Situated in the lap of Hathi Parvat (6730 m) of Garhwal Himalayas in Chamoli district, Kagbhusandi Tal is a beautiful rectangular lake adorned with emerald green water. Situated at an altitude of 5,230 meters near the Kankul Pass, the lake is about a kilometer long and is decorated with a plethora of wildflowers in their full bloom during the season.
The route for this wonderful trek begins with the famous Valley of Flowers, which is situated to the east of Bhayandar village. It passes through many terrains ranging from dense and colorful forests of deodar and maple to ancient glaciers and flowing streams, making this trek a fascinating experience. Apart from the spectacular lake, the second attraction of the trek is the two huge rocks on the projection of the Elephant Mountain which are often described as a crow (Kaga) and an eagle (Garuda). Several folk tales are associated with the rocks, one of them believed to be an animated conversation between crows and Garuda on the matters of the universe of the local people.
There are some more myths, according to one of them, a learned Brahmin from Ayodhya was turned into a crow by the sage after suffering the wrath of the sage Lomas. Many such mystic stories make this trek even very fascinating. Filled with beauty, these yet-to-be-explored avenues are perfect for those seeking peace. And isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Water availability:
- Carry your water with you during the trek.
- Camping/Shelter
- Since you are on a trekking trip, you will carry your camping tent with you.
- Food availability
- And you will not find any place to eat on the trek. So make sure you carry your food with you.
General Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you carry warm clothes, no matter what season you are traveling in.
- Carry your own trekking gear and equipment and be prepared at all times.
- Carry a medical aid kit and your usual medicines on the way.
- A pair of trekking shoes is a must.
- Doesn’t matter if you are traveling during the monsoon season.
- Make sure you have already obtained all the permits required for trekking in the area.
- Make sure you have spare batteries and a film roll for the camera as there will be no power supply.
- A well-informed and trained guide is very important and makes sure to spot all the little things well in advance to avoid misunderstandings.
Stay near Kagbhusandi Tal
Once you will reach Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath which is famous for Narasimha Temple, Adi Guru Shankaracharya Gufa (cave). You can have tea with some snacks here. You can find a good market to buy groceries and other supplies before starting your journey there are many clean homestays in Joshimath that are budget-friendly where you can relax before and after finishing your trip to recharge your strength.
How To Reach Kagbhusandi Tal –
Rail: Haridwar serves as the base camp of the trek, the nearest railway station to Joshimath. It is situated at a distance of about 250 km from the place. Which can be reached in about 8-9 hours. A cab or bus can be arranged to reach your final destination.
By Road: There are frequent bus services from Delhi to Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun under both private and state departments. One can easily get a bus or cab from here to Gangotri. You can also hire jeeps and tempo from Rishikesh to the base camp. Gangotri is about 466 km from Delhi by road.
