KARERI LAKE · MINKIANI · CHANDRALA · SALLI
Seven days from McLeod Ganj through Kareri Lake, a Minkiani Pass attempt, Chandrala and Salli Village, with camping and hotel stays.
KARERI LAKE · MINKIANI PASS ATTEMPT · CHANDRALA
Explore a seven-day Dharamshala trekking itinerary that combines Kareri Lake camping, an attempt towards Minkiani Pass and a return walk through Chandrala to Salli Village.
Start and finish in McLeod Ganj, with hotel nights at each end of the mountain section. Between them, follow forest and streamside paths to Reyoti, spend two nights at Kareri Lake and descend towards the village landscapes around Salli.
This Dharamsala trek is for travellers prepared for several walking days and a challenging pass attempt. The seven-day, six-night plan includes four nights in tents and two in hotels, with local guides, trekking meals and the listed trek transfers.
Stay two nights at the lake as part of the longer mountain route.
Climb towards the pass and return to Kareri Lake, conditions permitting.
Complete the trek through forest and village surroundings before returning to town.
7-DAY DHARAMSHALA TREK ITINERARY
ARRIVE IN MCLEOD GANJ
Arrive in McLeod Ganj and check into your hotel. The day’s local plan includes the market area, Bhagsu Waterfall and Namgyal Monastery, with the order and timing depending on your arrival.
Meet the team and review the coming walking days. Arrange your meals in McLeod Ganj separately; these are excluded from the trek package.
MCLEOD GANJ → KARERI VILLAGE → REYOTI
After arranging breakfast in McLeod Ganj, take the listed transfer to Kareri village. Begin the roughly seven-kilometre walk towards Reyoti, following forest and streamside trails into the mountain landscape.
Reach the agreed camp and settle into tents. The walking stage includes uphill sections, so allow a pace suited to your group and the conditions.
REYOTI → KARERI LAKE
Continue from Reyoti towards Kareri Lake on the listed seven-kilometre stage. Follow the mountain stream approach as the trail climbs to the lake surroundings in the Dhauladhar.
Visit the nearby Shiva-Shakti temple area if access and the day’s schedule allow. Settle into the permitted camp area and prepare with the guide for the following day’s pass attempt.
KARERI LAKE → MINKIANI PASS ATTEMPT → KARERI LAKE
Make an early start for the demanding ascent towards Minkiani Pass. The guide will assess the route, snow or ice, visibility and the group’s progress before deciding how far to continue.
Return to Kareri Lake for a second night at camp. This itinerary describes an out-and-back pass attempt; it does not cross into the Chamba Valley. Reaching the pass depends on conditions and is not guaranteed.
KARERI LAKE → CHANDRALA
Leave Kareri Lake and descend on the listed route towards Chandrala. This roughly ten-kilometre stage follows the quieter river and forest surroundings described in the itinerary.
Take care on sustained downhill and uneven ground. Confirm the exact trail and campsite with your guide, and settle into tents for the final camping night.
CHANDRALA → SALLI VILLAGE → MCLEOD GANJ
Walk approximately seven kilometres from Chandrala to Salli Village, with valley and Khauli River surroundings along the final stage. Meet the arranged vehicle at the confirmed roadhead.
Return to McLeod Ganj and check into your hotel for the last night. Walking and driving times vary with the route and road conditions. Meals after returning to McLeod Ganj are excluded.
DEPART MCLEOD GANJ
Check out after arranging your breakfast in McLeod Ganj. The seven-day itinerary concludes here, with onward travel to be planned around your departure schedule.
The route mentions an airport or bus-stand transfer, but the inclusions specify only transfers to and from the trek. Confirm any departure transfer and its coverage separately before booking.
Distances are approximate figures from the listed route. Confirm the daily walking schedule, exact trail, permitted campsites and pass-day equipment with the team. Weather, snow, access and group pace may change the route or the pass turnaround point.
KNOW YOUR TREK ARRANGEMENTS
Confirm the first and final covered trekking meals, dietary needs, hotel standard, tent sharing, toilet facilities and drinking-water arrangements. Ask separately about personal baggage support, specialist pass-day equipment and any airport or bus-stand transfer.
PREPARE FOR A WEEK IN THE DHAULADHAR
Discuss your recent hill walks, fitness and comfort with camping. The lake approach includes climbing, while the Chandrala section involves sustained descent. Minkiani Pass is the most demanding planned day and needs a separate discussion of conditions and equipment.
Ask for a current update on Kareri Lake, the pass approach and the Chandrala–Salli trail. Confirm snow, permissions, road access and campsite availability for your dates. The guide’s assessment determines the pass attempt and any route changes.
Request a full equipment list and confirm what to carry. Discuss footwear, warm and waterproof layers, lighting, personal essentials and luggage support. Leave flexibility for the road return and confirm your departure transfer before fixing onward connections.
Respect temple customs, village life and shepherd areas. Ask before photographing people, protect water sources, carry litter back and follow the guide’s instructions on trail and campsite access.
BEFORE YOUR KARERI LAKE & MINKIANI TREK
The itinerary is seven days and six nights. It includes an arrival day, five days covering the trek and its transfers, and a departure day. The plan starts and finishes in McLeod Ganj.
Travel from McLeod Ganj to Kareri village, then walk via Reyoti to Kareri Lake. Attempt Minkiani Pass and return to the lake, descend to Chandrala, and finish the walk at Salli Village before driving to McLeod Ganj.
No. Day four is an ascent attempt from Kareri Lake with a return to the same camp. Continuing depends on snow, ice, visibility and the group’s progress. This is a different itinerary from a crossing into Chamba.
Expect consecutive mountain walking days, uneven paths, descents and a demanding pass attempt. Share your recent trekking experience and fitness with the guide. The group’s suitability and the pass-day equipment need to be discussed before departure.
The six-night plan includes two hotel nights in McLeod Ganj, one camp night at Reyoti, two at Kareri Lake and one at Chandrala. Confirm hotel standard, tent sharing, campsite permissions and toilet arrangements with the team.
Yes. The listed camping equipment includes tents, sleeping bags and mattresses. Ask for the remaining packing list and confirm personal luggage support, weight limits and any specialist equipment needed for the pass attempt.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek are listed as included. Meals in McLeod Ganj are excluded, including meals on the hotel days and before or after the trekking section. Confirm the first and final covered meals in your booking.
Transfers from McLeod Ganj to the trek start and back are listed as included. Air, train and Volvo tickets are excluded. Confirm any airport or bus-stand transfer separately; it is mentioned in the departure plan but not in the stated transfer inclusions.
Ask the local team for a route update for your dates. The lake approach, pass attempt and Chandrala return stage can have different access and snow conditions. Confirm permissions, camp availability and the guide’s plan before travelling.
Use the enquiry form, WhatsApp or phone links. Share your preferred dates, group size and walking experience, and ask about the pass attempt, campsites, hotel standard, meal coverage and departure transport.
LET’S PLAN YOUR DATES
Include your preferred dates, traveller count, walking experience and questions about the pass attempt, camps, meals or transport.