Kareri Lake Trek

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Description

The Kareri Lake trek is absolutely stunning despite its proximity to the town’s traffic jams in summer. The Kareri Lake trail goes through the Kareri village, which is close to Dharamshala and the pine forests that follow. The Kareri lake is named after the village which is located at a distance of 9km away from the lake. An interesting fact about the Kareri Lake is that it’s also known as Kumarwah Lake.

Once on the Kareri Lake trek, the forests get denser and you might be able to spot a Blue Magpie even. Kareri Village has a ‘Forest Rest House’ and a few more places that sell basic amenities. In fact, some of the houses may even offer the facility of a night’s stay.

The itinerary of the Kareri Lake trek includes trekking to Rioti village from Kareri village. The Nyund River will accompany us on our trek here. This stream is the outflow of the snow melting from the Dhauladhar range. The melting snow is also the source of the Kareri lake.

Speaking of the Dhauladhar range, the lake also serves as the base for further trekking to reach there. One can also go to Bharmour and Chamba via the Baleni Pass and Minkiani Pass. The locals have also laid a lot of steps for convenience. This has definitely helped Kareri Lake trekking as hospitality is shown.

Once at the Kareri lake, you can also hike for another 30 minutes up to Gajj. Kareri Lake itself does not have any accommodation options. However, you can stay overnight at Rioti or set up a campsite by the lakeside. The Kareri lake even remains frozen from December to March.

Don’t forget to bring appropriate gear along with you for this, though. This option isn’t really recommended during winters because it gets way too cold at night for your comfort so it’s best to get back to the village.

The history of Kareri Lake involves religious importance. A very popular attraction near Kareri Lake is a temple that’s dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti. This ancient temple overlooks the beautiful lake and is situated on a hilltop.

Near the Kareri lake, you’ll also find a few gaddi kothis. These are grazing grounds used by the Gaddis for their cattle. This is an important aspect of the culture of the villagers from Kareri.

Out of all of these attractions, the most adventurous one is obviously the trek. There are plenty of things to do during the Kareri Lake Trek.

Trekkers can also take part in activities like Tyrolean Traversing and participate in local tours. What’s Tyrolean traversing, you ask? It’s a method of crossing between two high points through the free space between them. People do this without a hanging cart on a rope.

The Kareri Lake trek is less explored and offers great scenic views of valleys and mountain ranges. The difficulty level of this trek varies from easy to moderate and hence it is suitable for both beginners as well as experienced ones.

The reasons you need to check the Kareri Lake Trek are far more than many. But, if you still have doubts then let us clear them up while you are on the Kareri Lake Trek with JustWravel.

Short Itinerary

0th Day: Delhi to Dharamshala | Overnight Journey

1st Day: Dharamshala Arrival | Drive to Kareri Village | Trek to Reoti Village |

2nd Day: Reoti Village to Kareri Lake Trek

3rd Day: Trek from Kareri Lake to Kareri Village | Drive to Delhi

Batches

September

18th Sep to 20th Sep Open {17th Sep (Friday) 08:00 PM to 21st Sep (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

October

2nd Oct to 4th Oct Open {1st Oct (Friday) 08:00 PM to 5th Oct (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

16th Oct to 18th Oct Open {15th Oct (Friday) 08:00 PM to 19th Oct (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

November

6th Nov to 8th Nov Open {5th Nov (Friday) 08:00 PM to 9th Nov (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

20th Nov to 22nd Nov Open {19th Nov (Friday) 08:00 PM to 23rd Nov (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

December

11th Dec to 13th Dec Open {10th Dec (Friday) 08:00 PM to 14th Dec (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

25th Dec to 27th Dec Open {24th Dec (Friday) 08:00 PM to 28th Dec (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

31st Dec to 2nd Jan Open {30th Dec (Thursday) 08:00 PM to 3rd Jan (Monday) 08:00 AM}

January

8th Jan to 10th Jan Open {7th Jan (Friday) 08:00 PM to 11th Jan (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

22nd Jan to 24th Jan Open {21st Jan (Friday) 08:00 PM to 25th Jan (Tuesday) 08:00 AM}

Itinerary (Delhi to Delhi)

0
0th Day : Delhi to Dharamshala | Overnight Journey
- The group will meet at the pick-up-point at 06:00 PM.
- After group briefing and trip captain introduction, we'll head out for an overnight journey to Kareri village.
- Midway, our first pit stop will be at Murthal as we'll have dinner (personal expense) here.
*The pick-up-point will be Rajouri Garden.
1
1st Day : Dharamshala Arrival | Drive to Kareri Village | Trek to Reoti Village |
- We'll reach Kareri Lake by the morning and from here, we'll head straight to Reoti.
- On reaching Reoti, we'll check into our respective campsite and lunch will be served here.
- The rest of the day is at leisure and it is recommended that one should spend time near the waterfall.
- Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Reoti.
2
2nd Day : Reoti Village to Kareri Lake Trek
- Post breakfast, we'll head out for Kareri Lake.
- On reaching Kareri Lake, we'll check into our campsite and lunch will be served here.
- After reaching there, explore the site and a nearby Lord Shiva temple.
- Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Kareri Lake.
3
3rd Day : Trek from Kareri Lake to Kareri Village | Drive to Delhi
- Post breakfast, we'll trek down from Kareri Lake to Kareri Village.
- After that, we'll be boarding a tempo traveler from Kareri Village to Delhi.
- The group will disassemble on reaching Delhi.
- End of Tour.

Trip Images

Trek to Kareri Lake in October with JustWravel Winter Trek to Kareri Lake Kareri Lake Trek | Group Kareri Lake Trek Snow Trek to Kareri Lake Trek to Kareri Lake

Inclusions

Accommodation: Stay is included from day 1 to Day 3 – you will be staying at guest house and camps on all days of trekking.

Transportation: Delhi To Delhi

Meals: All Meals from day 1 Lunch to day 3 breakfast are included. We provide simple nutritious vegetarian food on all days of the trek.

Camping Charges: All trekking permits and forest camping charges are included.

Support Staff: Trek Leader and Local Guide.

Trekking Equipment: you will be staying in high quality tents and sleeping bags in all the camps. We provide high altitude sleeping bags which can stand temperatures as low as - 10 deg c. We also provide ropes, micro spikes, gaiters etc. As required.

Exclusions

Any expenses for optional activities or tickets, unless quoted in Inclusions.

Insurance, Items of personal nature like porterage, tips, laundry etc

Any additional expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like cancellation / roadblocks/landslides/ strike or any other natural causes out of human control or any emergency evacuation expenses.

Anything not mentioned in Inclusions

Any Kind of Expense for Loss / Misplaced / Theft of personal belongings.

Cancellation Policy

No cancellations will be taken over call or whatsapp msg. Please reply to the email of payment receipt that you have received at the time of booking.

Free Cancellation upto 45 days before the departure date

44 Days to 30 days of Departure date. 10% of total Trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as cancellation fee.

29 Days to 20 Days of Departure date. 25% of the total trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.

19 Days to 10 Days of Departure date. 50% of the total trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.

10 Days to 6 Days of Departure date. 75% of the total trip cost will be charged as cancellation fee.

6 Days to Trip Departure date. 100% of the total trip cost will be charged as a cancellation fee.

No Show . No refund.

Incase of government orders, harsh weather conditions , protests , landslides or any other unforseen circumstances , we work out the best possible alternate plans or trips/treks. At times even even certain activities are cancelled , the organization provides the best alternate but no refunds are provided.

If a trek is called off at the last moment due to a natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh etc.), JustWravel will issue a trek voucher for the full amount and if possible will provide an alternate trek. The voucher can be redeemed upto same amount for the same trek or another trek in the next 365 days from the trek departure date.

If a trek or trip cannot be completed due to natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh etc.). No refund would be provided.

Any extra expense coming due to any natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh etc.), Will be beared by customer. Company will not be liable.

Cancellations policy will differ during the peak season and popular places.

Things To Pack

Down Jacket (Main jacket)

Raincoat/ Poncho

Inner Layer

Tshirt or Fleece

Track Pant

Extra pair of Socks

Trekking/ Hiking Shoes (Forclaz 100 and above or Arpenaz 100. Checkout in Decathlon stores)

Woolen Cap

Rucksack (At least 40L)

Mufflers/ Neck Warmer

Extra pair of Clothes

Undergarments

Slippers

Power Bank

Sunscreen Lotion

Sunglasses

Torch

Water Bottle

Tissue Roll

Hand Sanitizer

Personal Toiletries

Medicines

First Aid Kit

*Add extra thermal layers and sweater during the winter season

Things To Know

What’s the best way to reach Kareri Lake?

If you wish to travel by air, the closest airport is at Gaggal. This is 13 km away from Dharamshala. This airport connects to Delhi via SpiceJet or Air India flights.

If you’re not from Delhi, it would be easier to take a flight to Chandigarh and then book a private cab for the journey till Dharamshala. This would cover a distance of about 275 km.

If you prefer trains, then an overnight journey is a good option. The nearest railway station is 85 km away from Dharamshala and Pathankot.

Along with this, there are multiple trains going to Jammu and Kashmir that make a stop in Pathankot. From here, you can take a taxi or book a bus to reach Dharamshala.

If you don’t want a major railway station, a smaller one named Kangra Mandir is 22 km away from Dharamshala. However, it’s important to note that none of the major trains stop here.

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Kareri Lake Trek is a trek to high altitude freshwater lake situated at an altitude of 2950 meters above sea level. Kareri Lake is surrounded by scenic meadows and Dhauladhars. The glaciers located in the Dhauladhars act as a water source to the Kareri lake.

The Kareri Lake trek starts from a small village called Kareri, which is around 2 hours from Dharamshala. The trek offers amazing views of Dhauladhar ranges and valleys.

The trail of the Kareri Lake trek is all the way ascending from the starting point and it passes through the lush forest of oak and spruce, narrow terrains, and beautiful meadows. The site of the Kareri Lake is also the basecamp of Minkiani and Bleni passes.

FAQs

1. What will we do if it rains?

If it starts raining slowly while trekking then we will continue our trek as per the plan. Your poncho will keep you dry. In case if it is raining heavily then we will try to find any shelter and wait for the rain to stop or slow. If it rains at the campsite then there would not be any problem because all our living tents, kitchen tents, and toilet tents are waterproof. You will stay dry inside.

2. Can I take my child along on Kareri Lake trek? What is the age limit?

It depends on the difficulty level of the trek. The minimum age for eligibility is 14 years.

3. Diamox is advisable or not?

Well, it totally depends from person to person. Usually, there are no side effects of Diamox but if you are having any prior medical conditions then it is better to consult your doctor.

Our itinerary is designed in a way that we take sufficient time to get acclimatized. In case if you are having a problem on the trek then tell your trek leader about your condition as soon as possible.

4. Do you prefer I should bring some medicines with me?

Yes, it is advisable that you carry your own medication on the trek.

5. Will the doctor accompany us on the Kareri Lake trek?

No, but our trek leaders are certified in the Wildlife First Aid course and they always carry a first aid kit and oxygen cylinders on high altitude treks.

6. Can we change the itinerary?

Yes, you can give suggestions. We will look into that and if we find it feasible then we will apply it.

7. Can you customize the Kareri Lake trek?

Yes, we can customize any trip/trek as per your needs and as per the feasibility.

8. How to get safe drinking water on the trek?

Himalayan water is considered the purest water and safe to drink. But for safety purposes, we sometimes boil the water and then use it for drinking and cooking.

In case you find any clean water on the trek, always fill your water where the water is running not where the water is stable or is in rest.

9. What type of food is served during the Kareri Lake trek?

We provide nutritious and healthy food during the treks. We always serve Indian vegetarian food and eggs.

10. How can I book a Kareri Lake trek with you?

After selecting the trip/trek, you can book by clicking on the book now button or you can contact us and we will guide you in the booking.

11. How many trekkers will be in one tent?

It totally depends on group dynamics. If there is a couple, we can give them a separate tent or if there are an odd number of people, then there would be triple sharing.

12. Will you provide sleeping bags and mattresses?

Yes, we will provide sleeping bags and mattresses during the trek. Our sleeping bags can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees.

13. What will be the type of accommodation on Kareri Lake trek?

It depends on the tour. If it is a trek then you will be staying in dome tents or if it is a road trip the accommodation can be in a hotel/alpine tent/dome tent/homestay.

14. What are the washroom/toilet facilities like on the Kareri Lake trek?

During the treks, separate toilet tents will be set up on each campsite.

15. Which shoes should I buy?

Shoes are your lifeline on the trek. It is highly advisable to buy trekking shoes of a good and known brand. You can consider companies like Quechua, Columbia, etc. Waterproof shoes with ankle support will work well.

16. I cannot carry my rucksack/bag on the trek, can I offload it?

We always recommend that you carry your rucksack during the trek because it helps in maintaining your body posture. In case if you cannot, then we can provide you a mule/porter to carry your rucksack. You will have to tell us at least 1 week before the trek. The charges for offloading would be INR 300 per person per day.

17. What are the things that we need to carry on the Kareri Lake trek?

Once you confirm the trip/trek and done with the booking, we will send you the packing list according to the trip/trek.

18. What type of ground transportation will be used on the trip?

We hire taxis such as Innova, Tempo Traveller, Bolero, Tata Sumo, etc. from our vendors.

19. I am the only girl in the group, is it safe to trek solo?

Yes definitely it is, the safety of girls is most important for us. All our guides and other staff are carefully chosen for trips/treks. They are honest and reliable but we also advise you to take care of your personal belongings.

20. Who all will go along with us on the Kareri Lake trek?

All our treks are led by professional trek leaders who are certified, mountaineers. Apart from them, there will be one local guide, cook, helper, porters, and other staff.

All our trips are led by professional trip coordinators who have good experience in leading groups.

21. What will be the group size of Kareri Lake trek?

Usually, we take a maximum of 15-18 people in one group. We believe bigger groups have less fun and less coordination so that’s why we prefer smaller groups.

We need at least 6 people to operate our fixed departure tours/treks.

22. Why is the trekking pole necessary?

It differs from person to person. If you think that it would help you maintaining balance while trekking then does bring the pole. Some people think that the trekking pole disturbs the walking rhythm. So it’s up to you.

Reviews

Nupur

Monsoon is the season where we stick to our home more than going outside. We generally love rain but avoid enjoying it, it's not because we don't want to have fun but because living in cities takes away our playground where we can have that open blissful rain. I was looking forward to go a place where i can find peace and it should be surrounded by mountains and this time i wanted to go for a difficult trek so while checking lots of blogs, i came across this. Seeing the terrain, a voice came, lets do this and at that time i was already late for booking but Heema from justwravels really helped me out and arranged two seats for me and my friend after that we met shiddesh (trek leader) who is really a helpful man! During whole trip he really cared about the each member of the group, i can say that he's a street smart even without a doubt. Moving forward to the trek, i can personally suggest that Monsoon is one of the best time to visit kareri lake. When you see clouds around you and realize that you are in heaven, trust me that feeling is blessing. A special thanks to shiddesh aka leader. Thank you for making our journey a beautiful one! A note to my journey: Wait for me! I'm not the wind who will take away your fears neither the snow who will make you smile on Christmas nor rain who gonna make you calm. I'm the cloud who will listen to you and gonna fade when you'll start to discover my presence. - NUPUR

Sarah

Amazing trek, be prepared for the real adventure... The Kareri trek is for sure the best trek I have done in Himachal Padesh ! The places JustWravel staff picked for our 2 camp nights were an absolute dream, landscapes made for postcards! I could stay forever in this peaceful nature, away from all civilization. Turn off your phone and enjoy the ride! If you have the chance to travel with the amazing trek lead Rahbar, you can be sure that your week end will be your best experience.

Rajeev Parashar

I've been on two treks with justwravel. Things don't always happen as planned on high altitude treks but the best things about justwravel is their staff. They are always on their toes trying to provide best possible experience to clients. I would recommend justwravel.

Mridul Saraf

This was first trek and the organisation was very systematic and well planned. The guide and other members were friendly and helpful. The experience was insanely awesome and would love to recommend it to every person out there for any trek or adventure.

Ramit Gupta

Recently opted Justwravel for a trek to Kareri Lake. It was really the best experience I ever had travelling with some group till date. Whether it be the trek guide, the arrangements, the support, specially the food. Never has such delicious and variety food on any trek till date. Nothing can be better than getting the food of your choice at such an altitude. Also the Trek leader Mr. Sanjeev arranged by them guided and treated us well. Same is the opinion of all my trek partners. Justwravel: you really made our trek the better in every means. Thanks for the same. Will choose you for sure in future treks . ??