Bhrigu Lake Manali Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
Bhrigu Lake Manali Phone
N/A
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 46 reviews
Bhrigu Lake Manali Address: Bashisht, Himachal Pradesh, 175104, India
Bhrigu Lake is one of the most pristine glacial lakes that is believed to never freeze completely, even at sub-zero temperatures. There are floating ice sheets on the lake all year around that is a sight to behold. The lake is located at an altitude of 4300 meters (14,100 feet) in Kullu district, 24 kilometers from Gulaba, a place which is located 25 kilometers from Manali on the Manali- Leh Road.
One has to trek all the way from Gulaba through the mesmerizing alpine meadows covered with colorful wildflowers to reach the lake. The alpine grasslands are incredibly beautiful and form a beautiful backdrop for a picture perfect landscape that is surrounded by snow clad Himalayan peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. There are numerous streams that run through the meadows carrying crystal clear water. You do not need to carry water in your water bottles and simply fill your bottles from these streams on the go.
History of Bhrigu Lake
Legend has it that Maharshi Bhrigu, a great saint and one of the Saptarishis, (seven great sages of Hindu mythology) meditated here by the lake million years ago, and hence the lake is considered to be sacred and holy and has been named after the sage.
If one goes by the local folklore, the devatas (Gods) of Kullu region visit here twice a year and take a dip in the lake. Guru Vashisht too, travels to the lake twice a year and pays visit – this is announced through a ‘medium’ as per local beliefs and hence, devotees too, make elaborate plans to visit the lake twice a year, during the Guru’s visits.
Route for Bhrigu Lake Trek
The trek route includes Manali – Gulaba – Jonker Thatch – Rola Kholi – Bhrigu Lake – Rola Kholi – Gulaba – Manali / Vashisht.
Certain trek groups sometimes take different or alternative routes depending on their itineraries. However, the above route is mostly fixed for everyone.
Cost of Bhrigu Lake Trek
Depending on the tour or trek company that you are accompanying, the cost of Bhrigu Lake trek varies anywhere between INR 5,500 to 7,000 excluding taxes. The cost includes transport, necessary permits, guides, trek leaders, accommodation, food and support staff for the entire duration of the trek.
Bhrigu Lake Trek
Bhrigu Lake trek is a four day trek through lush green meadows, glacial lakes and valleys surrounded with snow capped mountains. The trek is a beginner level trek however, the altitude gain experience can be a great thrill. Manali is the base camp for Bhrigu Lake trek due to its easy access from there.
First time trekkers need to acclimatize themselves to the high altitude and hence can spend a day walking around Manali before the actual trek starts. The entire trek is a 24 kilometer stretch and hence takes 4 days to complete. The itinerary of the 4 day trek is as follows:
Day 01 – Manali to Gulaba to Jonker Thatch
The actual trek starts at Gulaba but since there is no settlement in Gulaba, you need to drive from Manali to Gulaba and start on foot from Gulaba. The distance between Manali and Gulaba is 24 kilometers, and one needs to drive on the Manali – Rohtang Pass road crossing Kolang, Palchan and Kothi.
The distance is covered in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and the journey is filled with mesmerizing views of pine conifers and mountains. The starting point of the trek is at Gula Check post and the route from here is to be covered on foot.
Gulaba to Jonker Thatch campsite is a 3-kilometer trek and can be completed in 1 hour. You reach upto an altitude of 12,566 feet on this day.
Day 02 – Jonker Thatch to Rola Kholi
The trek on this day is a steep ascent where you gain altitude and cover a distance of 5 kilometers. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete the trek on Day 02. The route is very scenic with a variety of vegetation which includes Brown Oak, Cedar, and Birch trees on the trail.
The view of Mount Hanuman Tibba from this trail is the highlight. You can see the shepherd camps by the base of Hanuman Tibba. Rola Kholi is located at the base of Bhrigu Lake and is the best place to pitch camps and retire for the day.
Day 03 – Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake and Back to Rola Kholi
Bhrigu Lake is at a distance of 10 kilometers from Rola Kholi and since you need to return back to Rola Kholi the same day, you need to start Day 03 trek at the break of dawn. The route from Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake offers one of the most stunning views which include the Pir Panjal range, and the Dhauladhar range of mountains. You can also see the majestic peaks of seven sisters, Indrasen and Deo Tibba. The entire journey can be completed in 6- 7 hours.
The Bhrigu Lake is situated at 14,100 feet between 2 high altitude ranges and is surrounded by snow and you can also spot fresh alpine flowers in the vicinity of the lake. There is a shiva trishul on a higher reach from the lake. You would find chunks of ice floating on the lake and locals believe this is due to the spiritual connection of the lake and the sage Bhrigu.
You need to start your journey back to Rola Kholi after spending some time near the lake as the weather on top is tricky and can change any minute.
Day 04 – Rola Kholi to Gulaba to Manali
This is the final day of the trek, and you cover a distance of 5 kilometers from Rola Kholi to Gulaba in 3 – 4 hours. From Gulaba, you can drive back to Manali in a vehicle.
As an alternative, you may also head towards Vashisht instead of going back directly to Manali, spend some time at the temple and freshen up at the Vashisht hot springs and then go back to Manali by the end of the day.
Tips to travel to Bhrigu Lake, Manali
- It is mandatory to carry proper trekking gear especially shoes. The most important part of any trek is trekking shoes with good grip and ankle support. Sports shoes are a big no no on Himalayan high altitude treks.
- Carrying a good camera is must as one gets to experience the most beautiful landscapes which include grasslands and alpine meadows on the route.
- Carry all essentials required for camping like torches or headlamp, trek pole, 2-3 pairs of warm as well as waterproof socks, and gloves to keep yourself warm.
- Carry warm clothes and jackets which should include a fleece jacket, a padded jacket, or downs jacket. Also, carry trek caps to protect from the harsh sun.
- Carry collared full sleeves quick-dry tees to protect yourself from high altitude sunburn. Carry thermal inners to keep yourself warm at nights.
- Carrying sunglasses is mandatory as too much snow causes snow blindness. Carry sunblock creams, lip balms and moisturizers. Also carry protein bars to snack on if you are hungry in between meals. It is recommended that you carry glucose powder for instant energy.
- Carry raincoats or ponchos as rains and snowfall are unpredictable on mountains. Also carry backpack cover for your backpack to keep your belongings safe from rain.
- A good quality reusable water bottle is mandatory. Avoid carrying plastic bottles. You do not need to fill water and travel, you may fill the bottle from streams that you find on the trails. Carry your own lunchbox too.
- Avoid wearing jeans on trek as they are uncomfortable as well as add weight to your backpack. Carry light cotton or quick dry trek pants.
- Avoid trekking during monsoon as the region experiences frequent landslides.
Best Time to visit or trek to Bhrigu Lake, Manali
The best time to go on the Bhrigu Lake trek is between mid-May and mid-October when a significant portion of the lake is frozen, and part of the meadows and valley is covered in snow at higher altitudes too.
The lower levels are still green and covered with colorful wildflowers blooming all around. However, it is highly recommended that, to get to experience the beauty of the grassland and meadows the most, you may plan to visit before June and after August.
Another best time to go for the Bhrigu Lake trek is between March and May, which are the summer months. That’s the best time to experience the alpine meadows and grasslands with impressive landscapes.
It is not recommended to do Bhrigu Lake trek during winter months since the entire region is covered in thick snow and the upper region of the lake is covered with heavy snow and is not at all accessible and additionally, the temperatures dip to sub zero levels which is again not favorable for many people.
How to reach Bhrigu Lake Trek Base Point, Manali
The only way to reach Bhrigu Lake is via trek from Gulaba. Gulaba is approximately 8 kilometers from Rohtang and 25 kilometers from Manali. Manali being a tourist hub of HImachal, is well connected to the rest of the country via road and air.
By Air: The nearest airport to Manali is at Bhuntar, which is 50 kilometers away. If you are travelling by air, you would need to hire a private cab from Bhuntar to reach Manali. Shared cabs are also available between Bhuntar and Manali.
The other airports with better connectivity are Delhi and Chandigarh airports. You would need to cover the distance between Delhi and Manali or Chandigard and Manali via road after landing into the cities.
By Train: There is no railway line to Manali. There is only a toy train line between Shimla and Kalka. One has to reach Shimla and take the road to Manali.
By Road: You may either rent a cab or drive your own vehicle from Delhi or Chandigarh up to Manali to carry forward the trek from Manali to Bhrigu Lake. You may also cover the distance by bus. There are frequent bus services by HRTC between Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate) to Manali and Chandigarh (ISBT Sector 43) to Manali. You may choose from state run buses or private Volvos depending on your budget. After reaching Manali you can hire a private cab from top car rental companies in Manali for your onward journey.
Places to visit near Bhrigu Lake, Manali
After descending back to Gulaba, one can visit Vashisht temple and hot springs, or visit Rohtang Pass. Other places to visit in Manali would be Hidimba temple, Manu Temple, Ram Temple, Naggar, Jogini Falls, Nehru Kund, and Beas River. You may extend your stay after the completion of your trek to visit these places or come a couple of days before the trek and explore.
Manali Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, presents our customers with plenty of all-inclusive Manali tour packages for them to choose from, as per their travel requirements and the duration of the visit. Please fill the Contact Us form to know more about our offerings.
