The less explored Kareri Lake

While most tourists in Dharamshala / McLeodganj flock to Triund for a short hike, Kareri Lake is a charming  destination relatively unknown to most of them which can easily be wrapped up in less than 3 days. Within last one year, I had tried reaching Kareri Lake twice, but both times had to turn back from halfway without getting a glimpse of the lake. The first failure was due to my lack of preparedness for heavy unseasonal downpour which continued for days. The second time, while we spent a night at Kareri village in April, it rained heavily at the village and snowed for over 12 hours at the higher reaches. The locals strongly advised us not to venture in deep snow without a guide and we dejectedly turned back from the village.

The first week of June provided me an opportunity where I could take Friday off from work and attempt Kareri Lake again. So few of my friends including couple of first time trekkers and I planned to do the trek independently and be back in Delhi by Monday early morning.