The beautiful Brahmatal Lake is nestled in the Uttrakhand state and Chamoli, Garhwal region in the Himalayas, and well steeped in the mythos and traditions. It is one of the few Himalayan treks that remain open in the winters for trekking (in the snowy months of November, December, January, and February). Some of the best pull factors of this trek include the shadowy and dark jungles of majestic Oak and Rhododendrons, changing serene vistas, the beautiful peaks of Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti that remain covered with snow, and the mesmerizing lake, Brhmatal itself.
Brahmatal Lake is located in the Chamoli, Garhwal region of the Himalayas in Uttrakhand. The trek has a duration of 6 days and 5 nights, and the maximum altitude reached during the trek is 12,200 Ft or 3700 meters.
The trek can also be undertaken by first-time trekkers or beginners, as the slopes primarily gradually ascend and do not pose significant challenges. As most part of the trek is covered by forests, incidences of altitude sickness are uncommon. Still, the trails have considerable snow.
The Journey and Trek Route.
The trek to Brahmatal Lake starts from Kathgodam (300 kilometers from Delhi), which has a railway station. Lohajung, the base camp of the trek, is located further in the deeps of the Himalayas and is around 210 kilometers from Kathgodam. You can also reach Lohajung from Dehradun, which is a 9-hour drive from the capital of Uttrakhand. The journey to Lohajung is fascinating and covers beautiful locations and exotic scenes that keep you awe-struck.
Starting the Trek at Lohajung
The trek begins at Lohajung, and the first destination is Bekaltal. Lohajung also has importance in Hindu mythology. According to the legend, this is the place where Goddess Parvathi had a war and confrontation with the demon Lohar. The trek starts at the central market of Lohajung, and the small village by the name Mandoli will be en-route.
The locals are warm and hospitable and always welcome you with a smile. Through the trails and trip, you will witness the Pine and Oak trees and the Pindari and Kali rivers.
Begum is another beautiful location from where you get lovely views of the Navali Bugyal valley and the snowcapped mountains. A bridge (of length 10 feet) at the height of approx. 8,500 feet will help you cross the river stream!
You will reach Bekaltal after around 5 hours of trekking at a height of approx. 2,935 meters. You can camp at surrounding Khopdaliya lake, which is a serene place to camp and spend the night under the beautiful stars. The sunrises and the sunsets are also quite mesmerizing here.
The Alluring Destination – Brahmatal.
Your trek to Brahmatal will have beautiful and memorable views of the glittering streams, snowcapped mountains, and the rich and exclusive flora and fauna of the region. The Oak forests continue to be your counterparts.
The beautiful meadow of Telandi offers breathtaking views, and you reach it after trekking through the thickets of the rhododendrons and oaks. If you are trekking to the lake in winters, you will find that the Telandi’s green expanses transform into a vast and glittering snowfield. The meadows will exist to up to 11,500 feet from where a slow descending trail is to be followed to reach to Brahmatal Lake.
A small yellow temple exists here and has its yellow flags flying majestically, inspiring the trekkers. Brahmatal Lake is only 500 meters from the temple.
The next 500 meters will include an uphill trek. The Rhododendron and Oak trees greet you again, and the zigzag snakey ascend takes you to the majestic and holy lake.
If the day is bright and sunny, you will find the Brahmatal lake to be charismatic and quite artistic. A small stream can be located close to the lake, which forms due to the melting of snow of the region.
According to the legend, Lord Brahma used to meditate at the Brahma Tal, and thus the name of the water body. The lake is secluded and may be said to be hidden within the beautiful vicinities of the region.
The high Himalayan ranges are visible from east to west and offer a breathtaking view. Some of the best peaks of the area include the Trishul, Mrigthuni, Bethartoli Himal and the Nanda Ghunti peaks. The western mountains include the Ghoda, Hathi, Kamet, Neelkanth, and Chaukhamba peaks. The two large lakes of the ridge and region viz. Bekaltal and Brahmatal remain frozen during the winter season.
Trekkers may be simply mesmerized by the beauty and magnificence of the frozen lake and the heavenly facet that is there to view for all during the winters. The slow falls gently on the region’s slopes, and the view is simply stunning. The summits ranging beyond 7000 meters, add to the beauty and natural vividness of the area.
Temperature
If you are visiting Brahmatal during the winters, you will find that days are chilly while the nights are quite cold. The temperature at Lohajung or Brahmatal can be between 0°C to up to 2°C. Temperatures can also go as low as -10°C. Therefore you need to have 3 layers of clothing. These include the thermal base (a warm wool cot material), a heavy jacket, and a windproof and waterproof outer layer with a hood.
Summers are warmer and welcoming. The day time weather at destinations, including Lohajung, is warm. At the campsites, the temperature will be close to 10°C while at Brahmatal the temperature maybe approx. 2°C or higher. The inner thermal layer may not be required when you trek to Brahmatal from the months of May to October.
The Brahmatal trek is comparatively less frequented by trekkers, and you may not find significant groups during your trek. The woods and natural possessions are mainly untouched here, which adds to the beauty, exclusiveness, and will make the trek memorable for you. What are you waiting for?
Contact Team JustWravel for any query regarding Bhramatal Trek.
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