Location:
Himachal Pradesh
Duration:
4
Days
Difficulty:
Easy
Highest Altitude:
14000
ft.
Distance:
25
kms.
Trekking to high altitude glacial Lakes in itself is quite adventurous and manages to catch the interest of every hiker. Usually these high altitudes lakes are difficult to reach and needs days of hiking and crossing difficult terrains, before the sight of the lake can be cherished. But all these tough complications can be kept at bay with the beautiful Bhrigu Lake Trek in the upper Kullu Valley based in the eastern side of the famous Rohtang pass in Himachal Pradesh. This is ideal weekend hiking trip promising loads of entertainment for both beginners as well as experienced hikers. Nestled at an altitude of 14,000 ft the Bhrigu Lake Trek offers fascinating natural vistas and breathtaking views of snow clapped mountains, lush meadows ad verdant rich forests
One of the popular trekking expeditions, The Bhrigu Lake Trek has gain preference due to its unconditional display of natural extravaganza and being one of the easy Treks in Himalayas. People with competent physical fitness can easily enjoy the privilege of hiking to the exclusive lake region even without previous hiking experience.
The scenic Bhrigu lake has significant historical and religious implications. As per informations provided by the locals, there is an association of the Lake to Sage Bhrig since the pious soul is known to have perform strong meditation and rituals in the banks of the lake hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Even the locals believe that many Gods of the Kullu valley have dipped in the holy waters of the lake making it sacred for the devotees. The location of Bhrigu Lake is about 6km from Gulaba which is a pictorial village about 22 kms from Manali.
Be it the unparallel breathtaking views of Seven Sister Peaks or Deo Tibba and Hanuman Tibba, the outstretched Pir Panjal ranges, the rich line of oak and cedar forests, fascinating green lush meadows, enthralling carpeted alpine flooring or the gushing streams along the meandering trails, the scenic vistas of the region is absolutely captivating which also makes the trekking experience overwhelming. With good luck one can also rejoice the sight of Himalayan Monal, Snow Cocks and the beautiful pheasants.
Best Season to visit
Starting from Mid May, till the month of October, trekking to Bhrigu Lake is absolutely allowed and travelers can plan accordingly. However the ideal time is before the month of June and after August since this is the monsoon time and there remains the probability of landslides in the region. It must also be noted that the temperature of this place during summers hovers around 20-25C in the daytime and falls to 5-7C at night. In winter the temperature gets lower with 10-15C around daytime and nearly 0 to -7C at night. Almost half a year the lake remains frozen, and travelers can enjoy the sight of snow even during the early summer time.
Day 1: From Manali Drive to Gulaba and Trek to Gulaba Meadows Camp
Journey commences from Manali, on the Rohtang Pass Road toward the little hill nook hamlet of Gulaba. Three hill towns—Kolang, Palchan, and Kothi marks the way, and it gets more and more beautiful with pine forests as we go. Snow covered elevations surround the little locale picturesquely. Sweet grasslands washed over by the watercourse of Beas would make fantastic frames at Gulaba , only if the Rohtang transit crowd wasn’t there. After lunch at the village, we follow a short trek, near about 1.5 hours to our first camp in the grasslands nearing a forest line. The trek is a complete pleasure and no hardships, navigating through the conifers shade dark and deep, and eventually coming to an open clearing.
Day 2: Gulaba to Rola Kholi
Today we start for an altitude of 12,500 ft. spanning 6 km in 3-4 hours. It’s going to be steep, steep walk, so you need to go equipped with 2 liters water and little snack bites to unwind between the testing laps. For the first few miles we are still trailing under a forest cover and bathing in the shade of rustling conifers. You can easily spot oaks, cedar, and birches. It’s a beautiful sight to catch a glimpse of blue through these leaves. Walk on 20 minutes into the trek, and the forest has now ebbed behind, unfolding only rolling green meadows before. This is the shepherds’ zone where cattle grazers are brought from the local villages all through summer. You could find a few mud huts and camp poles lying here. Keep the meadow behind and start heading south. You will find the peak of Hanuman Tibba rising in sharp focus at this point and a little below, the Seven sisters Peaks. Lying somewhere far below is the green patch of Beas Kund valley. Next comes another slight jungle cover, passing which the trail falls on to the rugged meadows again. The thrill climaxes when the path gets narrower and steeper just before entering the grasslands of Rola Kholi. At about 15 to 20 minutes far from reaching the campsite, we pass two nallahs or small streams which are also our water sources. Our camp is set near chor nallah at the Rola Kholi campsite. This night is the night of wonder under a sky breaking into a zillion stars!
Day 3: Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake back to Rola Kholi
Today’s is an out and out landscape change from all of what we have experienced in the days before! Starting off way early in the morn we traverse a distance of 10 kilometers in approx 7-8 hours on a steep and massively stony path. The verdant meadows of the last two days feel like a dream but this landscape is no less captivating, and gets all the more refreshing in the cool mountain climate. Till June, you can expect this course post Rola Khuli to be covered in snow. From mid-July on, the gradients of brown, green, and white gets prominent as the snow melts off. On the last leg of the trail, it’s highly advisable to go slow and not hurry at all as the path is ridden with scree and slippery boulders. The alpine lake becomes visible between the two ridges that we reach at the end of the last boulder-bound lap. Be it high winters or the beginning of summer, the lake is never entirely frozen. This is an incidence attributed to the power of Sage Bhrigu of the ancient myths to whom this lake is named. From the high belt surrounding the lake, you can catch a istant glimpse of the Solang Valley nestling far away and on a clear day, the sky lights up with the splendid peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar range.
Day 4: Rola Kholi to Gulaba drive to Manali
Today we trek back the same treaded path through the delicious green meadows in one long sweep to Gulaba which will take approx 2 to 3 hours, and back from there to Manali by car, we will reach Manali in between 2 to 3 pm. Note: There is an alternate return route to Manali via Vashisht and Pandu Ropa from the Bhrigu Lake site, but we find this path more relaxing and sustainable for a soothing green trek.
How to reach?
By Air :-
Bhuntar, which is 52 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Taxi services are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs about Rs. 700- Rs1000. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air. The airliners that take you to this Airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher airlines, MDLR Airlines and Jagson Airlines, operating flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu.
By Road:-
Manali is well connected to Delhi. Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali. Tickets can be booked online at www.redbus.in or www.hrtc.gov.in, Tip: Since Delhi Manali is a long journey most Volvo private buses leave Delhi between 5 pm and 6 pm. The last govt bus leaves at 8.30 pm from ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Manali to Delhi Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journeys only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delays.
Note:- Trekkers need to take only those VOVO buses which reach Manali till 11.00am on first day. Our reporting time is 12.00pm at Manali but in-case you will not able to reach at meeting /briefing time, either we will transfer your seat to our any next batch or we will cancel your trek, so please double check your bus time with your bus transporter.
What is included?
1. Accommodation. (Camping)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ Egg)
3. Trek equipments: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dinning tent, toilet tent, utensils and crampon (if required)
4. All necessary permits and entry fees.
5. First aid medical kits, stretcher and oxygen cylinder.
6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
7. Transport from Manali to Manali
8. TTH Staff insurance
9. Mules to carry the central luggage
What is excluded?
1. Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Food during the transit.
3. Insurance.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
5. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head
Note :
Normally TTH expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule.
Charges of offloading backpack:-
INR 1200/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance
INR 1500/- if you inform us after reaching Manali
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. Backpack should have waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/ bags will not be allowed.
Booking and cancellation policy
Paying the Trek /Tour fee:
The fee can be paid by online transfer/Check deposit/Cash deposit/Demand draft. Instruction for
payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. When your transfer is done, please
e-mail us a confirmation mail with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation efficiently.
Cancellation terms:
For the cancellation of services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, Trek The Himalayas must
be notified of the same in writing at info@trekthehimalayas.com. At the time we receive your
written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Get 95% cash refund
•100% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Get 70% cash refund
•100% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•85% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip:
Refund options
•Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch
•Get 50% cash refund
•80% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•70% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek:
Refund options
•Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend
•No cash refund
•20% cash voucher for same trip till one year
•10% cash voucher for any trip till one year
Note: 1. Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch
2. In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by TTH
3. TTH holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice
4. Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
Cash Voucher Terms:
• This is a non transferable voucher
• The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas
• The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India
• To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id
• All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher
• Trek The Himalayas holds rights to add/remove any of the Terms and Conditions without prior notice
Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. "Trek The Himalayas" reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which TTH or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. TTH reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
Essentials for the trek
Fitness requirements
Fitness regime recommendation
Maps
FAQs