Kareri Dal lake lies in the foothill of Dhauladhar mountain range of Kangra Valley and just 9 kilometres from the Kareri village. Beautiful grazing area and the campground where shepherds set up their camps before they cross Dhauladhar Range through Minkiani Pass (4250 m) and the Baleni Pass (3711 m) for wandering further to Chamba and Bharmour with their flocks of sheep and goats. On the other hand, hikers can be seen looking for a perfect weather window for the summit. Lies at an altitude of 2934 m above mean sea level, it is a high altitude and freshwater lake. The beautiful meadow around the lake used as a seasonal grazing ground for a flock of sheep and goats owned by Local shepherds. The water source for lake and rivulet comes from the melting process of fresh snow of high snowy mountains. Since the lake is not much deep, water clarity is very high, and the lake bed can be seen.
Kareri village, Dharamshala (Google Map)
7:00 AM Sharp
Go through a most picturesque journey of the spectacular high altitude freshwater lake in Kangra valley. The trail passes through lush green forest packed with silver oak and longleaf Chir pine woods accompanied by a freshwater river Nyund as you walk along its curves. A perfect destination for adventure lovers who love to around mother nature for peace of mind and to click the best shots of the place. Moreover, the lake goes frozen from December to March and cannot be accessed without technical mountaineering equipment like ice-axe and crampons.
On arrival at Kareri village @7:00 AM, without wasting any time, start trekking which goes through Silver Oak, Rhododendron, and longleaf Chir Pine forest. The trail starts with the moderate climb, but later then hikers will trek through steep climb followed by Kareri glacial stream called Nyund to the lake. Hikers will carry packed lunch for the day, don’t forget for Lil rest and lunch break at Riyoti, also known as halfway. Trek to the lake from Reoti depends on weather conditions. After spending time for few hours at Kareri lake, trek down back to Riyoti camp on the same day with the memories of the beautiful lake in your mind and in your camera.
Day Inclusions:- Breakfast at Kareri village, packed Lunch, Dinner, Refreshments as required, All Camping Equipment, Mountain Crew, Experienced Certified Guide
After breakfast this morning, downhill trek to Kareri Village, where the Kareri Lake trekking experience will come to an end. If required, our guide will arrange a taxi (costs extra) to transport you back at your pre-decided location in Dharamshala.
Day Inclusions:- Breakfast, Mountain Crew, Experienced and Certified Guide
Kareri is situated in the Dharamshala, Kangra a Himachal Pradesh district. If you are interested in doing this trek, reach Dharamshala first. Now, you might ask how to reach Dharamshala. Here are some travel options…
If you’re going to come by air, then it’s going to be the best way as Dharamshala has its airport called Gaggal. So, from any of India’s major cities, you can quickly get to Dharamshala.
This will be the most accessible approach if you’re willing to travel from Delhi or Chandigarh, particularly if you’re on a limited budget. Take a direct bus from Delhi to Dharamshala and reach Dharamshala in just several hours, about 8 to 10 hours. Most of the coaches run overnight so; you should take note.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way of travel to reach Dharamshala, then it would be by train. Still, it can get a little challenging as Dharamshala has no railway station. To reach Dharamshala, take a train till Pathankot and travel on a bus for approximately 2-3 hours.
Now that you have entered Dharamshala, you need directions to reach trek’s starting point. The place is known Kareri village, and via Ghera, you will have to come. There are very fewer options to get to Kareri village; you can either take a bus from Dharamshala to Ghera and then trek up to Kareri village or just hire a taxi to get to Kareri village as no direct bus run to that locality.
May-June and September-October months are the best time to visit this location, as the weather here during these months is very good. During winters it can get pretty cold here and the summer season is a perfect time to come here to avoid the cities’ scorching sun. If you’re looking for snow trekking, which is more challenging but also more spectacular, then in January-March you should think of trekking.
If you are an adventure lover, the trek can be done across the year. There is also an opportunity to go snow trekking from December to March to Kareri lake. So, this is the best choice in your hand if you want to do snow trekking.
