Day Wise Detailed Itinerary of Bhrigu Lake Trek
Bhrigu Lake is a well-known Himalayan location with a slice of nature\'s luxury for all types of people with all sorts of tastes. It is a high-altitude alpine lake trip. This area is a tranquil refuge full of unexpected natural wonders, beginning with the lush green meadows, views of snow-capped mountains, vast skyscapes, vivid flowers, and a hint of spirituality. This 3-day walk will not stop surprising you along the road if you\'re searching for a quick fix of amazement. In the Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh, at a height of 4,267 metres, sits the appealing Bhrigu Lake. Bhrigu Lake is regarded as one of the easiest and most reachable alpine lake treks in the Himalayas among the extensive list of alpine lake treks. The Bhrigu Lake walk is a good choice for novice trekkers. Bhrigu Lake is a good choice if you want to experience hiking for the first time. This heavenly lake gets its name from the fabled sage Bhrigu. According to myths and local legends, the great sage Bhrigu meditated close to the lake. If we look at the highlights of the Bhrigu Lake journey, passing through a tangle of colourful wildflowers, stargazing at night, hiking through gentle monsoon rains, and camping in verdant meadows are some of the typical ones that bring nice memories to mind. The vistas of various impressive peaks, like the Seven Sister Peaks, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba, to mention a few, are the place\'s most recognisable attractions. Additionally, you have magnificent vistas of the emerald-green Bhrigu Lake itself as well as the Solang and Beas Kund valleys. All of your difficult feelings will go away as you see and move closer to the stunning Bhrigu Lake, and you\'ll get a warm, familiar feeling throughout your body. You could even discover inner peace if you try to sit down and meditate. Although the Bhrigu Lake trip could be the best choice for novices, every Himalayan landscape has its own unique set of difficulties. This trek\'s paths are steep, with long ascents of 7 km on Day 1 and 6 km without any descents on Day 2. In a short while, we\'ll be rising to a substantial altitude. To traverse these distances, you need to have strong legs and endurance. Without adequate training, gear knowledge, and a minimum level of fitness, it might be fatal up here.
Day : 01 Manali to Gulaba (drive) and Trek to Gulaba Meadows (camp)
Our journey starts at Manali, on the Rohtang pass road towards the beautiful mountain hamlet of Gulaba. Gulaba is located on the way to Rohtang Pass, on the Leh-Manali Highway. Please note Transportation from Manali to Gulaba and return is not included. En route, we will pass three mountain hamlets, Kolang, Palchan, and Kothi, and the route becomes more and more picturesque as we drive ahead. The Gulaba village is nestled amidst snow-capped mountains, with the Beas River flowing by, adding more opulence to its beauty. It’s a short trek of about 1.5 hrs and a fairly easy trek through grasslands and forest lines. The natural landscape of this village attracts a lot of tourists every year and Gulaba is also popular as an adventure sports destination with opportunities for large numbers of activities like skiing, paragliding, trekking, and snow scooter riding. The views from Gulaba are nothing short of magical and utterly peaceful. From our camps in the meadow, you can witness a beautiful sunset and stargaze under the scintillating sky at night, experiencing the serenity and tranquillity of the mountains.
- Altitude:
- Manali: 2,050 m / 6,750 ft
- Gulaba: 3,000 m / 9,900 ft
- Gulaba Meadows: 3,200 m / 10,400 ft
- Drive Distance: 21 km | 1-2 hrs
- Trek Distance: 500 m | 20 minutes
Day : 02 Gulaba to Rola Kholi
Today we will trek from Gulaba to Rola Kholi, our next campsite, situated at an altitude of 12,500 ft. The trek distance is approximately 6 km and it takes about 4-5 hrs to complete the trek. The climb is going to be a little steep, so we recommend carrying enough water and light snacks so that you can energize yourself while trekking through the trail. The trek makes its way up the mountains through covers of conifers. You will walk under the shade of Pine, Oak, Birches, and Cedar for the first few miles of the trek, some prominent trees of the Himalayan region, before you catch the sight of beautiful blue mountains through the forest and a rolling meadow in front of you as the forest slowly ebbs away.
As the forest ends, and the meadows begin, you will witness a vast expanse of lush green grasslands. This is the part where the shepherds dwell with their cattle. You may spot flocks of sheep or horses galloping about or grazing in the grasslands during the summer months. Mud huts line the meadows.
Camping here is an amazing experience as at night the sky breaks into a galaxy of zillion stars.
- Altitude:
- Gulaba: 3,000 m / 9,900 ft
- Rola Kholi: 3,800 m / 12,500 ft
- Trek Distance: 6 km | 4 hrs
Day : 03 Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake back to Rola Kholi
Today, we will trek to Bhrigu Lake and you will experience a great change in the landscape from the last two days. Starting early in the morning, we will have to cover a distance of 10 km in about 7 to 8 hours. The trek is moderate and starts with a stony trail followed by a steep initial ascent followed by a slight descent, walk on levelled ground for a couple of minutes, and makes a final steep ascent to the lake.
On a clear day, you can spot the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar range from the lake and also spot major peaks like Deo Tibba, Indrasen, and Hanuman Tibba standing tall in front of you. From the ridge surrounding the lake, you can also get a bird’s eye view of Solang Valley.
An interesting fact about the Bhrigu Lake is that it never completely freezes whether it is summer or winter and the locals attribute this phenomenon to Sage Bhrigu of the ancient times, after whom the lake is named. After spending some time at the Lake, enjoying its scenic beauty, we will retrace our steps back to Rola Kholi and spend another night at the campsite under the stars.
- Altitude:
- Rola Kholi: 3,800 m / 12,500 ft
- Bhrigu Lake: 4,200 m / 13,700 ft
- Trek Distance: 10 km | 8 hrs (Both Sides)
Day 04 : Rola Kholi to Gulaba trek & drive to Manali
Today’s trek is an easy one, as we make our way back from Rola Kholi campsite to Gulaba, retracing the same meadows and forests that we came up from. The descent is steep but not very difficult as you are always on the meadows. The down trek is expected to take 2 to 3 hours as you descend to the Gulaba village once again. It is one of the best grassland treks taking you up close to the alpine meadows and will leave you speechless with its beauty.
Note: There is another return route to Manali via Vashist village and Pandu Ropa from Bhrigu lake, but we find this path more sustainable and relaxing and offers a more soothing scenery. Gulaba situated at an altitude of 10,370 ft is a much better exit and less tiring for your legs as compared to Vaishist at an elevation of 7,000 ft.
- Altitude:
- Rola Kholi: 3,800 m / 12,500 ft
- Gulaba: 3,000 m / 9,900 ft
- Trek Distance: 6-7 km | 3 hrs
- Drive Distance (Gulaba to Manali): 21 km | 1-2 hrs