Bhrigu Lake trek is one of the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh. You won’t find another trek with such alluring and unparalleled beauty. Surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Pir Panjal range, the pristine Bhrigu Lake is a glacial lake that changes its colour every season. By Karan Kaushik
Steeped in mythology, the Bhrigu Lake sits at an altitude of 4,268 metres. Magnificent snow-clad peaks like Deo Tibba, Indrasan, and Hanuman Tibba encompass the pristine lake. Legend has it that saint Maharishi Bhrigu had meditated around the Bhrigu Lake. Locals believe that the lake never freezes. It is also believed that the local deities of Kullu visit the lake for a holy dip. The trek to Bhrigu Lake starts from Gulaba near Manali. Here’s everything you need to know about the Himalayan trek.
Your handy guide to the Bhrigu Lake Trek for adventure lovers
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The Basics
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Manali serves as a nice basecamp for the Bhrigu Lake trek. From Manali, you can reach Gulaba, which lies at a short distance of 24 kilometres. The trek starts from Gulaba and it takes four days to complete the 22 kilometre long trek. Categorised as a moderately difficult trek, the Bhrigu Lake trek takes you from an altitude of 8,530 feet to 14,009 feet. This makes it a challenging trek for beginners. But if you plan well in advance and train yourself, you can complete the trek without any major physical challenges. According to the experts, it is advisable to do cardiovascular and strength training before you embark on the trek.
Day-wise itinerary for the Bhrigu Lake trek
Acclimatisation
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Avoid embarking on the trek the day you arrive in Manali. You can use the first day to just relax and acclimatise. You may fancy a visit to the Jogini Waterfalls or indulge in some shopping. This would be a good time to go through your checklist of things to pack for the trek.
Day 1: Gulaba to Jonker Thatch
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Reach Gulaba from Manali by noon. Busses and shared taxis to Gulaba are easily available. Drop your luggage at one of the cloakrooms available here and rent your trekking equipment. During the first stretch of the trek, you will reach your campsite at Jonker Thatch. Within the first few minutes of the trek, you will be walking through utterly beautiful alpine meadows. Wild horses and grazing sheep will greet you all along as you reach Jonker Thatch around 3:30 pm. It takes around 1.5 hours to complete the first stretch of the trek. Jonker Thatch lies at an altitude of 10,370 feet.
Day 2: Jonker Thatch to Rola Kholi
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On the second day, you’ll be covering a distance of five kilometres in a duration of three to four hours. This stretch of the trek is of moderate level but also includes steep ascents. The last part of this stretch involves an undulating walk. This is where you should give your limbs some rest and take pictures for those envy-inducing Instagram stories. On reaching Rola Kholi, you’ll be at an altitude of 12,566 feet. Making your way to Rola Kholi from Jonker Thatch will take you around three to four hours.
Day 3: Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake
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The third day of the Bhrigu Lake trek is the most challenging. But also, the most rewarding. Reaching the stunning Bhrigu Lake is going to take you five to six hours. You will be covering a total of 10 kilometres. The last stretch of the trek on Day 3 begins on a stony trail. This trail is followed by an ascent for the next two hours. After a 10 minutes descent, you will walk for another 15 minutes on a level field. Catch a breath here. The last part of the trek to Bhrigu lake involves an hour’s steep ascent to the lake. When done soaking in the unmatched scenic beauty of the Bhrigu Trek, descent back to Rola Kholi and rest.
Day 4: Rola Kholi to Gulaba
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Reach Manali on the last day of the trek. The descent to your campsite will take three to four hours and you will be trekking for five kilometres. This is the easiest part of the Bhrigu Lake trek. You can unwind and drink in the gorgeous views at your campsite. You may choose to spend the night and celebrate the trek over a bonfire at the campsite or you could return to Manali.
Related: Hiking Trails And Treks Of Himachal Pradesh You Should Explore In 2022
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