India Trips Travel Guidelines
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.
Your very first campsite at Jonker Thatch is set on a sloping meadow, with sweeping views of the Kullu Valley. As you climb out of Jonker, the grasslands open up even more. They stretch endlessly. In monsoon, they burst into colour with wildflowers. Dense forests line their edges, but the trail never leaves the open grasslands. You hop across streams, climb over ledges, and navigate bends — all while staying on these beautiful alpine meadows. In July, you'll see the higher end of these meadows covered with a blanket of snow. From August to September, they will be at their lushest green. You’ll spot wildflowers everywhere. If you look over your shoulder, you’ll see iconic peaks like the Hanuman Tibba rise above the clouds. It’s rare to walk so long and stay in such open alpine meadows all through.After Rola Kholi, a beautiful campsite beside a gushing stream, the scenery changes. You climb a ridge that leads you to Bhrigu Lake. Quietly nestled in a fold of these grasslands, the lake sits in solitude, its colours shifting with the weather. At times, clouds float below, making the lake feel suspended in the sky. It’s a calm, secluded summit. But even after reaching the lake, it’s the meadows that stay with you. Trekkers return raving about these vast grasslands long after the trek is over.That said, this is not an easy trek. You climb to over 14,000 ft in just four days. The ascent from Gulaba and the final push beyond Rola Kholi can be demanding. But with the right preparation, it’s well within reach — even for fit beginners.What makes it special is that while most grassland treks in Uttarakhand are closed in the monsoon, Bhrigu Lake is at its best. The meadows are lush and full of life. Trekkers often associate these landscapes with Kashmir or Uttarakhand. Few know such grand alpine grasslands exist right here in Himachal. But if you’re looking for a spectacular grassland trek — in peak monsoon — it doesn’t get better than Bhrigu Lake.
Itinerary
- Drive Distance: 24 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour |Trek Distance: 1.5 km | Trek Duration: 1.5 hrsAltitude Gain: 6,725 ft to 10,285 ft
- Leave from Beas Bridge, Manali, Manali at 10.00 AM for Gulaba. En route, at Palchan, drop your cloakroom bag and collect your rentals. You will meet your trek leader here where he will brief you about the trek. Make sure that you complete your lunch before reaching Gulaba.
- 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.
- Your trek starts from Gulaba. From there, you reach the first campsite at Jonker Thatch around 3.30 PM.
- Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,285 ft to 12,590 ft
- Moderate. Steep ascent throughout followed by an undulating walk for the last 30 minutes.
- Trek Distance: 10 km | Trek Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 12,590 ft to 14,009 ft and back
- Moderate. Starts on a stony trail. Initial ascent for 2 hours followed by 10 minutes descent. Level walk for 15 minutes followed by an hour’s steep ascent to the lake.
- Trek Distance: 5 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
- Altitude Loss: 12,590 ft to 9,875 ft
- Easy. Mostly descending all the way to Gulaba.
- 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 Indiahikes 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 Vegabonds Base: You can choose to travel on your own. However, around 95% of our trekkers opt for the transport services organised by Valley Vegabonds 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
