Himachal
trekking
Trekking up to Dashaur glacial lake near Rohtang Pass
If you are looking for a one-day trek that takes you to a beautiful glacial lake in the heart of the Himalayas, then the trek to Dashaur lake, also known as Shelasar, is meant for you.
Dashaur lake, also known as Shelasar, which literally means ‘cold lake’, is located at an altitude of around 4300 meters, high in the Western Himalayan mountains near Rohtang Pass.
You can trek up to this beautiful lake and return, all in a day.
It’s one of the best, beautiful and shortest treks that also provides you with some of the most stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Here is everything you should know about Dashaur lake trek before you do it.
Dashaur lake location
The lake is located near Rohtang Pass at an altitude of around 4300 meters. On one side of the lake is Koksar in Lahaul Spiti and from the other you can watch the Kullu valley. To reach Dashaur, you first need to be in Manali, the nearest popular place to the lake.
Best time to do the Dashaur lake trek
The ideal time to do this trek is in September and October when the weather remains mostly clear and pleasant and there is no snow. In November, the chances of snowfall in this region increase manyfold and a single spell covers the entire mountains. The snow in November on the route can catch you unprepared and it can also be highly risky at such high altitude. Dashaur lake along with the nearby Rohtang Pass remain buried under thick snow for at least six months till almost June.
You can also go in July and August but travelling during these two months in Himachal is not a good idea due to cloudbursts and flash floods. So, September and October are the best months to do this trek.
We also did this trek in October on a bright sunny day.
This lake is also a place of pilgrimage for local people, who visit it every year on Bhadar 20. Bhadar is the name of the month in Pahari dialect that falls in August and September. The date Bhadar 20 falls in early September.
Trek Difficulty level
As the total time it takes to do the trek is comparatively shorter, Dashaur lake trek has been graded ‘easy.’ The first-timers may find the trek a little tiring due to mostly steep patches. You should start early on this trek so that you return early by sundown. We started at around 9 am and were there by 1 pm. But it’s better to start as early as possible.
The route
The trek starting point is from near the Beas Kund temple, located around two kms below Rohtang Pass. From Manali you can hire a cab or reach here in your own vehicle. More than half the trek distance is steep as you keep climbing up till you reach a ridge from where the lake becomes visible at a distance.
How cold this region is can be gauged from the fact that when we were moving up we found icicles hanging from rocks at many spots in the day time and in October! From the ridge, you move downwards up to the lake. Though the lake distance is comparatively shorter to other treks, it’s one tiring trek mostly due to steep patches.
Medical fitness
This trek takes you to an altitude of more than 4000 meters. You need to be medically fit to do this trek and should not have any heart condition. If you are planning to do it for the first time then you should first acclimate yourself to the high altitude and then do it.
The lake
Dashaur lake is one of the most stunning and beautiful ones. For most time of the year, this lake remains frozen and gives visitors a limited opportunity of time to visit her. A temple has also been built on her bank. When we reached the lake, we sat down on the bank and were tired enough to remain silent for a long time. Then we circumambulated the lake with naked feet. It was a wonderful experience.
Sadly, the lake has shrunk in size over the years due to receding glaciers — a visible fallout of the climate change.
Do I need a trek guide?
Yes. Don’t try to do this trek alone or in a group. Losing your way at high altitudes can be pretty risky. Read here trekking safety tips for first timers. You need climbing experts to properly guide you along such treks, even if they are of short duration.
