Kareri Lake : Where time will stop but you will rise…
Hello all,
If peace has found a place, then it must be Kareri Lake
If solitude has found a soul, then it must be Kareri Lake.
If tranquility has found time, then it must be Kareri Lake
If there is rhapsody in remoteness, then it is at Kareri Lake
If you want ecstasy in exile, go to Kareri Lake
If you want to achieve oblivion in the odyssey, go to Kareri Lake
If you want to be wise in the wilderness, then it must be at Kareri Lake
Why do I crave mountains? Because, somehow, they believe in me better than I believe in myself. Somehow, they knew me better than I knew myself. Somehow, they taught me more than life did, and that’s the reason I want to keep coming to them. No matter the place. I feel all the Himalayan peaks are majestic. Their presence is enough to make us feel complete. To make you believe in the universe. Because among those peaks, you are just present, in that moment, just inhaling and exhaling and going ahead. While climbing from the mid camp to Kareri lake, I was all alone, chasing Shaurya with Satva and Sheel behind me. The mountains were always by me. The Niyund nala running beside me gently yet singing beautiful tunes, the peaks asking me hundreds of questions, and quietly and patiently teaching me the meaning of unanswered questions. I was present in that moment. Just being myself. Sitting on the bank of the lake, watching the mountains, admiring the reflection in the crystal clear lake water, with a gentle hug from mountain zephyr, and among the herds of goats, sheep, and cows, we were the most relaxed after a long, long time. Not because we were tired, but because finally we were at the place we meant to be. The surroundings were like we were in another realm, protected by our own biodome, just like what Rocky had created for Grace on the planet of Erid.
Kareri Lake, also known as Kumarwah Lake, is located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, formed by the melting snow of the Minkiani Peak in the Dhauladhar mountain range. In the local language, Kumarwah” means “son of water.“
Religious significance: locals found a shivling from the region of the lake, and it is believed that Lord Shiv and Devi Parvati stayed here for a while. Local people found a few ruins of Shiv Lingam, so they built a beautiful temple dedicated to Shiv-Parvati here overlooking the water.
The picture of the Original Lingam
Trek in Detail:
Base village:
The base camp is at Kareri village, which is a small hamlet with a wonderful view of the Dhauladhar mountains.
- Distance from McLeodganj: 32 km, 1 hour 35 min
- Distance from Dharmshala: 26 km, 1 hour 10 min
- Distance from Amritsar: 206 km, approximately 5 hours
- Distance from Delhi: 518 km, appx 11 hours
- The best option is to reach Kareri village by a private vehicle or by public transport.
Stay option in Kareri village:
There are a few homestays in Kareri with good views of the mountains, but we opted for Zostel, which is a few kilometres away from the village in a secluded valley. What an amazing location it has, near the stream with fabulous surroundings. The facilities and food are also amazing. This was our first stay in Zostel, and we are now big fans!
Trail:
Day 1:
You can reach the starting point by car and reach the Nohlli bridge from where the official trek starts. From here, the trail is ascending and descending with occasional steep sections that are almost 70-80 degrees. The trail passes through hilly terrain and dense forests. You have to cross streams at places. There are a few food stalls along the way, and don’t forget to drink refreshing Nimbu Pani from an old uncle’s shop.
You will reach the Reyoti bridge, which is a midway point where another small stream joins the Niyudh stream. A few camp sites are located at this place also. But our campsite was a little ahead of this Reyoti Campsite. It was near the Sunshine café. The café is located just beside the stream with a small adjoining temple. In the temple, there is an idol of a young boy, Lord Shiv, and a Shiva linga. The story behind the boy’s idol goes like this: The boy’s name was Sonu Kumar. He was 20 years old, and he had died in this place in 2016. He was not well and was advised not to take strain, but he wanted to visit the Kareri lake temple during the annual village festivities. But he got sick during the journey, and he died at this place, so his parents built this temple in his memory.
The famous Reyoti Bridge
Day 2:
The entire trail is along the stream with boulders and rocky terrain. You will get only one food point at the midway. There are many stalls at the Kareri Lake campsite, which is also a basecamp for the Minkiani Pass trek or the Seven Lake trek.
In this methodical pace of life and suffocating social media, our minds jump in all directions like popcorn bursting from an uncovered pan. Places like this and moments like these make us realise that life should be simple—the way it’s supposed to be. Chasing unnecessary dreams won’t make us happy because, in the end, happiness and peace are always inextricably linked, and the most important question we want to ask ourselves is, are we peaceful in doing what we are doing? Sometimes the answer we get in retrospection, but that’s okay. That’s the beauty of life. We were at the lakeside for almost 2 hours, just us and stunning Himalayan peaks all around, a serene lake in front and a temple of Lord Shiv behind us. Sitting there in front of the lake, my kids won’t realise the quietude we feel in nature or the protective presence of mountains, but I know they crave this peace when they are here in the concrete jungle. And as of now, that’s enough for me.
What can I say about the lake? No words will do justice to the sheer beauty of this lake. I thought Chandratal Lake is the most beautiful lake in our country. But this Lake is equally stunning. The reflections of the mountain peaks in the crystal clear lake water were not mere reflections, but they were the inspirations for us to inspect and reflect on what is running in our minds. To get a clear picture of our inner thoughts, because sometimes clean air, silent surroundings, and cold mountain wind are what we need to think outside of our world, which is emotionally and psychologically draining.
Day trek, 1 night 2 days trek or 2 night 3 days trek. Which is better?
Many people do the first and second day combined, and they stay at the Kareri Lake base camp site. The major drawback is that you will reach the lake at the same time as most of the crowd. When we went to the lake, the majority of the two-day trekkers had left, and a new crowd was yet to come. So we had the lake to ourselves for almost 2 hours. Yes, there are chances that you might miss sunset, but you will enjoy the quietude.
With a 2-night, 3-day itinerary, you can embrace nature, you can talk with mountains and forest, and last but not least, you can unplug your clogged mind and surrender to Mother Nature.
Another point is that Kareri Lake Campsite is a little crowded, while the campsite at Reyoti and the Sunshine café are peaceful, as many people do this trek as a 1-night 2-day trek or a day trek.
Our home for two and a half days..
owner of Sunshine Cafe
Our guides, Rajnish Bhaiya and Vikas Bhaiya
Total trek length:
Base village: Kareri village
Trek starting point: Nohlli Bridge
Base camp to mid point (Reyoti) : 6 km | 4-5 hrs
Reyoti to Kareri lake and back to Reyoti: 14 km | 7-8 hrs (Both Sides)
Altitude:
Kareri village: 1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Reyoti : 2,450 m (8,000 ft)
Lake: 2,950 m (9,700 ft)
Best time to do this trek:
The best time to do this trek is from April to July and September to November. That’s spring, summer, and early winter.
In the spring, the trail becomes vibrant with vividly blooming rhododendrons, but you will get residual snow.
Summer is perfect if you want a snow-free trek.
Autumn months are perfect for clear blue sky reflecting brilliantly in the lake water.
Post November, there will be snowfall, and the trail is covered in snow, making it difficult to access the lake. Now, with changing weather, the snowfall is as late as February, you can try the trek even in November or December.
Monsoon months should be avoided as the path becomes slippery and risky for trekking.
Difficulty level of the Kareri Lake trek
The trek is definitely a moderate one, so do not underestimate or take it lightly. It is popular with beginners as well as regular trekkers because of the stunning views and challenging trails. You have to cover distance of 26 km over a period of 1-3 days which is not a less task.
Lord Shiv is everywhere in the Himalayas… 
Treks you can do from the Kareri Lake:
– Minkiani pass
– Seven lakes of Himachal.
Local villagers and pilgrims cross Minkiani Pass during Janmashtami.
It is considered a sacred pilgrimage. Villagers and devotees travel to take holy dips in the high-altitude glacial lakes like Lam Dal
The “Seven Lakes of Himachal” are a pristine cluster of high-altitude glacial lakes nestled in the Dhauladhar mountain between the Kangra and Chamba districts. The seven lakes are:
- Lam Dal
- Kareri Lake
- Nag Dal
- Kali Kund
- Chanderkoop Dal (Moon Lake
- Sukh Dal:
- Dam Ghodi Dal:
What to pack:
- Regardless of the season, always carry rainwear because it can rain anytime in the mountains.
- Nights are always chilly, even in summer, so at least carry a jacket or thermal with you. If you are trekking in water, you will need proper winter clothes, jackets, and shoes.
- The trail is mainly a boulder trail, so you will need shoes with good grip.
Mountains’ night sky, never disappoints…
Points to consider:
- Not many porters are available, and there are no mules, so pack wisely and lightly.
- The trek is for 1-3 days and is of a moderate level. It is necessary to have good physical fitness.
- This can be done as a DIY trek, as the trail is well-maintained and there are a few stalls along the trail that can guide you. If it’s not very crowded, you can get spontaneous accommodations in campgrounds also.
- Please, please, DON’T LITTER.
Our trekking Company:
Kareri Hikers: https://karerihikers.com/
Contact number: 82192 57443, 8894810872
Contact number of the Sunshine Cafe owner: Mr Deshraj :
We totally recommend Mr Rajnish. He is enthusiastic, a true mountain lover, and very friendly as well as kind with kids.
And while I am writing this, I was supposed to be climbing the mountains of Uttarakhand, visiting Madmaheshwar, but as they say, Lord Shiv will call you when it’s your turn, you just listen and understand his signal and wait. Somehow, by intuition, our entire trip got cancelled, and still we feel ease, at peace, and in absolute tranquility. Because we have our dose of those mesmerizing peaks and where life drains us existentially in its routine, we won’t forget our beloved Kareri Lake incessantly.
Frankly, when I see pictures of thousands of cars stuck in traffic jams in Shimla and Manali, my heart cries. Cries for those peaks, those people, that serene atmosphere. In some places, the best way to go is on foot. Let the Himalayas be that place. Let us visit them as our ancestors did—No excessive cars, no traffic jams, and no pollution. Mountains don’t need devotees; they need seekers, trekkers, and spiritual persons.
Thank you…
Superb
Thank you..