About Bhrigu Lake Trek
Coming across a high altitude lake is a beautiful experience to witness. Bhrigu Lake is one such high altitude glacial lake located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The most enticing feature of the Bhrigu Lake Trek is that you get to climb up to an ambitious altitude of 4300 m or 14,000 ft. in just 4 days, which is usually achieved after long and hectic climbing on a Himalayan trek. This ideal weekend hiking trip promises loads of excitement for both beginners as well as experienced hikers.
The trek begins at Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The approximate trekking distance of the trek is 25 KM and you get to beautiful alpine regions and beautiful forests and you get to enjoy staying in the peaceful campsites. The trek also provides a great view of the peaks of Hanuman Tibba and Seven Sisters. The Bhrigu Lake Trek also provides you to visit some of the pristine villages that come across your way. It is also a great trek for the beginners who want to experience trekking in the Himalayas. So, let us know a bit more about this trek.
Highlights of the Trek:
The Bhrigu Lake trek is one of the most beautiful treks that you can experience in the Himachal region of India. It begins from one of the most popular hill stations of Manali and takes you on an adventure to discover the different terrains such as the pine forests and the vast green meadows. You are embarking on a trek to view the beautiful oval alpine lake of Bhrigu which is at a height of 14,000 ft above sea level.
The trek is also regarded as one of the best treks to enjoy a view of the nearby peaks and ranges. Another great thing about the trek is that it is almost always covered in snow. The changing colour of the lake is also a sight to behold according to the season that you want to visit the lake.
Along with that at the end of the trek, you will also get to see stretches of green apple orchards and if you plan to visit the town of Vashisth, then you can bath in the hot water springs. The whole trek also provides an amazing view of the Kullu valley that you will remember throughout your life. The way through the trek is steep but it isn’t too difficult which makes the trek perfect for beginners as well as for moderate trekkers who have physical strength.
About Bhrigu Lake:
The Bhrigu Lake is oval-shaped and situated at an altitude of 4,300 m or 14,000 ft above the sea level in the Himalayan Alpine region of the Kullu district in Himachal. The lake is situated on the east side of the Rohtang Pass and it is about 6 KM from the Gulaba village. Bhrigu Lake is known for its mesmerising beauty and on top of that, it is also famous among followers of Hinduism for its connection to mythology. It is said to be the place of meditation of Sage Bhrigu who visited the lake thousands of years ago after failing to commit suicide in a river. The colour changing characteristics of the trek is something that ushers the trekkers as the lake goes through different seasons.
Nestled in the lap of nature and flanked by rows of snow-capped mountain peaks on all sides, Bhrigu Lake attracts a large number of visitors every year. During the early summers, you can see green and blue ice rings formed around the circumference of the lake. In the late summer, it turns completely itto a blude lagoon.
In the winter the lake turns completely white and before that the lake also changes colours from blue to green. People who visit the lake during the summer months of May and June can see beautiful flowers growing on the sides. The lake is mainly known because of the beautiful view of the snow-clad peaks and especially the view of the Dhauladhar and Pir-Panjal Ranges. One characteristic of the lake is that it never completely freezes. You must remember that the mobile network is not available in the Bhrigu Lake Trek after you pass the Gulaba village.
Quick facts about Bhrigu Lake Trek
- Altitude: 4,300 m to 14,100 ft.
- Trek Distance: 25 KM
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Starting Point and Ending Point: Manali
- Last ATM: Manali
- Basecamp: Moridugh Campsite
- Duration: 3 to 4 days
- Nearest Airport: Manali Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot Railway Station
- Region: Himachal Pradesh
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Trek details
- Pickup Point on Day 1- Nehru Park at the upper end of Mall Road, near Manali Govt Bus station
- Drop Point on Day 5- Nehru Park
- Departure time from Nehru Park on Day 1- 6:30 a.m.
- Arival time on Day 5 at Nehru Park- 4:00 pm (might vary due to traffic hinderance)
- How to reach Manali to Join for Bhrihu lake: Start, a day before, from Kashmiri Gate Bus station at Delhi at 6-7 p.m. It takes somewhere around 14-15 hours to reach Manali from Delhi, considering the traffic hinderance as well. The bus will drop you at Manali somewhere around 10:00 a.m.
- A number of private and govt buses flock between Manali and Delhi.
- For govt buses: HRTC Portal
- For private buses you can book via redbus etc.
- Private bus station is around 5 km from govt bus station. If you are taking a private bus, take a local cab or auto to reach the meeting point.
- Cloak room: There is a cloack room available at govt bus station and it's chargabale on daily basis. You can also handover your lugguage to our team and collect while returning.
Minimum/Maximum Temperature
- Summer:
- Monsoon:
- Autumn:
- Winter:
Morning: 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius
Night: 8 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius
Morning: 10 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius
Night: 5 degrees to 8 degrees Celsius
Morning: 10 degrees to 15 degrees Celsius
Night: 4 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius
Morning: -11 degrees to 0 degrees Celsius
Night: -20 degrees to -11 degrees Celsius
Bhrigu Lake History/Myth:
As we said, the Bhrigu Lake is sacred to the followers of Hinduism as it is tied to their mythology. It is believed that Maharishi Bhrigu, one of the Saptarishis, who journeyed to the Himalayan region and settled near the oval lake to perform meditation. The locals believe that the lake doesn’t ever freeze completely because Bhrigu meditated over there. Before going to lake Bhrigu had tried to commit suicide in the river but he was prevented by the Mother River. This myth is often linked to the formation of the ice rings of emerald green and blue on the lake.
Apart from Sage Bhrigu, it is also believed that a lot of the Himalayan rishis and devtas bathed at this heavenly location. For this reason, it is popularly known as the 'pool of Gods'
How to reach Bhrigu Lake?
Delhi to Manali:
The first part of your journey will be dedicated to reaching Manali which is the starting point of the journey to Bhrigu Lake. There are several ways through which one can reach Delhi to Manali. The fastest way will be to book a ticket to the Kullu-Manali airport from Delhi and the journey lasts for about 1.5 hours.
Apart from that one can also book a bus from Delhi to Manali. They can either opt for the government-run buses of HRTC or HPDTC or they can choose the private buses that ply between the routes. The journey will take them about 14 hours, so night buses are the best options.
Another common way to reach Manali from Delhi is via train. The nearest railway station to Manali is Pathankot from Delhi. One can reach Pathankot from Delhi via a train. From there one has the option to reach Manali either via a car or they can also take a hill train to Joginder Nagar from Pathankot and a car to Manali. If someone is interested in a road trip, they can take their private car or book a cab to reach Manali and the journey should last for about 12 to 13 hours.
Alternate Bhrigu lake Itinerary-
Manali to Gulaba to Rola Kholi:
In this part of the journey, you will need to drive from Manali to the village of Gulaba which is a journey of about 22 KM and takes about 2 hours. After reaching Gulaba you will need to trek for about 3 KM to reach the Gulaba Meadows Camp which works as the basecamp for the Bhrigu Lake trek. The trek lasts for about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. The trail has a steep ascent, so one needs to be careful and have Trek essentials. Your Trek Guide/Leader will be with you during the trek and the journey. After lunch, you will need to trek to Rola Kholi from the basecamp through a trek that lasts for about 6 KM and it takes approximately 4 hours because of the steep terrain. The first 1.5 hours of trek will be quite difficult till you pass Kolang Nallah to reach the campsite. Here you will need to stay in tents before you start trekking the next day.
Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake to Rola Kholi:
Camping by the Bhrigu Lake is not allowed, so on this day, you will need to trek 10 KM in total which will approximately last for about 8-9 hours. The 5 KM trek up to the lake is quite steep, so you will need to be careful as it will also have snow. Take help from your Trek Guide/Leader whenever you need it even after the low difficulty level.
Best time to visit Bhrigu Lake
The Bhrigu Lake Trek can be visited during the summer and autumn months and the trek is closed off during the winters because of the harsh temperature conditioners. Generally, people prefer to visit the trek between the months of May to October, which is also regarded as the best time to embark on the trek. People will be able to experience snow almost throughout the year and in the summertime, they can also see the newly blossoming flowers beside the lake. Try to avoid the months of July and August as they see heavy rainfall which leads to bad landslides.
So, we will recommend you to take the Bhrigu Lake trek either in the month of May or in June to get the best experience. This is also the best season to visit as you can see the greenery of the nearby valleys. You can also go on to visit the Spiti valley after you have completed this trek.
Bhrigu Lake Weather and Temperature:
When you are about to go on a trek it is quite important to know about the different temperature conditions that prevail in the trek throughout the year. As we have said already, the trek is closed during the winter months as it can get to sub-zero temperatures which can even reach -20 degrees Celsius during the night. So, the trekkers who are interested in going on the Bhrigu Lake trek can avail it during the months of May to October.
April, May to June: These are the summer months in the Bhrigu Lake trek, so you will get pleasant weather conditions during this time. You will be able to experience snow but you will also notice that the greenery is peaking as the snow melts. During the daytime, you can expect temperatures to be between 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius and at night the temperature can be anything between 8 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius. So, pack your woollens and other clothes accordingly.
July, August, September: The torrential downpours continue till the middle of September, which makes it a not so great time to go on the trek. The temperature during daytime is between 10 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius and at night it can drop to 5 degrees to 8 degrees Celsius.
September to October: These months are the autumn season and trekkers can visit during this time. It is getting chilly, so they should pack quite well to beat the cold. During the daytime, they can expect the temperatures to be between 10 degrees to 15 degrees Celsius and at night the temperature is between 4 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius. This is also the time when the visitors can see the lake turn white. Another great thing is that you will be able to see a clear sky full of stars from your campsite when you are on the trek.
Difficulty Level of Trek
The difficulty level of Bhrigu trek is easy to moderate. So, we do think that beginners will be easily able to accommodate themselves in this trek if they do proper training before joining the trek. They will definitely have a Trek Guide/Leader helping them out when they embark on this trek. This journey can help them prepare for the future when they are ready to take part in Spiti Valley treks or other more difficult Himachal treks that need more training. First-timers should take their time to read about the place and know the difficulties that they have to face. The rocky terrain, the steep altitudes, and the chilly winds can be difficult at first, but with time we are sure that you are going to love it. Knowing how to get fit and how to dress up is quite important before starting out with any trek.
Is it recommended for beginners?
As we said already, beginners can definitely take part in this trek because of the low difficulty level, but they will need to prepare themselves for it. They will need to follow the packing list to pack the essential so that the trek doesn’t prove to be too difficult for them. They will need to pack everything in a rucksack. Do look up How to choose trekking shoes before starting out on any trek. It is best for beginners to have a thorough talk with the trek organisers to get everything sorted. Beginners should also keep their important medicines along with them to avoid any problems while they are one the trek.
So, here is everything that you need to know about the Bhrigu Lake trek and we are sure that it will answer some of the queries that you might have had about the trek. It is a great foundation trek that will prepare you for any future trek that you engage in. The Difficulty level of the trek is moderate to low which makes it a perfect one for the beginners. Along with that, you can easily witness snow, which can make your experience better and move towards the Spiti valley trek in the future.
Is the trek safe?
Yes, the trek is absolutely safe and we will recommend you to take the help of Trek Guide/Leader who will show you the right route and help you out with your trek. Before you embark on the trek, do know that you will need to face physical difficulties because of the mountainous terrain. You will need to prepare yourself by doing some physical exercises and training to build up body strength. We will highly recommend you to join a gym under proper guidance to build up endurance so that you can ace the trek without facing any problem. The minimum age recommended for this trek is 12 years. It works like a beginner's course to trekking if you want to embark on the Spiti valley trek which is regarded as one of the most difficult treks present in the Himachal region.
- Bhrigu Lake Trek
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- Bhrigu Lake Trek
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Day 1: Drive to Kulang from Manali and Trek to Moridugh
- Altitide 2800 m.
- Arrive at Manali at 9:30 am to reach Kulang village at 10 am.
- 7 kms drive to Kulang Village
- Trek to Moridugh it will take approx 4-5 hrs.
- Packed Lunch is provided
- Evening snacks and dinner is served in the campsite
- Accomadation in tents.
Reach Manali bus stand by 9:30 am and then drive together to Kulang which is 7 km away and would require around 15-20 mins to get there (depending on the traffic).
Please note that we shall not be providing you with breakfast so join us in the morning after having your breakfast. Packed lunch is provided on the first day. Once we reach Kulang, we proceed to hike our way to Moridugh Campsite through verdant forests and meadows with Manali and Solang Valley in the background. En route, we get to see some of the most notable peaks including Mt. Hanuman Tibba and the Seven Sisters and Shitidhar peaks rising from the Beas Kund Valley. Evening snacks and dinner at Moridugh Campsite. Stay in tents.
Day 2: Moridugh to Bhrigu Lake and back to Moridugh
- Altitude 2800 m to 4250 m
- 6-7 hours trek, First steep ascent and then gradual ascent till peak
- The trail passes through virgin forest (silver oak, cedar and birch trees) with views of Manali & Solang
- Carry enough water for the day from the campsite
- Packed lunch at Bhrigu lake
- Desend back to Moridugh/Shaga Dug
- Accommodation in tents
On the second day of the trek, we start at the break of dawn since the trail is long and steep. We shall have our breakfast by 5 am and start trekking by 5:30 am. We will be carrying packed lunch along with us. The earlier we start, the more time we shall get to spend at Bhrigu Lake. Along the way, we get to witness the trail change colour from green to brown and, in winters, even snow white! The participants are requested to be extra cautious today because the path is a treacherous one through streams and boulders. The trail to Bhrigu Lake is a steep ascent. The peak of Hanuman Tibba along with the Seven sisters Peaks will accompany you mid-way.
Another isolated spot, the lake nestles under it’s own peak which stands at(4550m) and offers great views. But during the summers, it is surrounded by grass and pretty little alpine flowers. After having our lunch and spending some time exploring around the lake, we can catch a glimpse of the Solang Valley and the splendid peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar range. We then start descending down to the Moridugh/Shaga dug camp.
Day 3: Trek from Moridugh to Vashishat and drive to Manali
- Altitude 2050 m
- Start in the morning 3-4 hours trek till Vashishat Village
- Head to Vashishat Kund for a hot spring bath
- Drive to Manali which is around 10-15 minutes drive
On the final day of Bhrigu lake trek we start in the morning after breakfast. A downhill trek start from the camp site to Vashisht village. Vashisht is famous for its natural hot spring and upon arriving at the village we will head straight for relaxing bath at the hot spring. Packed Lunch is provided. After few relaxing hours we drive back to Manali. The perfect way to end a trek.
Day 1: Drive to Gulaba from Manali and Trek to Gulaba Meadows Camp
- Altitude 10,300 ft.
- Arrive at Manali at 12 pm to reach Gulaba at 5pm.
- 2 hours drive to Gulaba, 22 Kms.
- Trek to Gulaba Meadows, 3 Kms it will take approx 1.5 hrs.
- Accommodation in tents.
Highly popular short treks in Himachal Pradesh, Bhrigu lake starts from Manali at around 12 noon. You can board a bus from Kashmere gate bus station a night before and reach Manali by morning. You can choose to freshen up at any restaurant near the pick up point that is Nehru Park or Ram Bagh. Have breakfast or lunch as per you time and meet us at the pick up point before 12 noon.
The drive from Manali to Gulaba is around 2-3 hours long followed by a short 3kms trek for the day to reach Gulaba Meadow Campsite. As the name suggest the meadows are vast, green, and covered with colourful vibrant flowers. This will be your campsite for the night.Evening snacks will be served. Followed by hot dinner later. The accomodation will be in the tennts for the night.
Day 2: Trek from Gulaba to Rola Kholi
- Altitude 10,300 ft to 12,500 ft
- 6 km trek, approx 4 hours, First 1.5 hours is steep ascent and then gradual ascent till campsite, via Kolang Nallah.
- The trail passes through virgin forest (silver oak, cedar and birch trees) with views of Manali & Solang.
- Carry enough water from Gulaba camp, first water point is 20 before Rola Kholi .
- Hot lunch at camp site and accommodation in tent.
Day 2 starts early although you be trekking the distance of 6kms today that will take around 4-5 hours. Have your morning tea and breakfast and start to trek. Today we will be covering the beautiful tall forest of oak, birch and cedar. Throughout the trek will be come across locals with their cattle grazing the meadows in the foggy monsoon days. Carry enough water and some munchies with you to keep you energized.
The highlight of the day is the grandiose peak of Hunuman tibba, the seven sister peaks and the beas kund valley below you. The trek trail is a mixture of steep ascent followed by some gradual ascent making you reach at an altitude of 12,500ft. Hot lunch will be served at the campsite. Explore around and click picture to collect memories. Evening snacks and dinner will be served accordingly and the accomodtaion will be in the tents like the previous day.
Day 3: Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake and back to Rola Kholi
- Altitude: Bhrigu Lake at 14,000 ft.
- Start early in the morning, 10 km trek, approx.
- 8 hours, Steep ascent till Bhrigu Lake for approx. 5 km.
- Mixed rocky and snow trail, trek along with the Bhrigu Lake stream.
- Packed lunch on the way and hot snacks at camp site.
- Accommodation in tents.
Today is the day, you will wake up with the enthusiasm to reach 14,000ft and view the oval Lake Bhrigu with some tiredness in your body especially for the beginners, this will not be a peice of cake. For the month of May you will find the trek trail to be a mixture of both snow and rocky green patches. We will again start early in the morning as you will climb till Bhrigu lake and return the same day back to Rola Kholi Campsite. A day bag will come in handly today as you need not to take your backpack but only a day bag with a camera, water bottle, some healthy snacks and off course your packed lunch.
The attraction of the day apart from the Bhrigu lake itself are the splendid peaks of Deo Tibba, Indrasen, Hanuman tibba, the Pir Pranjal and the Dhaulandar Ranges. The history of lake in itself is enticing enough to attract a lot of eager trekkers every year. Being a monsoon trek the trek trail can become tricky in terms of slippery loose mud and contineous rains from July onwards. Proper preperation in terms of fitness and having proper gears like good trekking shoes, a trekking pole for that additional stability and support while climbing and a poncho/raincoat to protect you from the rains. Once you reach Bhrigu lake soak in the beauty, spend some time and trek back to rola kohli campsite which will be a steep and gradual descent throughout. Evening snacks and dinner will be served at the campsite and accomodation is in tents.
Day 4: Rola Kholi to Gulaba, drive to Manali
- 6 kms trek, mostly descend it will take approx 3hrs.
- Drive From Gulaba to Manali.
- Reach Manali by 2pm to 3 pm.
Last day of the trek, with some cramps, sleepness nights, aches and pain this last 6kms trek from Rola Kohli to Gulaba will bring your journey to an end. No doubt you are happy you made the decision to trek with beautiful memories and amazing clicks (not forgetting the pain part) you have done it. A check on the wishlist and drive back to Manali. Make your arrangement prior to stay in Manali or travel back to your home town.
