Himachali Guide
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A short trek to a sacred alpine lake at 4,300 m, through some of the widest meadows in Himachal.
Duration
4 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
4,300 m
Distance
23 km
Bhrigu Lake at a glance
The Bhrigu Lake trek is a 4-day moderate trek in Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,300 m over about 23 km. It starts from Gulaba, with pickup in Manali. The best time to go is May to October. Guided departures with Himachali Guide start from ₹8,500 per person.
Bhrigu Lake sits in a bowl above the tree line at 4,300 metres, named after the sage Bhrigu who is said to have meditated on its shore. You get into big mountain country very quickly on this trek. Within an hour of leaving the Gulaba roadhead you are on open grassland, with the Pir Panjal range all along the horizon.
The meadows above Rola Kholi are among the largest in Himachal, grazed by Gaddi flocks in summer and white with snow until late June. The lake itself is frozen into June and turns a deep blue by August, ringed by snow patches and the peaks of Hanuman Tibba and the Seven Sisters.
At four days this is a trek you can fit into a long weekend from Delhi or Chandigarh, but do not take the altitude lightly. We keep the climb gradual and spend two nights at Rola Kholi so your body can adjust before the lake day.
4 days · tap a day to expand
Meet in Manali at 9 am and drive an hour up the Rohtang road to Gulaba. A short climb through oak and birch forest opens onto the Jonker Thatch meadow camp.
A gentle ascent across wide grassland with the Pir Panjal in view all day. Rola Kholi is a shepherd camp beside a stream, your base for the lake.
An early start up a steep ridge, then a long traverse over moraine and snow patches to the lake at 4,300 m. Spend time at the shore before descending to Rola Kholi.
Walk down through the meadows and forest to Gulaba and drive to Manali, arriving by mid afternoon.
It is a good first high-altitude trek if you are reasonably fit. The distances are short but the climb from Rola Kholi to the lake is steep and at altitude. Prepare with regular brisk walks or jogging for a month beforehand.
The lake is usually frozen until mid June and clear from July to October. May and June treks see snow on the upper meadows, which many people love; September and October give the clearest views.
Nights at Rola Kholi are around 0 to 5 degrees in summer and below freezing in May and October. We provide sleeping bags rated for these temperatures; bring a good padded jacket and thermals.
We take children aged 12 and above who have done a day hike before, accompanied by a parent. Please mention ages in your enquiry so we can advise.
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