Trekking
TOP 6 TREKS OF KULLU MANALI
Planning to go on a trekking trip in the mountains of Kullu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh but not sure which one to do, when to do, how to do, how long it will take to complete, where exactly is the trail etc etc? No probs. The WildCone is here to answer all your queries and show you the way. Here’s the lowdown on the top treks of Kullu-Manali and oh hey, happy hiking!
1. Hamta Pass trek
Who?
What?
It’s a crossover trek that connects Kullu valley with the Spiti valley in the Pir Panjal range and takes you to a maximum altitude of around 4300 meters where the mountain pass is.
Where?
The trek starting points are from near Jagatsukh and Prini, two small villages situated at a distance of around 7 kms and 4 kms respectively from Manali town.
When?
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October.
Why?
If you want to get up, close and personal with majestic snow-clad Himalayan mountains, walk up besides wild flowers, a gushing white river, and experience the thrills of walking on glaciers and standing on a mountain pass separating two valleys, then Hamta Trek is a must-do trek for you. It’s also ideal for first-time trekkers. You also get to see the Chandertal lake in Spiti, if weather and road conditions remain suitable.
How?
It’s a 5-day, 4-night trek. You have to first reach Manali and after brief acclimatization you can be on the trek the next day. There are many trekking agencies that besides guidance provide camping, meals and other related facilities on the trek.
2. Bhrigu Lake trek
Who?
What?
The trek takes you up a mountain top and to the glacial Bhrigu lake. The lake is located at an altitude of around 4300 meters and remains frozen till around mid-June!
Where?
Located in the Pir Panjal mountains, there are two routes to access the lake -– from Vashisht village and Gulaba village, which are near Manali.
When?
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October.
Why?
If you want to see a lake on a mountain top that remains frozen even in summers and reach in relatively less time then Bhrigu Lake is a must-do trek for you. Other trek highlights include beautiful meadows, dense deodar forests and amazing views of mighty mountains on your way up.
How?
It’s a 3-day and 2-night trek. Since the trek starting point is near Manali, you can stay near or in the town after reaching here and start off early next morning. There are many trekking agencies that besides guidance provide camping, meals and other related facilities on the trek.
3. Beas Kund trek
Who?
What?
This trek takes you to the Beas Kund, a glacial lake which is the source of Beas river. The Beas Kund is located at an altitude of around 3700 meters.
Where?
The trek starting point is from near Solang Nala, which is around 13 kms from Manali.
When?
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October.
Why?
If you love rivers and want to trek up to their source then this one is a must for you as you can reach the Beas Kund in just two days. On this trek, you also get to view the Seven Sisters mountains, Hanuman Tibba peak and the Sheati Dhar (the white peak) besides getting real close to glaciers, jutting out of mountains.
How?
It’s a 3-day and 2-night trek. Since the trek starting point is near Manali, you can stay near or in the town after reaching here and start off early next morning.
4. Malana trek
Who?
What?
The trek takes you to Malana, one of the most famous villages of the country located in the Parvati valley of Kullu. Malana is known for its unique culture and language, its democratic institutions of governance, which are believed to be one of the oldest, and of course the Malana Cream, the high-quality hash which is produced here.
Where?
There are two routes to reach Malana. The first route is from Jari village in Parvati valley. A road from Jari takes you almost to the entry point of Malana with not much of a trek left to do. The second route starts from Rumsu village, which is near heritage village Naggar in the Kullu valley. This one takes you to the Malana village via scenic Chanderkhani Pass, a mountain pass at an altitude of 3700 meters.
When?
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October. This trek can also be done in July and August if you don’t mind the rains.
Why?
Besides exploring the beautiful mountains and crossing the Chanderkhani Pass, this trek also gives you the opportunity of witnessing the unique culture and customs of Malana and meet its inhabitants, who are said to be the inhabitants of the soldiers of the Alexander the Great.
How?
It’s 4-day, 3-night trek. To do this trek, you have to first reach Naggar, a heritage village around 15 kms from Manali. You can either stay in Naggar or Manali or nearer to the trek starting point. From Naggar, you can reach Rumsu village, the trek starting point, next morning, and start off for Malana.
5. Deo Tibba Base Camp trek
Who?
What?
The trek takes you to the base of the majestic Deo Tibba (abode of the gods) peak, the second highest mountain of the Kullu district that rises to an altitude of 6,001 meters.
Where?
The trek starting point is from Jagatsukh village, a small village on the left bank of the Beas river and around 7 kms from Manali.
When?
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October.
Why?
If you want to trek up a gushing river amidst walls of mighty mountains, enter into the wild highlands and surface at the base of a majestic mountain and stand by a glacial lake, then you must do the Deo Tibba trek.
How?
It’s a 6-day and 5-night trek. Since the trek starting point is located near Manali, you can stay near to the village and be on the trek the next morning. There are many trekking agencies that besides guidance provide camping, meals and other related facilities on the trek.
6. Mantalai Lake trek
Who:
What:
The trek takes you to the Mantalai lake, the source of Parvati river in Kullu district, located at an altitude of around 4100 meters.
Where:
The trek starts from Barshaini, a village situated around an hour’s drive from Manikaran in the Parvati valley.
When:
The best time to do this trek is in the months of May and June and then from September till mid-October.
Why:
If you want to challenge yourself and also prepare yourself for difficult treks or just want to trace the course of Parvati river up to her point of origin then you must do it. A view of the beautiful snow-clad mountains, white-water waterfalls, deodar forests, and a stay in Kheerganga are the added attractions.
How:
To do this trek, you have to first reach the Parvati valley and can stay at some of the places like Jari, Kasol, Manikaran etc. and after a day of acclimatization start your trek from Barshaini. The trek is considered a little difficult and hiring expert mountain guides is a must especially for the first-timers.
