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Himachali Guide
Kareri Lake trek
Dharamshala & Kangra Moderate Featured

Kareri Lake Trek

Three days through Gaddi villages and riverside forest to a shallow glacial lake at about 2,934 m in the Dhauladhar.

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Overview

Kareri Lake at a glance

The Kareri Lake trek is a 3-day moderate trek in Dharamshala & Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,934 m over about 26 km. It starts from Kareri village, with pickup in Dharamshala. The best time to go is April to June and September to November. Guided departures with Himachali Guide start from ₹5,500 per person.

Kareri Lake is a shallow, freshwater lake fed by snowmelt from the Minkiani pass, sitting at about 2,934 metres on the southern face of the Dhauladhar. A small Shiva temple stands on the ridge above its shore, and Gaddi shepherds bring their flocks up to the surrounding meadows each summer.

The trail starts from Kareri village, about an hour and a half by road from Dharamshala, and follows the Nyund stream upstream through pine, oak and rhododendron forest, crossing it on small bridges, past waterfalls and very clear pools. We camp at Reoti on the first night to break the climb.

The last stretch to the lake is rocky and not always well marked, so it helps to have a local guide with you. Kareri gets far fewer people than Triund and feels more remote, but you can still do it in a long weekend.

Best time to go

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Logistics

Region
Dharamshala & Kangra
Base camp
Kareri village
Pickup
Dharamshala
Group size
Up to 15

Highlights

  • Glacial lake at about 2,934 m below the Minkiani pass
  • Trail along the Nyund stream with waterfalls and clear pools
  • Gaddi shepherd villages and summer grazing meadows
  • Small Shiva temple on the ridge above the lake
  • Quieter than Triund, and still fits in a long weekend

Itinerary

3 days · tap a day to expand

  1. Day 1 Dharamshala to Kareri village by road, trek to Reoti 2,450 m 8 km 4.5 hrs

    Meet in Dharamshala at 8 am and drive about an hour and a half to Kareri village. Trek upstream along the Nyund stream through mixed forest to the riverside camp at Reoti.

    • Lunch, Dinner
    • Tents at Reoti
  2. Day 2 Reoti to Kareri Lake and back to Reoti 2,934 m 10 km 7 hrs

    Climb steadily over boulders and meadows to Kareri Lake. Time at the lake and the Shiva temple above it, then descend to Reoti for the night.

    • Breakfast, Packed lunch, Dinner
    • Tents at Reoti
  3. Day 3 Reoti to Kareri village, drive to Dharamshala 1,800 m 8 km 3.5 hrs

    Walk back down the valley to Kareri village and drive to Dharamshala, arriving by mid afternoon.

    • Breakfast, Lunch

What's included

Included

  • Transport Dharamshala to Kareri village and back
  • Two-person tents, sleeping bags and mattresses
  • All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 3 lunch
  • Certified trek leader and local guide
  • Forest permits and camping fees
  • First aid kit and pulse oximeter
  • Mules or porters for common equipment

Not included

  • Travel to and from Dharamshala
  • Personal porter for your backpack (available on request)
  • Travel insurance
  • 5% GST
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Things to carry

  • Trekking shoes with ankle support
  • Backpack 40 to 60 litres with rain cover
  • Three warm layers (fleece, padded jacket, thermals)
  • Rain jacket and poncho
  • Trekking pole
  • Sun cap, woollen cap and gloves
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Two 1-litre water bottles
  • Head torch with spare batteries
  • Personal medicines and toiletries
  • Government photo ID

Frequently asked questions

Is Kareri Lake a good trek for beginners?

Yes, if you are reasonably fit. The daily distances are moderate, but the trail is rocky in places and the last section to the lake is steep and loosely marked. A month of regular walking or jogging is good preparation.

When is Kareri Lake frozen?

The lake usually freezes from around December to March or April. April to June and September to November are the best times; the monsoon months of July and August make the stream crossings difficult.

How far is Kareri village from Dharamshala?

About 27 km, roughly an hour and a half by road via Ghera. We include the transfer both ways.

Is there mobile network on the trek?

Signal is patchy after Kareri village and usually absent at Reoti and the lake. Plan to be out of contact for a day and a half.

Read before you go

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