Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek | Uttarkhand

Arrive at Dehradun early in the morning and board our cars for the drive to Lohajung, the base of the Roopkund trek.

The route winds across the scenic Kumaon region. We pass via Almora Kausani. On the route, you will see some breathtaking vistas of peaks such as Kamet Panchachuli.

We will arrive at Lohajung in the evening and stay at a guesthouse for the night.

The town of Lohajung (the starting point for many other notable treks), located at 2300 metres, also has a minor mountain pass connecting the Gwaldam and Wan sides of the mountain.

Dinner and rest in the tents.

A trail leads from Lohajung, immediately below the bus stop, to Raun Bagad, an iron bridge located close below Didna hamlet.

This is a well-marked trail that descends through mixed woodlands.

Along your stroll to Raun Bagad/Kulling, you can hear the whistles of thrushes and the sweet chirps of swallows amid the Rhododendrons.

The Wan River tumbles below as it races to meet the Bedni Ganga, and Lammergeiers appear from the depths of the river, their gigantic wings stretched out to capture the eddies.

Two hours out of Lohajung, you come to an iron bridge over the river. This is Raun Bagad, a grassy riverbank that makes an excellent campsite.

Consider this if you arrive in Lohajung early and want to find a campsite that will offer you a head start. The trail begins to climb immediately after you cross the river.

Didna is reached via a zig-zag hill.

The rise is moderate, but your legs tyre quickly. Breathing hard, you'll arrive at Didna in approximately an hour and a half.

If your conditioning isn't great, increase it to two sets. Didna village might be perplexing due to the numerous routes that lead into it.

Stick to the paths that run around the village on the outskirts.

Reach the Didna camp site, which is a clearing 200 feet above the settlement.

Overnight stay with dinner.

Begin your day by trekking to Tolpani, a collection of shepherd's huts three kilometres away and 1,000 feet higher.

The trail to Tolpani diverges from the general direction of Ali Bugyal.

The ascent, on the other hand, is enjoyable through some of the densest oak forest you'll come across.

Under you is a never-ending brown mat of leaves. When you reach the ridge leading to the twin meadows, turn around and go towards them.

The forest continues to show off the trail on both sides.

After going for just about 3 kilometres, the terrain abruptly opens up. Take in the breathtaking scenery of Ali Bugyal's undulating grasslands.

You are on top of a ridge that extends in all directions.

Acres and acres of beautiful meadow carved out of the mountainside.

Abin Kharak campground is a series of climbs directly out of the forest, in a depression in the bugyal.

Overnight stay at the camp with dinner.

Clouds come in from below, glide over the peak, and slide down both sides in a gradual, quick manner.

You see innumerable horses grazing on the riches of nature. Foals tearing themselves on the ground in unrestrained abandon, simply being themselves.

After the climb, take a leisurely walk to Bedni Bugyal, which is 5 kilometres away and roughly the same elevation.

If you are tempted to take off your shoes and feel the carpet on your toes, go ahead and do so! The weather in these places swings, with intervals of blazing sunlight followed by uneasy cloud cover. Keep your raincoat handy.

Take the trail to the right and below. Twenty minutes later, you reach the tree line and the abrupt descent that marks the end of the meadows.

Look for the descending track on your left. Run down into the oak and rhododendron forest.

Half an hour into your descent, you reach a clearing. The green trekker's huts indicate Gehroli Patal.

On a clear day, you can see Mt Trishul towering above the landscape.

Set up camp and have dinner under the stars.

From Gehroli, there is a steep slope fall to the Neel Ganga. Faster hikers arrive at the river in one and a half hours. The slow ones take two.

Take your time since you will rarely witness a more breathtaking expanse of forest cover. The bridge over the Neel Ganga is an ideal place to wash away the dirt and grime of the long trip.

Trees overhang the river, causing it to trip and fall over pebbles in the shade. The water's chilly and refreshing.

The ridge above Wan village is only a half-hour climb from the river.

There are numerous routes to the bottom of Wan village, and all lead to the road intersection (Kasar Bagad) near the hydroelectric project. It takes approximately an hour and a half to go to Kasar Bagad. It's a severe descent.

There is a longer way down to Wan. From Wan's ridge top, follow the main trail to the right.

Follow the trail until it reaches the Cyprus trees in lower Wan village. Spend some time staring at the centuries-old Cyprus trees.

Ride a vehicle from Wan to Lohajung. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes.

You will arrive at Kathgodam/Rishikesh between 7 and 8 p.m.

End of trek.