Trek to Parashar Lake in Monsoon

Trek Details

Maximum Altitude: 8960 Feet

Duration: 2 days

Distance: 15-16 km

Base Camp: Baggi Village

Best time for the trek: December to February for snow; September-November for Greenery

Difficulty level: Easy

Stay Option: Inside Temple at free of cost, Tent, PWD Guest House

Local Guide from Bahandi Village: Jeevan Thakur (09418196939), He also works inside the temple.

Short Itinerary

Day 1

Mandi to Baggi Village: Drive 140 km (4-5 hours)

Baggi Village to Parashar Lake: Trek 7.5-8 km (5-7 hours)

Day 2 Follow the same path back or

Parashar lake to Bahandi Village – Trek 5 km (3-4 hours), Clear mountain ranges, no forest

Bahandi Village to Delhi-Manali highway (Just before Aut) – Drive 20 km (40 mins)

If you’re looking for a weekend trek from Delhi, Parashar lake is for you. It’s small trek of around 7 km one side which takes you through a charming forest and several rivulets. Beware of Leeches if you are doing the trek in monsoon. The trek starts from Baggi village which is at 2 hours distance from Mandi. Himachal Roadways bus runs from Mandi around 7:15 am to Baggi village. The bus goes up to the lake if weather permits. But the road remains obstructed with landslides during monsoon and with snow during winters. 

The trek offers a beautiful view of the Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Kinnaur mountain ranges. Do the trek in winters, the frozen lake looks just amazing. If you are more into greenery and freshness and want to do the trek in monsoon, just take a local guide along with. There is one more route to Parashar lake which goes through the Bahandi village. This route doesn’t have forest and it gives a clear view of the mountain ranges.

Bahandi Village

Bahandi Village

I personally won’t recommend doing this trek in monsoon. I reason I tell you through my personal experience. I did the trek solo last year in August and I was the only one there. I was confident enough of not having the local guide, but it turned out to be a real nightmare. Initially the trail looked like a waterfall as all the water from the forest was coming down through the trail. I slipped couple of times and had some injuries. 

After around an hour of hiking, I found the trail obstructed with a tumbled tree and there was no way to cross it. I had to go all the way crossing the river stream which made me hiked extra 2.5 km. 

I entered the forest through a different route and there was no trail. I was trying to follow directions and overhead electrical wires but after a point, I reached a dead end with and got lost in the woods.  I couldn’t find a way out for almost 2 hours. It sounds like a movie plot but that's what happened with me. I was all alone deep inside the forest. It was raining and started getting dark. Leeches were making it difficult to walk as I had to remove my shoes to pull out the leeches from my feet after every 5-10 mins and the big backpack to carry tent, sleeping bag and mattress along with, was making me tired. 

Drained and exhausted, I sat near a rivulet and was thinking whether to go all the way back to Baggi village or again try to find a way up.

Suddenly, I started hearing a barking voice and a dog came to me. It was the same dog who was following me at the start of the trek, but I lost him when I had to cross the stream. I couldn’t be more thankful to see him as I felt like having a company which was really motivating. 

The dog circled me number of times and then started walking away. He barked at me as if asking me to follow him. I had the feeling that he would take me to the right path. Trusting him, I followed blindly and after around 30 mins, I could see the trail going all the way to the lake. 

I took a deep breathe and hugged the dog tightly. He was my savior.  Finally I reached the lake and it was so pristine and beautiful looking at the lake and natural beauty around that it was enough to calm every aching bone of my body.

Leh to Nubra Valley - The Magical Journey

The 125 Km road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley was something that's going to engrave in my memory for long time. The route was Khardungla Pass (40 km) – Khalsar (98km) – Diskit (118 km) – Hundar (125 km). The high point of the journey was definitely crossing the so claimed highest motorable road (not supported by many) in the world – the Khadungla Pass. Gaining an altitude of around 6,818 ft from Leh at 11,562 ft to Khardungla at 18,380 ft in just 40 km is something which makes this journey in the bucket list of every traveler. 

The first leg of the journey was smooth with some fairly good roads with a mesmerizing view of beautiful landscape and stunning valley. Road beyond South Pullu was in bad condition & gain in altitude was quite substantial but the excitement of reaching khardungla top is something which was making my mind go numb. As I was gaining altitude, I found myself in the snow-clad mountains which were appearing far away from Leh. Sun disappeared and the air became chill and thin, I could feel it in my breathing. After a point it started raining and by the time I reached 'K' top, the droplets of water in rain turned into ice flakes. The ‘K’ top arrived in about 2 hours’ drive from Leh. People had advised not to spend more than 10 minutes at ‘K’ top, but I spent an hour and half without any difficulty.

Khardungla to khalsar was a smooth descend and the comparatively good roads added to the beauty of the journey. There were snow-clad mountains on one side and a beautiful valley on other side of the road for around 15-20 minutes and after that snow started disappearing. Around 15 km from ‘K’ top, North Pullu check post came behind where a beautiful stream was flowing. The view was spellbinding to the point that I ended up spending almost an hour there. 

The journey from North Pullu to Khalsar was very smooth with some breath-taking view of the beautiful valley. Close to Khalsar, the Shyok River started appearing which from far, looked like sand deposited in the valley.

The whole picture of beautiful white clouds over blue sky, barren majestic mountains and the Shyok River flowing in the valley, looked like a canvas painting to me. It was hard to believe the reality of the place and I had a feeling that I was in some dreamy state.

The 30 km drive from Khalsar to Hunder was again very scenic and awe-inspiring. The colour and shape of the mountains changed after every 15-20 minutes’ drive and the beauty of the landscape left me spellbound. I couldn’t take my eyes off from the gorgeous sight. 

After Khalsar, the road was all along the River till I reached the pristine valley where the Shyok River met the Nubra River. 

The entire route looked like postcard pictures and it left me saying ‘wow’ after every turn I took. It looked like a miracle to naked eyes watching the barren landscape turned into a beautiful green valley.

Finally, I reached Diskit which is famous for the ancient Gompa believed to be more than 600 years old. The panoramic landscape all around from the Diskit Monastery was something which I couldn’t afford to miss. The monk in the monastery asked me to do 3 rounds of Deity in clockwise direction to have a prosperous life. After Diskit, I moved further to Hunder for beautiful sand dunes and ride of double-humped Camels - The reminder of bygone era of Silk Route trade.

The 5 best travel buddies of a trek

Trekking always has something enthralling about it. Walking on a trail surrounded by pristine nature, snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, wild forest, barren land and the places you have never been before, all of this is so alluring. But to experience this thrilling beauty, one has to be fully equipped to withstand danger and difficulties it offers. So perfect travel partners are the foremost requirement before going to any trek.

1)  Backpack

The Backpack is something that can make or break your trip. It’s the most important thing in the life of a mountaineer. Backpack is the only thing that tags along with you in your every adventure like a silent friend that always has your back. The bond of a mountaineer with the backpack is pretty unique. You love it as well as curse it. It becomes your home and has everything you need for your survival. You love it for its utility but when it gets taxing, you start cursing it. No matter how much you curse it, at the end of the day you know it’s the only trusted companion you have when you spend days together at high altitude. So, choose your companion wisely!!

2. Books 

Books are the man’s best friend. Even if you won’t talk to it for years, it would accept you the same way. Books take away all your miseries, all your sorrows and take you to the world of happiness where you start believing in yourself. It acts as a mirror to show the real reflection of you. You get to know yourself better and start believing in doing impossible. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more places you go. A person can never be alone if he has a company of books. Books are the quietest and the most constant of friends. Especially during travel, books provide you the best companionship anyone can have. If you want to have a great travel partner, take a book along and you will be travelling with your favorite people.

3. Shoes

The 3rd and the most important travel partner are your shoes. They help you walk safely, comfortably and confidently on a difficult terrain, protect you from cold, keep your feet dry and save you from any injury. They are the most important thing to think for and plan for before heading to any trek. If your shoes betray you on your trek, it’s a waste of all the physical effort you put behind the trek, a complete heart breaker. Understanding your shoes is very important. So be sure of your trekking shoes.

4. Tent/ Camp

Tent is the 4^th travel buddy. It’s like your home there and nothing can be more important that a home. Always check for weight and comfort while selecting a tent. You should have proper space to sleep comfy and it shouldn’t weight much as you need to carry it all along your trek.

The sleeping mattress is your bed and sleeping bag is your blanket. Check the weather report of the place you are going and take the sleeping bag accordingly. You don’t want to feel cold and fall sick at higher altitudes.

Pitching a tent is equally important. It is one of the most satisfying moments of life. It is earthy, soul enriching and character building. Carrying a tent on your back during a hike is always an arduous task but it’s all worth taking the pain when you finally pitch your tent. It gives you confidence; it gives you flexibility and it gives you freedom to stay wherever you want. But always keep in mind 5 thumb rules before pitching a tent.

              1) Choose flat ground

              2) Avoid sloppy areas on a hill  

              3) Consider sun and wind exposure

              4) Be close to water

              5) Don’t leave your mark on the land, Be a responsible trekker

5. Hunger pangs of the camps

You have gathered all camping equipment – Camp, sleeping bag, mattress, backpack, trekking shoes, sticks, clothes everything, still you couldn’t go for a solo trek because you weren’t sure of food. You didn’t know if you will get anything to eat there. Does it happen with you?? It happened with me many times and I have come up with some food options you can take along for a 3-4 days trek if you don’t want to carry cooking tools and don’t want to cook. But trust me cooking while camping is one of the best things to do in treks. 

For popular treks:

1)               You always find some food shops till the base camp of almost all popular treks which provides basic foods like Maggi, Daal Rice and Omelette and you can easily survive. For off-season you may not find these shops open.

2)               Always carry protein bars, chocolates and energy drinks in case of emergency.

For off-beat treks and off-season treks:

1)                  Bread, Butter and Jam. Bakery bread can easily last for 2-3 days, soft bread for 4-5 days and breadcrumbs much longer.

2)                  Carry ready to eat food like Maggi, Poha, Upma etc. You just need hot water to make them ready.

3)                  Fruits, onion, tomato, cucumber, olive and capsicum etc. - you can easily make sandwiches with them.

4)                  Biscuits and rusks to eat in between meals.

5)                  Coffee pouches and tea bags are always must to carry to enjoy a refreshing sip over hills.

Happy Trekking!