Quick answer: November is early winter on the Brahmatal trek: first snow above Bekaltal, more snow in the forest after mid-month and lakes starting to freeze. Expect 2°C to 14°C at Lohajung and -8°C to 0°C at the 3,106 m base camp. Trekkaro runs nine November batches at ₹9,450 with GST; pick a late-November batch for snow.
This guide is for trekkers who can get leave in November, including the Diwali and Guru Nanak Jayanti weekends, and want to know what Brahmatal looks like before peak winter. It covers snow, cold, the 2026 batch dates, the six days on the trail and the cost, with an honest answer on whether to wait for December.
What is Brahmatal like in November?
November is the first winter month of a season that runs from October to March. Trekkaro's trek page describes it as early winter: the first snow, fewer trekkers and lakes beginning to freeze. The second half of the month is wintrier than the first.
| On the trail | November | December to February |
|---|---|---|
| Snow on the higher sections | First significant snowfall; moderate depth | 2 to 4 feet on the trail |
| Forest trail from Lohajung | Light to moderate; snow builds up in the second half of the month | Deep snow from Lohajung upwards |
| Bekaltal lake | Beginning to freeze; less consistent in early November | Fully frozen |
| Jhandi Top ridge | May carry lighter snow than in December or January | Snow-covered ridge |
The trek page says late November, after the first significant snowfall, is when the route comes into its own. If snow matters to you, choose a batch from the second half of the month. November also marks the start of the clear winter air: from Jhandi Top and Brahmatal Top you see Trishul (7,120 m), Nanda Ghunti (6,309 m), Kamet (7,756 m) on clear days and Hathi Ghoda Parvat. Snowfall dates move from year to year, so no month guarantees a set depth.
How cold is Brahmatal in November?
November is milder than peak winter, but nights at the high camps still drop below freezing.
| Place | November | December to February |
|---|---|---|
| Lohajung (2,316 m) | 2°C to 14°C | -2°C to 8°C |
| Brahmatal Base Camp (3,106 m) | -8°C to 0°C | -15°C to -5°C |
Pack as you would for winter: thermal top and bottom, two fleece or woollen layers, the padded jacket and a waterproof shell. Summit day starts at 5:30 AM from base camp, the coldest part of the trek. The Uttarakhand Health Department advisory for pilgrims above 3,000 m asks travellers to check the weather and dress for it before starting, and to pack for cold, rain and sun.
You sleep in tents shared by three, with men and women in separate tents, in sleeping bags rated to -20°C.
Brahmatal November 2026 batch dates
The trek page lists nine departures that start in November 2026. Each is a six-day trip from Rishikesh and back.
| Batch | Holiday on the page |
|---|---|
| 1 Nov – 6 Nov | None |
| 7 Nov – 12 Nov | Diwali |
| 8 Nov – 13 Nov | Diwali |
| 14 Nov – 19 Nov | None |
| 15 Nov – 20 Nov | None |
| 21 Nov – 26 Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 22 Nov – 27 Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 28 Nov – 3 Dec | None |
| 29 Nov – 4 Dec | None |
Departures are on weekends in November. From December the page lists one batch every day. Booking for any batch closes at 5 PM, India time, the day before it starts.
Your six days on Brahmatal, day by day
- Day 1, Rishikesh to Lohajung (2,316 m): about 250 km by road, 8–10 hours. The cab leaves Jumping Heights, Tapovan, at 6:30 AM. Gear check and health baseline (SpO2, pulse, blood pressure) in the evening. Lohajung is the last place with a stable mobile signal, so make your calls here.
- Day 2, Lohajung to Bekaltal (2,798 m): 6 km, 4–5 hours, about 480 m up through oak and rhododendron forest.
- Day 3, Bekaltal to Brahmatal Base Camp (3,106 m) via Jhandi Top (about 3,600 m): 7 km, 6–7 hours. The climb to Jhandi Top is the steepest section of the route, and microspikes are worn from the Bekaltal camp upward. The ridge gives the first commanding views of Trishul.
- Day 4, Brahmatal Top (3,734 m) and back: 6 km, 5–6 hours, starting at 5:30 AM in the dark, so carry a headlamp. About 630 m up on the summit slope, with microspikes on from base camp.
- Day 5, base camp to Lohajung: 10 km, 7–8 hours, back over Jhandi Top and past Bekaltal. The longest day of the trek.
- Day 6, Lohajung to Rishikesh: the cab leaves at 6:30 AM and is expected at Tapovan by 6:00 PM.
Health checks run twice a day at every camp, and the group carries portable oxygen and a stretcher. The evening check at base camp decides who goes up on Day 4.
Carry two 1 L bottles, one of them insulated so the water does not freeze on November nights, and refill only at sources the trek leader approves. There is no charging on the trail, so bring a power bank. Travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is mandatory and not included in the fee. Bring a government photo ID (original and a photocopy) and a medical certificate signed by a doctor. Ask your doctor about altitude medicine before you go and carry your own.
What does the Brahmatal trek cost in November?
The price does not change by month.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Trek fee (Lohajung to Lohajung) | ₹9,000 + 5% GST |
| Total with GST | ₹9,450 |
| EMI over 24 months | ₹463 a month |
| Backpack offloading (optional, up to 9 kg) | ₹1,500 + GST |
| Single tent (optional) | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Free Trekking Gear | ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹200 washing charge (+ GST on the washing charge) |
The fee covers stays, meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, forest permits and camping gear. Free Trekking Gear on Brahmatal means Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, trekking poles, gaiters and microspikes, handed over at Lohajung.
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. The Rishikesh–Lohajung cab costs about ₹6,500 one way per 5–6 seat vehicle. Dewal has the last reliable ATM and cards are not accepted on the trail, so carry enough cash in small notes from Rishikesh.
If your plans change, the refund is 70% 30 or more days before departure, 50% at 15–29 days, and no cash refund at 8–14 days, when you can still take a 100% TrekCash voucher (valid 1 year), a free reschedule or a transfer to another trekker. Any of these can also replace a cash refund at any point up to 8 days before departure. At 7 days or less, or a no-show, there is no refund. Check which band your batch date falls in before you pay.
November or December: which should you choose?
Go in November if you want quieter trails, milder nights and a first look at snow, and if Diwali or Guru Nanak Jayanti gives you the leave. Late November is the better half of the month.
Wait for December to February if frozen lakes and 2 to 4 feet of snow are the reason you chose Brahmatal. The trek page calls that window the most recommended, with January the coldest and clearest. Those months also bring -15°C nights at base camp, so November is the gentler first winter trek.
Skip November if you will be disappointed without deep snow. Early November can have little snow on the lower forest trail.
Trekkaro tip: if snow is the goal, book the 21, 22, 28 or 29 November batch, and keep the microspikes and gaiters from the free kit in your day pack.
See Brahmatal dates and book | Brahmatal in December | Brahmatal weather by month | How to reach Lohajung | Treks in November
Frequently asked questions
Is there snow on the Brahmatal trek in November?
Yes. The trek page says the higher sections above Bekaltal get their first significant snowfall in November, and the forest trail picks up snow in the second half of the month. The four batches from 21 November give the best chance of snow.
What is the minimum age for the Brahmatal trek?
The minimum age is 7 years, and trekkers under 18 come with a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit; trekkers above 60 need good fitness and a medical certificate signed by a doctor, and an ECG or TMT report is recommended.
Can I do the Brahmatal trek over Diwali 2026?
Yes. Two batches carry the Diwali label on the trek page: 7 to 12 November and 8 to 13 November 2026. Both are six-day trips starting from Rishikesh.
Is November a good month for a first-time trekker on Brahmatal?
Yes, if you are fit for 6–10 km a day. Nights at base camp are -8°C to 0°C rather than down to -15°C from December to February, and Trekkaro suggests November for a first winter experience.
How much is the shared cab to Lohajung per person?
About ₹1,083 each way if six trekkers share one 5–6 seat cab at ₹6,500, or ₹1,300 each way with five. You pay the driver directly, so add both legs to your budget on top of the ₹9,450 trek fee.
