Kagbhusandi Tal Trek
A sacred, little-known emerald lake in the shadow of Hathi Parvat — reached through bear country, glacial moraine, and some of Uttarakhand's most offbeat wilderness.
Overview
Kagbhusandi Tal is one of Uttarakhand's most genuinely offbeat treks — a remote, oblong emerald lake resting at the foot of Hathi Parvat, within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Unlike its famous neighbours Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, this trek sees only a handful of trekkers each season, and the trail reflects that: unmarked stretches, dense bear-country forest, and long days across glacial moraine.
Named after a mythical crow from Hindu legend, the lake and the two rock formations resembling a crow and an eagle nearby carry real spiritual weight for local communities. This is not a trek for a first-timer — it demands genuine fitness, prior high-altitude experience, and comfort with basic, self-sufficient camping. What you get in return is a wilderness experience that few others will have shared.
Itinerary
Things to Carry
- Trekking shoes with ankle support (broken-in, sturdy sole)
- 5+ layers incl. thermal + down jacket
- Waterproof gloves & woolen cap
- UV-protection sunglasses (glacier-rated)
- Headlamp/torch with spare batteries
- 1–2L water bottle + electrolytes
- Daypack (50L) with rain cover
- Trekking pole (strongly recommended)
- Sunscreen & lip balm (SPF 40+)
- Gaiters (for moraine and loose scree)
- Personal medication + basic first aid
- Government-ID for permits
What's Included
Included
- All entry permits & forest fees
- All meals during the trek (vegetarian, hygienically prepared)
- Accommodation per itinerary (guesthouse/tents)
- Experienced trek leader & local support staff
- First-aid & basic emergency equipment
- All applicable taxes
Not Included
- Transport to/from Rishikesh (unless specified)
- Personal trekking gear — see checklist above
- Personal expenses & tips
- Travel insurance
- Costs from itinerary changes due to weather/roadblocks
Gallery
Kagbhusandi Tal FAQs
No — this is one of our harder, more offbeat treks, with unmarked trails, remote terrain, and long trekking days. We recommend at least two prior moderate-to-difficult Himalayan treks before attempting this one.
The remote, unmarked terrain and limited camping infrastructure mean smaller groups move safer and faster. We cap this trek at 10 trekkers to keep things manageable on the tougher stretches.
The route passes through forest known to have Himalayan black bear activity. Our trek leaders are experienced with the terrain and standard wildlife safety precautions, but this is genuinely wilder country than most treks we run.
Booking amount is non-refundable once a trek is confirmed. Cancel 30+ days before departure: 50% refund. 15–30 days before: 25% refund. Within 15 days: no refund. If Wildfern cancels a trek, you get a full refund or a free transfer to a future batch.
