The Complete Backpacker’s Guide to the Kareri Lake Trek

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INTRODUCTION:

Kareri Lake, also popularly known as Kumarwah Lake, is located in the Dhauladhar range, lying up to 9kms away from the Dharamshala. This shallow lake is a clear freshwater glacial lake at a height of more than 2,934 meters and makes the most picturesque location.

The water here is very crystal clear, and at some places, you’ll be able to witness the lake bed – which is a wonderful experience to watch. The reflection of the sky above is another beautiful and memorable gift this lake presents. Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, Kareri lake is quite a picturesque outdoor thing to do. 

The trek takes you through many beautiful and mesmerizing waterfalls and gushing streams while also providing you with lovely meadows. For more visual scenes, there are also shepherd’s villages located nearby that add another depth of charm. 

Making for a lovely weekend holiday an adventurous one then Kareri lake is a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path trail. 

About Kareri Lake Trek

 

Taking you through the lush green meadows mountains where you can look at the subtropical pine forests to the fullest as you’ll be surrounded by beautiful bird species.

The water of Kareri lake is from glacial and snow melting and water bodies from the beautiful Minkiani Peak in the Dhauladhar range. The stream – is well known as the Nyund river and will be your companion during the whole trail.

This lake does not enjoy huge tourist attractions and that’s exactly what makes this destination even more worth watching and charming. Thanks to the most abundant and extensive pastures near the lake, this place is a casual haunt for the Gujjars and Gaddis of nearby villages. On your trek, you’ll be able to witness and soak in the stunning dense conifers and some unique fascinating flowers.

Best Time to visit Kareri

While the lake remains frozen for almost all the year, the beauty of the lake in the winter months is also worth enjoying. However, if you’re looking for some fun and excitement in the winter – Kareri offers that to the max level as well. The months of March to July (i.e., pre-monsoon season) and then again from September to December make for a wonderful weekend gateway trek experience.

It is considered best to avoid the monsoon season as maneuvering and trekking the mountains during that period can be tricky and a little dangerous too.

How to Reach Kareri Village

The beautiful Kareri village is situated around 27 km from the Amshala. You can easily get several taxis from Dharamshala and even Palampur, Bir and other main centers around the whole region. It will take you around 1.5 hours to reach Kareri from the Dharamshala. For reaching the Dharamshala, there are other multiple options available. 

However, we must tell you that with any hill station you’re planning to visit, reaching the destination by road is the most convenient option available. However, train and air connectivity are also available, even though a portion of your travel must be taken by road. 

 

  • By Air

Gaggal, more than 13 KMs from Dharamshala, is the closest airport available around the whole region. There are Spicejet and Air India flights available from Delhi. However, it might be considered even easier to fly to Chandigarh Airport – which has better connectivity than this small Himalayan airport. Chandigarh is at a total distance of approximately 275 KMs from the Dharamshala. You may take a cab, hire a self-driving car or catch a bus from Chandigarh to Dharamshala. 

 

Below is a detailed description of all the other transportation you can take:-

 

  • By Rail

The closest railhead which is located in the area is Pathankot, 85 KMs away from the Dharamshala. A relaxing overnight journey will get you here. Several trains heading to Jammu & Kashmir have halts here. From Pathankot, you can hail a cab or catch a bus from here.

 

  • By road

The Dharamshala is a well-connected place to Delhi, and the journey will cover a distance of approximately 525 KMs from ISBT. If you’re catching a bus then make sure to take an overnight journey so that you have another entire day to have fun and enjoy your time in the Himalayas. The travel time between Delhi and Dharamshala is roughly 13 hours. However, we must tell you that certain buses will take you to the beautiful McLeod Ganj. This place is one the closest to the start of your trek.

Short Itinerary 

 

  • Reaching the base camp – Kareri Village
  • The beautiful Kareri Village to Riot Village
  • Back to the base, onwards, and upwards 

 

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