About the Trek
Brahmatal is a beautiful winter trek in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, offering a perfect alternative to the more crowded Kedarkantha. The trail leads to the frozen Brahmatal lake at 3,580 metres, passing through dense oak and rhododendron forests blanketed in snow.
What makes Brahmatal special is its consistently stunning views of Mt. Trishul (7,120m) and Nanda Ghunti (6,309m) throughout the trek. The trail also passes the smaller Bekaltal lake, frozen and surrounded by snow-laden trees — a magical winter wonderland.
Named after Lord Brahma, who is believed to have meditated here, the Brahmatal trek is easy enough for beginners but offers the kind of views typically reserved for more challenging treks. In winter, the entire trail is covered in deep snow, making it one of the most scenic winter treks in India.
Trek Highlights
- Camp beside the frozen Brahmatal lake at 3,580m
- Continuous views of Mt. Trishul (7,120m) and Nanda Ghunti (6,309m)
- Walk through snow-laden oak and rhododendron forests
- Visit the frozen Bekaltal lake en route
- Less crowded winter alternative to Kedarkantha
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 6-day winter journey from Rishikesh through snow-covered forests and frozen lakes with stunning Himalayan views.
- Early morning departure from Rishikesh
- Drive through Karnaprayag and Dewal
- Arrive at Lohajung by evening
- Trek briefing and gear check
- Overnight at guesthouse
- Begin trek through forest trail
- Walk through oak trees laden with snow
- Reach the frozen Bekaltal lake
- Camp beside the lake
- Overnight in tents
- Ascend through rhododendron forest
- Tree line opens to reveal panoramic views
- First sighting of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti
- Reach the frozen Brahmatal lake
- Camp near the lake
- Climb to the Brahmatal summit ridge
- 360-degree views of the Himalayan range
- Descend to Tilandi campsite
- Overnight in tents
- Short descent back to Lohajung
- Arrive by midday
- Celebrate trek completion
- Overnight at guesthouse
- After breakfast, drive back to Rishikesh
- Reach by evening
- Trek concludes — departure
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom)
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof outer shell / rain jacket
- Woollen cap, gloves, neck gaiter
- Trekking pants x 2
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is an Easy grade trek. If you can walk 5 km comfortably and have a basic level of fitness, you're good to go. A little preparation will make the experience much more enjoyable.
Fitness — Start 2–3 Weeks Before
- Walk daily: 3–4 km brisk walk, gradually increasing to 5 km
- Jog: Aim to jog 2–3 km without stopping by departure week
- Stairs: Climb 5–6 floors daily — builds the legs you'll need on inclines
- Stretching: 10 minutes post-walk — calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors
Strength (3x per week)
- Bodyweight squats — 3 sets of 15
- Lunges — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Planks — hold 45 seconds, 3 sets
- Calf raises — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Hydration
- Drink 3–4 litres of water daily starting 2 weeks before the trek
- Increase carbs and protein in the final week — your body needs fuel reserves
- Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days before departure
- Carry electrolyte sachets (ORS) for the trail
Good to Know
- Most easy treks stay below 3,500 m — altitude sickness is rare but stay hydrated
- Rental trekking shoes and jackets are usually available — but own shoes are always better
- Break in your shoes at least a week before the trek if they're new
- Your trek leader will brief you on Day 1 — ask every question you have
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are rated Easy, but Brahmatal is slightly longer at 6 days. The trail is gentle with no technical sections, making it equally beginner-friendly.
Temperatures can drop to -10 to -15 degrees Celsius at night near the lake. Proper winter layering and a 4-season sleeping bag are essential.
In December to March, you can expect knee-deep to waist-deep snow, especially above Bekaltal. Gaiters and crampons are provided.
We recommend ages 14 and above. Fitness matters more than age — you should be able to walk 5-6 hours in snow.