Brahmatal Lake Voyage Tips and guide

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Soaked in mythologies, Brahmatal Lake is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. According to Hindu belief, lord Brahma (the Creator) had meditated beside this lake and hence it got its name as Brahmatal Lake or Brahma's lake. It had become a good trekking spot because of its proximity to plains as well as breathtaking views of some of the famous peaks of Mt Trisul and Mt Nanda Gunti.

The lake is 3718 m above sea level. There is a big camping ground near the lake. The lake has religious significance and needs to be respected according to local traditions.

The nearest airport to Brahmatal lake is Pantnagar domestic airport which is 32 km from Kathgodam. This airport is connected directly with Delhi by 4 round flights per week.

The Kathgodam railway station is the nearest station to Brahmatal lake. It has good connectivity to many places and these include Lucknow, Delhi, Dehradun and Howrah.

There is a motorable road all the way to Lohajung (basecamp for this trek). To reach Lohajung, you can start your journey from Kathgodam or Rishikesh. From Kathgodam, you can get a bus or taxi to Tharali. From Tharali, you will have to take a taxi to Lohajung. From Rishikesh, you can take a bus to Karanprayag. Then to reach Tharali you can go via bus or taxi. From Tharali, you'll get a taxi to Lohajung.

Brahmatal Lake is a picnic spot for nearby locals. Enjoy the beautiful Himalayan ranges from the top and while en-route. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset views and beautiful views of some of the most beautiful snow covered peaks of Mt Trisul and Mt. Nanda Gunti. Meditate and enjoy the nature. It snows heavily at Brahmatal Lake during winter season (December end to February).

• Brahmatal Lake Trek — A popular trek among the Himalaya lovers. Generally the trek can be done in 5 days with camping at the sites of lakes Bekaltal and Brahmatal. You can carry your own tent and pitch there, or you can take help from the guide or other organizers. You can start the trek from Lohajung (around 216 km from Kathgodam and 508 km from Delhi). There are also other famous treks, like Aali, Bedni Bugyal and Roopkund, which start from Lohajung. Trek distance is 24 km and it will take around 5 days to trek all the way and back. The trek is mostly uphill and the route is not marked. It's better to consult locals in case of confusion, as they are friendly and helpful. Carry enough water with you for the trek, and keep refilling at regular interval from natural sources available on the trails.

There are a couple of small restaurants present in Lohajung which serve basic food at very reasonable prices (₹120 for a meal), some of which might not be operational in winters. No place to eat en-route the trek path so if you are going to this trek in winter then you have to carry your food on your own.

Since the lake is of religious importance and many trekker visit here with kids, drinking alcohol is not allowed nearby and tourists are expected to respect the local culture.

Lohajung is basecamp for some of the famous treks. Many hotels, guest houses, and homestays are available there. Hotels are affordable, clean, and with great views. You won't find Wifi facility there but your network connectivity is constant so you can use your mobile data easily. During your stay in Lohajung, you can opt for hotels. While on the trek, you will be sleeping in tents.

• Aali and Bedni Buygal
• Monal Top
• Roopkund Trek
• Laatu Devta Temple