Here is a secret hiding in plain sight: the most beautiful part of the famous Roopkund trail needs no restricted permits at all. The Ali Bedni Bugyal trek links two of Asia's largest alpine meadows with the finest ridge-meadow walk in the Himalayas — a 5-day Moderate route from Lohajung with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti reflected in Bedni Kund. All the beauty of the Roopkund trail, none of the risk.
What is the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek itinerary?
Day 1 drives to Wan, crosses the Neel Ganga on its old wooden bridge, and climbs through ancient oaks to the forest camp of Gehroli Patal (9,000 ft). Day 2 is a short 4 km climb until the forest simply stops and the world becomes grass — camp at the edge of Bedni Bugyal (11,200 ft) with Trishul filling the evening sky.
Day 3 is the showpiece: 11 km as Bedni flows into Ali Bugyal in one continuous green wave along the ridge (high point 11,700 ft), then a steep descent to the hamlet of Didna for a village homestay night. Day 4 drops to the Neel Ganga, crosses at Kuling and finishes in Lohajung; Day 5 drives back to Rishikesh.
When is the best time for this trek?
March to June and September to November — a generous season. Spring brings rhododendron blooms in the forests below; monsoon-fed September turns the meadows their deepest green; October-November trades green for gold with the clearest peaks.
How difficult is it?
Rated Moderate — the ridge day is 11 km, so build to comfortable long walks beforehand. The homestay night at Didna makes this a gentler, warmer trek than a full camping itinerary, and a great step up for second-time trekkers.
What does it cost?
The Ali Bedni Bugyal trek package is ₹10,999 + 5% GST per person, including all meals on trek, alpine tents with sleeping bags and mats, the village homestay night at Didna, trek leader and local guides, and forest permits and camping charges. The Rishikesh-Lohajung shareable cab and offloading are extra.
How to reach Lohajung?
Rail to Rishikesh or Haridwar, then the roughly 10-hour shared cab up the Alaknanda. The Prayag confluences en route deserve your window seat.
Permits and meadow rules
Chamoli forest division permits for the Ali-Bedni trail are arranged by us and included. Note that camping on the bugyals follows current eco-guidelines, so campsites may shift to designated zones — we always camp where the rules say, because these meadows deserve to outlive us.
Walk the green wave
Spring and autumn dates are live — book on our Ali Bedni Bugyal page and see why shepherds have sung about these meadows for centuries.
