Ali Bedni Bugyal is positioned amidst the breathtaking surroundings of Uttarakhand's Himalayan range and the dawn sky, serving as both a centerpiece and an enticing beginning point for visitors. The elevation provides a rich environment where this location can be explored. Though the best months for visiting are April, May, June, September, and October, the stunning landscape is appealing throughout the year, making it a popular summer retreat.
Comprising calm meadows and well-defined slopes, the 6-Day Ali Bedni Bugyal trekking adventure is filled with beautiful views, stunning sunrises and sunsets, snow-capped mountain ranges, and an assortment of wildflowers. The Ali Bugyal area preserve was a hidden gem that was relatively unknown to both local trekkers and foreign visitors until recently.
Ali Bedni Bugyal's Itinerary
Here is the itinerary of Ali Bedni Bugyal trek provided by Himalayan Daredevils:
DAY 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung
The first stage of this trek takes you to the Lohajung, the base camp, and the approach to this trek is said to be picturesque and delightful. The distance is almost 260 kilometers, and it is claimed to be one of the most scenic trips ever made in history. The scenery after Nainital consists of rolling green hills and twisting mountain ridges with the image of the Garhwal Himalayas in view on clear days. It takes about 7 – 8 hours and the hills are being substituted with forests as one approaches a place called Lohajung.
Upon reaching Lohajung the stunning peak of Nanda Ghunti shrouded in clouds strikes a cordial welcome. Lohajung is a picturesque small village situated at the convergence of several ranges of mountains and around 7-8 other villages are present in the vicinity. The place is known for its fantastic scenery, which is also good for adjusting before embarking on the trek. Even though the provision can be availed from a few local centers where trekking gear such as jackets and shoes are available, it is advisable to carry them before coming here.
DAY 2- Drive from Lohajung to Wan Trek to Gehroli Patal
Start the journey from Lohajung to Wan for around 45 minutes. The first road from Wan is a cemented one, which passes through some houses. After 15 minutes of your trek, a tiny patch of centuries-old cypress trees appears! It would take four men to encircle that tree completely! Give it a whirl and see if you can encircle the tree.
At this point, two trails that have been marked are visible. One follows the ridge while the other is away from the Siding of the Latu Devta temple. This local deity is Latu Devta, who has been offered prayers to protect the area. The tribes of the mountains pay tribute to him before they scale the heights during Nanda Devi Jat Yatra. Hear the temple bells at this place and ensure you make it back for a safe walk before proceeding back to the rise towards the ridge of Ranaka Dhar. It is about half an hour to an hour’s walk from Wan to Ranaka Dhar. When one arrives at Ranaka Dhar, one can have a good panoramic view of Lohajung before coming down to Wan and other valleys beneath it!
Followed by this, a steady descent leads to the renowned Neel Ganga. The Neel Ganga Bridge can be said to be an excellent place to chill. The river is surrounded by trees on all sides and the water flows through the rocks in the shadows. The water in this region is refreshing and chilled.
This is also the place where the spectacular slow ascent to Gehroli Patal, the first campsite, begins.
DAY 3- Trek from Gehroli Patal to Abin Kharak via Bedni Bugyal
Proceed with your journey and if possible, make your way to the top of the climb where the oak and the forest of rhododendron occurs. The cyclone did trace the vertical bars and fairly more or less traced them through the densest forest cover until you arrived at Bedni Bugyal. In the far-off distance but still hundreds of meters away is located the famous Bedni Kund. From this point, walk 800 meters straight ahead and you will reach a fantastic viewpoint which is the highest point on the trek, that is Bedni Top. Some of the greatest views are at the top of the hill. Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti all at that time are in front of you.
The weather in the area is quite variable with changes that appear to be random and can be quite astounding. One moment, it is warm golden tan sunlight, and the next, it is encroached by the clouds which drive a whole different bleakness around the area. Rain showers too are quite common: sometimes they act only to moisten you, while at other times they drench you completely. However, in this case, it is recommended to carry a raincoat all the time, to be on the safe side in case of such an eventuality.
Having reached Bedni Top, you would begin the descent to the main trail. This is the same trail that has been taken by the other trekkers while going on the famous Roopkund Trek, but today, you change direction and head towards Ali Bugyal.
Paces after following the ridge, the steepness of the slope gradually reduces while the scene over the horizon metamorphoses into gorgeous panoramic views of the length and breadth of the meadow.
Only two kilometers separate one from Ali Bugyali that is of similar height as Ali bugyal. This is just two kilometers away. It is beautiful here; clouds rise very slowly up the ridge and then occasionally drift over the peaks of the mountains. Mountains; herds of horses are seen grazing on the meadows and foals are seen running around not caring about anything and roaming about the wild.
This journey of yours has not come to an end as visible now is the Abin Kharak campsite and you are in the process of reaching the left side of the ridge to the campsite.
DAY 4- Trek from Abin Kharak to Didna
Embrace the day looking at the quite picturesque and undulating hills of the fields of Ali bugyal. If there is a desire to remove slippers and let the bare feet touch the farm beds, do not shun this feeling.
Now you are onto a ridge that extends in all directions like an oversized umbrella. And several square kilometers of lovely green meadows had been cut off the mountain slopes.
Today’s walk is the most interesting as it traverses from Abhin Kharak to Didna village, and scenes of beautiful cotton fields and valleys are delightful views along the way.
After breakfast, here you would make the stop at Abin Kharak and continue walking till where an unusual feature about the landscape comes into view after a distance of about 1.5 kilometers. Therefore, for a distance of about 1.5 to about 2 kilometers you are advised to look straight across and towards your left-hand side. Quite a distance off, one can see the mountaintop that one should look out for. On the way down the hills, which is more interesting, do not forget to look back at the sight. This will be followed by a further descent to Tolpani.
DAY 5- Trek from Didna Kulling Drive to Lohajung
Walk to the right and go down the steep zig-zag as you come down Didna village. At this time one should proceed to a meadow about 200 feet from Didna village. The path goes around the village from its periphery such that one goes around the forest. This may cause your legs to be a bit strained because of the sudden altitude change. Nature’s song can also be enjoyed as it brings sightings of thrushes calling, and swallows zipping in and out of rhododendrons and other trees. The trail slopes down and the iron bridge which sits across the river highlights the middle point of the trek.
It is from here that Raun Bagad comes into focus, It is a riverbank site, after which it is possible to sit back and view the Wan River merging with the Bedni Ganga.
It generally takes 2 hours to hike from Raun Bagad to Lohajung. The primary area you are headed to is Kulling, a village situated on the hillside overlooking the Wan River. This particular route is steep, so it is easy to make rapid climbs, although it is also quite tiresome. About twenty households make up the village, which is dotted with fields that are terraced and quite green. The second trail, however, seems to be prettier as it goes through dense trees and provides areas for lunch breaks on the gentle ambulating ascent towards Lohajung. By early afternoon this path takes you to Lohajung where you will wind up after an interesting trek.
Day 6: Drive from Lohajung to Rishikesh
Return on Day 6 when you are driving from Lohajung back to Rishikesh, which is about a distance of 260 kilometers. It is a long and pretty interesting drive, which takes about 8 – 10 hours. This stretch offers many hills and valleys to appreciate. The roads are edged with small villages, terraced farmland, and countless green fields. With the hills in the distance, this time it is the hill ranges which outline the banks of the river Ganges, as one approaches Rishikesh. It has been your long working day and you are now ready to relax with your legs up, but the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek will remain and come to mind once again.
Best Time to Visit Ali Bedni Bugyal
The perfect seasons to visit Ali Bedni Bugyal would be either the summer months (March to June) or the autumn months (September to October). It is, in fact, during the summer months that the weather is pleasing, the skies are clear, and wildflowers bloom which is perfect for trekking and camping. The cool, crisp air of autumn, combined with the stunning sight of the tranquil green hills changing into golden meadows, create a perfect atmosphere. However, the rainy season (July to August) is to be avoided due to heavy downpour which results in much slipperiness and difficulty in the trails. The winters (November to February) also have heavy snow; however, it also has extreme cold which makes trekking very difficult.
Trekking Essentials for Ali Bedni Bugyal
What to Pack: For the day, pack some lightweight and moisture-absorbing clothing, however for the evening pack on some heavy layers due to the cold weather. Do pack a waterproof jacket and good trekking shoes.
What Things To Carry: Keep a strong tent, a hot-rating sleeping bag, and a portable heating stove for cooking. Never forget your headlamp or flashlight along with spares.
What Health And Safety Equipment Should I Bring: Bring along your very first aid kit, water purification tablets or filters as well as energy bars and snacks. Don't leave your sunscreen, hat, or trekking pole behind as they are very handy on skinny trails.
Key Highlights of the Ali Bedni Bugyal
It is a breathtaking region in the Garhwal Himalayas and is definitely a place to visit. This high-altitude meadow is an excellent camping site with views of majestic snow-plumaged mountains such as the Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, and Neelkanth.
Also, another significant feature is the picturesque lake of Bedni Kund which is located beautifully in the meadows and is a holy lake for the local people. The blue water along with the encircling mountains makes for a rather beautiful setting.
The trek also enables one to engage with the local people and their culture. The two villages of Wan and Lohajung are accommodating and well-touristic in their businesses offering a different side of the Garhwal region, where aboriginal societies inhabit and practice their pristine lifestyles.
The trail is rich in biodiversity, experiencing several types of plants such as rhododendron trees, oak forests, and different animals such as the Himalayan tahr and musk deer. The trek isn’t strenuous so it is good for amateurs and professionals making it all the more ideal for the participants as there is a mix of adventure, nature, and peace.
Challenges and Tips for Trekking the Ali Bedni Bugyal
Altitude and Weather: The trek reaches an elevation of more than 3,300 meters which may cause some trekkers to suffer from altitude sickness. To avoid this, stop for a few minutes while trekking and drink a lot of water. Weather is also quite unpredictable; it may rain or snow in the middle of the trek and therefore, it is advisable to have waterproof clothes along with warm clothes to avoid any trouble.
Steep Terrain and Long Hours: The trail is steep and has a lot of ups and downs which makes it physically exhausting. You should make sure that you are physically fit enough for the trek. Make sure to take a couple of pauses in the trek, and consider carrying trekking poles for balance when making the hike on rocky and uneven ground.
Limited Accessibility and Supplies: The trek goes past jungles that are fairly distant to shops and places to stay. Take supplies with you such as water and food as well as a first aid kit. One must be prepared to take care of themselves and should always organize the trek ahead of time for sufficient equipment throughout the trip.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is a thrilling experience with stunning scenery, and cultural diversity and provides a chance to test one’s capability in the peaceful complexion of the Indian Himalayan region. With such expansive settings from verdant Himalayan meadows to snow-laden pinnacles and the exceptional difficulty that accompanies this trek, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both amateur hikers and professional trekkers alike.
However, the trek should be undertaken with caution as it does involve high altitudes, changeable climatic conditions, and other physically intense requirements of the landscape. With adequate gear and preparation, however, trekkers will be able to enjoy the experience to the fullest while also maintaining high levels of safety and security.
If you are an adventure seeker and want to undertake this beautiful campaign, then Himalayan Daredevils is the right partner. They can guarantee you that your trek will not only be adventurous but also be secure, and memorable with their professional and well-planned schedules and vast knowledge of the area. Trek with Himalayan Daredevils go on this quest and let the mountains awaken the best inside you.
