Prashar Lake Trek

Route Map / Altitude Map

Best time to go/Weather

The best season for the Prashar Lake trek are mid-April to the end of June, when the weather is lovely, the landscape and forests are green, and the views are clear. During these months, the temperatures hover between 16-25 degrees Celsius.

However, if you love snow and want to see a winter wonderland, then December is perfect. The lake freezes over and is surrounded by snowy landscape. In the monsoon, the region receives heavy rainfall and it becomes hard to find dry camping ground, so you should avoid going during this time.

Getting there

Mandi does not have an airport or a railway station of its own. The closest airport to Mandi is the Kullu-Manali airport at Bhuntar and the closest railway station is in Pathankot. You can take a taxi or public buses from outside the railway station or the airport to reach Mandi.

However, the most convenient way of travelling to Mandi is by hiring a cab or riding on the HRTC bus which operates regularly from Delhi if you stay close to Delhi. If you are from other parts of India further away from Delhi, then flying to Bhuntar via Delhi is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Mandi.

What to wear

Even though Kareri Lake trek is a relatively easier one, it is still a trek on the mountains of the mighty Himalayas. The weather is of high altitude mountains and the terrain varies greatly as you get higher. Therefore, what you wear matters a lot and one must dress appropriately to ensure you are safe, protected and have an enjoyable experience.

It is best to wear clothing that keeps you warm and protects you from any harsh terrain or rocks. Here is a list of what to wear and include in your backpack: It is highly recommended that you dress in layers, wear thermal innerwear, warm t-shirts, trekking pants over thermal inner pants, warm and thick fleece and woollen sweaters. Wear and carry both regular and woolen socks for the temperatures get chilly at night.

Cover your head with a sun cap during the day, wear woollen gloves, use a muffler, wear neck warmers to cover your neck. Wear comfortable trekking shoes, and carry lightweight floater. Do not forget to carry a raincoat/poncho as the rains can be unpredictable here.

Do not wear any expensive jewellery or gadgets on you or carry any expensive items as you never know what kind of emergency situations there may be when you are at the mercy of nature high up in the mountains.

What to carry

Your operator will provide you an exhaustive list of items you must carry for the trek. However, ensure you are not missing out on the following items in the packing list.

Preparation/Fitness

This is an easy trek with moderate levels of difficulty as the trail gets steeper towards the lake. It is suitable for families, young children and beginners to introduce them to high altitude treks. It is also a great beginner’s snow trek during the winter.

However, even though it is an easy trek, you must have a decent level of fitness. You should be able to walk at least 6 to 8 km everyday and be able to carry a 15kg backpack for adults. Try to have regular walks or runs in the weeks before the trek and practice climbing stairs or slopes around you for at least 15 min. This will make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. Especially, when the terrain gets a bit more challenging during winter when it gets covered in snow.