The Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek starts from the tiny village of Lohajung. Lohajung is a beautiful mountain village located in the heart of the Uttarakhand region. The village is home to some of the most stunning views in the country, with the majestic Nanda Ghunti peak often visible. The village gets its name from a local legend in which Goddess Parvati fought and defeated a demon called Lohasur. The best way to reach Lohajung is from Dehradun via Rishikesh, a beautiful journey in itself. The route to Lohajung passes through winding roads and forests, with glimpses of the magnificent Garhwal mountains in the distance.

You’ll drive along winding routes with the roaring Alaknanda River occasionally coming into view. We’ll pass through Devprayag, Karnprayag, and Rudraprayag – the three prayags of the Panch-Prayag. The mighty Shivalik ranges of the Garhwal region loom, beckoning us closer and providing us with beautiful views to gaze at until we reach our basecamp. Once you reach Lohajung, you will be mesmerized by the sight of the beautiful Nanda Ghunti peak. If you arrive before sunset, you will be treated to a spectacular show of colours as the sun sets behind the peak.

Lohajung is home to 12-15 villages in the vicinity. There are a few local stores where you can buy items like jackets, hand gloves, caps, and shoes if you need them. However, it is advisable to carry all the necessary things for the trek with you beforehand so that you don’t have to rely on these shops. You will have mobile network coverage in most parts of Lohajung. We’ll be spending the night in Lohajung with the mighty Mt. Nanda Ghunti looming over us, before starting the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek.

This is the first day of the much-awaited Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek! After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll gather for a briefing on the upcoming trek. Then we’ll start our journey to Didna, our first campsite. Soon, you come to the village of Kulling, which is a cluster of around 20 houses set against the backdrop of the emerald green hills. From Kulling, it’s quite a descent to the Wan river. You lose elevation quickly, and you know that you’ll have to climb back up on the other side. As you walk through the forest, the song of the birds fills the air. You can smell the fresh scent of the river below, and you catch a glimpse of a vulture soaring overhead. The path descends gradually to the river, where you find a campsite perfect for an early start on your hike.

Raun Bagad is a beautiful spot, with the river rushing by and the hills towering above. The air here is so clean and refreshing that it’s hard not to feel invigorated. Below, you can see the Wan river rushing by to meet up with the Bedni Ganga. However, taking the trail through the mixed forest is a gradual descent to the river. After two hours of walking from Lohajung, you reach an iron bridge over the river. This is Raun Bagad, a grassy bank on the river where it would make an excellent place to camp for the night. If you’re looking for a campsite that will give you a head start in the morning, this is one to consider. The trek to Didna is steep and challenging, but the beautiful views of the Neel Ganga river make it worth the effort.

As we make our way up, we’ll catch glimpses of the quaint village before finally arriving at our campsite. Reaching Didna village can be confusing, with many trails running into it. But if you stick to the trails that go around the village on the outer periphery, you’ll find the Didna campsite 200 ft above the village. This area is a beautiful floral wonderland, with mostly wildflowers and herbs growing here and colourful flowers blooming in the spring. Once we’ve settled in, we’ll have some free time to explore the area before coming together for a group bonding session in the evening. Dinner will be served under the stars, and we’ll retire for the night in our cosy tents. The trek from Lohajung to Didna is a difficult one, as it involves a steep climb in the beginning. Many people find the first day of the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek challenging, as their muscles are not yet warmed up. This is where your preparation and endurance come in handy. By being physically and mentally prepared, you will be able to push through this challenging section and enjoy the rest of the trek.

Didna is an idyllic campsite with a clear stream running down its right. The camp looks across the valley, where Lohajung, Kulling and Wan span left to right in a sweeping arc. Behind you, through the oak forest, you can see the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal, high above. Today, we’ll start our trek towards Tolpani, a cluster of shepherd huts and cover a distance of 3 km and gain 1000 ft in altitude. The trail to Tolpani moves away from the general direction of Ali Bugyal, but the climb is a good one through some of the densest oak you’ll see. The ground beneath you is a never-ending brown carpet of leaves.

When you reach Tolpani, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the valley below. Take some time to explore the shepherd huts and meet the friendly residents before heading back down the mountain. The trail from Tolpani to Ali and Bedni Bugyal is a journey full of natural beauty. As you make your way, you will see the peak of Chaukhambha in the distance. After a while, you will reach an opening where you can see the mesmerizing sight of the undulating meadows of Ali Bugyal. After enjoying the views, continue to Abin Kharak campsite for a well-deserved rest. You will be camping on the top of a ridge that night and wake up to an incredible view in every direction.

Today, we’ll trek through the second bugyal. It is a sight to behold as you walk through the Bebni Bugyal. You’ll be surrounded by lush green grasslands and jaw-dropping Himalayan peaks in the backdrop. In the summertime, the meadows are filled with beautiful flowers, attracting tourists from all over. From Abin Kharak to Bedni Bugyal, there is an arduous ascent that tests your stamina and endurance. This is not as challenging as the previous day. However, it still poses a considerable physical challenge because you are now crossing the 10,000 feet mark, and your body starts to feel the strain of being in high altitude conditions. Make sure to capture the reflections of the mountains in Bedni Kund, a stunning lake located in the middle of the meadows. The weather fluctuates in these parts, and you can have moments of wild sunshine followed by anxious cloud cover. Keep your raincoat handy. Sometimes it rains for a few minutes, leaving you frustrated.

At times it could rain for a few hours. Clouds drift in from below, glide over the ridge and slide down either side, all in a slow, swift motion. You watch countless horses grazing on the bounty of nature. Foals are tearing themselves across the turf uninhibited abandon, just being themselves. The views from Bedni Bugyal are some of the most spectacular in the whole of the Garhwal Himalayas. To the north, you can see Trishul, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot; to the south, you have Chaukhamba. In the east, you can see the sunrise over the Himalayas, and in the west, you can see the sun setting behind them. The trek to Bedni Top is an exhilarating experience, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The highest point on the trek is 12,550 ft, and from there, you can see Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti in all their glory. If you’re lucky, you may also glimpse Bedni Kund hundreds of metres below. As you enjoy your hot, packed lunch on the grasslands, take a break and head towards Gehroli Patal by following the descending route. The path goes through forests with tall trees and flora, and fauna. Make sure you do not rush and tumble over. The open ground between the dense forest is Gehroli Patal. It will also be your camping place. Enjoy the peaceful afternoon and sleep tight in the tents.

We’ll be trekking back to the civilization today. Make your way back to Lohajung. We will be taking a different trail to get back to Lohajung, making it a circular route. Enjoy the scenery as you go, and be careful not to miss any steps. Soon, you’ll be back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As you start your trek from the campsite, the trail will take you through a bridge over the Neel Ganga River, which is a steep descent from the Gehroli Patal campsite. It takes at least two hours for everyone to complete this stretch of trail. Take your time because you will rarely see a more wondrous stretch of forest cover. The bridge over the Neel Ganga is an idyllic location to wash the dirt and grime of the long trek. Trees overhang the river and the water trips and fall over boulders in the shade. The water is cool and refreshing.

From the river, it is a short one-hour climb to the ridge above Wan village. Follow the main trail that runs to the right until you reach the Cyprus trees at the lower Wan village. Be sure to take some time to appreciate these trees – some of them are centuries old! There are many different routes you can take to reach the bottom of Wan village. No matter which path you choose, you will eventually end up at the road junction (Kasar Bagad) near the hydel power project. The trek takes approximately one and a half hours. Keep in mind that the descent is quite steep, and it can be more challenging than ascending for some people. If you’re looking for a longer route, you can take the main trail from the ridge top of Wan. This trail will lead you to the Cyprus trees at the lower village. Once the whole group has reached Wan village, we’ll drive from Wan to Lohajung. The drive takes around 45 minutes.

It is the last day of the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek. Today is the day you’ll be parting ways with your trek leader, trek mates and the support staff. It is sure to be an emotional moment for everyone after spending a week in the mountains together. If you opt for transportation with us, your vehicles will pick you up in Lohajung in the morning and leave you at Dehradun I.S.B.T by 7 PM. If you plan to continue your travels, you can say goodbye to us at Lohajung.