New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon
New Groups Opened to our latest Ranthan Kharak trek in Kumaon

Difficulty

Moderate | Level 1

Duration

4 Days

Highest Altitude

12,772 ft

Age

8 to 62 years

Duration

4 Days

Age

8 to 62 years

Difficulty

Moderate | Level 1

Highest Altitude

12,772 ft

Beas Kund Trek

A Trek to the Source of River Beas with Terrific Mountain Views

Beas Kund has always been a famous trek around Manali.  After all, it takes you right to the source of the river that flows through the town. (You might have followed the very same river upstream while getting into Manali!)

But one of the reasons trekkers loves this trek is the setting. Picture this: Lush green grasslands flourish below the summits of the three biggest mountains around Manali. And hidden in these grasslands is the emerald lake out of which the river Beas emerges.

The contrasting sight of this serene water body nestled in between jagged mountain peaks of the Pir Panjal range adds to the beauty of his setting.

Standing here, there is also a keen sense of being near the source of the raging river you see in the valley below. This emerald kund branches off into streams, tumbling waterfalls right until it converges into the boiling Beas river.

As is the case with every river that feeds a civilisation or settlements surrounding it, the Beas Kund is also associated with a legend.

It is believed that Rishi Vyas, who wrote the Mahabharata took his daily bath in this lake. The term Beas Kund may have been derived from Vyas, the sage; and Kund, a lake.

This combination of big snowy summits towering above you, the greenery of the grasslands, and the lake draw everyone to this trek.

While this trek can be done by beginners, we would advise preparation. The climb from around 8000 ft at the beginning of the trek to over 12,000 ft is no mean feat.

Beas Kund Trek Videos

Watch these videos to prepare for your Beas Kund trek.

Quick Itinerary

Day 1

Drive from Manali to Dhundi. Trek from Dhundi to Palchhani Thatch 

Drive Distance: 14 km | Drive Duration: 1.5 hours | Transport Cost: Rs 3,300 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers
Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour
Altitude Gain: 9,317 ft to 10,134 ft

Leave from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 8.00 am. (Best way to reach Manali: Fly to Chandigarh. Take a bus from Chandigarh to Manali) En route, drop off your cloakroom bag, and collect your rentals. You reach your first campsite by 2.30 pm and have lunch there.

Day 2

Palchhani Thatch to Lohali

Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 10,134 ft to 11,050 ft

Moderate to steep ascent throughout the trek. 

Day 3

Lohali to Beas Kund and Lady Leg. Trek to Bakarthatch/Lohali

Trek distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

Altitude gain: 11050 ft to 12,772 ft and back

Steep ascent all the way to the summit.

Day 4

Bakarthatch/Lohali to Dhundi. Drive back to Manali  

Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Altitude loss: 11050 ft to 9,317 ft

Easy. Mostly descending. Drive back cost: Rs 2,800 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

You will be back in Manali by 1 pm.. Book a return flight/train ticket from Chandigarh or Delhi. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Delhi on Day 4.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

IMPORTANT POINTS

  • Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek.
  • Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

    Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

Pickup and Drop from Manali – We will pick you up from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 8 am. The transport cost will be Rs. 3300 to be shared by trekkers.

Return Travel

You will be back in Manali by 1 pm. Book a return flight/train ticket from Chandigarh or Delhi. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Delhi on Day 4.      

Day 1

Drive from Manali to Dhundi. Trek from Dhundi to Palchhani Thatch 

Drive Distance: 14 km | Drive Duration: 1.5 hours | Transport Cost: Rs 3,300 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers
Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour
Altitude Gain: 9,317 ft to 10,134 ft

Leave from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 8.00 am. (Best way to reach Manali: Fly to Chandigarh. Take a bus from Chandigarh to Manali) En route, drop off your cloakroom bag, and collect your rentals. You reach your first campsite by 2.30 pm and have lunch there.

Day 2

Palchhani Thatch to Lohali

Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 10,134 ft to 11,050 ft

Moderate to steep ascent throughout the trek. 

Day 3

Lohali to Beas Kund and Lady Leg. Trek to Bakarthatch/Lohali

Trek distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

Altitude gain: 11050 ft to 12,772 ft and back

Steep ascent all the way to the summit.

Day 4

Bakarthatch/Lohali to Dhundi. Drive back to Manali  

Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Altitude loss: 11050 ft to 9,317 ft

Easy. Mostly descending. Drive back cost: Rs 2,800 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

You will be back in Manali by 1 pm.. Book a return flight/train ticket from Chandigarh or Delhi. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Delhi on Day 4.

Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Please note that you will be staying in tents on all days of the trek.

Trekkers must carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek. Please note: Twin sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

Pickup and Drop from Manali – We will pick you up from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 8 am. The transport cost will be Rs. 3300 to be shared by trekkers.

Return Travel

You will be back in Manali by 1 pm. Book a return flight/train ticket from Chandigarh or Delhi. Do not book plane tickets to your hometown from Delhi on Day 4.      

Campsites at a Glance

At Indiahikes, we are very particular about choosing terrific campsites. For the Beas Kund trek too, after a lot of back and forth, we have settled on these terrific campsites, which trekkers have come to love.

Palchhani Thatch Campsite. It's the best campsite for the sunrise, with the view of seven sisters and Mt. hanuman. Picture by Jothiranjan

Lady leg view from Lohali Campsite. Picture by Jothiranjan

Lohali is another place before the Beas Kund where you can camp. Picture by Akhil Menon

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Beas Kund trek.

What I Like About the Beas Kund Trek

What I Like About Beas Kund Trek

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Beas Kund trek.

1. An Amphitheatre of Big Mountains

The Beas Kund trail offers you close, base-to-summit views of big mountains of Manali like Friendship Peak, Shitidhar, Ladakhi and Hanuman Tibba. This is just within four days of trekking! These kinds of views of a mountain are usually gifts given to mountaineers and hardcore trekkers –  after days of rigorous trekking. 

No wonder mountaineering institutes establish their base camp on this trail to train aspiring mountaineers in snow and ice craft.  On a clear day, you’ll also be able to spot Mt Indrasen, Deo Tibba and more peaks from the Pir Panjal range.

Mt. Hanuman Tibba as seen from Beas Kund trek. Photo by Akhil Menon

2. The grasslands of Bakarthach and Dhundhi

Just below these tall mountains are the big grasslands of Bakarthach and Dhundhi. Bakarthach is a shepherd’s field, filled with grazing sheep and bovine. Tiny streams spread around this lush meadow. It is a marvellous expanse of greenery! Dhundhi, on the other hand, is the grassland you camp on at the beginning of your trek. At this campsite, you see the Beas River tumbling noisily on one side and a plethora of blooming flowers on the other.

Flowers are blowing in meadows at Lohali campsite. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Trekking In Ancient Deodar Forests

Just five minutes into the trail, ancient deodar trees rise, creating a dense coniferous forest. They are so tall that you’ll not be able to see the treetops even if you crane your neck. You can also spot pine and maple trees. It’s hard to believe that this place is just 15 km from the bustling town of Manali.

The trail towards forests of Deodhar. Picture by Jothiranjan

Picture by: Jothiranjan

Towards Beas summit.

Know Your Trek

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Beas Kund trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

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PRO TIPS

Why Fitness Matters on Beas Kund Trek

On Moderate treks, you walk for about 6-8 km each day. The ascents and descents could get steep. The maximum altitude will range between 13,000 ft to 14,000 ft. You’ll come across tricky patches frequently (like snow or scree), which require you to navigate with a certain amount of caution. There might also be small stream/river crossings.

Your goal is to 5 km with an intention to finish within 35 minutes.

Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of registration.

Leaving Mountains Better

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1 lakh kilos of waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too.

Available Dates