About the Trek
Beas Kund is a beautiful glacial lake nestled at 3,700 metres in the Pir Panjal range near Manali. It is believed to be the source of the River Beas, named after the sage Vyas. This short trek is ideal for beginners and weekend warriors looking for a quick Himalayan escape.
The trail begins from Solang Valley, famous for its adventure sports, and climbs through lush meadows and boulder fields to reach the pristine glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The views of Friendship Peak, Shitidhar, and Hanuman Tibba from the lake are breathtaking.
Despite its short duration, Beas Kund packs in all the elements of a classic Himalayan trek — meadows, streams, boulder fields, and a stunning high-altitude lake. It is also an excellent acclimatisation trek for those planning to attempt Friendship Peak.
Trek Highlights
- Visit the glacial lake believed to be the source of River Beas
- Close-up views of Friendship Peak, Shitidhar and Hanuman Tibba
- Short and sweet trek ideal for beginners near Manali
- Lush green meadows and wildflowers at Bakarthach
- Great acclimatisation trek before higher expeditions
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A quick 4-day trek from Manali to the glacial source of the River Beas in the Pir Panjal range.
- Drive from Manali to Solang Valley
- Begin trek from Dhundi checkpoint
- Gradual climb through meadows and streams
- Reach Bakarthach campsite — a vast green meadow
- Overnight in tents
- Trek through boulder fields and moraine
- Cross several small streams
- Reach Beas Kund base camp with views of Friendship Peak
- Explore the area and acclimatise
- Overnight in tents
- Early morning hike to Beas Kund glacial lake
- Spend time at the sacred lake surrounded by peaks
- Return to base camp, then descend to Bakarthach
- Overnight in tents at Bakarthach
- Descend back to Dhundi via the same trail
- Drive back to Manali
- Trek ends by afternoon — explore Manali at leisure
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom)
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof outer shell / rain jacket
- Woollen cap, gloves, neck gaiter
- Trekking pants x 2
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is an Easy grade trek. If you can walk 5 km comfortably and have a basic level of fitness, you're good to go. A little preparation will make the experience much more enjoyable.
Fitness — Start 2–3 Weeks Before
- Walk daily: 3–4 km brisk walk, gradually increasing to 5 km
- Jog: Aim to jog 2–3 km without stopping by departure week
- Stairs: Climb 5–6 floors daily — builds the legs you'll need on inclines
- Stretching: 10 minutes post-walk — calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors
Strength (3x per week)
- Bodyweight squats — 3 sets of 15
- Lunges — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Planks — hold 45 seconds, 3 sets
- Calf raises — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Hydration
- Drink 3–4 litres of water daily starting 2 weeks before the trek
- Increase carbs and protein in the final week — your body needs fuel reserves
- Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days before departure
- Carry electrolyte sachets (ORS) for the trail
Good to Know
- Most easy treks stay below 3,500 m — altitude sickness is rare but stay hydrated
- Rental trekking shoes and jackets are usually available — but own shoes are always better
- Break in your shoes at least a week before the trek if they're new
- Your trek leader will brief you on Day 1 — ask every question you have
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. This is one of the easiest Himalayan treks and perfect for a first-time trekking experience.
May to June and September to October offer the best weather. The meadows are lush green and the skies are clear.
Yes, Beas Kund serves as an excellent acclimatisation trek before attempting Friendship Peak expedition.
In May and early June, you may encounter snow patches near the lake. By July, most of the snow has melted.