Overview
Minkiani Pass Trek
Minkiani Pass is located at roughly 4300m, in the Western section of the Dhauladhar Himalaya. The Minkiani Pass trek is very popular for those wanting to achieve satisfaction and a sense of adventure over a weekend. Minkiani Pass offers great views towards the north showcasing peaks like Sickle Moon (6574 mts) and Brammah (6515m) falling in the Kishtwar region of Kashmir. Sudden weather change, whiteout conditions, and blizzards are common phenomena at this pass.
This is a fine trek passing through innumerable streams, rivulets, deep and dense jungle with rich fauna and flora. The trek is a photographer?s delight. The new latest and shortest route for the trek starts from Salli village and one can use Snow Monk Camp as the base. Snow Monk camp offers modern washrooms and toilets and delicious meals. It makes all the sense to use it as a base for treks such as Minkiani Pass.
Kareri Lake Trek
Though Kareri Lake is the source of Nyund stream, at an elevation of about 3,000 meters it can also be accessed by a new route via the Khauli valley. The Lake lies below the Minkiani Peak.
The trek, one of the most stunning alpine treks, can also be reached following the Khauli River. The trek crosses several streams, through lush green meadows and thick forest home to numerous Himalayan birds and animal species. Lord Shiva temple overlooking the lake is a main attraction. This trek route to Kareri Lake originates from Salli village and follows Khauli River.
This is a rarely visited route and is pristine free from all trekkers. One treks from Salli village to Daled Camp staying overnight at the camp. The next day?s climb takes ones over the eastern ridge and approaches the Kareri lake. It will be a full days trek descending back to Daled camp.
Kareri Lake Homestay -
Kareri is a small village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and is gaining popularity for its trekking trails. If you are planning a trek to Kareri Lake, we will provide you the first night in a homestay in Kareri village before starting the trek to acclimatize yourself. In the homestay, you will experience comfortable basic neat, and clean accommodation, along with meeting the local people.
Although all the homestays are cold in winter, these people know how to keep these houses warm in the mountains. If you want to see the Kareri Lake frozen in snow during the winter season, then you should come to a homestay.
In the homestay, you will get delicious homemade food. Apart from this, you can enjoy the heat during the winter by sitting in front of the bonfire, which provides a very wonderful experience. It is an opportunity to know about a destination?s cultures and customs but the only way to really get to know them is by experiencing them first-hand. Stay in a homestay, and your host will share with you an insight into local life that other forms of accommodation simply can?t offer.
Best Time & Weather to Trek in
the Dhauladhar Himalaya
Kareri Lake lies in the Dhauladhar Himalaya, which is the closest range touching the plains of Himachal and Punjab. The lake is the source of River Nyund in the district of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Kareri Lake & the Snow Monk Trail can be visited for many months in a year and within a short time being so close to the metro towns of Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh and cities of Punjab. Let's break this very important information down to sub parts so as to understand the weather when we intend to visit.
Monsoons - rains start from the months of July and lasts till September mid. Monsoons in the Dhauladhar Himalaya are quite infamous and notorious with high wind factors hence one should be very careful when venturing out in the monsoons. The rainfall also is very heavy hence ideally the visiting Kareri Lake & the Snow Monk
Trail should be avoided in the monsoons and these months. The weather is also humid throughout the day and night. Most of the time the skies are overcast and they can stretch upto 2-3 days in a succession also. Expect the temperatures to be hovering around 25-30 degrees in the day time and around 10-15 degrees at night
Autumn - As the month of September proceeds ahead, the showers recede and gives way to clear blue skies. The mountains are lush green post monsoons and the valley is rich with flora & fauna. The rivers are brimming to their high end levels and the meadows are a verdant carpet with the tiny flowers blossoming. However, on the cons side is that post the rains, the foliage gets very dense and overgrown.
Expect the temperatures to be hovering around 25 degrees in the day time and around 5-10 degrees at night. By October, the weather is spectacular and there is crispness in the air. The cool breeze is welcomed by every traveller and the nights are chilly and experiential. It is a great time to visit Kareri lake & the Snow Monk Trail with mild temperatures in the autumn months
Winters - As the month of November comes, it is the time for the winter to set in. The water levels in the river Khauli and River Nyund start to reduce and the weather gets cold at night, though the day temperatures are nice and cool. Expect the temperatures to be hovering around 10-20 degrees in the day time and around 0-5 degrees at night in November and December. It is a time when few trekkers like to visit Kareri lake & the Snow Monk Trail as it starts to get a bit chilly at night.
But as they say that it is all about the wrong clothing and the weather is always right! It starts to snow by the end of December month and the snow fall can last till March first week just before the spring sets in. Don?t forget that it just takes the weather to turn around a bit and with the low temperatures it starts to snow. Make sure that your equipment, especially the tents, insulated carry mat and the sleeping bag are of very good quality for the winter trek to Kareri Lake & the Snow Monk Trail.
Spring - March & April are the most brilliant months to trek to the Kareri Lake & the Snow Monk Trail. One can expect to see a lot of snow patches all throughout the trek route. The North facing slopes and the nallahs will have an accumulation of snow patches right till the end of June month also. Kareri Lake & the Snow Monk Trail will have snow around the lake in the spring months of March & April.
This is also the month when the Rhododendron trees bloom at their best. More than 11 colours of Rhododendron trees can be found on the trek route. The flowers of the Rhododendron trees are also used to make medicines and local wine. The volume in the Khauli and the Nyund river also starts to increase as the snow starts melting in the glaciers of the Dhauladhar Himalaya. Expect the temperatures to be hovering around 15-20 degrees in the day time and around 5-10 degrees at night in March and April months.
Summer - The months of May and June are the busiest when hundreds of trekkers can be seen trekking up to the Kareri lake & the Snow Monk Trail. The day temperatures are usually around 25-35 degrees in the day time and around 10-15 degrees at night in May and June months. It also usually rains almost every other second or third day post lunch as clouds swell up, hiding the views of the mighty Dhauladhar range. The volume in the rivers also swell up and as it rains, the water also starts to get muddy.
Highlights
- Showcasing lots of Adventure Activities Like:
- Himalayan Trekking
- Camping in the forest
- Khauli River
- Meadows, Forest, waterfalls, gurgling streams
- Himalayan Flora & Fauna
- Snow Clad mountains
+91 86966 85905
