Bhrigu Lake Trek 3 Days

Bhrigu Lake Trek for the meadows

Bhrigu Lake(4100m)
A lot of trekkers do the Bhrigu Lake trek to get to the famous lake. While the Bhrigu lake is definitely worth getting to, this is only one of the reasons for you to do this trek.
It is the meadows on the Bhrigu Lake trek that are a real treat. I am not sure you understand why trekking on them is such a big thing. So let me take a moment to explain.
If you want to see high altitude alpine meadows in our country, chances are that you would have to trek for at least 2-3 days before you can step onto one. This is because most alpine meadows start at around 11,000 feet, when you have just crossed the tree line. This requires 2-3 days of hard trekking to reach..
On most high altitude treks in India you’ll stumble upon meadows from a thick forest, usually of oak. The sudden change in views are startling and beautiful. While most of these meadows are a delight to behold, some are more special than others. The ones on the Bhrigu lake trek are among these.
The special meadows stretch far and wide, undulating, almost like an endless carpet. You’ll find horses galloping and sheep grazing. You can walk barefoot feeling the dew under your feet. Everywhere you see it is lush green against the deepest blue sky. But what will take your breath away is the view. Sitting on the grassy knolls you are surrounded by snow peaks that stretch to the horizon. You are sitting in your own garden in the sky.
The trek is an out and out grassland trek. You step into the meadows within ten minutes of starting out of the fabulous Gulaba base camp. Considering Gulaba is just an hour’s drive from Manali, it makes accessing Bhrigu Lake meadows very easy. Who could ever imagine that such beautiful meadows existed right above Manali?
What I really like about the Bhrigu meadows is the way they change texture, shape and colour but stay with you all along the trek – right until Bhrigu lake. It makes the trek special because getting a chance to be in such alpine meadows all along a trek is a rare opportunity. It feels more pristine when the meadows are covered with snow. Camping on these meadows twice has been a doubly rewarding experience.
The Trek
The Bhrigu Lake trek begins at Gulaba. The 24 km route to Gulaba takes you on the Manali-Rohtang Pass road, past Kolang, Palchan and Kothi. You get fabulous views of pine forests and mountains as soon as you cross Kothi. Once a quiet hamlet, Gulaba is now buzzing with tourists in transit to Rohtang Pass.
Altitude: 10,370 ft
Time taken: 1 hour drive + 20 minutes trek. Pick up from Manali at 2.00 PM
Gulaba campsite,
The Gulaba camp site is a short trek away from the hamlet (14th scissor bend on the right side of the road head). Trek steadily underneath forest cover, passing through open grasslands every now and then. You will reach the campsite in twenty minutes.