Kareri Lake Trek
A clear snow-fed lake under the Dhauladhar wall
Two days from Kareri village, river camp on the way — we plan the trek, your Dharamshala hotel and the cab.
- Lake 2,934 m
- Trek ~13 km from Kareri village
- 2 days / 1 night
- Grade easy–moderate
- Best Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov
- Frozen Dec–Mar
Kareri Lake trek, at a glance
Kareri Lake (Kumarwah) is a shallow, snow-fed lake at 2,934 m in the Dhauladhar range, north-west of Dharamshala. The trek starts at Kareri village, a drive of about 25 km from Dharamshala, and follows the Nyund stream for about 13 km to the lake. Most people do it in two days with a night at a riverside camp. The lake stays frozen from early December to March or April.
From Kareri village to the lake
One trail, five stops worth knowing — and a winter option only when the rules allow it.
StartKareri village
Night stopRiverside camp
HighlightKareri Lake (Kumarwah)
Shiva–Shakti temple
Winter option
Your two Kareri days
- Day 1 → drive to Kareri village, walk up the Nyund stream to the river camp (about 4–5 h).
- Day 2 → the lake at 2,934 m and the temple, then all the way down.
- Best months → Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov; Jul–Aug monsoon; Dec–Mar frozen.
- Kareri or Triund? → Triund is a one-day ridge, Kareri a two-day lake. See the Triund trek.
How your Kareri Lake trek works
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Send your dates
On WhatsApp — we check the season, the latest Kangra order and the weather for your days.
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Day 0 · reach Dharamshala
Cab from Delhi, Chandigarh or Gaggal airport to your Dharamshala or McLeodganj hotel.
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Day 1 · drive and climb
Drive to Kareri village, then walk up along the Nyund stream to the riverside camp — about 4–5 hours.
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Day 2 · the lake
Early start to the lake and the temple, time at the shore, then all the way down to Kareri village.
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Day 2 evening · onward
Cab back to your Dharamshala hotel — or on to Bir, Palampur or Dalhousie.
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Add-ons on request
Porter or bag offload, a guide, an extra village homestay night, paragliding at Indrunag or Bir.
On the trail
The path climbs through forest beside the stream, with footbridges and a few rocky, muddy stretches. There is no technical section — fit beginners do it comfortably over two days.
Carry water, snacks, a warm layer, a rain shell, a head torch and shoes with grip. Pack all your litter back down.
Best time for the Kareri Lake trek
| Months | Trail | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Apr–Jun | Open, snow patches early in the season | Main season; book early for May–Jun |
| Jul–Aug | Not advised | Monsoon: streams rise fast, slippery rocks |
| Sep–Nov | Open, clearest skies | Best views; nights get cold by November |
| Dec–Mar | Snow; lake frozen | Only if that winter’s Kangra order allows it, with a guide and snow gear |
Want snow in winter instead? The Prashar Lake trek near Mandi is the easy lake trek that runs through the snow months.
What we check before we book your trek
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent (Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022). We arrange the trek with registered local operators and plan around these checks:
- Winter orderIn Nov 2024 and again in Jan 2026 the Kangra disaster authority banned trekking above 3,000 m and required prior permission from the SP Kangra for Kareri, Triund and Adi Himani Chamunda; permissions lapse on a weather alert. We check the current order before confirming any Dec–Mar date.
- Check-post registrationKangra’s monsoon check-post registration covered 10 named routes and Kareri was not on the Nov 2025 list — we re-check each season.
- Stay out of the streamsIn May 2026 a young trekker drowned near Half Point on the way back from Kareri after ignoring his guide’s warning. Streams rise suddenly when the weather turns.
- Weather and daylightWe check the forecast the evening before, walk down before dark and turn back if it rains hard.
- Never on the iceIn winter the lake surface freezes — never walk on it.
- Leave no traceCarry out all waste; no plastic left at the camp or the lake.
Get a quote in minutes
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Tell us your dates
WhatsApp or the quote form — dates, group size, ages and where you start from.
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We check your date
Season, weather and the current Kangra trekking order; camp, guide and porter with a registered local operator.
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You get one quote
Trek, Dharamshala hotel and the cab for the whole trip in one plan.
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Confirm and go
We send the pickup time, the start time for day one and what to pack.
What your quote depends on
- Number of trekkers and your dates (weekends and holidays are busiest)
- Trek only, or trek + guide + camp + meals; porter or bag offload
- An extra homestay night in Kareri village
- Cab from Delhi, Chandigarh or Gaggal airport, or local from Dharamshala
- Hotel category in Dharamshala or McLeodganj, and the season (winter needs snow gear and permission) — today’s rate on WhatsApp within minutes
Your Kareri Lake trek, village to lake
About 13 km on foot from Kareri village along the Nyund stream, a night at the river camp and the lake at 2,934 m on day two; we add your Dharamshala hotel and cab in one quote.
Get your Kareri Lake quote
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply with one plan — trek, river camp, Dharamshala hotel and the cab — within minutes.
Dharamshala + Kareri + Bir in 5 days
A 4-night plan that fits it all: McLeodganj hotel 2 nights → Kareri trek with 1 night at the river camp → Bir 1 night with a paragliding day, with the cab from Delhi or Chandigarh. See our Dharamshala tour packages, add the Triund trek, paragliding in Dharamshala or paragliding in Bir Billing. Need only a cab? Book a Dharamshala taxi.
Kareri Lake trek — questions
How high is Kareri Lake?
About 2,934 m above sea level. It is a shallow lake fed by Dhauladhar snowmelt, with the Nyund stream flowing out of it (Kangra district).
How long is the Kareri Lake trek?
About 13 km one way from Kareri village. Most people do it in two days with a night at a riverside camp about halfway.
Where does the trek start?
At Kareri village, reached by road via Ghera — about 25 km from Dharamshala.
What is the best time to visit Kareri Lake?
April–June and September–November. July–August is monsoon; from early December to March or April the lake is frozen.
Can I do the Kareri Lake trek in winter?
Only if that winter’s Kangra order allows it. In the last two winters (Nov 2024 and Jan 2026 orders) Kareri needed prior permission from the SP Kangra’s office, and permissions were cancelled automatically on a weather alert. Go with a guide and snow gear.
Is the Kareri Lake trek difficult?
Easy to moderate — a steady climb with rocky, muddy stretches and stream crossings, fine for fit beginners.
Is it safe to swim in the streams?
No. Streams can rise suddenly; a trekker drowned near Half Point in May 2026 after going into the water.
Kareri or Triund — which should I do?
Triund is a one-day ridge walk from McLeodganj; Kareri is quieter, a two-day trek to a lake. Many guests do one now and the other next trip — or both with an extra day. Price: Get Quote for either.
