HimalayaTrekking

Find My Trek
A green valley with pine slopes, terraced fields and a river below snowy peaks, an illustrative AI-generated image

Bhrigu Lake Trek

Easy–Moderate · 4 days · 4,300 m · Jun, Sep–Oct

Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Maximum altitude
4,300 m (14,108 ft)
Duration
4 days (3 on trail)
Best months
Jun, Sep–Oct
Base camp
Gulaba (start)
Road head
Gulaba, about 20 km from Manali
AMS risk
Moderate

Compare this trek with others

Trail status Status not verified

We have not been able to confirm the current access status from an official source. Check with the Forest Department or a local operator close to your dates.

Overview

Bhrigu Lake is an alpine lake above Manali in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, at about 4,300 m. The trek starts near Gulaba on the Manali–Rohtang road, climbs through forest and meadow to a high campsite, and reaches the lake on a long second day. Operators sell it as a three-to-four-day trek, including a day for acclimatising in Manali.

Why do this trek?

  • Short. The trek itself takes about three days.
  • Alpine setting. Forest gives way to meadow and a high lake with snow edges in early summer.
  • Easy to reach. The trailhead is about 20 km from Manali.
  • A step up from the shortest treks. It reaches over 4,000 m without technical terrain.

Who is it for?

Fit beginners who want to reach 4,000 m, and returning trekkers wanting a short weekend-style trek. Published guides rate it Easy to Moderate. The main challenge is the rapid altitude gain on the first day, not the distance.

Who should think twice?

Anyone not ready for a steep first day with a gain of about 1,450 m in one source, trekkers who struggle with altitude, and anyone hoping to go in winter when the trail is closed by snow.

How we rate the difficulty

We rate Bhrigu Lake Easy to Moderate using our difficulty method.

  • Altitude: the lake is about 4,300 m and the high camps are around 3,500 to 3,700 m.
  • Effort: the lake day is about 10 to 12 km round trip in the sources that give a figure, taking 7 to 8 hours.
  • Terrain: forest and meadow with some steep sections and boulder fields near the lake.
  • Cold: one operator reports nights between −5°C and −10°C even in summer.
  • Remoteness: reported mobile coverage becomes unreliable above Gulaba.

Altitude and acclimatisation

We rate AMS risk moderate. The first day climbs steeply and most itineraries recommend a night in Manali first. See our altitude sickness guide.

Permits

Sources either do not mention permits or mention that forest and Inner Line permits may apply near the highway corridor. We could not confirm this from an official source, so we do not state a permit requirement. Ask your operator.

Camp altitudes differ

Only one or two sources give camp altitudes, so we do not draw an elevation profile. The lake at about 4,300 m is consistent across sources.

Plan alongside other tools

Use Find My Trek or compare treks. Related: Hampta Pass and trekking in Himachal Pradesh. Season: June and September.

Itinerary

  1. Day 01

    Manali to Gulaba, trek to the high camp

    A short drive of about 20 km, then a steep climb of roughly 6 km, 4 to 6 hours, to Rola Khuli or Jonker Thatch depending on the itinerary.

  2. Day 02

    High camp to Bhrigu Lake and back

    • High point 4,300 m

    A pre-dawn start for the lake at about 4,300 m, about 10 to 12 km round trip depending on the source, 7 to 8 hours.

  3. Day 03

    Descent to the road

    About 8 km, 3 to 4 hours, down to the highway and a drive back to Manali.

Month by month

  • January Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.
  • February Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.
  • March Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.
  • April Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.
  • May Not recommendedSources disagree on when the trail opens; one says mid-May, another late May to June.
  • June Best timePleasant days and chilly nights, with snow edges around the lake early in the month.
  • July PossibleMonsoon, with rain and slippery trails.
  • August PossibleMonsoon, with rain and slippery trails.
  • September Best timeClearer skies and cooler weather.
  • October Best timeQuieter, with cold nights.
  • November Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.
  • December Not recommendedHeavy snow. The trek is generally closed.

How to reach

Nearest major city
Manali
Nearest airport
Bhuntar (Kullu–Manali Airport), about 50 km from Manali
Nearest railway station
Chandigarh or Jogindernagar
Road head
Gulaba, about 20 km from Manali

Manali is about 540 km and 12 to 14 hours by road from Delhi. Gulaba is about 20 km, or 45 minutes, from Manali on the Rohtang road, and operators normally arrange the transfer.

Facilities and connectivity

Stay
Hotels in Manali; tents on the trail

Safety and emergencies

The first day gains height quickly. Do not continue to the lake if you have AMS symptoms. Start early to avoid afternoon weather.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bhrigu Lake good for beginners?

Fit beginners can do it. Published guides rate it Easy to Moderate. The first day is steep, so plan a night in Manali.

How high is Bhrigu Lake?

About 4,300 m, or about 14,100 feet.

When is the best time to go?

June and September to October are the main windows. July and August are monsoon months.

Do I need a permit?

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask your operator.

Is the trail open right now?

We have not confirmed current access, so we do not show it as open.

Sources and verification

Facts checked against sources
28 October 2026
Editorial review
28 October 2026
Trail status checked
Not checked: status not verified

Where sources disagree, we say so in the text rather than choosing a number. These dates cover facts and wording only; they are not a statement that the trail is currently open.

Questions about this trek?

Send your dates and questions. We will reply by email with planning notes on conditions, permits and access. This is an enquiry, not a booking, and we do not list departures or prices here.

Conditions, permits and road access change. Check current details with official sources and local operators close to your dates.