Brahmatal Trek
A Winter 
Wonderland 

 

Introduction

Brahmatal at 12,500 ft is a jewel in the Himalayas devoted to Lord Brahma. The Brahmatal trek takes one through beautiful valleys, hamlets and centuries-old forests of Oak and Rhododendron.

In winter, the region is totally covered in a sheath of snow and offers an unparalleled view of magnificent Himalayan ranges along with Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.

Experience the two beautiful glacial lakes, Bekaltal and Brahmatal in all its glory. Brahmatal is one of the most popular winter treks in the Himalayas and appropriate for beginners. It has perfect settings for a winter snow trek

 

Day 01 : Dehradun to Lohajung
Distance : 294 km from Dehradun to Lohajung | Duration: 09-10 hours 

Lohajung is the base camp for Brahmatal trek. It’s around 300 km from Dehradun and takes almost 8-9 hours, winding through striking landscapes.

We will be passing through three of the five iconic confluences of the Alaknanda river (Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag) on the way to Lohajung.
The Ganga river accompanies you swiftly throughout this stretch.

Devprayag is the last Prayag and the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river forms the holy river Ganga.

 

Lohajung reporting

Lohajung is a small hamlet nestled in the laps of the himalayas of Uttarakhand, surrounded by the rhododendron, oak, and pine forest. Lohajung is at the center of 8-10 nearby villages and it treats you to one of the finest spreads of the valleys and peaks in the region.

Local market is available in Lohajung where you can buy or rent clothes and other accessories if required. However, it is advised that you carry all the required things for the trek beforehand and not rely on last minute collection.
Mobile networks are available in most parts of Lohajung and even during the trek.

Lohajung, as the locals say, is the place where Goddess Parvati had a war (Jung) with the demon, Lohasur. Hence, the name translates to ‘War with Lohasur.’
One can get the opportunity to interact with locals and know their local culture and the great mythological stories.

 

Day 02 : Lohajung to Bekaltal
Distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 7,600 ft to 9,200 ft

Watching the rising sun in Lohajung is one of the most mesmerizing experiences. A hot cup of tea along with it will be the best possible start to a day.

After a snowfall, lohajung becomes a beautiful snow white paradise standing still in peace and calmness. As the sun rises, snow melts, clouds dance and lohajung comes back to its normal life.

The trek begins from Lohajung market (chowk) and the initial trail is through the forest above lohajung. Spot Mandoli village and Kali Valley on the way. Mostly the trail is full of rhododendrons trees, which make this part of the trail very beautiful in snow. Later the trail enters thick Oak forests and climbs moderately for an hour to reach Bekaltal campsite.

Bekaltal is a 10-minute walk from the campsite. It is a lonely wild lake, right in the middle of a forest, which is bound to leave an impression on you given its magnificent size. There is a small temple right next to the lake dedicated to Lord Brahma. There is peace and stillness while walking around the lake.

It lies surrounded by a thick cluster of Oak trees. During the peak winter months, the lake is likely to be frozen. The sight of the frozen Bekaltal lake is mesmerizing. Standing by it gives the impression of being frozen in time. You can spend some time here immersing in this profound beautiful setting but be careful about stepping on this frozen lake. Depending on the month, the ice may or may not be hard enough to support your weight.

 

Day 03 : Bekaltal to Brahmatal
Distance:  6 km | Trek Duration: 5-7 hours | Altitude gain: 9,200 ft to 12,200 ft

Beyond the lake, the trail goes straight into dense Oak and Rhododendron forests with a steep incline for an hour. You will notice the Bekaltal lake retiring in the valley below as you steadily gain altitude.  The top of the forest is covered with branches and leaves, keeping most of the sunlight out. This allows patches of snow to sustain on the trails throughout the winter season.

Tilandi Top and  Jhandi Top

After an hour or so, the forest opens up to a wide meadow, called Talindi Top which offers some phenomenal views of mountain ranges. The next stop from here is the Jhandi top that sets a stunning vantage point surpassing the views offered at Talindi Top.
With the skies wide open and several layers of blue shaded mountains decked one over the other, the view is absolutely amazing.

A spot like Jhandi Top demands you to spend some time soaking in the place. It requires complete stillness to comprehend what you see around. As you walk along the ridge, the majestic mountains and sweeping valleys greet you with a sense of openness.

Jhandi Top marks the highest point on the ridge. The trail begins to descend beyond this point which takes away the mountain views. The Brahmatal campsite is only an hour of a downhill trek on the ridge from here. 
Half an hour into the trek, you will come across a temple before the Brahmatal lake.

Brahmatal

Witnessing the breathtaking Brahmatal lake is an unforgettable experience. Totally covered in white and accompanied by a single tree, this place carries a spiritual vibe. 
Brahmatal lake, a marvel to behold, is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma meditated long ago.

The area is usually covered in a sheath of white snow during winter season like a snow paradise while the lake shines under the morning sun. 
Standing beside the lake I felt away from everything else in the world. The reflecting clear lake with nothing else in sight is the perfect place to soak in the peace.

Brahmatal is surrounded by snow slopes and its crystal clear water beautifully reflects the colors of the sky. The energy around the lake is vibrant and uplifting.

Brahmatal Campsite

Brahmatal campsite is 10 minutes walk from the lake. The sunset at Brahmatal campsite is a timeless experience. The colors of the sun just light up the sky at dusk. Watching the sky change colors from orange to red to pink to purple over more than half an hour was a lovely treat for all of us.

 

Day 04 : Brahmatal to Daldum
Distance: 7 km | Duration: 7-8 hour | Altitude loss: 12,200 ft to 9,000 ft

Brahmatal top : Summit views

The Brahmatal trek has many summit points and tops around the lake and can be reached through the ridge line above the Brahmatal lake or while coming via Jhandi top. Although Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti accompany us most of the time during the trek, you should climb the summit just to see the close up views of a horizon of peaks.

The trek starts early around 5 am after having breakfast and reaches around 7-8 am to enjoy the sunrise at the top and feel more confident and satisfied after conquering the summit. 
Try spotting Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt. Chaukhamba, Mt. Neelkanth, Mt. Kamet and Mt. Hathi Ghoda amongst the ranges.

This ridge has plenty of space to relax and enjoy some alone time immersing in the experience before heading to the campsite. 
One of the best ways to enjoy a top is to wave flags and make memories that will be remembered for a lifetime.

From Jhandi top, a direct downward trail leads to Khorurai campsite which takes 2-3 hrs. Enjoy hot snacks and tea after reaching the campsite and get along in activities and games.

 

Day 05 : Khorurai to Lohajung
Distance: 3 km | Duration: 3-4 hour | Altitude loss: 9,000 ft to 7,600 ft

The descent to Lohajung takes place along a well-marked trail crossing the same path again through the forest cover of Oak and Rhododendron that we came along initially at the starting of the trek.

Crossing the forest cover, you will come across a group of shepherd’s huts used by locals to keep their livestock. Follow the stone-paved path from here, this path connects the mountain villages to Lohajung.

Once you reach Lohajung, you can freshen up at the guesthouse and enjoy a hot lunch before leaving back to Dehradun/Rishikesh.

Conclusion

Brahmatal is a serene route nestled in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, is a perfect trek for beginners that features panoramic views of the majestic peaks, especially Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti.

Brahmatal trek route traversing through the forest trails that lead to meadows, unraveling ranges of peaks and lakes which remain accessible throughout the year makes it a famous Himalayan trek and hosts memorable trekking experiences.

During winters, when most lake treks are closed, Brahmatal Trek remains accessible, allowing you to experience the serenity of the snow capped mountains and the glacial lakes.

Brahmatal Trek is a perfect blend of adventure and serenity, a perfect trek for thrill- seekers and nature-lovers alike.
Winter Trek in the Himalayas is the ultimate experience of a lifetime.