Lohajung (~ 2300 m/7545 ft) is a small bazaar strip with a few lodges/accommodation options and is the base camp for popular treks like Roopkund, Brahmatal or Bedni Bugyal.
As Lohajung is placed almost centrally in the state of Uttarakhand (border of Kumaon and Garhwal division), therefore you can reach this place either via:
1) Kathgodam/Haldwani – in Kumaon (from east) via Almora, Kausani and Gwaldam.
2) Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun – in Garhwal (from west) via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag.
Note: Amid COVID and travel restrictions/irregularities, we suggest you to reach Lohajung from Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun side. Skip Kathgodam, unless you are a group of people/use a private transportation, i.e. hiring a car.
Distance breakups are as following:
New Delhi to Kathgodam – 275 Km
Kathgodam to Lohajung – 220 Km
Lohajung to Rishikesh – 260 Km
Rishikesh to New Delhi – 240 Km
Therefore you can see that Lohajung is around 500 Km from New Delhi, and you may approach via Kathgodam or Haridwar/Rishikesh side as convenient.
If your travel arrangements permit, then it is a good idea to reach Lohajung via Kumaon and exit via Rishikesh to get a round flavour trip via car.
1) Reach via Kathgodam:
By Train from Delhi:
Following trains are good to reach Kathgodam and run daily.
RANIKHET EXP – Train No. 15013 (best option, runs overnight, arrives KGM early morning @ 5:30 am. Board from Delhi(DLI)/Delhi Junction or any suitable station)
New Delhi Kathgodam Shatabdi Express – Train No. 12040 (Arrives KGM in the late morning/noon @ 11:40 am, alternate choice when you stay the night in Kathgodam and travel by car next morning)
Uttar Sampark Kranti Express (Delhi to Kathgodam)– Train No. 15035 (Book your accommodation beforehand at Kathgodam as this may get delayed and reach around midnight)
Avoid booking wait listed (WL) tickets in AC classes (1A/2A/3A) or Chair Car (CC). Book Sleeper class (SL)/Second Sitting class (2S) tickets which have normally more seats/berth and hence much better chance to get confirmed.
By Train from Kolkata:
There are direct trains from Kolkata to Kathgodam(KGM)/Lal Kuan(LKU)
BAGH EXPRESS – Train No. 13019 (ONLY book when you stay the night at Kathgodam, DON’t book this train when you plan a long onward journey immediately in the morning)
HWH LKU EXP – Train No. 12353 – Lalkuan Express (runs only on Friday, you need to stay at Kathgodam for the night, only 20 Km away)
Avoid booking wait listed tickets in AC classes or Chair Car (CC). Book Sleeper class (SL)/Second Sitting class (2S) tickets which have normally more berths/seats and hence much better chance to get confirmed.
By Bus from Delhi:
Haldwani buses are more frequent than that of Kathgodam. It is easy to reach Kathgodam from Haldwani which is only 5 km. from away.
Govt. Road Transport (Roadways of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi etc) buses are frequently available in day time and night from Anand Vihar ISBT:
Tickets are available on board for these ordinary/regular busses. Some of the state transport companies offer online reservation for Volvo/A.C Luxury buses. Check these For online booking:
https://utconline.uk.gov.in/ (Uttarakhand State Transport division)
https://www.upsrtconline.co.in/
From Delhi Airport or Station you can reach ISBT Anand Vihar via Delhi Metro service (http://www.delhimetrorail.com/metro-fares.aspx).
For privately operated bus, you can book online from portals e.g. Redbus/Makemytrip etc. Select a boarding point suitably. Overnight Volvo/A.C/Push back bus service.
For night stay in Kathgodam:
Trekkers reaching on the previous day before the journey to the actual trek base need to stay the night in Kathgodam. There are few options in Kathgodam for spending a night while staying in Standard accommodation.
State run KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) operates Tourist Rest House at Kathgodam, which is just opposite to the railways station (beside Bus stand). This is a reliable and a decent choice for accommodation. Check the following for reservation:
https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/accommodation/kmvn-tourist-rest-house-20/
There are some privately run hotels/lodges in Kathgodam (on the main road) as well as near Haldwani Bus terminus.
Return From Kathgodam:
Normally you reach from trek base to Kathgodam by 5/6 pm in the evening. You can take any train after 7 pm or regular bus service as mentioned above to reach Delhi or directly to your homeward journey.
2) Return via Rishikesh/Rishikesh:
You can book a car or take the morning bus from Lohajung to Rishikesh. Shared Jeep service is available from Lohajung to Dehradun via Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, Haridwar is 25 Km and Dehradun is 45 Km. You get frequent buses for both these cities from Rishikesh.
By Train to Delhi:
Following trains are good to reach Delhi and run daily.
NANDA DEVI EXP – Train No. 12206 (book in this train @ 11:30 pm from Dehradun or after midnight @ 12:45 am from Haridwar )
MUSSOORIE EXP – Train No. 14041 (book in this train @ 9 pm from Dehradun or @ 10:45 pm from Haridwar )
Always avoid booking waitlisted (WL) tickets in AC classes (1A/2A/3A) or Chair Car (CC). Book Sleeper class (SL)/Second Sitting class (2S) tickets which have normally more seats/berth and hence much better chance to get confirmed.
By Train to Kolkata:
There are direct trains from Haridwar to Kolkata.
HW HWH S F EXP – Train No. – 12370 ( Very good option, book in this train on the same night (11:50 pm) as you reach Haridwar)
UPASANA EXPRESS – Train No. – 12328 ( Very good option, book in this train on the same night i.e.10:10 pm from Dehradun, or 11:30 pm from Haridwar)
DOON EXPRESS – Train No. – 13010
By Bus to Delhi:
Govt. Road Transport (Roadways of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan etc.) buses are frequently available in evening and night from Haridwar (Bus terminus is opposite to Railway station), ISBT Rishikesh or ISBT Dehradun. Tickets are available on board for these regular type buses. These buses are mostly for ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Delhi.
For privately operated bus, you can book online from different portals like Redbus etc.. Overnight Volvo/A.C/Push back bus service.
You will reach Delhi latest by 8 am. Accordingly arrange your transfer to your home from Delhi.
To get more information to transit through Haridwar check here.
