Kareri Lake is a high altitude, shallow, freshwater lake south of the Dhauladhar range and in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Its surface is 3500 meters above the sea level. Snow melting from the Dhauladhar range serves as the source of the lake and a stream, Nyund is the outflow. It overlooks the flat & fertile lands of Himachal and Punjab, seems to stretch on to infinity.
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. A few gaddi kothis are present on the other side of the lake, an area which is used by the Gaddis as a grazing ground for their animals.
The Minkiani Pass at 4250 meters is situated to the west of the Indrahar Pass in the Dhauladhar ranges. The Minkiani pass is not as popular as the Indrahar pass and passes through some remote villages. The views from the Minkiani pass is a treat for every trekker, with the Punjab lands being visible in the south and several prominent lakes and peaks also being visible from this pass.
Trek Months – Mid April to October
Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Report to base camp McLeod Ganj(2000m).
- You are expected to assemble at McLeod Ganj by 4 pm. McLeod Ganj is situated 500km away from Delhi and would take approximately 9-10 hours by road. You can take a shared taxi/bus from Delhi to reach McLeod Ganj in an overnight journey.
- Alternatively, you can also get to the nearest railway station Pathankot or Chakki bank by train and take a taxi to McLeod Ganj. Taxis are available right outside the Pathankot railway station which is situated approx. 90km from McLeod Ganj.
- Overnight stay in the hotel.
- Meals: Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 2 – Drive to Satobari village. Trek from Satobari village to Rewti(2600m, 13km).
- The trek to Harnala is a very well defined and easy trek.
- The trek from Harnala to Rewti is a moderate grade trek frequented by trekkers and local people. Vegetation of any form comes to an end and the route is boulder ridden.
- Overnight stay in tents/homestay (based on availability).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 3 – Trek from Rewti to Kareri Lake (3500m).
- Today we trek alongside the Nyund stream until the high altitude freshwater lake. Snow melting from the Dhauladhar serves as the source of the lake and the stream.
- The lake also serves as the base for trekking further into the Dhauladhar and onward to Chamba and Bharmour via the Minkiani pass and Baleni pass.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 4 – Trek from Kareri lake to Minkiani pass base camp (4000m).
- The route to the pass is boulder ridden; once across the boulders, a well laid out trail takes you the crest of the pass.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 5 – Trek from base camp to Minkiani pass (4250m) and descent to the Kareri lake.
- Start early in the morning to the Minkiani pass at a whopping 4250m.
- Take a few minutes to celebrate your accomplishment at the top of the pass and enjoy the views.
- Overnight stay in tents/homestay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 6 – Trek from Kareri village to Naddi. Drive to McLeod Ganj.
- Trek down to the next village of Naddi through a well-defined path. Drive down to McLeod Ganj.
- Overnight stay in hotels.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 7 – Depart from McLeod Ganj.
- Depart from McLeod Ganj at 9 am in the morning.
Trek Facts
Grade: Moderate.
Altitude: 4250m.
Temperature: During Summer from April to July, the temperatures hover around 33 degree Celsius during the day and dipping to an average 20 degree Celsius at night. As one goes higher up in the Dhauladhar range, the temperature dips to 5-10 degree Celsius at night.
Trek Duration: 7 days.
Trek Season: May to early July, September – October.
Base Camp: McLeod Ganj.
How to reach Basecamp:
By Air: Gaggal near Kangra, at a distance of 15 km from Mcleodganj by road is the closest airport.
By Rail: The closest railway stations are Pathankot and Chakki Bank. You may also choose to continue all the way up to Kangra by the scenic 6 hour Kangra valley toy train ride. Mcleodganj is 18 km from Kangra and this journey can be covered by bus or taxi.
By Road: This is the most popular medium to reach Dharamshala. There are HRTC bus services from various cities in North India like Delhi, Pathankot, Manali, Chandigarh etc to Lower Dharamshala. You may also take shared taxis from these locations.
Submit inquiry for cost
Cost Inclusions:
- Accommodation in dome tents (2/3 per tent).
- Accommodation in McLeod Ganj on Day 1 and Day 6.
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/ buffet basis.
- Transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats, gaiters.
- All charges for guides and permits.
Cost Exclusions:
- Travel to and fro base camp McLeod Ganj.
- Backpack offloading: Trekkers are expected to carry their own backpacks. If the trekker cannot carry his/her backpack due to physical inability and chooses to offload on mules/ porters, this will be on additional cost.
- Airfares, airport taxes and anything not mentioned in the inclusions and itinerary.
- Meals, tea, coffee, mineral water, tips, transfers not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Doctor, telephone, laundry and other personal expenses.
- Cost of personal emergency exit or expenses due to external factors such as climatic conditions.
Health & Fitness Requirements:
This trek does not require you to have previous trekking or mountaineering experience. However, we do highly recommend having an adventurous spirit and willingness to undergo the joys & hardships of outdoor camping, in addition to good physical and mental fitness, to completely enjoy the trek. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest, heart or bronchial ailments, we advise you against participating since most treks happen in remote areas with limited access to medical services & hospital facilities.
Our Trek Leaders are experienced trekkers and we trust their judgments. If during the trek, the Trek Leader advises you against continuing on the trek, we request you to respect his/her judgment and follow his/her instructions.