DHARAMSHALA · MINKIANI PASS · MANIMAHESH LAKE
Manimahesh Lake Trek.
A longer journey through the mountains.
Follow a ten-day route from McLeod Ganj across the Dhauladhar, linking Kareri Lake and Lam Dal with the sacred Manimahesh Lake approach from Bharmour.
This Manimahesh Lake trek from Dharamshala combines a remote mountain crossing with village paths, camping stages and a rest day in Bharmour. Cross Minkiani Pass, visit Lam Dal from Minkiani Got, descend towards Dunali and continue to Hadsar for the climb to Dhancho and Manimahesh.
The journey is ten days and nine nights, finishing in Bharmour on day ten. It requires preparation for sustained walking, rough ground and changing high-mountain conditions. Discuss the complete route and your experience with the team before choosing dates.
01Kareri to MinkianiReach Kareri Lake before the high-pass crossing into the next valley.
02Lam Dal excursionVisit another sacred lake before descending towards Bharmour.
03Manimahesh approachWalk from Hadsar via Dhancho, visiting the lake and returning.
10-DAY MANIMAHESH LAKE TREK ITINERARY
Across the Dhauladhar.
Onwards to Manimahesh.
01
MCLEOD GANJ → KARERI VILLAGE
Begin the approach through the foothills
Start from the confirmed McLeod Ganj meeting point. The listed walking route passes the Dal Lake, Tibetan Children’s Village and Satobari area before descending towards Ghera. Continue across the river and stream approach, then climb to Kareri village.
This is a full walking day rather than a direct road transfer to Kareri. Confirm the exact trailhead, crossings and camp location with the team.
STAGEApprox. 13 kmOVERNIGHT / FINISHKareri village camp
02
KARERI VILLAGE → KARERI LAKE
Follow the stream towards Kareri Lake
Leave the village and follow the Kareri stream towards the higher lake basin. The route climbs through changing mountain terrain to Kareri Lake, beneath the approach to Minkiani Pass.
Take time to settle into the agreed lakeside camp area and prepare for the following day’s crossing. The original route lists around 12 kilometres; ask the guide for a realistic walking schedule for your group.
STAGEApprox. 12 kmOVERNIGHT / FINISHKareri Lake camp
03
KARERI LAKE → MINKIANI PASS → MINKIANI GOT
Cross the Dhauladhar into the next valley
Climb from Kareri Lake towards Minkiani Pass, then descend through rocky and boulder terrain to Minkiani Got. This is the demanding mountain crossing that connects the Dharamshala approach with the Chamba side of the route.
Snow, ice and visibility can change the difficulty considerably. The crossing depends on the guide’s assessment, suitable equipment, permissions and current conditions; the itinerary is not a promise of an all-season crossing.
STAGEApprox. 10 kmOVERNIGHT / FINISHMinkiani Got camp
04
MINKIANI GOT → LAM DAL → MINKIANI GOT
Visit Lam Dal and return to camp
Make the planned out-and-back walk to Lam Dal, a sacred lake in the Dhauladhar. The listed approach passes the Kali Kund area before reaching the larger lake basin.
Return to Minkiani Got for the night. Treat shrines, water sources and local religious practices with care, and follow the guide’s route and turnaround decisions.
STAGEApprox. 11 km returnOVERNIGHT / FINISHMinkiani Got camp
05
MINKIANI GOT → DRAKUND
Descend towards the lower valley
Continue down the Lam Dal stream valley towards Drakund. This long descent brings a change from exposed high terrain to the lower valley surroundings.
Allow time for uneven ground and sustained downhill walking. The route description places the night at Drakund; confirm the permitted campsite and support arrangements before departure.
STAGEApprox. 15 kmOVERNIGHT / FINISHDrakund camp
06
DRAKUND → DUNALI → BHARMOUR
Reach the road and continue to Bharmour
Walk from Drakund towards Dunali on the Chamba–Bharmour road. From the roadhead, continue by the agreed vehicle arrangement to Bharmour.
Confirm the vehicle pickup point, road conditions and expected drive time before departure. Bharmour is the base for the next stage towards Hadsar and Manimahesh.
STAGEApprox. 9 km, then driveOVERNIGHT / FINISHBharmour guesthouse
07
BHARMOUR REST & RESUPPLY DAY
Pause in Bharmour before the lake approach
Spend the day in Bharmour, with time to visit the Chaurasi temple complex and prepare supplies for the next walking section. Follow local customs when visiting places of worship.
Use this pause to review conditions, equipment and the Dhancho camp plan with the team. Overnight in Bharmour; confirm the guesthouse standard, room sharing and meal arrangements in your trip confirmation.
STAGERest and local visitsOVERNIGHT / FINISHBharmour guesthouse
08
BHARMOUR → HADSAR → DHANCHO
Join the Manimahesh approach from Hadsar
Travel from Bharmour to Hadsar by the agreed road transfer, then begin the climb towards Dhancho. The original itinerary lists about seven kilometres of uphill walking from Hadsar.
Dhancho is an established halt on the approach to Manimahesh. Settle into the planned tent stay and prepare for the lake visit. Access, campsite availability and trail management depend on local conditions.
STAGEApprox. 7 km, after driveOVERNIGHT / FINISHDhancho camp
09
DHANCHO → MANIMAHESH LAKE → DHANCHO
Walk to the sacred lake and return
Climb from Dhancho towards the Gauri Kund area and continue to Manimahesh Lake. The lake lies beneath Manimahesh Kailash in the Bharmour area of Chamba and is a significant pilgrimage destination associated with Lord Shiva.
After time at the lake, return to Dhancho for the night. This is a high-altitude out-and-back day. The lake visit and time spent there depend on weather, access and the group’s pace; the route does not include climbing Manimahesh Kailash.
STAGELake visit and returnOVERNIGHT / FINISHDhancho camp
10
DHANCHO → HADSAR → BHARMOUR
Descend and finish in Bharmour
Walk back down towards Hadsar and continue to Bharmour using the confirmed transfer arrangement. The ten-day itinerary finishes in Bharmour after this return stage.
There is no tenth overnight stay in this nine-night plan. Arrange any extra guesthouse night and onward journey to Chamba, Dharamshala or Pathankot separately, and leave flexibility for changing walking and road conditions.
STAGEDescent, then driveOVERNIGHT / FINISHTrip ends in Bharmour
Distances are approximate figures from the listed itinerary, not guaranteed timings. Confirm the exact camps, crossings, pass conditions, vehicle stages and daily schedule before departure. Weather, trail access and group pace may require route changes.
CONFIRM YOUR COMPLETE TREK ARRANGEMENTS
A clear route.
A written trip confirmation.
The route lists mountain camps, two guesthouse nights in Bharmour and road transfers between walking stages. A confirmed package inclusion list is not currently specified. Request a detailed breakdown before booking.
Accommodation and support to confirm
- Tents, sleeping bags, mats and toilet arrangements
- Bharmour guesthouse rooms and sharing
- Guide, cook and support-team coverage
- Meals, snacks and drinking-water arrangements
- Common equipment, luggage support and weight limits
Travel and other items to confirm
- Dunali–Bharmour and Bharmour–Hadsar vehicle stages
- Permits, campsite fees and any applicable registration
- Travel to McLeod Ganj before the trek
- Onward travel from Bharmour after day ten
- Any extra night, personal expenses, insurance and emergency costs
The plan ends in Bharmour on day ten. An additional guesthouse night and onward transport are separate arrangements. Ask the team to state exactly which services are included and excluded in your booking.
PREPARE FOR THE WHOLE ROUTE
Mountain experience.
Thoughtful preparation.
Terrain and suitability
Expect consecutive walking days, a high-pass crossing, uneven descents and camping. Share your recent trekking experience and comfort on steep, rocky ground. Ask the team about the hardest stages, pace and contingency arrangements for your group.
Dates and access
Choose dates after checking Minkiani Pass, the Lam Dal approach and the Manimahesh trail together. Confirm snow, local permissions, road access and campsite availability. For a Yatra departure, check current official dates and any registration requirements.
Packing and travel
Request a route-specific equipment list and confirm what is supplied. Discuss footwear, warm and waterproof layers, lighting, luggage support and personal essentials. Plan arrival before day one and leave flexibility for the onward journey from Bharmour.
Respect sacred lakes and mountain communities.Follow local customs around temples and shrines. Keep lakes and streams clean, carry litter back, ask before photographing people and follow the guide’s decisions on access and route changes.
For background on the lake and Hadsar–Dhancho approach, see the Chamba District Administration’s Manimahesh Lake guide. Check current notices separately for departure-specific access.
PLAN YOUR DHARAMSHALA TO MANIMAHESH TREK
Manimahesh Lake Trek FAQs.
How long is the Manimahesh Lake trek from Dharamshala?
This itinerary is ten days and nine nights. It starts in the McLeod Ganj area and finishes in Bharmour on day ten, after the return from Dhancho. A final Bharmour overnight is outside this plan.
Which route does this Manimahesh itinerary follow?
The route goes through Kareri village, Kareri Lake, Minkiani Pass, Minkiani Got and Lam Dal, descending via Drakund and Dunali. It then continues to Bharmour, Hadsar and Dhancho for the Manimahesh Lake visit.
Is this the shorter Hadsar pilgrimage trek?
This is a longer journey beginning near Dharamshala, with a Dhauladhar crossing and a Lam Dal excursion before the Hadsar section. If you want only the Bharmour–Hadsar approach, ask the team for a separate itinerary.
How difficult is the Minkiani Pass section?
The pass stage involves a steep climb, a rocky descent and potentially snow or ice. Discuss your previous mountain experience and fitness with the team. The guide must confirm suitability, equipment and current crossing conditions.
Do we visit Kareri Lake and Lam Dal?
Yes. The plan reaches Kareri Lake on day two, crosses Minkiani Pass on day three and visits Lam Dal from Minkiani Got on day four before returning to the same camp.
Where are the overnight stops?
The nine-night plan lists camps at Kareri village, Kareri Lake, Minkiani Got for two nights, Drakund and Dhancho for two nights, plus two guesthouse nights in Bharmour. Confirm campsite permissions, facilities and accommodation coverage in writing.
Are meals, tents and sleeping equipment included?
The current package does not specify a confirmed inclusion list. Ask for a written breakdown covering meals, tents, sleeping bags, mats, guide and support staff, drinking water and guesthouse arrangements before booking.
Are transfers and the return to Dharamshala included?
Vehicle stages are described between Dunali and Bharmour and between Bharmour and Hadsar. Their coverage must be confirmed in the trip quotation. The itinerary ends in Bharmour; onward travel and any extra stay need separate arrangements.
When can I plan this trek or the Manimahesh Yatra?
Ask the team to check the complete route for your dates. Snow and access on Minkiani Pass can differ from conditions on the Hadsar trail. Yatra dates, registrations, permissions and local restrictions should be checked against current official notices.
Does the trek include a Manimahesh Kailash summit climb?
No. The itinerary visits Manimahesh Lake and returns to Dhancho. It does not include a climb of the sacred Kailash peak. Share your dates, experience and questions through the enquiry form to discuss the lake route.
LET’S PLAN YOUR DATES
Ask about your Manimahesh Lake Trek.
Include your preferred dates, traveller count, walking experience and questions about the pass crossing, accommodation, meals or transport.
