India Trips Travel Guidelines
You may know Beas Kund as a trek that takes you to the origin of the revered Beas River. And while the glacial lake is a big highlight, there’s another part of the trek that often goes unnoticed — the mountain setting it takes you through. Picture this. Grasslands flourish below the summits of the three biggest mountains around Manali. Hidden in these grasslands is the emerald lake from which the Beas emerges.Right from the start of this trek, you’re walking at the base of towering mountain walls. These are offshoots of the Pir Panjal range, stretching from Kashmir into Himachal. Cliffs rise sharply on either side of the valley. You’re almost dwarfed by their presence.A lot of trekkers do the Bhrigu Lake trek for the lake itself. Steeped in mythology, it is known as the place where Maharishi Bhrigu sat in deep meditation. However, we believe the lake is not the only thing the trek has to offer. You must do the Bhrigu Lake trek for its grasslands.On this trek, you’re almost rushed into the meadows. There’s hardly any transition. A relentless climb takes you through a dense oak and pine forest right from the Gulaba roadhead. And in no time, the trees part to reveal wide, rolling meadows. On most treks, you walk for days before you reach grasslands like these. But here, they greet you on day one. That’s what sets Bhrigu Lake apart.
Itinerary
- Drive Distance: 14 km | Drive Duration: 1.5 hours | Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1 hour Altitude Gain: 9,317 ft to 10,134 ft
- Leave from Beas Bridge, Manali, Manali at 8.30 am. Ensure you have had your breakfast before reaching the pickup point. En route, drop off your cloakroom bag, collect your rentals, and offload if you have opted for it, at Palchan. You will meet your trek leader here.
- Valley Vegabonds will arrange transport for the transfer from Manali to Gulaba. This pickup costs ₹ 700 per trekker one way from Manali to Gulaba (₹1400 for onward and return journeys). These are non-AC vehicles. Please pre-book your transport through the dashboard before your trek.
- You start the trek at Dhundi. From Dhundi, you will reach your first campsite at Palchhani Thatch by 2.30 pm and have lunch there.
- Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
- Altitude gain: 10,134 ft to 11,050 ft
- Trek distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours
- Altitude gain: 11050 ft to 12,772 ft and back
- Trek distance: 4 km | Trek Duration: 4 hours
- Altitude loss: 11050 ft to 9,317 ft | Drive back cost: Rs 3,600 per vehicle to be shared by trekkers
- On the way back, stop at Palchan, collect your cloakroom and return rentals.
NOTE: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
NOTE: On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent on all days.
NOTE: We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for extra luggage. Anything beyond that is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
Inclusions
- Connection to Yourself: In a world that rarely slows down, the trek’s remote setting offers a chance to disconnect. Valley Vegabonds Trek Leaders, backed by their facilitation training, help you look inward and build a deeper connection with yourself.
- Connection to Nature: All Valley Vegabonds Trek Leaders are trained naturalists, skilled in delivering insightful storytelling sessions on the natural elements you see on the trek.
- Connection to Others: The trek is designed to foster teamwork, turning strangers into a close-knit group through shared challenges and meaningful experiences.
- Stay in Swiss tents at the exclusive Valley Vegabonds Community Campus. The campus features the vibrant Café, as well as dedicated breakout areas for relaxation and mingling.
- Stay in our sturdy four-season tents (two trekkers per tent) built to withstand harsh weather and provide comfort in all conditions.
- A dedicated kitchen team prepares fresh, wholesome meals that are designed, keeping the requirements of a Himalayan Trek in mind. All meals from lunch at Manali on Day 1 to Breakfast at Chhatru on Day 6 are covered in your trek fee.
- All Essential Camping Gear: We provide custom-made sleeping bags which are made to withstand -10 degrees outside temperature, hygiene liners, sleeping tents and foam mats. Other safety equipment like helmets, gaiters and micro-spikes is also provided when required.
- Medical Safety Gear: Our team is equipped with an elaborate medical kit, which our Trek Leaders and guides are trained to use. Oxygen cylinders, thoroughly inspected, also accompany you throughout the trek. Our campsites are further equipped with large oxygen cylinders.
- A Trained Trek Leader: The Trek Leader ensures seamless operation on the trek and serves as your lead facilitator, nature guide and storyteller, ensuring that the trek is safe as well as enriching. All Valley Vegabonds Trek Leaders are trained naturalists and highly skilled in managing medical emergencies, ensuring your safety in the challenging conditions of high-altitude remote wilderness.
- Local Guides: Local guides are deeply familiar with the region and enhance your experience with their knowledge of the region, local flora and fauna, and customs.
- Dedicated Kitchen Team: The kitchen team takes charge of your food experience on the trek, whipping up sumptuous food throughout the trek.
Exclusions
- To and from the Valley Vegabonds Pick-Up Point: Travel expenses from your hometown to the Valley Vegabonds Pick-Up Point are not included in the trek fee.
- To and From Valley Vegbonds Base: You can choose to travel on your own. However, around 95% of our trekkers opt for the transport services organised by Valley Vgbnds since our drivers are trained, and the journey is safe and hygienic.
The cost is ₹700 (additional 5% GST) per trekker, one way from Manali to Gulaba (₹1400 for onward and return journeys). These are non-AC vehicles. Please pre-book your transport through the dashboard before your trek. - Any personal gear like jackets, shoes, cutlery (tiffin box / mug), backpacks are not included in the trek fee. We recommend renting them from our Crosstrek Rental Store for an affordable fee.
- We have a cloakroom facility available at the base camp for extra luggage. Every trekker is permitted to leave behind one piece of luggage at no charge.
- Anything beyond one piece of luggage is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage.
- At Valley Vegabonds, we encourage carrying your backpack to embrace the true spirit of trekking. However, if needed, you can opt to offload your backpack for a fee of Rs.2000 for the entire trek duration
- Anything apart from inclusions
Other Info
Must Carry
- Authentic Government ID Card
- Comfortable warm clothing
- Sunscreen & lip balm
- Personal Medicines (if any)
Travel Essentials
gears
- A rucksack bag and a day pack
- 3-litre water bladder or water bottle
clothes
- One cotton long sleeves and 2 short sleeve t-shirt
- 1 pair of gloves
- At least 2 long pants (trek pants and cargo pants are favourable)
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 2 pair of socks
- A small towel
- A rain jacket or a poncho
footwear
- Above-the-ankle waterproof and breathable hiking boots with good grip
- Flip flops/sandals
medication
- Glucose powder
- Medicines for headaches, diarrhoea, motion sickness
- Dettol
- Bandages
- Cotton
personal accessories
- Toothpaste, toothbrush
- Paper soap, or sanitizer
- Sunscreen minimum of spf40 , lip balm, cold creams
- Body spray
- LED torch light
