Trekking in Uttarakhand has always been a dream of many hikers in India and abroad. Ali Bedni Bugyal is a picturesque meadow trekking destination in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The trek covers a high-altitude meadow offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Trishul Peak and lush greenery. If you are an adventure enthusiast or nature lover, this trek should be on your bucket list.

The trek starts from the Lohajung village at an altitude of 7400 feet, which is well-connected by road and can be reached from Delhi or Dehradun. The route takes trekkers through dense forests, quaint villages, and beautiful meadows with a mesmerizing experience from Lohajung. Generally, the initial trek involves gradual ascent through oak and rhododendron forests.

On the other hand, Bedni Bugyal is known for its alpine meadows, vibrant flowers, and a serene lake called Bedni Kund. It is one of Asia's most extensive high-altitude meadows and is a popular camping site for trekkers.

From Bedni Bugyal, you can extend your trek to Roopkund, a glacial lake famous for its mysterious skeletal remains. Nowadays, trek to Roopkund is banned due to biodiversity damage. So pack your bags, lace up your boots, and prepare for an incredible journey to Ali Bedni Bugyal.

Also Check : Ali bedni bugyal trek trail attarctions

Best time to do Ali Bedni trek

The Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is best during the autumn season because of its picturesque skies and pleasant weather However; this place is attractive and accessible during any season because of its charms.

Summer Season (May - June) in Ali Bedni trek

During this time, Bugyal becomes free from the winter snow, and the meadows remain green. It looks like an emerald green carpet throughout the summer, with sunny mornings perfect for clicking pictures in the mountains. The evenings become cloudy, and sometimes experience sporadic summer showers.

Monsoon Season (July - August) in Ali Bedni trek

From July to August, the place gets filled with wild mountainous flora, where the frequent showers make the meadows rich green in color. Trekkers who love constant rain while hiking can come in this season to witness the mist of the environment. You can walk among the clouds on the green meadows, which is enjoyable for everyone.

Autumn season (September - November) in Ali Bedni trek

This is the best time to visit Ali Bedni Bugyal. The rain of the monsoon season continues till September, and then it fades away. The Bugyal remains green, and some flowers from the last season continue to bloom till September. However, from October, the meadows change from green to yellow. Trekkers begin to see a new side of the meadows as the haze clears. The mountain ranges become visible slowly from the misty rain or clouds.

Winter Season (December - February) in Ali Bedni trek

Trekkers can experience the most precise weather during this season because of the speckless atmosphere and crisp views. The mountain ranges are visible from a distance, and snow starts to cover the meadows in late December. The meadow areas of Ali Bedni Bugyal trek in winter remain white until the end of February, when the grass turns yellowish-brown.

Spring Season (March - April) in Ali Bedni trek

After the winter season fades, residual snow starts melting and clears up the meadows back to their original form. Though it sometimes snows in April, it is not regular every year. During spring, mountain views remain clear, and trekkers can experience rhododendron flowers on their way to Bugyals. Ali Bedni Bugyal trek in March gives you a mesmerizing experience because there is no heavy snowfall or scorching heat.

History behind Ali Bedni Bugyal

Ali Bedni Bugyal, nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, holds significant historical importance and is shrouded in intriguing myths and legends. The enchanting meadow in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, India, is a natural wonder and rich in cultural heritage. According to local folklore, Ali Bedni Bugyal was named after the two mythological figures, Ali and Bedni. Ali was a shepherd who grazed his cattle in the Bugyal, while Bedni was a beautiful girl who used to dance and sing in these meadows. Their love story unfolded in this picturesque landscape, leaving an everlasting imprint on the place.

However, if we date back to history, the place served as a crucial trade route connecting the Garhwal region with Tibet. Traders and pilgrims traverse the meadow, making it a cultural exchange and commerce hub. On the other hand, there is another myth from Hindu mythology stating that Roopkund got its name when Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva returned to Kailash. They were returning after killing the demon Loha at Lohajung.

Trek trail: Day wise trek itinerary of Ali Bedni trek

It is recommended to start the journey of Ali Bedni Bugyal from Delhi because of the easy availability of bus, cabs, trains or flight. Below is the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek itinerary-

Day 1- Reach Lohajung (7600 feet) approximately 250km drive

• Trekkers start their journey from Kathgodam to Lohajung village, which takes 10-11 hours. The cheapest way to reach Kathgodam from New Delhi is by taking trains like Ranikhet Express or Kathgodam Shatabdi Express, which takes around 5.5hrs-7 hours. However, you can also take a cab from New Delhi to Kathgodam for approximately 8 hours. Then, from Kathgodam, trekkers take one cab to Lohajung, the base village of the trek.

• Trekkers travel through the Garhwal region of the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas. After 5-6 hours, you will reach Rudraprayag, where you will notice the grand Alakananda River. This is one of the Panch Prayags where the route trails through conifer forests. After reaching Lohajung, stay at a guest house for the night.

Day 2- Lohajung to Didna Village (8100 feet), the trek of 10 km

The day starts with traveling to the next place from Lohajung, Rani Bagad. This place is covered with green serenity and excellent views, and it takes about 2 hours to relish the scenic birds and animals. A small stream passes through this place, connecting you to Neel Ganga, connected to a bridge. You will reach Didna village after crossing the bridge, and there is a hike of about 3 hours through the alpine forests. The ridge of the village shows some stunning views of the Green Valley and open grounds. The night stay is in the home stay after the long hike at Didna Village, exploring the local culture or cuisine.

Day 3- Reach Ali Bugyal forest camp (11320 feet), 8km trekking distance

The next morning, start the day by hiking to the stunning meadow of Ali Bugyal, India's highest inhabited location. Trekkers can see this village from Didna because it is at the top of a mountain. The first part of the hike has steep ascents through coniferous forests and mini meadows along the way. It takes 1 hour to reach this widespread grassland offering a 360-degree view of Mt Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.

The grassland descends through the alpine meadows covered with green vegetation. Here, shepherds bring their cattle or sheep from nearby villages for grazing. Most of the hiking trails act as their pathways for grazing the animals. It takes 5-6 hours from Didna to reach the Ali Bugyal campsite. Lucky people can find horses feeding on the pasture land. It is beautiful to witness the green grounds along with the blue or white peaks of the Himalayas in the back. It is mesmerizing to see the starry sky from your campsite at night.

Day 4- Bedni Top and descend to Gahroli Patal (12550 feet) total 8km trek

On the fourth day, trekkers go through the other half of Bugyal, Bedni Top. You need to take a minor descent and moderate ascent over a ridge through the Himalayan flora. It takes 4 hours to cross the ridge and reaches Bedni Bugyal. These meadows are covered with green, along with the stunning Himalayan peaks in the back.

During the summer season, it gets bloomed with vibrant flowers. This attracts tourists along with the Bedni Kund. Trekkers can witness the famous flower Bhrama Kamal near the kund. People can enjoy this day and afternoon in the grasslands with a hot lunch.

This is also the place where hikers stop during the Goddess Nanda Devi yatra. Visit the nearby Nanda Devi temple and the local deity of Latu Devta. After lunch, trekkers descend to Ghairoli Patal, which is 3 hours. This path trails through the tall trees and flora or fauna. The open ground between these dense forests is called Ghairoli Patal, which is also the camping site for this night.

Day 5- Wan to Lohajung (7600 feet) 9km trek and 15km drive

After a sumptuous breakfast, get ready for a long descent to Wan through the forests of Ghairoli Patal, thick fauna and mountain birds. You will find lots of walnut, oak and rhododendrons embarking along with exotic bird species like flycatcher or magpies.

Trekkers can click lots of photos of them through their journey. This trekking rail is a mix of gradual ascends and descends for 5 hours to reach Lohajung. Then, you will across the iron bridge at Rani Bagad where hikers fill their water bottles and take some rest.

After a gradual climb of 1 hour, you come to Wan village where you can explore the local culture. Here, the trekking journey ends and the driver is ready to take you to Lohajung which takes 45 minutes. Stay overnight in a guesthouse at Lohajung.

Day 6- Reach Rishikesh/Kathgodam

After spending the night in Lohajung, get ready for reaching Rishikesh/Kathgodam the following morning. It covers 250 km in 11 hours from Lohajung where you can explore Karnaprayag, Devprayag on the way. You can explore the holy town of Haridwar before boarding back to Delhi or explore the river rafting in Rishikesh.

The difficulty level of Ali Bedni Bugyal trek

Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek is moderately complex because it requires a good level of physical fitness and stamina for hiking as Bedni Bugyal trek distance is about 31km from Lohajung village.

The initial part of the trek has a steep ascent, which is challenging for beginners. Trekkers should practice cardio workouts to prepare their bodies for the physical demands of the trek. The maximum altitude for reaching the Bedni Kund is 13500 feet, whereas the Bugyal trek is relatively more accessible because of the lower ascent. On the other hand, Ali Bedni Bugyal trek in December becomes difficult because of heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, Ali Bedni Bugyal difficulty level is from easy to moderate which is suitable for both beginner and experienced trekkers.

It is crucial to acclimatize the body to the altitude by spending a day or two in the base village, Lohajung, before starting the trek.

In conclusion, Ali Bedni Trek offers a rewarding experience for every adventure lover to explore the beauty of the Himalayas. Every trekker can conquer difficulties and create unforgettable memories on this incredible journey with the right preparation, physical fitness, and determination.