Quick answer: Bekaltal is a lake at about 2,798 m (9,180 ft) on the Brahmatal trek in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, and the trek's first camp. You reach it on Day 2, about 6 km and 4 to 5 hours from Lohajung, camp in a forest clearing beside the lake, and pass it again on Day 5. It is frozen from December to February.
Where is Bekaltal, and how high is it?
Bekaltal is the first of the two lakes on the Brahmatal Trek in Chamoli district, and the camp beside it, at about 2,798 m (9,180 ft), is the first high camp of the route. It sits about 480 m above Lohajung, the base village, in oak and rhododendron forest. The second lake, Brahmatal, lies about 500 m from the base camp and is slightly larger than Bekaltal.
| Day | Leg | Distance and time | Height change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Lohajung (2,316 m) to Bekaltal | About 6 km, 4 to 5 hours | About 480 m up |
| Day 3 | Bekaltal to Brahmatal base camp over Jhandi Top | About 7 km, 6 to 7 hours | About 800 m up to Jhandi Top, then about 490 m down |
| Day 5 | Base camp back to Lohajung through the Bekaltal basin | About 10 km, 7 to 8 hours | About 490 m up, then about 1,280 m down |
Brahmatal base camp is at 3,106 m (10,190 ft) and Brahmatal Top, the summit you climb on Day 4, at 3,734 m (12,250 ft). Our guide to where Brahmatal is places the route on the map and covers the drive to Lohajung.
What is the walk from Lohajung to Bekaltal like?
Day 2 is your first day on foot: about 6 km in 4 to 5 hours, climbing from 2,316 m to 2,798 m. The trail enters the oak and rhododendron forest almost at once, and climbs through that forest to the lake.
In winter the snow builds as you climb. At Lohajung it is a few inches deep; by the time the trail reaches 2,800 m it is knee-deep in places. From December to February snow lies 2 to 4 feet deep on the trail above Lohajung.
Bags you do not need on the trail stay free of charge in Trekkaro's store in Lohajung; cash, signal and the night before the walk are covered in our Lohajung village guide.
What is the camp at Bekaltal like?
The camp is in a clearing beside the lake, sheltered by the surrounding forest. It is the first high-altitude winter camp of the route, and it is cold: camp nights at Bekaltal are -10°C to -3°C, and in January the temperature at the lake drops to -10°C overnight. For comparison, winter days in Lohajung are -2°C to 8°C, and nights at Brahmatal base camp fall to -15°C to -5°C.
Tents are shared by three, with men and women in separate tents, and the sleeping bags are rated to -20°C, which is not overkill here in deep winter. At Bekaltal, as at every camp, the mess tent gives hot water and you fill your bottles there; water at camp is boiled or treated with chlorine tablets. Your SpO2 and pulse are checked twice a day at every campsite, Bekaltal included, by trek leaders trained in wilderness first aid.
Spend the evening getting warm and dry rather than walking around the frozen shore: Day 3 is the steepest climb of the trek.
When is Bekaltal frozen?
From December to February the lake is fully frozen, a flat white sheet of ice surrounded by snowbound forest. It is not reliably frozen in early November.
| Months | Bekaltal and the trail around it |
|---|---|
| November | The higher ground above Bekaltal gets the first real snow, and the forest below collects snow in the second half of the month. The lake is not reliably frozen in early November. |
| December to February | The lake is fully frozen. Snow lies 2 to 4 feet deep on the trail above Lohajung, and it is deepest at Tilandi, above Bekaltal, in late January. |
| March | Snow softens and packs down below Bekaltal, while Jhandi Top and the base camp area stay under snow through most of the month. |
Trekkaro runs the Brahmatal trek from October to March. If a frozen Bekaltal is the picture you want, book between December and February; our Brahmatal best time guide compares the months in full. Check the forecast for Chamoli district on the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre before you travel.
What comes after Bekaltal on Day 3?
The trail from Bekaltal climbs steeply through the upper forest and breaks above the treeline onto the Jhandi Top ridge at about 3,600 m. This is the steepest climb of the route, about 800 m up, and the snow is deepest at Tilandi, above Bekaltal, in late January. Microspikes go on at the Bekaltal camp and stay on from there upward. Microspikes and gaiters come free with the Free Trekking Gear, along with Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket and trekking poles, against a ₹3,000 refundable deposit and a ₹200 washing charge. Ropes are not needed on this trek.
From Jhandi Top the trail descends through open snow to Brahmatal base camp at 3,106 m, with Brahmatal lake coming into view on the way down. Day 3 is about 7 km in 6 to 7 hours.
Do you see Bekaltal again on the way back?
Yes. Day 5 is the longest day of the trek, about 10 km in 7 to 8 hours from Brahmatal base camp to Lohajung. The route re-crosses Jhandi Top, comes down through the Bekaltal basin and then through the snow forest to Lohajung, so you pass the lake a second time, from the other direction. In mid-winter it is still frozen when you come back down.
The descent from Jhandi Top to Lohajung is about 1,280 m, so use your trekking poles for your knees. Our Brahmatal distance and height guide has every leg of the route.
What does the Brahmatal trek cost?
The fee for the Brahmatal Trek is ₹9,000 per person plus 5% GST (₹9,450 with GST). EMI starts at ₹463 a month. It covers the nights in Lohajung, the tents at Bekaltal and Brahmatal base camp, pure vegetarian meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, permits and the Free Trekking Gear.
Transport to Lohajung is not included. We help the group book shared cabs at ₹6,500 one way per 5 to 6 seat vehicle, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers, which is ₹1,083 each when six share. Every trekker brings a medical certificate signed by a doctor (the form is in My Bookings), and travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
See Brahmatal Trek dates and book | Brahmatal distance and height | Brahmatal weather
Frequently asked questions
What is the height of Bekaltal?
The Bekaltal camp is at about 2,798 m (9,180 ft), about 480 m above Lohajung. It is the first camp of the Brahmatal trek.
Is Bekaltal frozen in winter?
Yes, from December to February Bekaltal is fully frozen, flat white ice surrounded by snowbound forest. It is not reliably frozen in early November.
How far is Bekaltal from Lohajung?
Bekaltal is about 6 km from Lohajung, a walk of 4 to 5 hours through oak and rhododendron forest. It is the Day 2 walk of the Brahmatal trek.
How cold is Bekaltal at night?
Camp nights at Bekaltal are -10°C to -3°C in winter, and in January the lake drops to -10°C overnight. The sleeping bags on the trek are rated to -20°C.
Which is bigger, Bekaltal or Brahmatal lake?
Brahmatal lake is slightly larger than Bekaltal. Bekaltal is the Day 2 camp at about 2,798 m, while Brahmatal lake lies about 500 m from the base camp at 3,106 m.
