Aswati Anand is a journalist in love with the Himalayas. She is interested in stories of resilience from difficult terrains and sustainable living. When not mooning over the mountains, she can be seen doodling in her sketchbook.

What are the best Himalayan treks for beginners? If you’ve ever had questions about this, this episode is for you. Swathi sits with Vishal, a senior Trek Leader at Indiahikes, to find out the trek that would be the best fit for beginners.

Watch the first part of the episode below

To give you a brief of what Vishal has to say, here are the Perfect Himalayan Trek For Beginners

If you are looking to challenge yourself after your first trek, trek leader Vishal lists out the next set of treks you can try. Watch the second part of the episode here.

In this Trek with Swathi episode, Swathi sits with senior Trek Leader Vishal to find out the best treks for beginners in India.

What are the Best Himalayan Treks for Beginners?

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.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Watch these videos to prepare for your Bhrigu Lake trek.

- 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.

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 Rambaugh Circle, Manali at 12.30 PM. 

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.      

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.

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.

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 Don't Like About the Bhirgu Lake Trek

Bhrigu Lake Trek is Best Discovered Through Pictures

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.

Concerning the above criteria, Bhrigu Lake is a moderate trek on a difficulty level ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Manali which is at an altitude of 6,725 ft and reach an altitude of 14,009 ft in a matter of 4 days.

The trail is a steady ascent to the lake. It tests your endurance during the final climb to Bhrigu Lake.

This makes the trek a moderate one. It is a good trek for fit first-timers.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider a number of factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of trek everyday, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

Bhrigu Lake is a high-altitude trek and it can be done for almost four months in a year. The very best time would be between June and September. You can extend it to the end of October.

Senior Trek Leader, Nitesh Kumar says, "Early in the season when I was there, the lake was completely frozen. The lake was surrounded by snow. Slowly as the season progressed I saw the lake melting. Later into the season, in August you see the deep blue water in Bhrigu Lake. During this time, flowers are blooming all around the lake."

In May you will find a lot of snow during your final ascent to Bhrigu lake. This makes it difficult to reach the lake. So, it’s advisable to trek to Bhrigu Lake between June and September.

The terrain changes colours and texture even during this window which ideally begins from mid-June.

At the beginning of the season, around mid-June, you will find a lot of snow at Rola Kholi. The trek is just starting to emerge from the snow. During this time, you will find many traces of winter lingering on the trek.

The most prominent being a frozen Bhrigu Lake, surrounded by snow. The ice begins to thaw only as July descends.

Even though the meadows are a highlight of this trek, they emerge only as the monsoon season deepens.

Presence of snow: Despite it being summers, expect snow patches on the ground.

Day time: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 1 °C and 5 °C. 

No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers

As the season progresses into July, the blanket of snow starts lifting. You still find some snow on your final ascend to Bhrigu Lake, especially in early July, but most snow on the trek has melted.

The frozen Bhrigu Lake has also started melting in small concentric circles. Parts of it are still icy, but the ice is thinning. Meadows around the lake also start emerging as you pass mid-July.

Now, the monsoon is also at its peak. Rains become frequent and clouds usually glide in unannounced shrouding the lake and the trail. You get to see a beautiful dance of clouds when at Rola Kholi.

Presence of snow: Snow starts melting away as we move into August. You will still find snow closer to Bhrigu Lake.

Like a climax, the last leg of the season is set up on a grand stage with lush meadows.

The snow is gone. Bhrigu Lake flaunts a deep royal blue colour with green grass and flowers blooming around it. It is a sight to behold.

Monsoon is receding now and blue skies have started peeping out. It’s a great time to catch the arresting views of the underrated mountains of Himachal Pradesh.

When you camp at Rola Kholi, you see the Dhauladhar range rising tall with the seven sisters, Hanuman Tibba, Mt Manali, and Shitidhar among many others. These views sparkle under the brilliant blue sky as autumn emerges in September.

Presence of snow: The snow is gone, and the terrain is replaced with lush greenery.

Day time: Between 12 °C and 15 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 0 °C and 3 °C. 

No. of warm layers required: 4 warm layers

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to Gulaba. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Bhrigu Lake trek.    

Dolo 650 (4 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (3 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food that you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (5 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known issues of knee pain.

Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

Disclaimer certificate. This is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during the registration at the base camp - Download the PDF

Medical certificate. There are two sections in this. The first part must be filled by a practising doctor. The second part must be filled by you. Without the medical certificate, the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes - Download PDF

Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet.

Bhrigu Lake requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.

| Buying Tip: The Trek series and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean.

For a trek like Bhrigu Lake, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from. 

| Rental: The 48-litre backpack by Adventure Worx is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.

Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Buying Tip: You can get dry-fit T-shirts from Decathlon. Also, stores like Reliance Trends and Max have dry-fit T-shirts. They don’t usually cost much.

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 14,065 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 2 insulation layers for this trek.

You will need 1 pair of inner thermals, 2 light fleece layers or 1 thick fleece layer. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

1 Outer Layer: For your outer layer, a padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

| Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.  

| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter.

A minimum of one pair and a maximum of two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry one just in case it rains/snows. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon even in the cold climate.

| Buying Tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks.

| Track pants or Trek pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants -- so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup. 

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek.

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Bhrigu Lake without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first. 

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection. 

| Wearing Tip: Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| Buying Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.  

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens. Read this article for more guidance on managing contact lenses on treks.

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance. 

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

On a trek like Bhrigu Lake, you’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.   

Ensure these cover your head. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. If you get a woollen cap that only covers your head, you will need a neck warmer or a woollen scarf.

Apart from three to four pairs of sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry.

As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the Bhrigu Lake trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles. 

| Buying tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you.

| Rental: Headlamps are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Bhrigu Lake trek, there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and (partially) your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing. 

| Pro Tip: Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.  

| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic.  

| Pro tip: It's good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

Some trekkers opt to offload their bags to a mule on the Bhrigu Lake trek. While we do not encourage this practice, in case you opt for offloading, then carrying a daypack is mandatory. In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites. 

A daypack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not daypacks. Do not get them. 

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics -- toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro Tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

| Pro Tip: Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Bhrigu Lake. 

| For Women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. You can use your pads, tampons or menstrual cups on the trek. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.  

| Pro Tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. 

| Two 1 litre bottles or a 2-litre hydration pack: Bhrigu Lake has many hours of trekking every day (approximately 6 hours). You need to carry two one-litre water bottles to keep yourself hydrated over the distance. If you are used to a hydration pack, then that is ok too. If one among the two bottles is a lightweight thermos, then that helps you to store warm water on a really cold day or for late evenings and early mornings.   

| Rental: You could rent lightweight thermos flasks from the Indiahikes store.

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bhrigu Lake

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched safety standards.

Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions

Things Nobody Tells You About Bhrigu Lake

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.

Trekkers share their experience with Indiahikes

Here are the unedited reviews by trekkers

As industry leaders, we have innovated and set safety standards in the trekking industry. Our people, our processes, and our equipment are what make Indiahikes the safest trekking organisation in India.

Complete the steps below to register for your Bhrigu Lake Trek

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end.

Complete information on the Bhrigu Lake trek. Trek details, itinerary, reviews, cost, maps, photos, videos and more.

Bhrigu Lake Trek 2022 - Treks In Himachal Pradesh - Indiahikes

Bhrigu Lake Vhrigu Bhrigu Brighu Brigu Brigh

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.

Watch these videos to prepare for your Beas Kund trek.

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.

Pickup and Drop from Manali – We will pick you up from Rambaugh Circle, Manali at 10 am.

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

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.

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

Beas Kund is Best Discovered Through Pictures

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.

The Beas Kund trek is classified as an easy-moderate trek. You start from an altitude of 8,156 ft at Solang Valley and you reach the highest point of 12,772 ft at the lake at Beas Kund.

This means you gain around 4,616 ft over just three days of trekking.

This can make the trek quite demanding. Before you get on the trail, we'll ensure you're fit enough to do the trek by checking your fitness level. We need your help with this.

Beas Kund is a safe trek to do. Provided you have done your research, prepared well and are well-equipped and carrying the necessary trekking gear.

Indiahikes stands for safety. One of the big reasons why thousands of people choose to trek with Indiahikes every year is because of the safety that Indiahikes bring in. We have pioneered safety systems in India. And we are known across the trekking world as the safest organisation to trek with.

Most modern safety processes that you see on treks today have been brought in by Indiahikes. You will notice how these systems, processes, and people keep you extremely safe on the Beas Kund trek. You will notice our concern for safety in every small interaction with you -- in our WhatsApp messages, in our emails, and even in our phone conversations.

We do not take safety lightly. Neither must you.

Spend time reading this page in great detail. It contains information that will keep you safe on the Beas Kund trek.

Being mentally prepared for the trek is as important as being physically prepared to stay safe. For this, it is crucial to have a clear mental picture of the trek.

At the beginning of the season, around mid-June, you will find a lot of snow at Palchhani Thatch. The trek is just starting to emerge from the snow. During this time, you will find many traces of winter lingering on the trek.

The most prominent being a frozen Beas Kund, surrounded by snow. The ice begins to thaw only as July descends.

Number of warm layers recommended in Summer

As the season progresses into July, the blanket of snow starts lifting. You still find some snow on your final ascend to Beas Kund, especially in early July, but most snow on the trek has melted.

The frozen Beas Kund has also started melting in small concentric circles. Parts of it are still icy, but the ice is thinning. Meadows around the lake also start emerging as you pass mid-July.

Now, the monsoon is also at its peak. Rains become frequent and clouds usually glide in unannounced shrouding the lake and the trail. 

Number of warm layers recommended Monsoon

The snow is gone. Beas Kund flaunts a deep royal blue colour with green grass and flowers blooming around it. It is a sight to behold.

When you camp at Lohali, you see the Dhauladhar range rising tall with the seven sisters, Hanuman Tibba, Mt Manali, and Shitidhar among many others. These views sparkle under the brilliant blue sky as autumn emerges in September.

Number of warm layers recommended in Autumn

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Carry on the medication until you descend to the base. Being on a preventive course of Diamox greatly reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Beas Kund trek.    

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever, mild pain

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking.  Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

| Pro tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.   

Beas Kund Trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, has good grip, has ankle support and can handle snow. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

For a trek like Beas Kund, you need a 30-40 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack. 

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 15,000 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.

| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter.

What are the Best Himalayan Treks for Beginners?

To give you a brief of what Vishal has to say, here are the Perfect Himalayan Trek For Beginners

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