Bhrigu Lakhe Trek

Bhrigu Lake is a high altitude alpine lake, which is just three days hike from Manali. It is a lake located at an elevation of around 4,300 meters (14,100 ft) in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located to the east of Rohtang Pass and is around 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) from Gulaba. The steep trail goes through virgin forests and lush green meadows which open into the beautiful campsite of Rola Khuli. On your way, lay your eyes on Hanuman Tibba and Seven Sisters peaks. On the second day, you trek uphill to the oval-shaped lake which is believed to change colors with seasons. One would trade the world to experience the serene environment around the lake. To top it all, because of the soaring height, the clouds will be floating around you. When you descend down to the rice fields of Pandu Ropa, you will come across grass that is taller than you. Adore the traditional villages and apple orchards in the last leg of the descent. The trek ends at Vashisht, hot sulfur water spring, where a dip will take away all your pain.

 

 

 

Best Season to visit: Starting from Mid May, till the month of October, trekking to Bhrigu Lake is absolutely allowed and travelers can plan accordingly. However, the ideal time is before the month of June and after August since this is the monsoon time and probability of landslides in the region is there. It must also be noted that the temperature of this place during summers hovers around 20-25C in the daytime and falls to 5-7C at night. In winter the temperature gets lower with 10-15C around daytime and nearly 0 to -7C at night. Almost half a year the lake remains frozen, and travelers can enjoy the sight of snow even during the early summer time. 

 

 

 

Nearby attraction: Manali is the gateway to Solang Valley where you can participate in adventure activities like paragliding, and zorbing in the summer months when the snow melts. This famous tourist hill station has so many places to visit in Manali. Visit the ancient Hadimba Devi Temple which has an interesting mythological tale associated with it. Walk through the charming lanes of Old Manali. Visit the bazaar to buy some souvenirs. Jogini Fall and Vashisht Temple are other famous attractions in Manali. You can also visit Rohtang pass while you are in Manali

Itinerary :

 

 

 

Day 1: Arrive in Manali. Drive to Gulaba (22Kms). Trek to Gulaba Campsite.

 

Day 2: Trek from Gulaba to Rola Kholi (12,500 feet approx.), 7 km, 4 to 5-hour trek.

 

Day 3: Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake (14,000 feet approx.) Back to Rola Kholi 14 km, 7 to 8 hour trek.

 

Day 4: Rola Kholi to Gulaba - 6 km, 3-hour trek

Detailed Itinerary : 

 

 

 

Day 1:

 

Arrive in Manali. Drive to Gulaba (22Kms). Trek to Gulaba Campsite. Reach Main Govt. Bus Stand in Manali by 12:00 PM. From here we drive to Gulaba which would take close to one hour. However, the road can be crowded on weekends as the same road is taken by tourists heading to Rohtang Pass. A short trek of about half an hour brings us to our campsite for the day. Overnight stay in tents.

 

 

 

Day 2:

 

Trek from Gulaba to Rola Kholi (12,500 feet approx.), 7 km, 4 to 5-hour trek. Hike through the forest and meadows with Manali and Solang Valley in the background. Some of the notable peaks in view are Mt. Hanuman Tibba and the Seven Sister peaks seated in Beas Kund Valley. Carry sufficient water in your bottle as there is very limited no source (depending on the season) of water before Kolang Nallah. After 3-4  hours of the hike, we will reach the Kolang Nallah. There is a makeshift wooden bridge on this Nallah for most of the months. After crossing the bridge, hike for another 1.5 to 2  hours to reach Rola Kholi, our campsite for the day. Rola Kholi is covered by mountains on 3 sides which protect it from harsh winds. Rola Kholi is an ideal campsite also because the water stream flows very close to the camping site. 

Day 3:

 

Rola Kholi to Bhrigu Lake back to Rola Kholi.

 

 

 

Altitude: Bhrigu Lake at 14,000 ft,10 km trek, approx. 8 hours Start early in the morning, Steep ascent till Brigu Lake for approx. 5 km

 

Mixed rocky and snow trail. Trek along with the bhrigu Lake stream Packed lunch on the way and Hot snakes at campsite Accommodation in tents

 

Peaks: Indrasen, Deo Tibba, and Hanuman Tibba

 

 

 

Day 4: Rola Kholi to Gulaba drive to Manali 6 km trek, approx 3 hours. Easy and mostly descending Carry 2 liters of water from Rola Khuli Reach Manali by 2 pm.

Inclusions:

 

• Accommodation. (Camping)
• Meals while on trek (Veg. Egg)
• Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen &  dining tent, toilet tent, utensils, and crampon (if required)
• All necessary permits and entry fees.
• First aid medical kits, stretcher, and oxygen cylinder.
• Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide and Support staff.
• Transport from Manali to Manali
• Mules to carry the central luggage only.

 

Exclusions:

 

• Any kind of personal expenses.
• Food during the transit.
• Insurance.
• Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
• Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
• Anything not specifically mentioned under the head

 

Note: Normally we expect to carry your personal luggage on your own, if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule/HAF.

How to Reach

 

By Air:

 

Bhuntar, which is 52 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Taxi services are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs about Rs. 700- Rs1000. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air. The airliners that take you to this Airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, MDLR Airlines and Jagson Airlines, operating flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu.

 

By Road:

 

Manali is well connected to Delhi. Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali.

 

Delhi Manali is a long journey most Volvo private buses leave Delhi between 5 pm and 6 pm. The last govt bus leaves at 8.30 pm from ISBT Kashmere Gate.

 

Manali to Delhi Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journeys only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delays.

Note: 

 

• Trekkers need to take only those VOLVO buses which reach Manali till 11.00 am on the first day. Our reporting time is 12.00pm at Manali but in-case you will not able to reach at meeting /briefing time, either we will transfer your seat to our any next batch or we will cancel your trek, so please double check your bus time with your bus transporter.
• Cellular Connectivity.
• One can expect cellular connectivity till Gulaba and few kilometers ahead of Gulaba.
• There might be no signals available by the time you reach Rola Khuli.

 

Advisory

 

• Its always good to plan for an additional day to accommodate any unforeseen conditions like bad weather, broken bridges, flight delays, casualties that may arise. 
• Since you will be trekking in an eco-friendly zone, make sure you do not litter the vicinity and carry your leftovers. 
• Flowy and frilly clothing might hinder your movement. It is better to avoid such type of clothing. 
• Do not rely on sports or casual shoes as they might compromise grip on the snowy surface. 
• Trekking during the nights is extremely dangerous and might lead to unwanted circumstances. It is advisable to consult an expert trekker before backpacking as a heavy backpack might slow down your trekking speed. 
• While visiting the monasteries and other religious sites, abide by the instructions and guidelines laid by the authorities. 
• Try not to interrupt or disturb the locals during the trek or other times. 
• Never compromise with the quality of drinking water, ensure that the water is properly boiled and purified. 
• Avoid heavy meals during the trek as it leads to tiredness. 
• Abide by the instructions given by the trek leader or instructor in order to enjoy a safe and sound trekking. 
• Always take a note of the weather reports and avoid getting caught in any sort of natural ravages. 

 

Avoid: 

 

• Denim or jeans clothing Soda and alcoholic beverages 
• Plastics of all kind Tobacco 
• Due to the monsoon season and various rock patches in this route, we recommend you to please take care while walking/climbing/trekking.
• Wearing of any valuables, ornaments, jewelry etc. is prohibited.
• Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Trekking or any adventure activity is potentially risky.
• For all such a events, you are at your own risk.
• Organizers are not responsible for any accident or compensation in whatsoever manner.
• You should strictly follow the code of conduct, to avoid troubling our fellow trekkers or other people from our group or outside.
• Do not misinterpret it as a PICNIC or LEISURE TOUR.
• We all are going for an adventurous and interesting trekking expedition.
• Note, this trek route may or may not have any fixed/proper/appropriate washrooms or bathrooms.

 

Risk & Respond 

 

 

• High Altitude Treks: Risk and Response A high altitude trek calls for an adventurous attitude, but embarking on an adventurous trip without calculating the risks is utter stupidity. Thats why we have listed a few risks and the response planned by us to minimize or address the risks in the best possible way. 
• Risk: Altitude Before you start the trek, it is important to understand the implications of high altitude on your body. Be aware of symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) like a mild headache, nausea, and general discomfort.
• Response: If you feel any of these symptoms, inform the trek leader on priority and follow his instructions. Every campsite has as the stretcher, fully equipped first aid kit, oxygen cylinders to address the situation. 
• Risk: Weather is unpredictable in the Himalayas. Though we are always observant about the changing weather, no one can guarantee a snowfall, rain or Sun. Do understand that your security is of utmost importance to us and we will not proceed any further from the campsite if the weather is not favorable. Response: The decision of the Trek Leaders and Guides to proceed or wait for the weather to get better will be final. 
• Risk: Injuries Often, while trekking over difficult terrains, you might have minor injuries like leg sprain, bruises etc. Serious injuries like fractures or major cuts are very rare. Response: All our Trek Leaders are Certified Wilderness First Aid responders. They are trained to handle emergencies and can tackle minor injuries with a well-equipped first aid kit. In case of serious injuries, the patient is carried on a stretcher to the nearest roadhead and is led to nearest medical center. 
• Risk: Lack of communication devices In the remote areas of the Himalayas, mobile networks do not reach. On a trek, one is cut off from the world of calls, SMS or watsapps. Response: We rely on walkie-talkies and runners to communicate between the campsites and the base camps.

 

Things To Carry

This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The 

 

list excludes those items which are provided by us on the trek. We have divided the items 

 

into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

 

TREKKING GEAR

 

1. Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1

 

2. Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1

 

3. U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1

 

4. 1 Litre water bottle. Qty -2

 

FOOTWEAR

 

1. Non-skid deep treaded hiking shoes Qty -1

 

2. Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1

 

CLOTHING

 

1. Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2

 

2. Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking

 

3. Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking

 

4. Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1

 

5. Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking

 

6. Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1

 

7. Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1

 

8. Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1

 

9. Pair of Warm Gloves. Qty-1

 

10. Woolen cap. Qty-1

 

11. Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1

 

TOILETRIES

 

1. Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, 

 

toothpaste, cold cream etc.).                                           

 

2. Sun screen lotion small pack . Qty -1

 

3. Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1

 

UTENSILS

 

1. Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1

 

2. Plate. Qty- 1

 

3. Spoon.Qty-1

 

4. Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

1. Camera (Optional)

 

2. Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor 

 

before joining the trek.

 

3. Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional) 

 

Mandatory Documents To Carry :

 

Please carry the below documents. Document two and three need to be downloaded (PDF), filled in, 

 

signed and handed over to the trek leader at the base camp.

 

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (adhar card, driving license, 

 

voters ID, etc.)

 

Medical Certificate (first part to be filled by a doctor and second part by the trekker) 

 

Disclaimer form (to be filled by the trekker)

Safety Protocols:

 

 

 

While our itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatization, most treks in the Indian Himalayas climb quickly, which is called forced ascents. Unavailability of campsites and the Indian Himalayan terrain are the reasons for this. There are chances that you will feel the effects of altitude sickness and  oxygen deprivation while on this trek. Please be aware that your trek leader may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time, and will arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude. Our trek leaders will conduct routine health checks at all camps to measure oxygen saturation, pulse, and blood pressure. Adventure Club Pune reserves the right to exclude any trekker from climbing higher on the trek without refund if the trekkers vital readings are below accepted norms for that altitude. These norms are available with our trek leaders. This is a high altitude trek with the rough, rocky and snowy terrain. It is important that you are a fit and confident walker in mountain terrain, able to manage ascents and descents by yourself within a reasonable time. Adventure Club Pune reserves the right to send a trekker back if, in the opinion of our trek leader, they are unable to complete the itinerary without requiring exclusive assistance. Please realistically self-assess your fitness and suitability for this trek before registering. Monitoring health on a trek Any abnormal reading will be paid special attention to and action will be taken immediately.

 

 

 

On the trek, your Trek Leader will be monitoring two aspects a day.

 

• Oxygen Level
• Pulse Rate

 

High Altitude Medical Kit

 

Your trek leader will also be carrying a full-fledged high altitude medical kit. This will include basic medicines and specific medicines catering to altitude sickness Diamox, Dexamethasone. Your Trek Leader will also be carrying a portable oxygen cylinder throughout the trek. In addition to that, there are oxygen cylinders installed at all high campsites for any emergency situations.

 

Fitness Required: 

 

The Bhrigu Lake trek is classified as a trek of Easy to moderate grade. You start from an altitude of 8,530 ft at Gulaba and you reach the highest point of 14,009 ft at the lake. This means you gain around 5,480 ft over just two days of trekking. You have to make sure your lungs are strong for this. Being hydrated and well nourished on the trek You need to drink a minimum of 4 liters of water every day during the trek to ensure that youre well hydrated. De-hydration on a trek can make you lose energy very quickly and intensify the effects of AMS. Your trek leader will brief you about the amount of water that you need to carry with you at the start of each day as well as water sources on the trail. We provide trekkers with nutritious meals to ensure that they are energized to complete the trail each day. Apart from this, snacks or packed lunch is provided wherever the trail before a meal break is likely to belong. Make sure that you do not skip any meal as this can lead to serious health emergencies at high altitudes. With all these processes and equipment in place, you can rest assured that you will have a safe trek with us.

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