Where Bhrigu sat
The lake is named after the sage Bhrigu, who is said to have meditated beside it. Locals treat it as sacred and believe it never freezes over completely.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Bhrigu Lake is an easy trek with a steep feel: it climbs the whole way to a lake at about 4,300 m.
4,300m
Height of the lake
1,300m
Climb from Gulaba
23km
Walking, over 4 days
2camps
Gulaba meadows and Rola Kholi
💪 Easy☀️ Open May–Oct⛺ 2 camps🚗 21–27 km from Manali
Day by day
Four days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Its day distances add up to about 23 km, though the page quotes 29 km.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Manali → Gulaba meadowsDrive up the Rohtang road, then a short walk21 km drive · 20 min walk🛏️ Tents · 3,200 m
- Day 2Gulaba → Rola KholiSteady climb through meadows6 km · about 4 h🛏️ Tents · 3,800 m
- Day 3Rola Kholi → Bhrigu Lake → Rola KholiUp to the lake and back10 km · about 8 h🛏️ Tents at Rola Kholi
- Day 4Rola Kholi → Gulaba → ManaliDown the same trail6–7 km · about 3 h🚙 Back in Manali by afternoon
Stories and nature
A lake that never fully freezes
Vashisht, the cord-breaker
Legend says the sage Vashishta tied himself with cords and leapt into the river, which broke them and saved him. He named it Vipasa, the cord-breaker, and Vashisht village bears his name.
Deo Tibba, hill of the gods
In local folklore the dome of Deo Tibba, seen from the trail, is where the gods assemble. Deo means gods; tibba means hill.
When to go
A summer trek
The Himachal trekking portal lists the trek as open from May to October. Sources disagree on the best weeks.
Mid-May–June
Outlook Traveller suggests going before June, ahead of the monsoon.
July
Outlook warns of landslide risk on the road and trail in the monsoon.
June–September
Bikat runs the trek through the monsoon: days 15–20 °C, nights 4–7 °C.
Aug–Oct
After the heaviest rain, until the portal closes the trek at the end of October.
Plan your trip
Getting to Gulaba
Gulaba is on the Rohtang Pass road above Manali.
- Delhi🚌 About 550 km by road to Manali
- Manali🚙 21–27 km up the Rohtang road, 1–2 h
- Gulaba
Nearest airport: Bhuntar (Kullu–Manali). Nearest broad-gauge railheads: Una, Kiratpur Sahib, Kalka, Chandigarh and Pathankot.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹7,500 + 5% GST, Manali to Manali.
Permits
Forest permits are needed. Operators arrange them; the trek is listed on Himachal's trekking portal.
Hardest part
Day 3: 10 km to the lake and back, about 8 hours.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
There are no ATMs after Manali. Use the ATMs in Manali's main market. Bikat Adventures
Patchy signal
Bikat says Airtel and Jio work on most of the trail. Himalaya Shelter says signal is almost gone at the higher camps. Don't count on it. Bikat Adventures, Himalaya Shelter
No charging
The last charging point is your hotel in Manali. Bring a full power bank. Bikat Adventures
Food on the trail
Operators serve breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Meals are vegetarian, with eggs on some days. Bikat Adventures
Tents and toilets
You share a two-person tent; a single tent costs ₹1,500 more with Bikat. Toilets are dry pits in a toilet tent. Bikat Adventures
Offloading
Bikat carries your bag for ₹1,600 for the trek. Book it with your seat. Bikat Adventures
Leave extra luggage
Bikat keeps extra bags at its Jagatsukh office, 8 km from Manali. Or use the Manali bus stand cloakroom. Bikat Adventures
From the airport
A taxi from Bhuntar airport to Manali costs about ₹700–1,000. Treks and Trails India
Nearest hospital
Civil Hospital, Manali: 01902 253385. Manali police: 01902 252326. HP trekking portal
Rescue
A sick trekker is walked down to the road and driven to hospital. Rescue is not in the trek fee; insurance can cover it. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Bikat Adventures: Bhrigu Lake packing list.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Manali before you leave
Ascent Descent AdventuresRent · shoes ₹200/day, rucksacks ₹100–180/day, down jacket ₹250/day, rain jacket and trousers ₹200/day each, poles ₹100/day, gaiters ₹50/day, sleeping bagsAltitude Base, 142/6 Ward 6, Gompa Road · +91 98162 57777 · Website
Travel Master AdventureRent · tents, sleeping bags, pads, poles, gloves, gaiters. Refundable deposit ₹2,000 for a sleeping bag100 m from the Volvo bus stand, Mall Road · +91 93186 16000 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 8 operators with a Bhrigu Lake page in October 2026, from ₹4,000 to ₹11,500. Most start from Gulaba on the Rohtang road; Himalayan Frontiers starts from Kulang, near Old Manali. Trek The Himalayas blocks automated visits, so its price is from a search snippet.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.