If you are very passionate about nature and like to spend time in the off-beaten parts of the world, try out the Kareri Lake trek. This beautiful trek around Himachal Pradesh allows you to enjoy the magnificence of the Dhauladhar ranges and experience a blend of adventure, peace, and spectacular views. Unlike many other bustling trekking destinations in Himachal, this place is little-known and is a perfect spot for seeking tranquility and being close to nature.
This trek commences from Dharamshala’s beautiful hill station, another place worth seeing. During or after your trek, ensure that you spend some time visiting Dharamshala’s beautiful places, historical sites, and markets. When you’re set, a beautiful drive from Dharamshala leads you to the Kareri Village, the trek base. The drive itself is through beautiful valleys and roads, ensuring that the thrill of the excursion that is about to come slowly builds.
The entire route of the trek is a work of art embellished with untamed forests, overflowing river streams, and meadows replete with stones. The pine and oak forests are exotic, especially when light filters through the trees, creating beautiful spots on the ground. The sound of the gurgling streams provides a good background score as one takes long walks, allowing many opportunities for rest and contemplation within the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas.
With the journey increasing in altitude, the features of the landscape begin to change. The cooler air helps to replace the lush animal-filled meadows with twisting footpaths filled with jagged rocks. And every step you take in the direction of Everest will always make you see the mountain range of Dhauladhars in its awesome splendor against the backdrop of blue skies along with the white snow-capped peaks overlooking it and the vast green valleys at the base of these peaks.
Kareri Lake is a single trek that takes you amidst unparalleled vistas, and everything along the journey is astonishing to witness. It perfectly caters to those looking for beautiful moments in the shadows of adventure and silence away from the crowds. Even if you are new to trekking or an expert searching for a new look at old things, a trip to Kareri Lake will ensure you create unforgettable moments.
It is time to set everyone on a quest where they can disengage with the tranquil atmosphere of the Dhauladhar Range while experiencing the delightful charm Kareri Lake offers to everyone as untouched beauty. So get your bags ready, tighten your boots, and get ready to embrace the journey ahead with every ounce of excitement and rugged determination.
The Kareri Lake Trek is in the scenic state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The trek begins at Kareri Village, which serves as the base camp. From here, trekkers make their way through dense forests, meadows, and rugged terrains to reach Kareri Lake—a stunning freshwater lake nestled at 9650 ft. The trek suggests the picturesque scenery of the Dhauladhar, which goes through the primitive villages while witnessing their culture and hospitality in all its glory.
The Kareri Lake Trek is categorized as easy to moderate in difficulty. While the Kareri Lake trek offers a perfect way to explore this new place, it falls under an easy to moderate category regarding difficulty level. It is perfect for a beginner or an intermediate hiker looking for moderate-intensity levels.
It is essential to own a good endurance level as well as a strong and solid pair of shoes. With 9650 ft as the climbing altitude, chances of developing altitude sickness are very rare. However, even with that said, it is best to be ready for sudden changes in weather conditions.
The Kareri Lake Trek typically takes 2 days to complete. The first day involves trekking from Kareri Village to the campsite near Kareri Lake, covering approximately 13 km of the one-way trail. The second day includes exploring around the lake and returning to Kareri Village.
The duration of this trek is quite short, but trekkers still have the opportunity to witness beautiful landscapes in the mountains. The trek requires camping, which results in a unique and refreshing experience.
The perfect time to go on the Kareri Lake Trek is from April to June and September to November. These months provide ideal weather conditions for trekking. Favorable temperatures and clear skies characterize the spring and summer months. The area is painted golden in fall, enhancing the trek’s beauty. The region experiences heavy snow in winter, making the trails less suitable for trekking.
After all that, the temple still provides the divine touch one tries to seek at the end of their journey, ensuring that the athlete still receives a fulfilling inner experience. Kareri Village is one of the places that is famous among the locals of Dharamsala, and that is where this beautiful trail begins.
One can walk through a mixed brush of pine trees and Broadleaf as the starting point, which is home to a wealth of avian creatures like the black drongo and the red-billed blue magpie. The forest floor abounds with thick undergrowth and pine needles, which may be slippery, so step carefully as you progress. This spot also signals the return of the forested trail.
The trail soon crosses a small waterfall, leading to another shack where you can pause for refreshments like Maggi or tea. From here, it’s roughly 1.5 hours to Reoti. Shortly after this break, you’ll cross Nyund Nallah via a sturdy metal bridge, where the dense forest gives way to beautiful grasslands.
As you ascend, the path merges into a metal road, which is reached after 15 minutes of trekking; you will reach Nolli Bridge after walking for another 10 to 15 minutes- right before the bridge, there is a soft drink and snack stall, which serves as a marker for the turn-off.
Amid warblers, redstarts, brown dippers, and the majestic Himalayan griffon vultures that soar high in the sky, the slopes are also dotted with shepherds and their sheep. For camping enthusiasts, Reoti Nallah is the perfect spot- it is unbelievably quiet and has impeccable views of the valley, making it an ideal overnight stay. All of this is located at a distance of 10-15 minutes from the bridge.
This first day sets the tone for your trek, blending adventure, nature, and comfort seamlessly.
Start your trek early in the morning for the best experience. The trail from Reoti to Kareri Lake is mostly paved, with occasional unpaved segments that wind through boulder-strewn banks of the Nyund Nallah. As you ascend, the stream gains momentum, hinting at its glacial origins at Kareri Lake.
About an hour into the trek, you’ll come across a campsite with a small shack offering snacks and refreshments. This is the last official pitstop before the lake, though you’ll encounter a few traditional gaddi huts along the way, built by the nomadic shepherds of the Kangra region.
A short rocky crossing of the nallah leads to stone steps that climb up to a hilltop. You’ll find a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the summit. The sight of Kareri Lake, its beautiful water, and the grandeur of the Dhauladhar mountain range returning into view can be compared to pure magic.
Spend some time enjoying the stunning sights of the Dhaluadhars that are reflected in the lake’s water body- alongside Minkiani. Perched between the ridges are the snow-capped mountains, and the close-up of the pristine shallow water of the lake and the tranquil atmosphere all make for an incredible view.
When you are done cherishing the calmness of Kareri Lake, go back to Reoti. Collect your belongings from the campsite and begin your descent to Kareri Village, aiming to reach before sunset. The gradual descent allows you to take in the scenic surroundings and reflect on the journey.
During this trek day, the perfectly carved combination of natural views, cultural experiences, and vigorous activities results in an astonishing view of Kareri Lake.
Kareri Lake trekkers can go to the Dhauladhar Himalayan ranges, which are spellbinding and a perfect fit for trekkers. The trek starts from Kareri Village, but getting to this place is not easy and requires some logistics. Here are actionable steps to assist you.
When you’re traveling aiming to reach Kareri Lake, the first stop is at Kareri from Dharamshala ISBT. Try to reach here early, around 10:00 am; this is where your further travel plans should be arranged.
A) By Bus
Dharamshala offers bus services to and from Delhi and Chandigarh and even flies to neighboring cities. Here is everything you need to know:
Pro Tip: Always choose government buses instead of privately run ones. Government buses are more stable and reach their destinations on time; privately owned buses have delays, especially at their stations. You need to book your ticket so that it allows you to reach Dharamshala between 7 and 8 am. Which gives you enough time to plot your trek.
B) By Flight
Gaggal Airport is the nearest airport to Dharamshala, around 13 km away. You can take a taxi from Gaggal Airport, which will drop you off at Dharamshala in 30 minutes.
If you travel by airplane from another state in India, you must first fly to Chandigarh Airport. After which, you can:
C) By Train
The nearest railway station to Dharamshala is Pathankot Railway Station, about 85 km away. From Pathankot, you can:
Alternatively, you can take a train, which might be cost-effective, but remember it will take a while.
Evidently, enrouted to the next destination, Kareri Village, it would be the Kareri Village, where you’ll find a put-off of the trek. Here are the directions for your convenience:
A) By Local Bus
Local buses from Dharamshala to Ghera Village operate starting from 8:00 am. From Ghera, Kareri Village is a 2-hour walk. This route suits those with a relaxed Kareri Lake trek itinerary and a desire to explore the local culture.
B) By Taxi
Also, a taxi can be engaged from Kareri Village to Dharamshala by making it a point to contact them prior.
Pro Tip: Try to reach a steady and fitting rate for the Jammu taxi you will be hiring beforehand, allowing for the best deal. From a rational standpoint, one could share a taxi with other trekkers as it’s relatively economical.
As stated earlier, the weather during the trek is unpredictable, so to fall behind in essentials during a Kareri Lake Trek, smart packing should be directed. So, to prepare for this trek, here’s a guide on how to make yourself safe and comfortable during your trek.
1. Essential Clothing
At times of the night, the temperature at higher altitudes drops, for which layers are the ideal equipment as comfort will indeed be needed.
Base Layers
Mid Layers
Outer Layers
2. Footwear
The perfect footwear is needed to enjoy a good trek.
3. Backpack and Accessories
4. Sleeping Essentials
5. Food and Snacks
While meals are often provided at campsites, carry some high-energy snacks for the trail.
6. Hydration
7. Personal Care Items
8. Trekking Gear
9. First Aid Kit
Soft cuts and mild illnesses are not uncommon and should be taken care of as part of preparation.
10. Documents and Permits
11. Miscellaneous Items
The Kareri Lake trek offers an incredible mix of scenic beauty and rustic charm, but being a remote destination, it has limited commercial infrastructure.
1. Campsites
Camping is the most common and preferred accommodation option for trekkers heading to Kareri Lake.
Facilities:
2. Homestays in Kareri Village
For those who prefer a roof over their heads, several villagers offer homestays in Kareri Village.
3. Gaddi Huts
These are traditional stone shelters built by the nomadic Gaddi shepherds of the region.
Food Options
1. Meals at Campsites and Homestays
The campsites and homestays offer simple, wholesome meals prepared by locals.
2. Packed Meals and Snacks
3. Food at Kareri Lake
1) Start Early to Maximize Your Day
2) Pack Light but Smart
3) Be Prepared for Stream Crossings
4) Enjoy Local Hospitality
5) Acclimatize to the Altitude Gradually
6) Respect the Environment
7) Prepare for Limited Connectivity
8) Embrace the Cold Nights
9) Hydrate Using the Natural Springs
10) Time Your Trek with Local Festivals
11) Capture the Trail, Not Just the Destination
12) Carry Emergency Supplies
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The Kareri Lake Trek reaches an altitude of 9650 ft, offering trekkers a scenic and refreshing experience amidst the Himalayan landscape.
The Kareri Lake Trek typically takes 2 days, covering approximately 26 km with an ascent to the lake and a return trek to Kareri Village.
The ideal time for the Kareri Lake Trek is from April to June and September to November when the weather is pleasant and the trails are clear.
Previous trekking experience is not mandatory. The trek is suitable for beginners and intermediates, as it is categorized as easy to moderate in difficulty.
A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for the Kareri Lake Trek due to its easy to moderate difficulty, with a focus on stamina for the ascent.
No special permits are required for the Kareri Lake Trek, but it is advisable to carry valid identification and inform local authorities before starting the trek.
Yes, the Kareri Lake Trek is generally safe, but it is essential to follow guidelines, carry necessary gear, and trek with an experienced guide for added safety.
Accommodation on the Kareri Lake Trek is in twin-sharing tents at campsites along the trail, providing a basic yet comfortable stay amidst the mountains.
The Kareri Lake Trek is classified as easy to moderate, making it ideal for beginners and trekkers with basic fitness and no technical experience required.