Quick answer: The Brahmatal trek starts at Lohajung (2,316 m / 7,600 ft) in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, about 260 km and 9 to 10 hours by road from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Tharali and Dewal. Trekkaro's shared cab leaves Tapovan, Rishikesh at 6:30 AM on Day 1 and costs about ₹6,500 per vehicle one way, split among 5 to 6 trekkers.
Getting to Lohajung is the longest part of the Brahmatal trip. It is a full day on mountain roads, and there are fewer direct buses than on the routes to Sankri or Joshimath. This guide breaks the journey into steps, compares every way to get there from Rishikesh and Kathgodam, and gives a sample plan from Delhi so you arrive on time for the trek.
Step 1: How do you get to Rishikesh?
Trekkaro's Brahmatal pickup point is Jumping Heights, Tapovan, Rishikesh, at 6:30 AM on Day 1. Because of the early start, plan to reach Rishikesh the evening before and stay overnight near Tapovan. Check current train timings and book on IRCTC, and flight information on the Airports Authority of India page for Dehradun Airport.
| Option | Arrive at | Distance to Rishikesh | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Haridwar Junction | About 25 to 30 km, around 1 hour | Best-connected station. Yog Nagari Rishikesh has only a few trains. |
| Flight | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun | About 20 to 25 km, around 45 minutes | Closest airport to Rishikesh. Taxis and app cabs are available. |
| Bus | Rishikesh ISBT | In town | Overnight buses run from Delhi. Book a seat that reaches Rishikesh the evening before Day 1, not on Day 1 morning. |
| Own car | Rishikesh | In town | Leave the car in Rishikesh and join the shared cab; mountain driving after a long highway day is tiring. |
Step 2: What is the route from Rishikesh to Lohajung?
The road follows the Ganga and then the Alaknanda and Pindar valleys. It is fully motorable, but it is a mountain road, so the average speed is low.
| Stretch | Approximate distance | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh to Karnaprayag via Devprayag and Rudraprayag | About 172 km | National highway along the Ganga and Alaknanda. Breakfast and lunch stops are on this stretch. |
| Karnaprayag to Tharali | About 46 km | The road turns into the Pindar valley. |
| Tharali to Dewal to Lohajung | About 42 km | Narrower road. Dewal has the last ATM before the trek. |
| Total, Rishikesh to Lohajung | About 260 km | 9 to 10 hours |
Step 3: Which way should you travel from Rishikesh?
| Option | Cost | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trekkaro shared cab from Tapovan, 6:30 AM | About ₹6,500 per 5 to 6 seat vehicle one way (roughly ₹1,100 to ₹1,300 per person) | 9 to 10 hours | Most trekkers: door to door, you travel with your group and arrive at the trek's guesthouse |
| Direct bus Rishikesh to Lohajung | Around ₹500 | About 10 hours or more | Tight budgets. Only one early-morning departure and many halts. |
| Bus to Karnaprayag, then shared jeeps to Dewal and a cab to Lohajung | About ₹300 for the bus, plus shared jeep fares, plus about ₹200 for Dewal to Lohajung | Full day, with changes | Experienced travellers comfortable with changes and waiting |
| Private taxi | Ask several operators; it costs more per person than the shared cab | 9 to 10 hours | Families or small groups who want their own schedule |
Public bus timings and fares in the table come from operator reports and change often, so confirm them a few days before you travel.
Trek leader Anirudh's tip: Treat the drive as Day 1 of the trek, not a transfer. Eat a light breakfast, take a motion-sickness tablet before the hill roads begin if you need one, and keep your warm layer, water and snacks in a small day bag inside the cab rather than in the luggage carrier. Sleep early at Lohajung; the first trekking day starts the next morning.
Step 4: Can you reach Lohajung from Kathgodam?
Yes. Kathgodam is the railhead on the Kumaon side, about 216 km from Lohajung, with the road running via Almora, Kausani, Gwaldam and Dewal. This route suits trekkers coming from Lucknow, Bareilly or eastern Uttar Pradesh.
- Shared taxi: a few run from Kathgodam towards Lohajung only in the early morning, around 7 to 8 AM, taking about 8 hours, at around ₹800 per person.
- Via Dewal: take a shared cab to Dewal (around ₹600, about 6 hours, leave before 4 PM), then a cab to Lohajung for about ₹200 per person.
Trekkaro's group cab runs from Rishikesh, so if you come via Kathgodam you travel on your own and meet the group at Lohajung on the evening of Day 1. Tell the team in advance so they expect you, and do not plan to leave Kathgodam in the afternoon.
How do you get back from Lohajung?
On Day 6 the shared cab leaves Lohajung at 6:30 AM and reaches Tapovan, Rishikesh around 6:00 PM, though the drive can stretch with traffic or roadwork. Book your onward train, bus or flight for late that night or, more safely, for the next day. Haridwar has evening trains to Delhi, and Dehradun's airport has the most flight options the next morning.
Sample travel plan from Delhi
- Day 0: Train from Delhi to Haridwar, then cab to Rishikesh (or a bus straight to Rishikesh). Check in near Tapovan and sleep early.
- Day 1: Shared cab at 6:30 AM from Jumping Heights, Tapovan. Reach Lohajung by evening. Dinner and briefing at the guesthouse.
- Days 2 to 5: Trek: Bekaltal, Brahmatal base camp, Brahmatal Top (3,734 m / 12,250 ft) and back to Lohajung.
- Day 6: Drive back to Rishikesh, arriving around 6 PM. Stay the night or catch a late train from Haridwar.
What about winter roads?
Brahmatal's season runs from October to March, with snow from December to March. The highway to Karnaprayag is kept open through winter. Snow can fall at Lohajung itself in mid-winter, and on those days the last stretch of road can be slow or briefly blocked until it is cleared. The team plans around this, but in December to February give yourself a buffer day at the end of the trip and avoid non-refundable travel on the evening of Day 6. Before you leave home, check the Chamoli district forecast from the India Meteorological Department's Dehradun centre.
What it costs
The Brahmatal trek costs ₹9,000 per person + 5% GST = ₹9,450 for 6 days, Lohajung to Lohajung, or EMI from about ₹463 a month (24 months). That covers stays, meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner, permits, tents and sleeping bags, the trek team and Free Trekking Gear (Decathlon trekking shoes, a -10°C jacket, poles, gaiters and microspikes; ₹3,000 refundable deposit and ₹200 washing charge).
| Item | Approximate cost per person |
|---|---|
| Trek fee with GST | ₹9,450 |
| Shared cab, Rishikesh to Lohajung and back | About ₹2,200 to ₹2,600 (₹6,500 per vehicle each way, split 5 to 6 ways) |
| Hotel in Rishikesh, night before | Depends on your choice |
| Meals on the drive days | Not included; carry some cash |
| Backpack offloading (optional) | ₹1,500 + GST = ₹1,575 |
Transport is not included in the trek fee: we help the group book shared cabs, paid directly to the driver and split among trekkers. Carry enough cash before Dewal, because cards are not accepted on the trail and Lohajung is the last place with a stable mobile signal. More in the Brahmatal trek cost guide.
See Brahmatal dates and book | Brahmatal trek cost | Brahmatal difficulty and fitness | Brahmatal in January
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest railway station to the Brahmatal trek?
For Trekkaro's group pickup in Rishikesh, the most practical station is Haridwar Junction, about an hour from Rishikesh. Kathgodam is the nearest railhead on the Kumaon side, about 216 km from Lohajung, but you then travel to Lohajung on your own.
What is the nearest airport to Lohajung?
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest practical airport, about 45 minutes from Rishikesh. From there you join the 6:30 AM shared cab from Tapovan, so arrive the day before.
How far is Lohajung from Rishikesh, and how long is the drive?
Lohajung is about 260 km from Rishikesh. The drive takes 9 to 10 hours via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Tharali and Dewal, including meal stops.
Is transport to Lohajung included in the Trekkaro Brahmatal price?
No. The ₹9,000 + GST fee is Lohajung to Lohajung. Trekkaro arranges a shared cab from Rishikesh at about ₹6,500 per vehicle each way, paid directly to the driver and split among the trekkers.
Can I reach Lohajung by bus from Rishikesh?
Yes, but it is slow. One early-morning direct bus runs from Rishikesh and takes about 10 hours or more with many halts; the other option is a bus to Karnaprayag and shared jeeps onwards. Most trekkers find the shared cab easier and safer for timing.
