Kareri Lake Trek: Perfect Destination to Spend your Weekend
Kareri Lake is known to be one of the best glacial lake treks that Himachal has to offer. Kareri lake originating from the melted glacier of Minkiani peak forms the source of Nyund water stream. Set at an elevation of 9,650 ft Kareri Lake makes up for the perfect weekend trek with its 2-day trekking trail. The range of experience an individual encounters on this trek is immense. Trek through green meadows, cross wooden bridges, walk through water streams, camp under the stars, witness the fiery red orchards and many more things.
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Experience the local life of the villagers and local gaddi shepherds with their little hut and pasture farming lands. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva overlooking the Lake from the top. Many trekkers prefer going for Kareri lake trek during summer season to have a pleasant hiking experience. However, Winters are best to see the snow fall and trails covered in snow give you an adventurous experience.
Trek Distance: 26 km
Trek Altitude: 9,650 ft
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Best Season: Around the year
How to Reach:
By Bus: Dharamshala can be considered the starting point of the trek and it is also well connected by road to all the major cities. To get to the famous hill station of Dharamshala you can take a private or public bus from Delhi which will cost you around INR 700 for a one way trip. From ISBT Kashmiri Gate in North Delhi you can get a bus that will drop you at Dharamshala. Taking an overnight bus is the best option that takes around 12 hours to cover 520 km.
By Train: Covering long distances by a bus for long hours can be hustle for few people. The alternative option of boarding a train to reach the nearest railway station of Pathankot at a distance of 85 km is also a viable choice. From Pathankot you can hire a cab or take a bus to reach Dharamshala.
By Flight: With a distance of 13 km, Gaggal Airport is the nearest one to Dharamshala. If you are starting your journey from Delhi then this is the fastest way to reach the destination. However, if you are coming from other cities then Chandigarh Airport is the best option for you at a distance of 275 km.
Itinerary for your Trek:
Day 01: Dharamshala to Liyoti
Dharamshala is the starting point as it is a famous hill town among the tourists. From Dharamshala you will need to drive for 2 hours to reach Kareri village. This is where you will start your actual trek and hike up to Liyoti. The trail is mostly an upward climb which is none too steep. You will cross the beautiful forest to reach the campsite at Liyoti which is a 6 km trek. After reaching you will pitch your tent along the river side and retire for the day.
Day 02: Liyoti to Kareri Lake
Second day will be a long hour hike of about 6 hours as it includes a steep ascent. You will reach Kareri Lake at an altitude of 10,800 ft after hiking for that long hour. The trail of this day is lined with oak trees, rhododendron forests and
Day 03: Kareri Lake to Dharamshala
Wake up early to catch the first rays of sunrise turning the entire landscape golden. You can even take a stroll around the lake and click some photographs. After having your fill of nature, you can start descending from Kareri Lake to Kareri village. Then you can drive back to Dharamshala or choose to explore nearby places.
What is the Cost:
There are multiple factors that affect the cost of the entire trip to Kareri Lake Trek. The main things that affect the cost are the place of accommodation, type of trekking gears, tour operator and duration of the trek.
So, the average cost per person for Kareri Lake trek can be anywhere between 5,000 to 7,000. Although, some operators might charge up to 9,000 because of the inclusive charges like accommodation, airfare etc.
Accommodation:
During your trek, you can pitch a tent and enjoy the experience of camping under the clear sky. The campsites are well placed to shield the trekkers from harsh weather conditions. If you wish to experience the local life of Kareri then stay at Forest rest house of Kareri village. Staying at a cottage in Kareri is another experience in itself and it is available at reasonable prices if you do prior booking.