Yulla Kanda Trek: the Krishna Temple Lake of Kinnaur
Walk up to Kinnaur’s Krishna temple on a sacred lake.
About 12 km from Yulla Khas to a lake at 3,895 m, with homestay, cab from Shimla or Chandigarh and the rest of your Kinnaur trip in one quote.
Update 1 Nov 2026: the season has ended — snow usually closes the upper trail from November until mid-May. Plan for mid-May–June or Sep–Oct 2027.
- Lake 3,895 m
- Distance ~12 km one way
- Trek days 2–3
- Season Mid-May – mid-Oct
- Start Yulla Khas (near Tapri)
- Price Get Quote
Yulla Kanda trek, at a glance
The Yulla Kanda trek starts at Yulla Khas village in Kinnaur, about 20 km off NH-5 at Tapri, and climbs about 12 km one way to a lake at 3,895 m with a Krishna temple on it. Most people take 2–3 days with a homestay night in the village. It opens from mid-May to mid-October.
Pick your Yulla Kanda plan
Four ways to do the trek. Photos show Himalayan trails and Kinnaur in general — not the Yulla Kanda lake itself.
Classic pickClassic 2-day
Best paceEasy 3-day
FestivalJanmashtami fair trip
Make it a packageKinnaur circuit add-on
Your Yulla Kanda trip, step by step
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Send your dates
WhatsApp your dates and group — we check the season and the latest Kinnaur advisory for that week.
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Drive to Yulla Khas
Cab from Shimla, Chandigarh or Delhi via Narkanda and Rampur to Tapri, then up to Yulla Khas — about 210 km from Shimla, a long day.
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Village night
A homestay night in Yulla Khas, a Kinnauri village where the green Kinnauri cap is everyday wear.
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Trek day
Forest first, then open meadows up to the ridge. The last stretch is steep; a local guide is recommended.
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Lake and temple
Shoes off near the temple, walk around the lake, then head back down — or stay at the approved camp below the temple.
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Onward
Continue to Kalpa or Reckong Peo for the rest of Kinnaur, or drive back towards Shimla.
Tapri to the lake in one picture
- By road → Tapri on NH-5 → about 20 km up to Yulla Khas (~2,985 m).
- On foot → forest → meadow and upper camp → lake and temple at 3,895 m.
- Total → about 12 km one way, roughly 900 m of climbing.
- Open → mid-May to mid-October; snow the rest of the year.
The temple is said to be the highest Krishna temple in the world — a local claim we have not verified.
Best time for the Yulla Kanda trek
| Months | Trail | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-May – June | Open; snow patches early on | Good; book June early — it is the busiest month |
| July – August | Open, monsoon | Go only on clear days — streams (nallahs) can overflow |
| Janmashtami (Aug/Sep) | Fair day | Crowded; book your stay early |
| September – mid-October | Open, clearest | Best views; cold nights |
| November – mid-May | Snow, shrine closed | Not run — see Kalpa in winter instead |
Planning for early May or mid-October? Send your dates — we check whether the upper trail is open that week before we book.
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 plan your trek around these checks:
- Rain and stream levelsIn August 2025 about 150 visitors were stranded on this route in heavy rain and rescued by police, and Kinnaur police asked people to avoid it in heavy rain. We check the forecast and advisories for your dates.
- AltitudeThe lake is at about 3,895 m — sleep a night in Yulla Khas first and turn back on headache or breathlessness.
- Permits and IDAs far as we know, no Inner Line Permit is needed for this route. Carry a government photo ID; we confirm any registration needed for your date.
- GuideA registered local guide is recommended for route-finding above the forest; arranged on request.
- Lake and temple rulesNo camping beside the lake or temple, no bathing or soap in the lake, no alcohol — and carry your plastic back down.
- Children and eldersFit children of 10+ with a guide are fine; for an easier lake walk we suggest Prashar Lake.
Get a quote in minutes
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Tell us your dates
WhatsApp or the quote form — dates, group size and the city you start from.
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We check your date
Trail status, weather and the Kinnaur advisory for that week, plus homestay availability in Yulla Khas.
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You get one quote
Cab, stays, guide and any Kinnaur add-ons in one plan.
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Confirm and go
We send the start time, what to carry and the latest trail update before you travel.
What your quote depends on
- Start city (Shimla, Chandigarh or Delhi) and cab type
- 2-day or 3-day plan; homestay or tent night
- Guide, and a porter or mule for bags
- Season — the Janmashtami fair and the June peak
- Group size
- Kinnaur add-ons: Kalpa, Sangla, Chitkul and hotel nights
Yulla Khas to the Krishna temple lake
About 12 km on foot through forest and meadow to a lake at 3,895 m; we plan the cab from Shimla or Chandigarh, the stay and your trek days in one quote.
Get your Yulla Kanda quote
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply with one plan — cab, stays, guide and the rest of Kinnaur — within minutes.
Yulla Kanda + the Kinnaur circuit
The plan that works best: Shimla → Narkanda → Yulla Kanda → Kalpa → Sangla and Chitkul, 6–8 days with hotel and cab. Read our Sangla and Chitkul guide, Delhi to Kalpa by road and Kalpa in winter, or see our Shimla tour packages. Want another temple trek? Try the Churdhar trek or the Bijli Mahadev trek. Need a cab? Book a Shimla taxi or a Chandigarh to Shimla taxi.
Yulla Kanda trek — questions
How long is the Yulla Kanda trek?
About 12 km one way from Yulla Khas (sources range from 11 to 14 km), so 22–28 km return. Most people take 2–3 days.
How high is Yulla Kanda?
The lake and temple are at about 3,895 m (12,778 ft), roughly 900 m above Yulla Khas village.
Where does the trek start and how do I reach it?
From Yulla Khas village, about 20 km by road from Tapri on NH-5. Shimla to Yulla Khas is about 210 km via Narkanda and Rampur — we arrange the cab.
What is the best time for the Yulla Kanda trek?
Mid-May to mid-October; September and October are the clearest. From November, snow closes the upper trail until mid-May.
Is Yulla Kanda open now (November to April)?
No. The shrine and the upper trail close under snow in winter; the trail reopened in mid-May in 2026. Book now for mid-May–June or Sep–Oct 2027.
Do I need a permit for Yulla Kanda?
As far as we know, no Inner Line Permit is needed for this route. Carry a government photo ID; we tell you if any registration is required for your date.
What is the cap ritual at Yulla Kanda?
On Janmashtami, people float a Kinnauri cap upside down on the lake. If it crosses without sinking, it is taken as a good sign for the year.
Can I camp at the lake, and what does the trek cost?
Not beside the lake or temple — stay in Yulla Khas or at the approved camp below the temple. The cost depends on your start city, cab, number of days, guide and season. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we share today’s rate in minutes — Get Quote.
