings; A mixture of relief and nostalgia are the common feelings expressed by many trekkers when they arrive into the closed-in forest after the openness of the meadows. This feeling of being back to Cool Drink at Lohajug or Hot Shower when they reach that point in the day is stated by many as a major highlight of their long day. Many share how the descent is quick and their legs are moving as if they are on auto pilot but stopping at the Neel Ganga for one last cold glacial water bath is the way to end the drive on the trail.

Camp Information & Logistics: Finish trekking into Lohajung and get back to where you started this trek in the wilderness. This will be the end of your time spent in the wilderness; you will have access to reliable electricity to recharge your devices, use mobile data to send photos, and enjoy your warm bed. Your trek leader will complete a debriefing for you at this time, and you should celebrate with your group for successfully completing the Ali Bedni Bugyal circuit.

Practical tips for trekkers: Before your departure from Gehroli Patal, if you have painful knees or knee bracing, make sure that you are wearing your knee support system. Have your poncho ready to go at the time of your departure from Gehroli Patal because the weather can change quickly in the afternoon in the Wan Valley. If you want to help remove the lactic acid from your legs that you created while on your trek, after arriving in Lohajung, please do not lay down and go right to sleep through the village market before heading to bed. This will inhibit any stiffness when you wake up.

Basic details for the day: On your last day of the trek you will spend roughly 9 – 10 hours driving over 280 km as you drive from an altitude of 7,600 ft to the Ganges plains at an altitude of 1,200 ft. The descent and drive will retrace the same mountain roads in the opposite direction. An early breakfast will be served at the Lohajung guesthouse before heading to a local dhaba (roadside food stall) for lunch on your way back. Arriving in Rishikesh in the evening will bring about a significant increase in temperature.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: You will be traversing the winding river valleys of the Pindar River and the Alaknanda River. The road will likely consist primarily of descending S-shape curves which seem to gradually flatten out as you descend from the higher elevations into lower elevations. While you will drive through the beautiful terrain of the Chamoli district and the Rudraprayag district on your way back from trekking in the Inner Himalayas, you will see the magnificent snowy peaks of the Inner Himalayas completely disappear behind you and the beautiful tall pine trees become dense dark tropical trees as you drive through the lower elevations of the Shivalik Hills.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: Though the high-altitude mountains are now behind, the main attraction today is the massive river confluences (Prayags) viewed from a different vantage point. The drive will take you through Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and finally Devprayag as you see this exciting journey end, with the two rivers becoming larger and larger as they flow towards the plains. The last stretch of the drive will be the calming emerald-green Ganges as it approaches Rishikesh, giving you a relaxing end to your rugged mountain trek.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: As you drive through the busy mountain towns, you will notice the transition from the non-commercial, isolated life of Bugyal villages at a higher elevation to the busy commercial life of the foothills. Stopping for tea at a local roadside stall gives you another opportunity to interact with the Himalayan people just before returning home. You will often use this time during the drive as a reflection time when the mountain version of you prepares to re-enter the busy (urban) lifestyle in the plains.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: Today's safety guidelines emphasize the need for de-acclimatization after being at high altitudes. You may find that your lungs feel much better breathing oxygen rich air at lower elevations, but your rapidly changing pressure and many hours spent in the vehicle can lead to some fatigue. Opening a window for some fresh air may help you, as it is essential that you stay hydrated while making the transition from a very clean high-altitude environment to one with dust and dirt on the plains. Those with respiratory issues have found keeping a buff or a mask readily available on the last parts of your drive into Rishikesh (dusty stretches) to be useful.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: The day is often referred to as a bittersweet experience by our trekkers. Most noted the experience of hearing the various sounds characteristic of a city and the odd feeling of how this new sound coming from the outside was a huge change from their previous week of only hearing silence from the Himalayas. One Trekker commented that seeing the Ganga river again reminds you that you are on your way home to Rishikesh; however, part of you will always be in the fields along the way. 

Camp Information & Logistics: Before heading to your drop-off point for the day make sure that you have returned any rented gear to its owner and packed your main luggage safely for drive. There is no hotel stay associated with this drive; therefore, most trekkers will make hotel arrangements with a local hotel in Rishikesh or take an overnight train/bus onward towards their destination. This is when you will finally be able to say goodbye to your fellow trekkers and your support crew who have trekked with you during the trek.

Practical tips for trekkers: Make sure that your warm layers are packed deep in the bottom of your pack before you get on to the drive, as you will wish by the time you reach Rishikesh that you are already in lightweight cotton clothing. Keep your power bank, and your headphones handy for the long ride you have ahead. If you have any mode of transport to flight or train, I would recommend allowing at least 2 hours for drive delay because of poor mountain driving conditions due to traffic jams or minor landslides.