There is no denying the fact that the Himalayas are home to countless unexplored places that are beautiful beyond our imagination. In fact, those places happen to hold a deep significance in the history of our culture; they are the places where some of the most famous rivers were born, and some of the legendary stories were written. The stories that are older than time itself.

Just like this, there is a place located just above Manali, whose trail is filled with the calmness of nature and is towered by the magnificent peaks of the mountains.

But the most unique thing about this place is not its trail or its view. It’s the small yet beautiful lake that is located just 600 feet below the summit ridge, and it is known as the Beas Kund Lake.

In this article, we are going to share every detail about the Beas Kund Trek through this complete guideline, which we have especially curated for you.

About the Beas Kund Trek

Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, near the popular town of Manali, the Beas Kund Trek is a 4-day adventure suitable for beginner-level trekkers. It offers a perfect blend of beauty and accessibility with the raw Himalayan charm.

If you’re a beginner looking for a perfect trek to enjoy mountain beauty, escape city life, feel humbled, and come back fulfilled, then this Beas Kund Trek guide is for you.

Now, speaking of it, the distance of the Beas Kund Trek is 18km, which means that you will be covering quite a long distance in a very short amount of time, and you will be required to keep yourself physically fit because the climbing of this trek is a little steep on the last day of this trek.

With an altitude of 12,800ft, this trek has a well-defined trail where, instead of experiencing an immediate gain in altitude, you will witness and experience a gradual gain in altitude as you ascend the mountains.

Sights you will be exploring during your trek

During this short duration of the trek, you will get an opportunity to see the mesmerising view of the Himalayan peaks like Friendship Peak, Hanuman Tibba, Shitidhar, and Ladakhi. Apart from these peaks, you will also be witnessing the beautiful Pir Panjal Range and Dhauladhar Range.

Except for viewing the stunning mountain peaks during the trek, you will also get to walk through the dense and mystical forest, where the giant deodar trees will be towering over you, and they will appear like true protectors of the region.

Now, before we tell you about the next stop on your trek, here’s something important: make sure that you plan to explore the Beas Kund Trek in the spring or in the summer season. Don’t worry, we will explain that later, after describing the last two places, where one looks truly magical in both seasons, and the other one is the main sight of this trek.

Well, that place is the Meadows of Dhundi, where across the whole grassland, you can witness animals feeding on the grass, and in both seasons, the meadows turn into a vibrant, waking paradise where beautiful wildflowers bloom, making the whole view look straight out of a postcard.

Lastly comes the main highlight of this trek, the Beas Kund itself. The kund is a crystal, shimmering turquoise glacial lake that appears like a beautiful mirror, reflecting a perfect picture of the giant peaks being covered with snow patches. It is also considered the most sacred place because of its mythological roots.

What’s the best time to explore the Beas Kund Trek?

As mentioned earlier, the best time to explore the Beas Kund Trek is during spring and summer, especially in May and June. Now, the reason why these seasons are an adequate one to explore this trek is that -

• During this period of time, while trekking, you will experience an ideal temperature to trek in the mountains, nothing too much and nothing less. In this way, you will be able to explore the mountains a lot better.
• The sky will also appear clearer, and although the trail won’t be covered in deep snow, you might find some snow patches on the ground, which will elevate your view.
• Right from the beginning of the trek, you will get to witness the beauty of the blooming wildflowers and lush green meadows, creating a perfect, colourful, vibrant view of nature.
• Since, during these months, the sky remains completely clear, it increases the chances of witnessing the spectacular view of the mountain peaks like Mt. Shitidhar, Friendship Peak, and so on.

Now that you know why both the Spring and Summer seasons were specifically suggested by us to explore this trek. Let’s take a look at the complete Beas Kund Trek Itinerary. So that you can prepare yourself accordingly.

What is the complete Itinerary of the Beas Kund Trek?

As in the beginning of this trek guide, we have already stated that it’s a 4-day trek. Now, let’s take a look at the starting and ending points of this trek and what you will truly get to witness and explore throughout this trek.

Day 1: Drive from Manali to Dhundi (9300 ft) and trek to Palchhani Thacha

• So, your journey on this adventurous trek will begin from Manali, where you are supposed to gather with other trekkers in the Woodbine Hotel for lunch.
• After that, you will be briefed by your trek leader about the trek and will receive the mandatory health check-up before leaving for your voyage.
• As you will be getting familiar with other trekkers, you will get to witness beautiful, scenic views of the Solang Valley, and your journey will keep moving towards the Dhundi, which is the true starting point of this trek.
• As you reach the Dhundi, the actual trail of the trek will begin, and from there, you will start seeing some patches of forest, and a perfect view of the wide grassland will also appear in front of you.
• From that point, you will move forward in your trek and will reach Palchani Thach, which is a beautiful meadow that serves as the first campsite of this trek and offers an open and fresh view of the mountain air.

Day 2: Trek from Palchhani Thach to Lohali

• The second day of your trek will begin by challenging you, as you will start your day by trekking for 3-4 km, which will take approx. 4 to 5 hours.
• As you will be ascending, you will realise that the climb is a little steep, and on both hillsides you will witness the dense forest of Pine and Birch trees.
• Along this route, you will see a fresh stream of water, where you will be able to refill your water bottles.
• Moving further in your journey, the forest will start fading slowly from your path, and a unique view of the sub-alpine vegetation of shrubs and bushes will replace it.
• Then, after around 2km of some distance, the view of a vast, wide-open valley will unfold in front of you.
• And as you keep moving further to explore that valley, you will realise that the Beas River has been flowing alongside.
• Following the river and the trail that is in front of you, you will reach another stop of this trek called Lohali, which will be your next campsite nestled in a wide, rugged valley.

Day 3: Trek from Lohali to Summit point via Lady Leg and Beas Kund and back to Lohali

• The most awaited part of your trek will be day 3, because on this day you will get to witness the stunning view of the mountain peaks and of the Beas Kund too.
• Now firstly, instead of regular timing, you will start trekking quite earlier than usual. The first stop of this day will be the meadows of Lady Leg, which have a view that looks straight from some postcards.
• From that point, you will climb towards the ridge (Summit Point), which is the exact point from where the stunning view of the Beas Kund Lake will start unfolding.
• To actually see the Beas Kund up close, you will have to go down 600ft below the summit ridge point, and after exploring it, you will have to come back to the summit point to continue your journey.
• If the weather is all bright and clear, then for sure you will be able to catch the majestic view of the stunning Dhauladhar Range, Pir Panjal Range, and you can also witness Peaks like Hanuman Tibba, Ladakhi, and Shitidhar from there.
• After soaking in the views, you will descend back to Lohali, carrying memories of an unforgettable summit day.

Note: The Lady Leg also serves as the summit camp of the Freinship Peak Trek

Day 4: Move from Lohali to Dhundi and back to Manali

• Now, as the final day of your trek will arrive, you will start retracing your steps and will begin your descending journey from Lohali to go back to Dhundi.
• As you will witness the similar landscape that you had just witnessed 2 days back for the first time, a feeling of accomplishment and self-reflection will start dawning.
• Then, while remembering the moments you spent up in the mountains and the stunning views that you witnessed, you will reach back to Manali.
• The moment you keep your foot back in Manali, that moment will truly mark the end of this adventurous journey of yours.

What are the Challenges of the Beas Kund Trek?

You know, many people happen to assume that this trek won’t be challenging at all, but that’s not true, because this trek also has a few challenges that you will have to face while being on this trail. Which are as follows-

• On the second day of your trek, there will be a little steep ascent at the beginning, which will be followed by a steep descent after about an hour.
• Then, the day of the summit can be a little challenging, mainly because the trail of it involves multiple ascents and descents over rocky terrain, but other than that, it is a really easy and manageable trek.
• Since this trek requires long trekking hours, your body strength will also be tested. So, make sure that at least a few weeks before going on a trek, you start keeping your physical fitness in check, and if you wish to know about the physical requirements to do this trek, you can check the trek guidelines.

These are some of the main challenges that you might encounter, so make sure to be aware of them and be prepared beforehand. Although it is relatively easy for beginners compared to other treks.

What is the Mythological Significance behind the Beas Kund River?

Basically, according to the locals and ancestors of this place, it is said that the Beas Kund used to be the meditation site of the great Rishi Vyas (the author of the epic Mahabharata).

And when he was meditating near this sacred lake, he was interrupted by Mata Hidimba, the wife of Bhima and the mother of Ghatotkacha, who used to visit that sacred place quite often. Hoping to meditate in solitude, he requested Hidimba not to come near the lake when he meditates and bathes there, but, ignoring his request, she keeps coming back to the lake.

Frustrated with her frequent interruption in his meditation, he asked her to go above the lake area and cultivate a Kyari (a small garden or patch of land) so that the glacial water flowing there could be used for farming. Following his words, Hidimba went towards the glacier and began preparing the land.

As she was preparing the land, Rishi Vyasa suddenly struck the glacier with quite great force, which resulted in causing a massive surge of water to burst out and carry Hidimba all the way down the valley towards Manali.

The force of the water was so powerful that it carved a way to the valley, which is later believed to become the course of the Beas River, which trekkers happen to witness flowing beside the trail on their way.

To seek forgiveness, she went to Rishi Vyasa, who did forgive her and blessed her to be forever worshipped by the people of the Kullu region.

Which is why the Kund and the whole trek region are considered the most sacred place to witness and seek the blessings of Goddess Hidimba.

Why Beas Kund Should Be Your Next Himalayan Adventure

Some treks get prominent because of their trail, and some because of their stunning scenic views, but some treks get popular because of the history they hold, and the Beas Kund Trek is one of them.

So, now let’s take a look at the reasons why you should choose this trek as your next Himalayan adventure, which are as follows -

• This trek offers a perfect combination of witnessing nature’s beauty and getting connected with our culture’s history.
• The Beas River mythological story makes the trekker feel quite connected with this trek.
• Even though it is nestled at a lower altitude, it offers a view of several prominent peaks from a single vantage point.
• Another main factor about it is that it is located in seclusion, which helps in experiencing the beauty of the Himlayas in a much quieter and more peaceful environment.
• In just a few days, from lush meadows to high-altitude landscapes, with grand views of peaks like Hanuman Tibba and Friendship Peak, as well as ranges you will get to experience it all.

And that’s the true magic of Beas Kund. It won’t overwhelm you or make you nervous. Instead, it will welcome you and will slowly pull you into the rhythm of the Himalayas while giving you a story worth telling long after you’ve descended.

So, if you wish to experience the adventure of being on a high altitude trek but have a shortage of time and don’t want to miss out on any possible experience of being in the Himalayas, don’t forget to explore the Beas Kund Trek.

Conclusion

The Beas Kund isn’t just a trek, it’s a complete Himalayan experience that you can have in just a few days. From lush meadows to glacier views, you will get to experience it all, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner who wants to test your limits or someone who is seeking a short yet rewarding mountain escape; this trail is perfect for you, as it has an adequate balance between challenge and beauty.

And with the right preparation, timing, and mindset, your journey to the source of the Beas River will become more than just a physical adventure and will easily turn into a deeply refreshing and almost spiritual connection journey for you for a lifetime.

FAQs

1. How difficult is the Beas Kund Trek?

The Beas Kund Trek is an easy-to-moderate level trek. Though the route of this trek has some steep sections, with adequate physical fitness, the trek will be quite easy and won’t be that difficult to climb at all.

2. Is this trek ideal for beginner trekkers?

Yes, this trek is absolutely ideal for beginners who want to experience the high - altitude trekking as the route of this trek is not that difficult, and the weather conditions are also adequate for beginners.

3. What are the accommodation facilities of this trek?

During the Beas Kund Trek, the trekkers will firstly get to stay in the Woodbine hotel and then in campsites, which are comfortable, weatherproof tents. These campsites are set up in beautiful open meadows or clearings surrounded by mountains, giving you a true experience of staying in nature. Twin-sharing and solo tent facilities are also available according to the trekkers' preference.

4. What are the physical fitness requirements to do the Beas Kund Trek?

A certain level of fitness is necessary; the trekker must start doing the exercises at least a few weeks before going on the trek. You can learn more about it from the easy-to-moderate trek fitness guide.