Beas Kund
What it is
A small lake at the head of the Solang valley, under the glaciers of Hanuman Tibba, from which the Beas begins — a pool of meltwater in a bowl of moraine, snow at the edges into summer, with the peaks close on three sides. It is the classic short trek from Manali: a walk up a single valley from meadow to boulders to ice, with one or two nights under canvas, and no pass to cross.
Photos: Gxyd (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Gxyd (CC BY-SA 4.0) · In Transit (CC BY 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
The road head is Dhundi, above Solang on the tunnel road, about 34 min from Manali. From there the route follows the river up the valley to the meadows at Bakarthach, where groups camp, and on to the lake through boulder fields: about 240 min of walking up from Dhundi at a steady pace, around 104 min back down. Return is the same way. The trek page has the route in detail.
When to go
Late May to mid-October, roughly. Early June has snow above the meadows and ice on the lake; July and August are green and wet; September and early October are clear and cold and the best of it. In winter the valley above Dhundi is snowbound.
What you need
Tents, food and a guide, which for most people means a trekking outfit from Manali running it as a fixed departure through the season and quoting by the day. Ask what is included, how large the group is, and whether the price covers the drive to Dhundi. Warm layers for the night, rain gear in July and August, sun protection always, shoes that can take boulders.
Around it
Solang is the meadow you drive through; the Atal Tunnel is on the same road, higher. Bhrigu Lake is the other classic short trek, on the opposite side of the valley, and Hampta Pass the longer crossing. Our treks page lists them with seasons and road heads.
Plans that include this
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Questions people ask
What is Beas Kund?
The small lake at the head of the Solang valley, under the glaciers of Hanuman Tibba, from which the Beas is said to rise. It is a meltwater pool in a bowl of moraine and snow, not a lake you swim in; the point of the trek is the walk up the valley to it, meadow then boulders then ice.
How long is the Beas Kund trek?
Usually three days from Manali: a drive to Dhundi above Solang, about 34 min, then a walk to the meadows at Bakarthach where groups camp, the lake and back to camp on the second day, and out on the third. Strong walkers compress it to two. Dhundi to the lake is about 240 min up and around 104 min down.
When is Beas Kund open?
Roughly late May to mid-October. In early June there is still snow above the meadows and ice at the lake's edges; July and August are green and wet; September and early October are clear and cold and the best of it. In winter the valley above Dhundi is under snow and the route is a different thing.
Can you do Beas Kund without a guide?
Experienced walkers with their own camping gear do, in good weather; the route up the valley is clear as far as the meadows. Most people go with a trekking outfit from Manali, which runs it as a fixed departure through the season with tents and meals and quotes by the day. Ask what is included; compare two or three.