Once you are in the mountains, there’s no way you won’t come back. There’s something alluring, something inspiring, and something mysterious about the mountains. And perhaps these are the reasons that mountains call you back. Well, it did to me! I took the challenge of climbing the Ali Bedni Bugyal. Its meandering meadows are amongst the most gorgeous alpine meadows of Uttarakhand. If this isn’t enough to inspire you, then let me say more, that once you reach the summit, you will be greeted by the ethereal beauty of Mt. Nanda Devi, Mt. Trishul, and Mt. Chaukhamba.
How It All Started
Being born and brought up in the plains, I never had the chance to go on a trek. However, thanks to my mates, I got the opportunity to visit India’s northern side. It’s beautiful!
Before it, I already did some short trudges of a few kilometers and went on to cover a more long distance. However, Ali Bedni Bugyal was going to be the longest one. I was excited.
How to Reach
To reach the starting point of the trek, you first have to reach Lohajung, which is 292 km from Dehradun. Here is how you can reach there:
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport. You can book a flight to Dehradun. From the airport you can hire a cab, book a shared taxi, or hop on a bus to reach Lohajung. It takes 7 to 8 hours to cover the distance.
By Train: Haldwani Railway Station is the nearest, from where you can get a cab or taxi to reach Lohajung. It is 223 kilometers long and takes 7 to 8 hours to reach there.
By Road: The best way to get the most beautiful mountain views is to hit the road. If you are traveling from Delhi, then it may take around 13 to 15 hours to reach Lohajung. On your way, you can enjoy some picturesque landscapes of the Himalayas.
Best Time to Visit
The weather in Lohajung remains pleasant throughout the year. During summers, the highest Lohajung temperature goes up to 22-23℃ and in winters, the temperature drops down to 5-8℃ during the day and -4 to 0℃ at night. Although most of the treks begin during winter, summers are the best when the alpine meadows are in full bloom.
Day 1
Dehradun To Lohajung
It took us 8 hours to drive from Dehradun to reach Lohajung. When we got down from our cab, it was already 5 pm in the evening and there was nothing to do except for waiting for the next day. We spent the night in the hotel.
Lohajung is the miniature village of Uttarakhand and a gateway for many adventurous treks. It is situated at an elevation of 2,330 m in Chamoli district of Garhwal region. This small Garhwali village is the trailhead and hence enjoys immense attention from trekkers.
In addition, Lohajung is not just about the snowclad zenith of the mountains. Its enchanting deodar and oak-filled forests are equally evocative. If you have enough time to explore around, then Lohajung has several attractions.
Since we didn’t have enough time to spare, we added it to our bucket list for our next trip.
Day2
Lohajung to Dinda Village
We started our journey at around 6 am from Lohajung to Raun Bagad. The route is full of astonishing views of the mountains and the tranquil River Neel Ganga that flows across the trail. We climbed down the slippery trail. While climbing down, stay focused on where you are stepping.
On our way, we crossed through a dense forest of oak and deodar. We crossed a petite bridge erected on the river. We could see a high waterfall nearby. After we crossed the bridge, the never-ending uphill climb was more challenging. It took us another 4 hours to reach Didna village. At Didna, you will find several homestays and campsites.
Since it was snowing, we decided to go for a homestay. We spent the night in the village enjoying the warm hospitality and local food.
Day 3
Didna Village to Ali Bedni Bugyal
You need to start the journey early in the morning when the first sun rays fall on earth. This 10 kilometer trek takes you through a dense forest, mini meadows, and steep climbs.
As we left Didna behind, we were less prepared for what was ahead. The route from Didna to Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is sure to mesmerize you. As we climbed further, the topography started to change. We were amazed by the fragrance of the oak. We reached Tolkaan soon. The views of the meandering meadows covered in a snowy blanket was indeed a sight to behold. We took a moment to appreciate the spectacular views.
We started our trek again and upon reaching the ridge, we were greeted by the 360° view of the Ali Bedni Bugyal. It was another 3 to 4 hours trek to reach the summit.
Ali Bedni Bugyal
After trekking through a dense forest and challenging climbs, we finally reached our destination. All our exhaustion faded away as we witnessed the prepossessing views of the meadows and the snow-clad peaks. However, the trek wasn’t over yet. The climb to Bedni Bugyal from here was our last challenge. The climb was exhilarating. But in the end, it’s worth it. Once you reach the top, you get to see the further end of the sky being dominated by Chaukhamba peak.
Ali Bedni Bugyal offers arguably the best mountain views. From the summit, you can have the best sights of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti, rising from the earth to up to 6,000 to 7,000 m, right in front of you. The magnificent views of these two mountains make for a formidable backdrop. Moreover, we came across loads of horses and sheep grazing on the meadows.
While appreciating the verdant valley and the white mountain peaks, don’t forget to visit Bedni Kund, a pristine lake nearby. There is also a small temple beside the lake, where trekkers offer prayers and seek blessings.
However, beautiful things never last long and hence, we had to come back down for the overnight stay.
Day 4
To Lohajung
Post breakfast, we grabbed our belongings and headed towards Wan village. This downhill trek took 3 to 4 hours to complete. When we reached Wan, we took a short break, drank water, and again started our journey downhill. We saw some taxis on our way, but decided to rely on our foot. We covered the 9 km distance on foot and reached Lohajung. When we reached Lohajung, it was already dark. We made this beautiful village our abode for the night. We were extremely tired and the last thing we wanted to do was to go to bed. We had our dinner and went to bed. No wonder, I slept right away.
Day 5
To Delhi
Post breakfast, we hopped on our cab and reached Dehradun by the evening. We had a pre-booked bus to Delhi from Dehradun. It was another 6 hours journey. We arrived in Delhi early in the morning.
More Details
Important Things to Carry
- Backpacks
- Hiking shoes
- Thermal inners
- Woolen cap, socks, mittens, and scarf
- Rain coat
- Head torch
- Warm comfortable clothes
- Walking stick
- Toilet paper and wipes
- Medicines for pain, fever, cold, and diarrhea
Bottom Line
If you are an avid hiker, then Ali Bedni Bugyal should be your next summit. It is a moderate-level trekking route. Whether you want to hike the summit during summer or in the winter, the aesthetically pleasing natural aura of this place never disappoints you. Visit the trek during summer to enjoy the rhododendrons in its full bloom and the meadows covered with colorful flowers. If you are a snow person, come here in the winter. However, be careful, as you have to cross through the slippery slopes.
