The Himalayas, one of the major mountain ranges on the planet, is home to some of the most beautiful terrain you could visit. However, the Himalayas also has some of the least explored parts of the world and could just be the destination you had been waiting to experience all by yourself or with a couple of friends or whichever way it works. One such place is the Roopkund lake in Chamoli, Uttarkhand (India). Popular for it’s skeleton lake, the journey to the lake and beyond takes you through breath taking landscape from alpine forests to snowy slopes and icy deserts.

I was inspired to write about this beautiful place after I read an article in Hindi on this blog. The location holds many creepy secrets and some still have not been unearthed. Hundreds of skeletons were found in the early part of the last century, supporting local legends of a King whose troop and dancing women died incurring the wrath of Nanda Devi, after having polluted the mountains with music, women and other evils. Initially the skeletons were thought to be from the 14th or the 15th century. The scientists at London and Hyderabad, with the assistance of National Geographic Channel, came to the conclusion that the bodies and skeletons were from the 8th century ad. That is an amazing 1300 years! Some parts of the flesh are still stuck to the skeletons because of the cold.

However, the skeletons are fast disappearing due to souvenir collectors. When you visit the place, avoid plastic, use paper bags and other such ecological jazz. You could plan your trip with the help of this beautiful blog I found. Everything seems to be ready, the drivers’ numbers, cost, where-to-stay, etc. the lake is frozen for a period of 11 months, so if you intend to look at the skeletons, you must go during the summer. Seek your physician’s advice as well, for altitudes of 15000 feet and above can result in serious medical emergencies. Do respect local sentiments and prioritize safeguarding the environment and ecology there. This could very well be your best trekking trip ever!

Roopkund

Via: 1, 2, 3