By The Route Atlas | Latest update: season rules and costs checked before publishing
Everyone comes to Manali for Mall Road and Solang, but the real magic starts where the road ends. If you want proper trekking in Manali, with meadows, glacial lakes and 14,000 ft passes, you don’t need two weeks off. Three treks close to town cover almost every kind of trekker.
This guide covers all three, Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake and Beas Kund, with honest difficulty levels, costs, permits and tips. I’ll also help you pick the one that suits you.
Quick Comparison: Which Trek Is Right for You?
| Hampta Pass | Bhrigu Lake | Beas Kund | |
| Max altitude | ~4,270 m (14,100 ft) | ~4,267 m (14,000 ft) | ~3,700 m (around 12,500 ft) |
| Duration | 5 days | 3–4 days | 3–4 days |
| Total distance | ~26–28 km | ~22–26 km | ~15 km (one way from Solang) |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Easy to moderate | Easy to moderate |
| Best for | Variety, adventure lovers | Quick high-altitude lake | First-timers |
| Best season | Mid-June to Sept | June to Sept | Mid-May to Oct |
Altitudes and distances vary slightly between operators and sources, so treat them as approximate.
Best Time for Trekking Near Manali
Most treks near Manali run from May or June to September. Snow blocks the higher trails until then, and by October nights turn very cold.
- May–June: Snow patches, crisp views, colder camps. Good for Beas Kund and Bhrigu Lake.
- July–August: Monsoon brings lush green meadows and wildflowers, but also rain and slippery trails.
- September: My favourite window. Clear skies, fewer crowds and stable weather.
Hampta Pass is best from mid-June to early September. Bhrigu Lake stays buried under snow until around April, so don’t plan it earlier.
How to Reach Manali
Manali is the base for all three treks.
- By road: Delhi to Manali is about 530–540 km. The overnight Volvo takes roughly 12–14 hours, sometimes more in traffic. From Chandigarh it’s about 310 km, or 9–11 hours.
- By train: There is no railway station in Manali. Take a train to Chandigarh, Ambala or Joginder Nagar, then continue by bus or cab.
- By air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali Airport), about 50 km away, around 1.5–2 hours by road. Flights are limited and weather-dependent, so keep a backup plan.
My tip: if you take the overnight bus, spend one full day in Manali before starting your trek. Your body needs it.
Hampta Pass Trek from Manali
If I had to pick one trek that shows you two different worlds, it’s this one. You start in green Kullu forests and finish in the barren, moon-like landscape of Lahaul.
The Hampta Pass trek from Manali is a crossover route, about 26–28 km over 5 days. The pass sits at roughly 4,270 m. Locals call it “Hamta”, and you’ll hear both names.
Hampta Pass Route and Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive from Manali to Jobra, short trek to camp
- Day 2: Jobra to Jwara (Chika), about 4–5 km
- Day 3: Jwara to Balu ka Ghera, about 7–8 km, tough but scenic
- Day 4: Balu ka Ghera to Hampta Pass to Shea Goru, about 8–9 km, the toughest and best day
- Day 5: Shea Goru to Chhatru, then drive back to Manali
Some operators add Chandratal Lake, which makes the return drive long, around 9–10 hours.
Difficulty and Cost
It’s rated easy to moderate by some and moderate by others. Day 4 is long and steep, with a crossing over snow patches. Don’t treat it as a beginner trek if you’ve never been above 3,000 m.
Agency prices are roughly ₹6,500 to ₹12,000 per person. Packages including Chandratal and Manali-to-Manali transport can go higher, around ₹14,800 in one recent listing. Always check what’s included.
Practical tip: Start your day-4 climb early. Afternoon winds and clouds near the pass get unpredictable.
Bhrigu Lake Trek from Manali
This is the trek for people who want a high-altitude lake without a long commitment. The Bhrigu Lake trek from Manali reaches about 4,267 m (around 14,000 ft) and is named after the sage Maharishi Bhrigu, who is believed to have meditated here.
It begins at Gulaba, roughly 22–25 km from Manali on the Rohtang road. The drive takes about an hour.
Bhrigu Lake Route
The usual route is Gulaba → Jonker Thatch → Rola Kholi (about 3,800 m) → Bhrigu Lake → back to Rola Kholi or down to Pandu Ropa.
The total distance is roughly 22–26 km over 3–4 days.
What to Know Before You Go
The altitude gain here is faster than most people expect. Many call it easy, but the climb from Rola Kholi to the lake is steep and the summit day is long, often 6–8 hours round trip.
- Don’t camp at the lake itself. It’s windy and too high.
- Start the summit walk before sunrise.
- Carry thermals even in summer. Camp nights can drop to around 0°C or lower.
In June you may still find snow near the lake. July and August are greener. September is clear and quiet.
Beas Kund Trek
The Beas Kund trek is the gentlest of the three, and the one I recommend to anyone doing their first Himalayan trek. It leads to the glacial lake that gives birth to the River Beas, the same river flowing through Manali.
You start from Dhundi, above Solang Valley, and walk through meadows toward Bakarthach, with views of Hanuman Tibba and Friendship Peak (about 5,289 m).
Beas Kund Itinerary
- Day 1: Drive to Dhundi, trek to Bakarthach or Lohali campsite
- Day 2: Trek to Beas Kund and back (a long day, around 5–8 hours depending on pace)
- Day 3: Descend to Dhundi and drive back to Manali
Dhundi is the last place with a road, and there are no shops or dhabas beyond it. Carry your own snacks and water.
The best window is mid-May to October. Beas Kund is lower in altitude and the climb is more gradual, which makes acclimatising easier. That’s why it suits beginners well.
Which Is the Best Trek in Manali for You?
Choosing among the best treks in Manali depends on your time and experience:
- First Himalayan trek: Beas Kund
- Short on time, want a big lake and altitude: Bhrigu Lake
- Want drama, variety and a real challenge: Hampta Pass
If you have time for only one, I’d go for Hampta Pass in September. If you want something easier, Beas Kund in June is a lovely start.
Permits, Fees and Rules
Rules around trekking near Manali have tightened in recent years, so confirm with your operator before travelling.
- Forest department permission is needed for camping, and a small forest entry fee (reported around ₹50) applies in some areas.
- Checkposts operate on popular routes like Hampta, and a QR-based entry or congestion fee system has been reported there.
- Rohtang Pass has its own vehicle permit. It applies only if you drive up to the pass, not for the Atal Tunnel.
- Bhrigu Lake operators have often said no special trek permit is required, but forest and camping rules still apply.
Registered operators usually handle all of this. If you trek independently, check at the Manali forest office first.
Where to Stay in Manali
- Budget: Hostels and homestays in Old Manali and Vashisht. Social, walkable and good for pre-trek rest.
- Mid-range: Hotels around Mall Road and Vashisht, with hot water and valley views.
- Luxury: Resorts along the Beas and the Solang side, quieter and more comfortable for families.
Rates swing a lot between peak season (May–June, Oct) and the monsoon, so compare before booking.
What to Eat in Manali
You’ll earn your food after a trek, so eat well.
- Siddu: Steamed Himachali bread with walnut or poppy-seed stuffing, served with ghee. Roughly ₹90–200 per plate.
- Dham: The traditional festive thali, around ₹300.
- Trout: Fresh from the valley’s streams, roughly ₹600–1,000 depending on the restaurant.
- Thukpa and momos: The ideal warm meal after a cold morning.
Old Manali cafes like Johnson’s Cafe are well known for trout. My tip: skip the overpriced “Himachali thali” spots near the Hadimba Temple car park and walk a little further for the same food at lower prices.
Budget for Trekking in Manali
- Hampta Pass: About ₹6,500–₹12,000 with an agency (₹14,800 with Chandratal in one batch)
- Bhrigu Lake and Beas Kund: Rates vary widely by operator, season and inclusions, so compare at least three quotes
- Food in town: Dhaba meals around ₹100–150 per dish, mid-range meals ₹300 and up
- Extras: Rental gear, a porter for your bag, and your travel to Manali
Packing and Safety Tips
- Acclimatise for at least one day in Manali before any trek.
- Wear broken-in trekking shoes with good grip. New shoes mean blisters.
- Pack thermals, a windproof jacket, gloves, a cap, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Carry a rain cover even in clear weather. Mountain weather turns fast.
- Drink water regularly. Headache, nausea or dizziness above 3,500 m means stop and descend.
- Carry your own garbage back. These meadows are fragile.
Final Thoughts
Whether you pick Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake or Beas Kund, trekking in Manali gives you a lot in very few days. My honest advice: don’t rush, pick the trek that matches your fitness, and give yourself a buffer day for weather.
Planning your trek? Save this guide and share it with your trek buddy. Drop your questions in the comments, and follow The Route Atlas for more route-wise guides across the Himalayas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best trek near Manali for beginners?
Beas Kund is the most beginner-friendly option. The altitude is lower, the gain is gradual, and the trek can be done in 3 days.
2. Which is better, Hampta Pass or Bhrigu Lake?
Hampta Pass is better if you want variety and a crossover route, since the scenery changes from green Kullu to dry Lahaul. Bhrigu Lake is better if you want a shorter trek to a high-altitude lake.
3. What is the best time for the Hampta Pass trek from Manali?
Mid-June to early September is the best window. June has snow, July and August are greener but wetter, and September has the clearest skies.
4. Is a permit needed for trekking in Manali?
Forest department permission and a small forest entry fee apply in several areas, and Hampta has checkposts. Registered operators usually arrange this. Rules change, so confirm before you travel.
5. How tough is the Bhrigu Lake trek from Manali?
It’s often called easy to moderate, but the altitude gain is quick and the summit day is long. Good fitness and a day of acclimatisation in Manali help a lot.
