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 2

Duration

4 Days

Highest Altitude

14,009 ft

Age

8 to 62 years

Duration

4 Days

Age

8 to 62 years

Difficulty

Moderate | Level 2

Highest Altitude

14,009 ft

Bhrigu Lake Trek

The Prettiest Grassland Trek in Himachal

A lot of trekkers do the Bhrigu Lake trek for the lake is steeped in mythology. This trek lies in Himachal Pradesh, around 20 km north of Manali and can be accessed from Gulaba.

It is known as the place where the famous saint Maharishi Bhrigu sat in deep meditation. However, we believe the lake is not the only thing the trek has to offer. You must do the Bhrigu Lake trek for its grasslands.

To enter an alpine meadow in our country, one has to often spend at least a day or two trekking within the treeline. We are talking about two or three days of hard ascent. This is because most alpine meadows start at around 11,000 ft above the treeline.

However, on this trek, you are in the meadows within the first 10 minutes of this trek! Imagine having meadows such as these right in your backyard. No wonder we go gaga over landscapes that are seen in places like Switzerland.

The meadows on the Bhrigu Lake trek stretch far and wide – almost like an endless carpet. Wild horses gallop around you. The grazing sheep look up when you come out of the treeline, almost as if to greet you.

From these grassy knolls, you will see the mountains of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar dominating the skyline.

This is your garden in the sky. From July to September, you’ll see the meadows at their lushest green. You’ll spot wildflowers everywhere.

The meadows change texture, shape, and colour but stay with you all along the trek – right until Bhrigu Lake. This is what makes the trek special. Getting a chance to be in such alpine meadows all along a trek is a rare opportunity.

(Read: A Photostory of the Surreal Bhrigu Lake Trek)

This four-day trek gives you a good idea of what Himalayan treks offer – meadows, glacial lakes and mountain views. Even though it is a short trek, it climbs to the daunting altitude of 14,000 ft so you experience the thrill of a climb as well.

With its easy access from Manali, it is a great trek to do for beginners or families looking to explore the wilderness.

Bhrigu Lake Trek Videos

Watch these videos to prepare for your Bhrigu Lake trek.

Quick Itinerary

Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Brighu Lake trek.

Day 1

Arrive at Manali. Drive from Manali to Gulaba Roadhead, and Trek to Jonker Thatch

Drive Distance: 24 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour | Transport Cost: Rs 3,300 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,725 ft to 10,285 ft

Leave from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 11.30 AM to Gulaba. En route, drop your cloakroom bag and collect your rentals. You reach your first campsite by 3.00 PM. (Note: Finish your lunch before reaching Gulaba on this day.)

Day 2

Trek from Jonker Thatch to Rola Kholi

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,285 ft to 12,590 ft

Moderate. Steep ascent throughout followed by an undulating walk for the last 30 minutes.

Day 3

Trek from Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake, and back to Rola Kholi

Trek Distance: 10 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12,590 ft to 14,009 ft and back

Moderate. Starts on a stony trail. Initial ascent for 2 hours followed by 10 minutes descent. Level walk for 15 minutes followed by an hour’s steep ascent to the lake.

Day 4

Trek from Rola Kholi to Gulaba. Drive back to Manali

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,590 ft to 9,875 ft

Drive back cost: Rs 2,800 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

Easy. Mostly descending. You are expected to reach Manali by 3.30 PM.

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

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent on all days.

- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.

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.

Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Brighu Lake trek.

PRO-TIPS

Onward Travel

Reach Chandigarh or Delhi a day before Day 1 on the itinerary. Book a bus/taxi to Manali that is likely to reach before or by 9 am on Day 1. We will pick you up from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 11.30 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. Plan your travel out of Delhi the next day.      

Day 1

Arrive at Manali. Drive from Manali to Gulaba Roadhead, and Trek to Jonker Thatch

Drive Distance: 24 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour | Transport Cost: Rs 3,300 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 6,725 ft to 10,285 ft

Leave from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 11.30 AM to Gulaba. En route, drop your cloakroom bag and collect your rentals. You reach your first campsite by 3.00 PM. (Note: Finish your lunch before reaching Gulaba on this day.)

Day 2

Trek from Jonker Thatch to Rola Kholi

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,285 ft to 12,590 ft

Moderate. Steep ascent throughout followed by an undulating walk for the last 30 minutes.

Day 3

Trek from Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake, and back to Rola Kholi

Trek Distance: 10 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12,590 ft to 14,009 ft and back

Moderate. Starts on a stony trail. Initial ascent for 2 hours followed by 10 minutes descent. Level walk for 15 minutes followed by an hour’s steep ascent to the lake.

Day 4

Trek from Rola Kholi to Gulaba. Drive back to Manali

Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,590 ft to 9,875 ft

Drive back cost: Rs 2,800 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers

Easy. Mostly descending. You are expected to reach Manali by 3.30 PM.

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

- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

- On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent on all days.

- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.

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

Reach Chandigarh or Delhi a day before Day 1 on the itinerary. Book a bus/taxi to Manali that is likely to reach before or by 9 am on Day 1. We will pick you up from Shuru Homestay, Manali at 11.30 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. Plan your travel out of Delhi the next day.      

Latest Photos

Trekking in monsoon does not mean trekking in rains. To drive the point home, here are some photos from the latest Bhrigu Lake trek. These are shared by trekker Jignesh Chauhan. The group had lovely sunshine, blue skies as they trekked to the highest campsite Rola Kholi (12,590 ft). As you browse through the photos, notice how clouds are settled on the jagged Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. You see these mountains right in front of your camp!

Clouds settled on the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Notice the conical shape of Mt. Hanuman Tibba as it stands out.

The trail to Rola Kholi climbs relentlessly. But it's a refreshing trek, through lush green meadows, under the blue skies with soft cotton clouds.

As you gain altitude, notice how the meadows change its colour, texture.

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Bhrigu Lake trek. Arjun is an entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trails, solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking.

What I Like and Don't Like About the Bhrigu Lake Trek

What I Like About the Bhirgu Lake Trek

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Here is Arjun Majumdar, Founder and CEO of Indiahikes talking about the Bhrigu Lake trek. Arjun is an entrepreneur by profession and a trekker by passion, Arjun started Indiahikes in 2008 with a vision to explore and document new trails, solve problems in the mountains and implement sustainable ways of trekking.

1. The rolling, textured grasslands of Bhrigu Lake

Here, the grasslands stretched in lovely undulating green dunes as far as the eye could see; perhaps even beyond. It was special.

I hadn’t seen something like this: the meadows changed texture and colour with every altitude gained. What started as a short, bright, but coarse carpet turned a rich, succulent green as we climbed.

At one point we stopped for a short snack break. I took off my shoes and felt the velvet touch of the immaculate lushness under my feet. The moist softness and the deeply aromatic smell still stay with me.

Vast open grasslands on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Photo by Avinash

2. The commanding views from Rola Kholi

I loved walking through the cauldron that is called Rola Kholi. We did not stop there and pitched our tent on a ledge jutting out from the walls of the cauldron. I could not have asked for a more commanding view of the mountains of the Pir Panjal range.

Early in the morning, I walked up the gently sloping banks around Rola Kholi. The sun lit up the grassland in bright yellowish streaks and cotton wool clouds hung in the air below me.

In front of Mt Hanuman Tibba, Ladaki Peak, and Friendship Peak, the summits of Lahaul stretched out. It was just us and the abundance of a teeming, flourishing grassland. I had underrated the trek.

View of Mt Hanuman Tibba, Ladaki Peak and Friendship Peak from Rola Kholi campsite. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Reflection of mountains in Bhrigu Lake from a high point

When I climbed a bit higher over the banks of the Bhrigu lake, I saw the mountain ranges reflected on the waters of the lake. Clouds hung below us and we were almost looking at the lake as it hung out of the air. We were at 14,000 feet. I couldn’t believe we were that high!

Bhrigu Lake reflecting the scenic beauty around it. Photo by Subhashis Pal

4. Stunning green valley on the other side

We were early to the lake, so we went beyond, towards Pandurupa. It is not too far, perhaps half an hour on the other side. 

I had fallen in love with the trek, but I should have waited. 

The other side was equally stunning. A wide green valley stretched below us. Green grassy mountainsides rise out of the valley and a line of forest way down below. I wish we could trek this side too. But I knew the trail was long and winding. We couldn’t camp in between. Reluctantly, we made our way back to the lake.  

I had not expected much out of the Bhrigu lake trek. I didn’t think a trek right out of Manali could be so grand. I wish I was not so full of my image set. Bhrigu Lake is one of the best grassland treks that I have done in my life.

Lush green meadows on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Picture by the Indiahikes Team

What I Don't Like About the Bhirgu Lake Trek

1. Bhrigu Lake is less appealing

The lake didn’t appeal to me much. It was a bit of a downer after the exhilaration of the climb and the stunning scenery around.

I expected the lake to be larger, with a grassy bank around it. There wasn’t. It had a muddy bank. A few local folks were even taking a dip in its water. That killed the setting. Perhaps my overfed imagination expected too much.

Walking on lush green meadows and seeing snow-capped mountains are a daily affair on the Bhrigu Lake trek.

Picture by: Gatreddi Avinash

En Route Bhrigu lake

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 Bhrigu Lake 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

Campsites at a Glance

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

Jonker Thatch campsite gives you the best sunrise views, along with Seven Sister Peaks and Mt Hanuman Tibba. Picture by Jothiranjan

Wildflowers bloom everywhere in the latter half of July and at the beginning of August near Jonker Thatch. Picture by Jothiranjan

Rola Kholi Campsite is situated just below Bhrigu Lake, which gives excellent views of the mountains to one side, and snow-covered meadows on the other. Picture by Avinash

Why fitness matters on the Bhrigu Lake Trek

On a trek like Bhrigu Lake 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.

To prepare well, you should be able to run comfortably for 5 km within 35 minutes.

If you are above the age of 58 years, you’ll need to submit a Treadmill Test (not older than 12 months) within a week of completing your trek registration.

Trek Trivia

Things Nobody Tells You About Bhrigu Lake

The Story of Bhrigu Lake

Maharishi Bhrigu, who was one of the famous Saptarishis, sat and meditated beside the Bhrigu Lake.

The setting of the lake, resting between two high-altitude ridges, does seem perfect for silence and inward reflection. Moreover, from here you can see the grand Himalayan ranges too. Right in front of you, there are Pir Pinjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Also, major peaks such as Indrasen, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba stand majestically before you.

It is believed that the sacred meditations of Maharishi Bhrigu have purified the lake and the space around it. This is a holy lake for the locals, and to protect its sanctity, camping close to the lake is prohibited.

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.

Leaving Mountains Better

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

What Safety Means To Us At Indiahikes

Ever since Indiahikes entered the trekking scenario, we have been extremely conscious about bringing in big safety changes to Indian trekking. We have been focusing on three aspects -- the people, the processes and the equipment that help increase safety in the trekking industry.

For instance, we brought micro-spikes into the Indian trekking scene when most people were walking on snow with canvas shoes. We brought to use pulse oximeters to monitor one’s oxygen saturation. We introduced health data tracking on our treks to keep track of daily vitals and study them -- oxygen, pulse and blood pressure.

This film, made by Dhaval Jajal, Head of Film Making at Indiahikes, gives you a glimpse at what safety truly means to us at Indiahikes.

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