Gaddi kothis
Gaddi herders graze their flocks round the lake in summer, keeping a few huts on the far shore, then move down for winter.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Kareri is an easy trek close to Dharamshala, and the first of the Dhauladhar's sacred lakes.
2,934m
Kareri Lake
26km
Walking, over 3 days
7lakes
Sacred Dhauladhar lakes
27km
From Dharamshala
💪 Easy🌸 May–Jun🍂 Sep–Nov⛺ 1 camp
Day by day
Three days, step by step
This is Dheeraj Sharma's plan, the one whose days add up. Bikat starts lower, at Ghera.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Kareri village → ReotiAlong the Nyund6 km · 4–5 h🛏️ Tents · 2,286 m
- Day 2Reoti → Kareri Lake → ReotiRocky last 2 km14 km · 7–8 h🛏️ Tents at Reoti
- Day 3Reoti → Kareri villageBack down6 km · 3–4 h🚌 Dharamshala
Stories and nature
The shepherds' lake
Magpies and griffons
Blue magpies in the pines; brown dippers, warblers and Himalayan griffon vultures in the grassland higher up.
Lost in the snow
In December 2020, 73 people lost in snowfall on the way to the lake were brought down by police, home guards and villagers. In June 2023, 26 tourists were rescued after floods cut the route.
When to go
Spring and autumn
The lake freezes from early December to March or April.
May–June
Good weather before the monsoon.
July–August
Leeches, slippery trail, risky stream crossings.
Sep–Nov
Clear and cool.
Dec–March
Snow on the trail. Crampons and snow experience needed.
Plan your trip
Getting to Kareri
Dharamshala is the base. Buses run to Ghera; taxis go on to Kareri village.
- Dharamshala🚌 20 km to Ghera, about 1.5 h
- Ghera🚶 About 2 h
- Kareri village
A taxi from Dharamshala to Kareri village costs ₹800–1,000. Nearest airport: Gaggal. Nearest major railhead: Pathankot.
Cost
Treks and Trails charges ₹4,000 + 5% GST for 3 days from Kareri village. Tents at Reoti rent for ₹200–300 a night.
Permits
A forest entry permit for the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary has generally been required, from the forest office in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj.
Cash
No ATMs in Kareri or Ghera.
Weather
Snow and monsoon floods have both trapped trekkers here. Check the forecast.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Little phone signal
Signal turns weak on the drive to Kareri village. Only sparse BSNL on the trail. Little or none at Reoti and the lake. Trekkaro
No charging
There is no charging point on the trail. Bring a power bank. Trekkaro
Food on the trail
Seasonal shacks at Nolli Bridge, about 3 km up, and at Reoti serve dal-rice, Maggi, chai and omelettes, May to October. Nothing beyond Reoti. Discover with Dheeraj
Rent at Reoti
Shacks at Reoti rent sleeping bags for about ₹100 a night, as well as tents. They shut in winter, so carry everything then. Discover with Dheeraj
Toilets
Operators pitch toilet tents over dug pits. There is no bathing on the trek. Bikat Adventures
Nights at camp
About 5–10 °C in May, June, September and October. −2 to 3 °C in April and November. Trekkaro
Winter nights
December to February: days 10–15 °C, nights 0 to −15 °C. Bikat Adventures
Nearest hospital
Zonal Hospital, Dharamshala, about 27 km from Kareri village. There are no medical facilities on the trail. Discover with Dheeraj
Offloading
Trekkaro carries your bag for ₹1,000 + 5% GST for the whole trek, up to 9 kg. Trekkaro
Group pickup
Trekkaro meets at Dharamshala ISBT at 10 a.m. The shared cab to Kareri village is extra and split between trekkers. Trekkaro
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Kareri Lake things to carry.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 5 operators with a Kareri Lake price in October 2026. Only Trekkaro lists dated batches. Bikat sells a separate winter version; its summer Kareri page is do-it-yourself.
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.