Bhrigu Lake Trek

The trek to Jonker Thatch Rola Kholi covers an altitude range of 12,566 feet and takes 2.5 to 4 hours to cover a distance of 5.1 km. On the second day of the trek, you will cover five kilometres in 3-to-4 hours, which includes some steep ascents. The final part of the trek is an undulating path that offers a great opportunity to rest your legs and take some photographs. Once you arrive at Rola Khuli, you will be able to view Mount Hanuman Tibba and its nearby mountain ranges. The trek starts at the Gulaba checkpoint thick forest and passes through open grasslands and dense forests before reaching the highest point of the trail at Rola Kholi. The hike begins at an altitude of 12,500 feet and covers a distance of 6 km within 3-4 hours. The trek route is going to be steep and strenuous, so it is advisable to carry 2 litres of water and a few snacks to help you relax between the demanding laps. For the first couple of miles, you will walk through a forest, taking a bath under the shade of rustling conifers. You can spot cedar, oaks, and birches, and it is stunning to see a glimpse of blue through the leaves. After walking for 20 minutes on the trail, the woods will be drained, revealing rolling green meadows. The shepherds’ area is where cattle grazers are gathered from villages in the summer. You can find some mud huts and camp poles dotted around. Leaving the meadow in place, you move towards the south, and the summit in the form of Hanuman Tibba is rising in sharp focus right now, and a bit below it, you will see the Seven Sisters Peaks. Below, you will find the green area in the Beas Kund Valley. The next step is a small vegetation cover before the path drops down to the rocky meadows. The adrenaline peaks when the trail becomes narrower and steeper before entering the fields that make up Rola Kholi. Around 15 or 20 minutes away from our campsite, we travel through two nallahs or small streams that serve as one of our water sources. Our camp is situated close to Chor Nallah, located at the Rola Kholi campsite.

The trek from Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake is undoubtedly a difficult one, covering a distance of over ten kilometers and taking anywhere from 5.3 to 7 hours to complete. The altitude reaches a staggering 14,000 feet, so it is not for the faint of heart. However, those who make the journey are rewarded with some of the most stunning views and breathtaking landscapes in the world. The trail is steep and rocky, and it can be quite challenging to navigate. However, the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the snow-covered summit of Indrasen, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba, make it well worth the effort. It is best to start the trek early in the morning since it is a long distance to cover, and you’ll want to have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. To reach Bhrigu Lake, you’ll need to climb about 1,348 feet, starting with trekking up the first ridge, which is about an hour’s walk away. If you’re lucky enough to visit in June, the trail is typically covered with snow, which can be quite a challenge to navigate. However, as the snow melts, the landscape gradually changes from green to white and brown. As you climb the ridge, you’ll see an oval-shaped glacial lake on your left. Depending on the time of year, the lake can be completely covered by snow or surrounded by grass and alpine plants. If you’re fortunate enough to have a clear day, you’ll be treated to an excellent panoramic view of Pir Pinjal and the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. You’ll also be able to see majestic peaks like Indrasen, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba. However, the lake is often covered by fog, which can make it challenging to find the right route. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to hire an experienced local guide who can help you navigate the trail safely. After spending time at the lake, you can retrace your steps back towards Rola Kholi, taking in the stunning scenery one last time before you return home.

The trekking path we will follow today will take us through a wide range of altitudes, beginning from 10,370 feet (3,161 m) and gradually descending to lower elevations. Our total trek time will be approximately 3-4 hours. During the trek, we will cover a distance of 5 km. Today’s trek will see us retracing our steps back on the same route that we took earlier, through the picturesque green meadows that we passed on the way to Gulaba. This stretch of the trek will be a long one, taking us approximately 2-3 hours to complete.  Once we reach Gulaba, we will travel back to Manali by car. Our expected arrival time in Manali is between 3 to 4 pm. This trek is sure to be a memorable experience, offering breathtaking views of the stunning Himalayan landscape along the way.