Dhauladhar Seven Lakes Trek
The Dhaladhar mountain ranges is a prominent range extending from Chamba District to Manali (Mandi District) in Himachal Pradesh. The crest of Dhauldhar remains covered with vast expanse of snow during most part of the year. Although the lower ridges are covered with rich flaura and fauna and has considerable geographical interest by nature and wild life lovers, the upper ridges and expanses of Dhauladhar ranges are mostly covered by rocky mountains and a lot of granite, slate and sand stones. Therefore its usually tough trekking up the Dhauladhars given the vertical inclination and tricky climbing. The views from either side of Dhauladhars are magnificient towards Pir Panjal and Greater Himalayan Ranges as well as deep valleys and enchanting snow clad peaks. There are more than 30 passes in Dhauladhar Range with averaging height of 3500-5000 meters and has vast trekking, mountaineering, and skiing potential as well as unspoiled, unexplored and infrequent treks. Although there are 22 lakes in Dhauldhar, each hiding near a pass or two and remain glaciated for most part of the year and are considered extremely sacred by the local residents, 7 of these lakes are prominent namely Nag Dal, Lam Dal, Kali Kund, Kareri, Chanderkoop Dal, Sukh Dal and Dam Ghodi Dal. The trek of 7 lakes is not less than an expedition in itself as we have to climb high and difficult mountain passes like Indrahara Pass and Minkiani Pass each averaging above 4300 Meters and not an easy pass in itself.
Trek Itinerary
Day 1 - Mcleodganj to Triund
Trek from Dharamkot to Triund Hill (9 Kms, 4Hrs)
Have your breakfast and we will start walking towards the well laid trekking trail towards Triund. Triund trekking trail is steep ascent and takes around 4-5 hours of trekking through dense forest of oak, pine, rhododendron and deodar trees. Arrive at Triund hill and check into forest lodge or set up our camp. You can see beautiful views of Dhauladhar range, and Mun Peak.
Day 03: Lahesh Caves
Trek from Triund hill to Lahesh Caves (4 hours)
Lahesh Caves are beautiful Caves, surrounded by snow for most part of the year and are the base of Dhauladhar Peak on way to Indrahar Pass, It's a beautiful cave surrounded by beautiful scenery and can host upto 20 people.
Day 04: Nag Dal over Indrahar Pass
Trek from Lahesh Caves to Nag Dal
After an early breakfast we start. From the top of Indrahar Pass you can have amazing views of majestic peaks of Pir Panjal range of central Himalayas. If you want to enjoy snow trekking then till June you will be trekking through snow glaciers. After crossing the Indrahar Pass another 2-3 hours we reach Nag Dal (3800 meters). We camp and stay tonight a little further from Nag Dal. There is an interesting story about this lake. Nag Dal known as a Cobra Lake was explored by the King of Alwar Raja Bhagsu. When he visited the lake as per the advise of his Priests to bring water from Holy Lake to have rains in his kingdom. With his magical powers he filled all of the water in a pot. While Raja was in deep sleep, Nag Devta who was on his routine visit to Lake Nag Dal found the Lake empty. He followed the footsteps and challenged Raja Bhagsu for a war severely wounding him as he dropped his magical pot filling the lake again with water. On his last breath he sincerely prayed Nag Devta. Seeing his faithful prayers Nag Devta happily granted him a wish that the drought in his kingdom should come to an end and his name is honored by all also naming the place as Bhagsu Nag. This lake is now visited by hundreds of people for a holy dip and people worship Nag Devta on the occasion of Janmashtmi.
Day 5- Nag Dal-Chanderkoop Dal-Dham Ghodi Dal
Chanderkup Lake (Moon lake) is situated at an altitude of 4100 metres (11306 ft). It is a beautiful lake with ice blocks floating in it. It is also called ‘Ice-berg Lake” by trekkers due to the same reason. We rest a little here then proceed our climb towards Dham Ghodi Dal. While the water flows from the Dhauladhar towards the Kangra valley flows into the Beas, towards Chamba it forms the drainage to the Ravi. Dham Ghodi Dal being the prominent Lake forming the basin.
Day 6- Dham Ghodi Dal - Lam Dal
Lam Dal is the biggest Lake in Dhauladhars, and the second largest in Himachal. With the circumference of 2.5 kms is considered to be sacred in Himachal and worshipped as an abode of Lord shiva. Hundreds of pilgrims arrive to take a holy dip in the Lake during festival of Janamashtmi. Lam Dal is at an altitude of 3900 meters. The devotees take a dip in this lake during the Manimahesh yatra towards the end of August and early September.
Day 7 - Lam Dal - Kalikund-Naghar
Naghar is also a small glacial lake and a beautiful campsite, it also serves as a base of Minkiani Pass and also referred as Minkiani Got.
Day 8 - Naghar-Minkiani Pass-Kareri Lake
Today will be a long day as we will be climbing the mighty Minkiani Pass strung over boulders and steep incline and reach the other side to the beautiful Kareri Lake. Kareri lake is small mountain lake at the base of Minkani pass. The lake keeps religious significance for the local people who come here on pilgrimage every year. Our tonights camp in an open meadow on the side of the lake with big views of Baleni Pass, Minkani pass and the valley below.
Day 9 - Kareri Lake-Kareri Village Dharamshala
We reach Kareri Village after a few hours journey from the Lake, where our cabs would be waiting for us to drive us to Dharamshala. Thus concluding our trek with beautiful memories, a really satisfying spiritual journey and tonnes of awesome pictures.
Day 1 - Mcleodganj to Triund
Trek from Dharamkot to Triund Hill (9 Kms, 4Hrs)
Have your breakfast and we will start walking towards the well laid trekking trail towards Triund. Triund trekking trail is steep ascent and takes around 4-5 hours of trekking through dense forest of oak, pine, rhododendron and deodar trees. Arrive at Triund hill and check into forest lodge or set up our camp. You can see beautiful views of Dhauladhar range, and Mun Peak.
Day 03: Lahesh Caves
Trek from Triund hill to Lahesh Caves (4 hours)
Lahesh Caves are beautiful Caves, surrounded by snow for most part of the year and are the base of Dhauladhar Peak on way to Indrahar Pass, It's a beautiful cave surrounded by beautiful scenery and can host upto 20 people.
Day 04: Nag Dal over Indrahar Pass
Trek from Lahesh Caves to Nag Dal
After an early breakfast we start. From the top of Indrahar Pass you can have amazing views of majestic peaks of Pir Panjal range of central Himalayas. If you want to enjoy snow trekking then till June you will be trekking through snow glaciers. After crossing the Indrahar Pass another 2-3 hours we reach Nag Dal (3800 meters). We camp and stay tonight a little further from Nag Dal. There is an interesting story about this lake. Nag Dal known as a Cobra Lake was explored by the King of Alwar Raja Bhagsu. When he visited the lake as per the advise of his Priests to bring water from Holy Lake to have rains in his kingdom. With his magical powers he filled all of the water in a pot. While Raja was in deep sleep, Nag Devta who was on his routine visit to Lake Nag Dal found the Lake empty. He followed the footsteps and challenged Raja Bhagsu for a war severely wounding him as he dropped his magical pot filling the lake again with water. On his last breath he sincerely prayed Nag Devta. Seeing his faithful prayers Nag Devta happily granted him a wish that the drought in his kingdom should come to an end and his name is honored by all also naming the place as Bhagsu Nag. This lake is now visited by hundreds of people for a holy dip and people worship Nag Devta on the occasion of Janmashtmi.
Day 5- Nag Dal-Chanderkoop Dal-Dham Ghodi Dal
Chanderkup Lake (Moon lake) is situated at an altitude of 4100 metres (11306 ft). It is a beautiful lake with ice blocks floating in it. It is also called ‘Ice-berg Lake” by trekkers due to the same reason. We rest a little here then proceed our climb towards Dham Ghodi Dal. While the water flows from the Dhauladhar towards the Kangra valley flows into the Beas, towards Chamba it forms the drainage to the Ravi. Dham Ghodi Dal being the prominent Lake forming the basin.
Day 6- Dham Ghodi Dal - Lam Dal
Lam Dal is the biggest Lake in Dhauladhars, and the second largest in Himachal. With the circumference of 2.5 kms is considered to be sacred in Himachal and worshipped as an abode of Lord shiva. Hundreds of pilgrims arrive to take a holy dip in the Lake during festival of Janamashtmi. Lam Dal is at an altitude of 3900 meters. The devotees take a dip in this lake during the Manimahesh yatra towards the end of August and early September.
Day 7 - Lam Dal - Kalikund-Naghar
Naghar is also a small glacial lake and a beautiful campsite, it also serves as a base of Minkiani Pass and also referred as Minkiani Got.
Day 8 - Naghar-Minkiani Pass-Kareri Lake
Today will be a long day as we will be climbing the mighty Minkiani Pass strung over boulders and steep incline and reach the other side to the beautiful Kareri Lake. Kareri lake is small mountain lake at the base of Minkani pass. The lake keeps religious significance for the local people who come here on pilgrimage every year. Our tonights camp in an open meadow on the side of the lake with big views of Baleni Pass, Minkani pass and the valley below.
Day 9 - Kareri Lake-Kareri Village Dharamshala
We reach Kareri Village after a few hours journey from the Lake, where our cabs would be waiting for us to drive us to Dharamshala. Thus concluding our trek with beautiful memories, a really satisfying spiritual journey and tonnes of awesome pictures.
Why choose us?
We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping. Please inquire and fill the form below to book.
Click here to know more...
We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping. Please inquire and fill the form below to book.
- All necessary paper works and permits.
- Healthy and Tasty Meals including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Soups and Snacks
- Bonfire
- Porters and Mules
- Travel & Rescue arrangements
- Medical Kits
- All government and local taxes if necessary.
- World Class Equipment
- Best Quality Tents, Sleeping Bags, Camping Equipment, Ropes, Ice Axe (Where required).
Click here to know more...
