Kareri Lake Trek, Difficulty, Best Time to Reach, Trek Guide 2024
Kareri Lake- The Gem of DhaulaDhar Range: Kareri lake is best known for being a trekking destination in the Dhauladhars. The lake remains frozen from early December to March–April. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti on a hilltop overlooking the lake..Kareri Lake (also known as Kumarwah Lake) is a high altitude, shallow, fresh water lake south of the Dhauladhar range approximately 9 km North West of Dharamsala in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
Kareri Lake is one of the high-altitude lakes nearby Dharamshala/McLeodganj and is believed to be the highest alpine lake in this region. This is a shallow freshwater lake that receives water from the surrounding glaciers. With splendid views and amazing lush green vegetation, this trek is a complete package that provides ideas and a dose of adventure and thrill.
Kareri Lake is one of the high-altitude lakes nearby Dharamshala/McLeodganj and is believed to be the highest alpine lake in this region. This is a shallow freshwater lake that receives water from the surrounding glaciers. With splendid views and amazing lush green vegetation, this trek is a complete package that provides ideas and a dose of adventure and thrill.
Difficulty of the Trek and Trekking Guide
It’s a popular trekking destination in the Dhauladhar’s Range, offering a 13 km moderate to tough trek. The trail passes through mixed pine and broadleaf forests, grasslands, and granite rocks. The Difficulty of the trek is easy to moderate with altitude gain from 1800m to 2940m.
En route to the lake, you will cross dense forests of towering Oak and Pine trees. The trees are covered in powdery snow that sparkles and glistens as the rays of the sun strike the leaves. Walking through the forest seems like a mystical experience with snow all around.
Another great thing about trekking in the winter is that the trails are much less crowded as compared to the summers and such, you can bask in the serenity of the mountains. The trek is usually ideal for fit individuals and experienced trek. The distance is 20km and it usuallt takes 1-2 days to complete the trekking.
The highlight of the trek is reaching the pristine Kareri Lake, a serene glacial lake surrounded by towering mountains. The crystal-clear waters of the lake reflecting the surrounding peaks create a breathtaking sight.
Trek to Kareri Lake kicks off from McLeodganj; it further passes through Mankiani Pass, Baleni Pass, Lioti and finally ends at the Kareri Lake. On your journey to the Kareri lake, you will see many vintage landmarks, which offers the great view of the neighbouring mountains and valleys. The trail transverses through lush forests, narrow terrains, whirly passes, scenic meadows and much more.
Best Time to Visit Kareri Lake
The best time to visit the Kareri lake depends upon what you want to experience.
Summer (May to July): This is the most popular time to visit Kareri Lake, as the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall. The skies are clear, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The meadows are lush and vibrant, and the lake is at its fullest level from the snowmelt. This is a great time for trekking and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Monsoon (August): The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall to the area, which can make the trails slippery and dangerous. Landslides are also more common during this time. It’s best to avoid trekking to Kareri Lake during the monsoon.
Autumn (September to November): The post-monsoon months offer another great window for visiting Kareri Lake. The landscape is rejuvenated and lush green, with clear skies offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. The crowds are smaller than in the summer months, and the weather is generally pleasant with cool temperatures. This is a great time for those who want a more peaceful and less crowded trekking experience.
Winter (December to February): The winter months see the heaviest snowfall in the area. The lake can freeze over completely, and the temperatures can drop well below freezing. While this can be a beautiful time to visit for those who enjoy winter scenery, the trails are often impassable due to snow. It’s important to be well-equipped for the cold weather conditions if you do choose to visit during this time.
How to Reach Kareri Lake
Kareri Lake is one of seven high-elevation sacred lakes in the Dhauladhar Ranges, all dedicated to Lord Shiva.
1. Reach Dharamshala or Mcleodganj:
There are several ways to reach Dharamshala or Mcleodganj, the nearest major hubs to Kareri Lake. Here are your options:
- Fly: The closest airport is Kangra Airport (Dharamsala Airport), located about 90 kilometers from Dharamshala. However, this airport has limited connectivity. Bigger airports are at Chandigarh (240 km) or Delhi (470 km) from where you can take a connecting taxi or bus to Dharamshala.
- Train: The nearest railway station is Pathankot, about 90 kilometers from Dharamshala. Pathankot is a major railway station with good connectivity to various parts of India. From Pathankot, you can take a taxi or bus to Dharamshala.
- Bus: Dharamshala and Mcleodganj are well-connected by buses from major cities in Himachal Pradesh and North India, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Amritsar.
2. Reach Ghera Village:
From Dharamshala or Mcleodganj, you’ll need to reach Ghera village, the starting point of the trek to Kareri Lake. Here are your options:
- Bus: A local Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus operates from Dharamshala to Ghera every morning between 8 am to 8:30 am. This is the most budget-friendly option.
- Taxi: You can hire a taxi from Dharamshala or Mcleodganj to take you directly to Ghera village. This is a convenient option, especially if you have luggage or are traveling in a group.
3. Trek to Kareri Lake:
- First phase of the trek to Kareri Village you will walk through the dense pine jungles and remote villages. For initial few kilometers, you will walk to the bottom of the slope and after reaching a point, you will start climbing. Dinner and overnight stay in Kareri Village Camp.
- Second Phase of trek you will embark on a tough trek till Lioti. During the 4-5 hour journey, trekkers are going to have the best time of their life, they will stroll along the river, cross bridges and even will walk on boulders. Lioti, which is going to be the camping site for the day, is beautiful alpine grassland located at an elevation of 8038 feet above the sea level. Dinner and overnight stay in Lioti base camp.
- Finally comes the day for what everybody has been waiting! Today, you will trek to Minkiani Pass, the point where the lake is located. For initial kilometers, trekkers will walk on the narrow, rocky and muddy track, lined with thickly forested mountains on one side, and a river gorge on the other. Since it’s a high altitude trek, here one can see coniferous, and deciduous forest clung to the mountains and clouds surrounding the peak. With every step, attitudes and the level of difficulty will keep on increasing. Trails will get rough; trekkers will have to cross rough rocky paths. The campsite for this night will be another pleasant meadow, and from here you will be able to see Minkiani Pass, Baleni Pass and a valley below.
Important Things to keep in Mind while Trekking
- Overlooking the lake, there’s a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti.
- Kareri Lake serves as a base for further treks into the Dhauladhar, including the Seven Lake Trek and routes to Chamba and Bharmour via the Minkiani Pass and Baleni Pass.
- Kareri Lake remains frozen from early December until March–April.
- Kareri Lake is one of seven high-elevation sacred lakes in the Dhauladhar Ranges, all dedicated to Lord Shiva.
How difficult is Kareri Lake trek?
The trek to Kareri Lake is considered moderately difficult, making it suitable for both beginners (fit individuals) and experienced trekkers. It usually takes around 2 days to complete the trek, with the maximum altitude reaching about 9,650 feet.
How many km is Kareri Lake trek?
The total Kareri Lake Trek Distance is around 26 km. The trek to Kareri Lake starts from the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh and is also considered to be the base camp of Minkiani pass. The trail goes through forests of rhododendron, oak, and pine.
Can Kareri Lake trek be done in one day?
Yes, if you are fit enough to walk the entire day. You can easily complete this trek in one day. However, you have to start early to reach Kareri Lake on time.
Can we swin in Kareri Lake?
It is a freshwater lake that is small. One may swim in the lake throughout the summer. The lake, however, acquires a fresh attractiveness during the winter when it is frozen, and the path leading to it is buried under around 3 to 4 feet of snow.
What is the height of Kareri?
Geography. Kareri Lake is at elevation 2,934 metres (9,626 ft) above the sea level. Snow melting from the Dhauladhar range serves as the source of the lake and a stream, Nyund is the outflow.
