.png?w=auto&h=400)
Brahmatal Trek Overview
Essential Information of Brahmatal Trek
Trek distance: 22km
Maximum Altitude: 12,150 ft
Duration: 6 Days & 5 Nights
Base Camp: Lohajung
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trek Grade: 2
Trail Type: One-way trail starts and ends at Lohajung.
Service from: Kathgodam to Kathgodam.
Best Season: Winters- December to March.
Snow Season: December to March.
Short Itinerary for Brahmatal Trek
Brahmatal Trek Detailed Itinerary
Kathgodam to Lohajung
- Start your journey from Kathgodam to Lohajung (2331 m).
- Enjoy the transfer journey from Kathgodam to Lohajung.
- Travel 225 kilometers in 9 hours to get to Lohajung in the evening.
- The Nand Ghunti peak will be directly visible from Lohajung and its mesmerizing shades will enchant you.
- Stay overnight in the Lohajung guesthouse to start the trek the next day.
Lohajung to Bekaltal
- Trek from Lohajung (2331 m) to Gujrani/Lower Bekaltal (2750 m).
- Start the trek after breakfast to ascend through the forests.
- Trek for 4-5 hours through the oaks, and rhododendron trees and reach brown-colored Bekaltal lake.
- Stay overnight at the campsite surrounded by lush green and brown oaks.
Bekaltal to Brahmatal
- Trek from Gujreni/Lower Bekaltal (2750 m) to Brahmatal lake (3400 m).
- Start your journey from the campsite of Bekaltal lake to cross steep oak trees and rhododendron forests with no sunlight entering inside.
- Trek to the meadow known as Talindi Top.
- Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti will bless you with the breathtaking view from the top.
- Trek to the Brahmatal campsite in 4 hours and sleep in the tents for the night.
Brahmatal to Brahmatal high point and back
- Trek from Brahmatal lake (3400 m) to Brahmatal Top point (3846 m) and back to Brahmatal lake (3400 m).
- Just after breakfast, the Brahmatal trek starts in the early hours of the morning around 6 AM.
- You will head towards the tricky paths that lead to Chotta Jhandidar and Bada Jhandidar.
- After 20 minutes of the journey, you will come in direct contact with Brahmatal lake cleared from the forests.
- Move upwards into the trail through the mountain ridge with valleys on both sides and the views of the lake fading from the eyes.
- You will need 2.5 hours to teach Brahmatal top.
- Reach the final ridge to witness the stellar show of the charming white world of mountain ranges at an altitude of 3846 meters.
- You can spot Mt. Trishul, Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Mt. Neelkanth, Mt. Kanye, Mt. Hathi Ghoda, and Mt. Chaukhamba and try to locate each one of them.
- Descend to the Brahmatal campsite at 3400 meters altitude.
- Trek for 2.7 km through the forest trails for 3 hours to reach the next campsite in Daldum and stay in tents for the night.
Trek from Brahmatal lake (3400 m) to base camp Lohajung (2331 m).
You will trail back to Lohajung through the same trekking path.
Again, cross oak and rhododendron forests to reach your destination after witnessing the wonderful views of mountain tops.
The journey will take 7-8 hours for you to reach Lohajung for staying in the Lohajung guesthouse to reset yourself.
Lohajung to Kathgodam
- Move to Kathgodam in the early hours of the day traveling about 9 hours.
- The Brahmatal winter trek finishes once you reach Kathgodam.
Know Before You Go to Brahmatal Trek
- Make sure to train yourself well before the trek as it is a long journey suitable for beginners to intermediate-level trekkers.
- Visit a doctor before the trek to test your fitness level and other mandatory checkups.
- Avoid planning to trek during monsoons as rain can make you uncomfortable.
- The Brahmatal trek package requires you to carry documents like ID proof and a fitness medical certificate by a practicing doctor. It is mandatory to carry all of these forest officials don’t allow trekking without them.
- Keep cash with yourself as there is no ATM or UPI facility in the entire trekking route from base camp to the top.
- There would be no mobile phone network after Lohajung. Hence, you should inform your family and dear ones prior.
- Practice the technique of ventilation as atmospheric pressure drops at such high altitudes with reduced oxygen inhalation.
- The sudden drop in oxygen may cause discomforts like headaches, hypoxic conditions, vomiting, and many other health problems. So, carry medicines and take necessary measures to avoid these.
- Wear thermal layers or multiple layers of clothes to protect yourself from cold.
- Cover your head as cold waves hit your head and face causing your body temperature to drop.
- Don’t climb too quickly as it may tire you or could cause any unfortunate accident.
- Wear sunglasses to avoid damage due to UV as snow reflects the sun and may cause snow-blindness.
- Have adequate sleep of 7-9 hours during the days of your trek as moving restlessly would hinder your journey keeping you uncomfortable.
- Carry a 50-60 liter backpack for keeping all the necessary items.
- Use trekking poles to reduce your energy consumption by 30-40% as they increase your speed and reduce trekking time.
The Kathgodam station is the nearest to base camp Lohajung with good connectivity to many places like Lucknow, Delhi, and Howrah. First, you have to reach Kathgodam and from there, the package starts.
By Train:- Take the Ranikhet Express (5014) from Delhi at 10:40 PM to reach Kathgodam at 05:30 AM the next day.
- Take Uttar sampark Kranti (5035) from Delhi at 04:00 PM to reach Kathgodam at 10:40 PM. - Take the Doon Express (4120) from Dehardun at 10:30 PM to reach Kathgodam at 7:10 AM.
By Air: Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Kathgodam at a distance of 32kms. You can access the airport via Delhi.
By Bus:- Board a bus from ISBT Delhi Anand Vihar station to reach Kathgodam. There is no direct bus but the buses that go to Nainital stop at Haldwani bus station near Kathgodam.- From there, you have to travel 4 km to reach Kathgodam Railway Station via Tata Sumo. - After reaching Kathgodam Railway Station, we will assist you further on the Brahmatal trek.
Clothing Essentials
- Winters require you to wear warm clothes. Thermal wear with inners, sweaters, and jackets is best suited for this kind of climate.
- You can beat the chilly weather on your trek by wearing multiple layers of T-shirts as you can add/remove layers depending on the weather change at different points.
- Rainwear should be carried in case of any emergency.
- Scarfs, caps, and woolen covering of the ears are necessary because cold waves make you lose maximum body heat from the head. Hence, the head should be completely covered.
- Several gloves and socks should be carried.
- Suitable trek pants with zippers as it is advised to carry two trek pants. Thermal layers are required to beat the cold as cold winds touch legs enough to cause any discomfort.
Trekking shoes-most importantTrekking shoes that are suitable for any kind of terrain, especially for snow.
BackpackA 50-60 liter backpack is required.
Protective items- Sunglasses for preventing snow blindness with UV protection. - Sun cap and sunscreen for protection against the sun.- Carry a headlamp covering a wide area instead of a single beam or torch. The headlamp will make your hand free to carry out another activity. - A pair of trekking poles for balance and stability while moving upwards. The poles would reduce your energy consumption by 30-40% increasing your speed and reducing the trek time.
ToiletryToothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, tissues, moisturizer, cold coral, sanitizer, anti-fungal cream, and medicine kit.
CutleryCarry leakproof lunch box, mug, spoon, and disposable plates.
EatablesWater bottles, snacks like biscuits, protein bars, glucose-based chocolates, cup noodles, dry fruits, and quick energy bites must be carried.
Other Essentials- Plastic covers to keep your used clothes away from fresh clothes and eatables. - Carry chargers, power banks, and a magnetic compass for proper communication and the right directions.
Season-wise breakdown
Spring SeasonThe spring season starts either in late March or April when the flowers start to bloom your way. The dense rhododendrons look amazing with the looks of magenta and crimson starring receding snow. The. Brahmatal lake will not be frozen and will present you with beautiful reflections. During this time, the temperatures range from -2 degrees Celsius up to 10 degrees Celsius. After the month of March, the snow slowly starts to melt down and the temperatures rise. The forests tend to look greener providing you an easy trek with 360-degree views from the top under clear skies.
Autumn SeasonThis season will offer you a dark canopy of rhododendron and oak trees with almost no sunlight entering your way. The topmost views of the mountain ranges would be clearer and greener.The sunsets and sunrises from different points are stunning enough to capture your heart.
Winter SeasonThe best time to experience Brahmatal Trek is during the winter season in the months of December, January, and February. Snow makes the experience captivating as 90% of the treks happen to be in this season, making it a perfect classic winter trek. The trek lets you witness frozen lakes and snow-covered peaks. The Bekaltal and Brahmatal lakes would be frozen owing to the low temperatures. The weather during the daytime remains cool but at night, the temperature falls down up to a whopping minus 10 degrees.
Temperature-wise breakdown
- In the month of December, the temperatures fall from 9 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius.
- In the month of January, the temperatures fall from 5 degrees Celsius to -8 degrees Celsius.
- In the month of February, the temperatures fall from 6 degrees Celsius to -5 degrees Celsius.
- All of these months are counted as a part of the winter season and are covered in snow.
- However, people prefer this time to go trekking for witnessing the frozen Brahmatal lake.
The trek starts from Lohajung at an altitude of 2331 meters to reach Gujrani or Lower Bekaltal with a total distance of 6 km. Trekking begins by moving through the Mandoli village after passing the Lohajung central market. You will be crossing a stream on the Link-gaad bridge to reach begum. Another stream will come across your way to reach Bekaltal. From the Bekaltal campsite, you will cover a distance of 8 kilometers to reach Brahmatal. You will be trekking through the cold dark forests of oak and rhododendron with no trace of sunlight penetrating inside. After spending some time at the top, you will reach the Brahmatal campsite. From the campsite, you will travel to the Brahmatal top point to view Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti at an altitude of 3846 meters. Again, you descend to Brahmatal lake covering a total of 5 km. From the campsite, you will move down to Lohajung via Daldum to stay overnight in Lohajung lodge. The entire trek would take 6 days for you to complete and travel 23 km.
General Trivia About Brahmatal Trek
Lohajung is named so because this beautiful town is believed to be the place where goddess Parvati had a war (jung) with a demon known as Lohasur. Hence, the Lohajung name means “War with Lohasur”.
It is said that Lord Brahma would meditate in Brahmatal lake according to Hindu beliefs. Hence, this lake got its name from this holy theory.
The story of arrowheads- There are a lot of arrowheads seen in the neighboring villages of Bekaltal lake. They are hung on the walls, displayed in shops, used in homes, struck on the trees of the forests and even people wear those in bracelets and lockets. There are two unverified legends behind it. The first one is according to Hindu beliefs that Uttarakhand is “Dev Bhoomi”, the land of Devtas. Most of the Mahabharata took place in the region only and those arrowheads relate to the archery practiced around the same time. The second legend has it that all the arrowheads are related to Lord Curzon. George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston of British India is famously linked to arrowheads.
Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti have their legend that this place witnessed holy pilgrimage and was governed by powerful Goddess Nanda Devi.
Why to Go for Brahmatal Trek?
You May Also Book
FAQ's of Brahmatal Trek
What fitness levels are required in Brahmatal Trek?
The Trek requires you to ascend and descend 23 km, walking an average of 5 km daily. You have to be physically sound and active to cover this distance. For this, prior fitness training is required. You can start to jog 20 km in a week or 80 km a month.
What is the lowest age permissible for the Brahmatal Lake trek?
The minimum age for registration is 7 years. Also, your child should be physically fit and active to participate in Brahmatal trek.
Is the Brahmatal trek suitable for families?
Yes, this trek is suitable for group participation such as families, and friends. If you plan to go on trekking with your family, all of you must train a month prior to your start.
Will I find snow during my Brahmatal Winter trek?
Yes, in December, January, February, and March, the entire region is covered in snow. In April, the snow melts off and paves way for greener looks.
Is there mobile network present on the Brahmatal trek?
Beyond Lohajung, mobile networks aren’t accessible. You should inform your family and loved ones before heading out from Lohajung on the Trek.
How Difficult is the Brahmatal trek?
In Brahmatal Trek, you will be reaching up to the heavenly heights of 3846 meters. The trek is rated as a suitable one for fit beginners graded with easy-moderate. The trek is on Level 2, meaning longer trekking time with steep steps with the exit being relatively easier than the climb. This Himalayan trek will cover 23 kilometers in 4 days with an average of 7 kilometers per day travel. The main difference comes due to the season chosen by the trekkers to explore the region. Generally, the trek moves through forests, lakes, meadows, and valleys to the top of the mountains. This level is beginner-friendly and easy for first-timers as well. However, the trek intensifies at moderate levels due to the presence of the snow. The winter season is the most preferable time to experience this trek as it blesses you with breathtaking views of snow-covered mountain peaks and frozen lakes. There are no specifications necessary for fitness levels but it is advisable to practice brisk walking four weeks before the trek for increasing endurance. Basic jogging, walking, and accelerating brisk walks are known to open up the body and prepare it for taking long routes. It is required that you jog for 5 km in a span of 45 minutes.
Can I offload during my Brahmatal trek?
Yes, you can offload at additional costs. However, it is recommended that you carry backpacks on your own as it would require more effort. This is because challenge and adventure are the essence of a real trekking experience.
Is the Brahmatal trek safe?
Yes, the Brahmatal trek is safe because it doesn’t take you through extremely difficult terrain. The climb is steep but small, making it range from easy to moderate. You will be crossing oak and rhododendron forests for most of the journey. During spring and summer, the trek becomes even easier as the snow melts off and it gets greener, reducing the complexity of traveling on the mountainous grounds.
What is beyond the Brahmatal Top point?
Above the staggering height of the Brahmatal Point at 3846 meters, another point above it can be reached. Jatropani peak is above the Brahmatal top point at a whopping height of 4100 meters.
Are there hygienic washrooms along the Brahmatal lake trek?
Hygienic washrooms are available in the Lohajung guest house. While trekking, 2-4 toilet tents would be set up by the trekking leader and the team to ensure proper hygiene. It is advised to use toilet paper as these are dry toilets with mud and a shovel to cover up.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir