Kareri Lake Trek - Dharamshala

GLANCE OF KARERI LAKE

There is a freedom you feel the closer you get to this place, the pure air you breathe, the sound and smell of mother Earth, the spell-bounding beauty—that’s the feeling of “Kareri Lake”. Kareri Lake trek was my third trek after I started trekking.A water reservoir nestled between snowy peaks, Kareri Lake is a high altitude, shallow, freshwater lake south of the Dhauladhar range approximately 9 km northwest of Dharamshala in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. It is a moderately difficult trek with approx 7 hours of the uphill trek at a normal speed.

Sunset view at Kareri Lake Trek

How to get there?

I,along with 3 other friends, took an overnight bus from Kashmiri gate for Dharamshala. From there, you can either take a taxi till Kareri Village or take a local bus till Kangra and reach Kareri village by getting into a taxi thereafter. We met our local guide in the village of Kareri. He seemed nice enough as we met him at his home for a paratha breakfast.After a delicious and affectionate meal, we started with our journey.

Tip:

• If planning to stay in Kareri Village for more than a day, make arrangements for food and water.
• The place is not tech-friendly. Paytm or ATM are not very familiar amongst the simple people of Kareri. Carry cash and avoid cash disappointment.

Kareri Lake Trek: River Crossing 

The Journey

As heard and read, I could then see that it was indeed the most beautiful trek I had done till then.I could tell the views on this trek were going to be particularly awesome - the giant snow-capped mountains peeking out from behind the ridge closer to us were giving away the secret. The trek can be completed in one go or you can take a stop after 7 km at midway Reoti where you can find small tapris for “Chai and Maggie”. The trek till Reoti is mostly stairway combined with a few rocky abrupt inclines which mark little technical trekking and mountaineering. The “Quechua” mountaineering shoes I brought from “Decathlon” are fantastic. P.S This is not a promotion; you can spend a bomb and still remain unsatisfied if you want.I carried dates and protein bars along to keep myself energetic.

The stone trail continues from Reoti and the beautiful vista of the fresh Nyund river unfurls. The trail thereafter is a mix of steep stone pathways and clear green meadows by the riverside. You can crossover to the other side of the river, jumping over the river boulders right at the end of the trail. Walk up the last hillock beyond which lies the majestic Kareri Lake.

Tip:

• The weather here is quite unpredictable. Always carry your rain gear and the time your hike, especially when you're in Kareri during the monsoon and liquor too.
• Wear Mountaineering waterproof shoes. Start the trek early as it gets difficult to trek in the torchlight

Kareri Lake: Valley View

Kareri Lake Trek Route

The Destination

It was already night when we reached Kareri lake and everyone was too tired to look around.We had the option to either set up our camp or sleep with locals and buffaloes in a shelter. Our drained discharged body convinced us to sleep with the buffaloes. We changed into a fresh pair of clothes, ate eggs, and Maggie that we carried along. Locals were kind to offer some chapatti they made for themselves. I ate and tried to death, entered my dreamland. 

Kareri Lake Trek Landscape View

The next morning was astonishing. I had never seen nature so closely and beautifully. The air that touched my skin was absolutely pure. Kareri was more beautiful than I thought. There was nobody except for two local huts made by locals. There was a “Shiv Temple “ at the top and little local shop that offered basic egg and maggie. Soaking in the view, we took our time and had one of the most scenic meals of life.

There is a hill after you trek 45 mins further up where you get a little network to touch base with your loved one. However, the spell-bounding beauty of that place will only make you call the one you truly admire. The remaining day was spent on small hikes here and there. In the night we set up our camp, enjoyed the bonfire. I then slept with the hope that sometime in life I will come here again and experience this magic.  Living in the concrete, I never thought that air could be so pure and nature can be this beautiful.

Kareri Lake

We started our journey again, came downhill in 4-5 hours, and reached Dharamshala. The life again went back to normal as it Monday again. I dream is still fresh--- It was a trek,  astounding though thick with birch and pine, fresh from the rushing river that followed alongside us and no shortage of legends along the way .

Far from the reality of concrete chaos, it is a short escape in the sanctuary of mountains to a small lake. When people back home asked me how was it, I kept forgetting how difficult the trek was but I could just say, it was nothing short of perfect. If you are a nature lover and a trailblazer, Kareri Lake is just wonderful.

Author

By Shainan Agarwal

on June 13, 2020

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