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TREK DIFFICULTY

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SUITABLE FOR

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 tree line. 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. In July, you'll see the meadows covered with a blanket of snow, from August to September, they will be 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.

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.

Did you know that entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo and his team wariCrew recently completed the Bhrigu Lake trek in July 2024? Their objective was to come together as a team and they picked an adventure as a medium to do so. Click here to learn more about our unique experiential learning programs for schools, colleges and corporates at the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.  

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.

Watch these videos to prepare for your Bhrigu Lake trek.

Study this map to learn about Bhrigu Lake trek route, itinerary, campsites, terrain and more.

- 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 2 in a tent on all days.

- We have a cloakroom facility available at the basecamp for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge. Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. (The luggage could be a backpack/suitcase/duffel bag or anything similar.).

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 Beas Bridge, Manali at 10.00 AM. The transport cost will be Rs. 3500 per vehicle (5-6 trekkers) 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. Plan your travel out of Delhi the next day.      

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

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. Quick climb in altitude is for fit trekkers. Unfit ones are more prone to symptoms of AMS. 

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 summer, 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: 4 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.

No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers

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. 

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: There are two sections in this. The first part is a personal medical record.  The second part is a legal requirement. Download the PDF, read carefully, fill in and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during registration at the base camp. – Download disclaimer certificate

Medical certificate: The medical certificate needs to be filled out by an MBBS doctor, without which the forest department will not issue permissions for your trek. It is also a requirement by Indiahikes – Download medical certificate

Note: Indiahikes has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekmedicalcertificates@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.

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.

Before you purchase any gear, make sure you visit the Crosstrek Rental store, where you can get custom-made high quality gear at 5% of the buying cost.

You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 1400 for the entire duration of your trek. Visit our Crosstrek Rentals store here.

Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.

Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)

Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)

Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent)
- 3 layers if you're trekking in spring, summer and monsoon (1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 4 layers if you're trekking in autumn (1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)
- 5 layers if you're trekking in winter (1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 2 fleece, 1 padded jacket)

3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)

2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)

Sun cap, preferably with flaps (Available for purchase)

Waterproof gloves (Available for purchase)

Woollen socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)

Rain jacket + pants / poncho (Poncho is available on rent)

Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)

Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)

Steel lunch box, spoon and a coffee mug (Lunch box is available on rent)

Two water bottles or Hydration Pack (Water bottles are available on rent)

Once you run through this list, don't miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.

Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Indiahikes practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.

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

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 35 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 35 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek.

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking.

Things Nobody Tells You About Bhrigu Lake

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Complete the steps below to register for your Bhrigu Lake Trek

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We have just announced 3 dates for a beautiful new trek in Kashmir. View details here.

A New Iconic Lake Trek In Kashmir - Tulian Lake

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

Bhrigu Lake Trek 2024 - Treks In Himachal Pradesh - Indiahikes

Bhrigu Lake Vhrigu Bhrigu Brighu Brigu Brigh b bh bri bhri bhr brig l la lak BL

A spectacular trek in the northernmost part of Kashmir

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes the point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India, which is why it is very unlike any other part of Kashmir. The topography changes totally even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. You will notice it in the trees especially. The trees are different, and so are the way they are laid out in the valley. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you to a very different landscape. Just like how it is when you cross the Rohtang Pass in Manali. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. We feel we are in a different locale even though we are in Kashmir.

The Gurez valley trek has astoundingly different forests, grasslands and two lovely lakes (and one we camp beside). The scenery is spectacularly unusual.

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkers along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping in carrying a few of the gears and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker. 

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

Use this section to learn about the Gurez Valley Trek. It has in-depth information about each trekking day, 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.

Study this map to know this trek at a glance

➤DIY Style of Trekking: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkres along with a trek leader are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker

➤Advisory Note: In case of emergencies, we will reroute treks to other trails. Please ensure you're mentally prepared in case such situations arise.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a photocopy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. This is required for trek permissions before and during the trek. 

➤Stay facility: You will be staying in tents on all days of the trek. Trekkers must make arrangements to stay in Srinagar at the end of the trek. 

➤Note for foreign trekkers: Gurez can not be done by foreign trekkers. Permissions are issued only for Indian citizens.

Advisory Note: There are often uncertainties regarding trekking in Kashmir. If you're planning any trek in Kashmir, ensure you book flexible flight tickets that allow you to reschedule your flight at no added costs. These are readily available with most airlines.


All your travel plans include a buffer day to accommodate bad weather on the trek/political instability. This depends entirely on the circumstances of the trek and the situation in Kashmir.

Nitesh is the Chief Explorer and one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has led & explored the most famous treks across our country, like Bodpathri Meadows and Gidara Bugyal. He is also the mastermind behind the design of the Gurez Valley Trek itinerary. Read what he has to say about the trek here.

Gurez Valley Trek, which climbs to 13,188 ft, is not too difficult. It is rated as 'Moderate Level 3'. The trek of Gurez Valley Trek is slightly more manageable compared to Bodpathri. However, the trek is more challenging compared to Tarsar Marsar. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days hovering at altitudes of around 12,000 feet on most of the days. You will be trekking for 7-8 km on average every day. 

But the trek has easy exits, and there are fewer technical sections.

The second factor in rating this trek under Moderate level 3 would be the boulder sections after Khaari Campsite & a steep descent towards Patalwansar II lake. You need good legs and a sense of control when navigating these sections. Trekkers who are not confident in placing their footing will find navigating and going swiftly through these boulder patches challenging. 

The last point would be the long descent on the 5th day of the trek n route to Dawar. You need to be careful about a few patch s of the descent. Having a trekking pole and knee cap (for those with knee niggles) helps. 

Is the Gurez Valley Trek Safe? The answer would be - Yes. Trekking to Gurez Valley is safe even though it lies in the remote trails of Kashmir, away from civilization. The reason for this is the strong presence of the army. There is a check post at Bandipora. There are army base camps even on the trail. Hence, there is tight security and it is safe to do this trek even if it lies very close to the border of Pakistan.

Coming back to the trail, 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. Quickly, here it is:

| Trek in a nutshell: On the Gurez Valley Trek, you go up to an altitude of 13,188 ft. The days are divided so that the altitude gain is not too much. However, you could be hit by AMS on any of these days. At Indiahikes, we believe that as long as you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can easily survive at high altitudes.

To do this effectively, let’s break down and examine various aspects of the Gurez Valley Trek from the perspective of safety:

The closest hospital to the Gurez Valley Trek

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

The best time to be on this trek is from the beginning of July to the middle of September. That’s the only time you can trek here. In all the other seasons, Kashmir trails are buried under snow.

This season brings up many questions in the mind of a trekker. Primarily because it is monsoon in the rest of the country, will it rain heavily on the trek? Well, most trails in Uttarakhand are shut during this time. But things are different in Kashmir.

If you observe the map, you see the Pir Panjal range separating Kashmir from the rest of the Indian subcontinent. This range is 288 km long and 40-50 km wide. It blocks most rain clouds from crossing over into the Kashmir Valley.

This divide determines the nature of precipitation and the vegetation in this rainshadow area. All of which stand very different from the rest of the country.

July to September is peak summer, transitioning to Autumn and the best time to trek in Kashmir. The landscape comes alive during this window. And even though the window is tight, you notice the landscape changing colour and texture as the months proceed.

This is peak summer in Kashmir. The upper reaches of the trek start crawling out of the snow blanket in July. It’s warm, and you experience light evening showers during this month.

The trail to Gurez Valley opens in the first week of July. Snow remains at higher altitudes. But the trek is more or less accessible.

As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month.

The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with alpine lakes that are still frozen in parts.

Presence of snow: Snow remains at higher altitudes. But the trek is more or less accessible. As the snow melts, colourful flowers start appearing on the meadows. You see flowers throughout the Kashmir trekking season. But the colours of these flowers vary based on the month. The landscape has lush green meadows punctuated with alpine lakes that are still frozen in parts. 

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 2 °C and 7 °C

No. of warm layers required: 3-4 warm layers

After mid-July, a robust trekking season begins in Gurez Valley. Expect bright sunny mornings with some evening showers. Rains are still mild compared to rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The trail is carpeted with green meadows everywhere. The best part is that these meadows are densely dotted with wildflowers!

Presence of snow: Most snow has melted by now. Frozen chunks of ice in Patalwansar I & II would have melted.

Day time temperature: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time temperature : Between 4 °C and 8 °C

Gurez Valley from mid-July to third week of August

After the end of August, cold sets in. Rains reduce, giving way to one of the best times to do the trek. The clouds part during this time of the year, and you witness brilliant blue skies. Their reflection deepens the blue of the alpine lakes.

Another stark change that happens in early September is the change in the colour of the meadows. The grass no longer retains the soft, fresh green tinge. The flowers change. And yet, there's a beauty to this change of tone.

We usually stop our trek after the second week of September. It turns colder, and the chances of snowfall increase. That raises the trek's difficulty, and crossing the pass is no longer possible. The trail on the other side becomes inaccessible.

Presence of snow: You can expect snowfall during the second week of September

Day time temperature: Between 14 °C and 18 °C | Night time temperature : Between 0 °C and 5 °C

Gurez Valley from Aug-end to second week of September

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medication 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). Being on a preventive course of Diamox dramatically reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Gurez Valley Trek

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again, part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

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

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

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the 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 knee pain issues.

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.

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 medication to your trek leader. Some medicines get distributed to villages on the trek, and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.  

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Either having an Aadhar card or passport will do. The forest department requires this for your identification. 

Keep essential 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. You need to show your ID card even while trekking at a couple of army check-posts. 

Gurez Valley Trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, good grip, ankle support, and can handle snow. You have a long distance to cover every day. Also, there is a bouldery section to cross after the Satsar campsite, along with a few stream crossings. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| Buying Tip: The Trek 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 are available for rent from the Crosstrek Rental store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean. Rent here - MH 100 and Trek 100.

For a trek like Gurez Valley, 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 55-litre backpack 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. Rent here.

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.)

| 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 13,850 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.

| 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 are available for rent at the Crosstrek Rental store. They are custom-made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter. Rent here.

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. 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 in case of small stream crossings/rain.

| 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 Gurez Valley 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. On a trek like Gurez Valley, Expect to walk on stretches of snow, especially during July. 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.

| 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.

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