Beas Kund Trek Guide: Difficulty, Best Time, Cost & How to Prepare
Everything you need to know before the Beas Kund Trek in Himachal Pradesh: how hard it is, when to go, how to train, what to pack and what it costs — from the team that runs it.
Why do the Beas Kund Trek?
- The glacial lake where the Beas river begins
- Close views of Hanuman Tibba, Shitidhar and Friendship Peak
- A short, high trek that starts 45 minutes from Manali
- Two nights at the same camp — lighter packing
How difficult is the Beas Kund Trek?
The Beas Kund Trek is graded easy–moderate, covering about 20 km on foot and reaching about 3,700 m. Daily walks are a few hours long on clear trails, so it suits fit beginners who train beforehand.
Best time for the Beas Kund Trek
Best season: May to October. See what each month is like on our treks in May page.
How to prepare for the Beas Kund Trek
Start training 4–6 weeks before the trek. By departure you should be able to jog 5 km in about 35 minutes comfortably.
- Jog 5 km, four days a week, building up your pace
- Stair climbs with a 5 kg backpack, twice a week
- Squats, lunges and planks — 3 sets of 15, three days a week
- A 4-hour hike or long walk with your backpack on a weekend
- Break in your trekking shoes on at least three long walks before the trip
Altitude: above 3,000 m the air has noticeably less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and tell your trek leader early about a headache, nausea or breathlessness. Read our altitude sickness guide.
Beas Kund Trek itinerary, day by day
- Day 1Manali to Dhundi, trek to Bakarthach — About 22 km and 1 hour past Solang to Dhundi (about 2,800 m).
- Day 2Beas Kund and back — About 4 km and 3 hours over boulders and moraine to Beas Kund (about 3,700 m), the glacial lake where the Beas begins.
- Day 3Bakarthach to Manali — About 6 km and 3 hours down to Dhundi.
Beas Kund Trek packing list
- ✓Trekking shoes with ankle support and a deep grip, broken in before the trip
- ✓40–60 L backpack with a rain cover, plus a small daypack if you offload
- ✓Three warm layers (fleece + padded/down jacket) — nights drop near or below 0 °C
- ✓Waterproof jacket or poncho and quick-dry trek pants (no jeans)
- ✓Thermal inner wear for the nights
- ✓Woollen cap, fleece gloves and 3 pairs of socks (1 woollen)
- ✓UV sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm
- ✓Two 1 L water bottles (no single-use plastic on the trail)
- ✓Headlamp with spare batteries
- ✓Trekking pole (recommended; can be hired)
- ✓Personal medicines, plus Diamox only if your doctor advises it
- ✓Government photo ID — original and one photocopy (needed for forest permits)
- ✓Medical fitness certificate signed by a doctor (we send the format)
The full checklist: Himalayan trek packing list.
How to reach the Beas Kund Trek
Our trip starts and ends at Manali bus stand, or Bhuntar Airport with a pickup charge. Bhuntar (Kullu) airport is about 50 km away with limited flights; most travellers come by overnight bus or car from Delhi and Chandigarh (12–14 hrs and 8–9 hrs).
Beas Kund Trek cost
Our 3-day Beas Kund Trek costs ₹6,900 per person.
Included
- Shared transport from Manali to the trailhead and back
- 2 nights in tents at Bakarthach
- All meals on the trek, from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the last day
- Certified trek leader trained in wilderness first aid, plus a local guide, cook and support staff
- Forest-department and trek permits, camping charges
- Tents, sleeping bags, mats, dining and toilet tents
- First-aid kit, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter — everyone is checked every morning and evening
Not included
- Travel to the pickup point and back home
- Backpack offloading (available as an add-on)
- Personal trekking gear — shoes, jackets, poles (can be hired as an add-on)
- Meals on the drive days before and after the trek, unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Anything personal: tips, snacks, bottled drinks, phone charging at tea shops
- Costs from weather, landslides or road closures that force a change of plan
Beas Kund Trek: questions trekkers ask
How difficult is the Beas Kund Trek?
It's graded easy–moderate, with about 20 km on foot over 3 days and a highest point of about 3,700 m. Fit beginners can do it with a few weeks of preparation.
What is the best time for the Beas Kund Trek?
May to October.
How much does the Beas Kund Trek cost?
Our 3-day trip starts at ₹6,900 per person, including shared transport from manali to the trailhead and back; 2 nights in tents at bakarthach; all meals on the trek, from lunch on day 1 to lunch on the last day.
What is the maximum altitude of the Beas Kund Trek?
About 3,700 m above sea level. Acclimatise slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your trek leader about any headache or nausea.
Can beginners do the Beas Kund Trek?
Yes. It's one of the treks we recommend for first-timers — train for 4–6 weeks so you can jog 5 km in about 35 minutes.
Where does the Beas Kund Trek start?
Our trip starts and ends at Manali bus stand, or Bhuntar Airport with a pickup charge. Bhuntar (Kullu) airport is about 50 km away with limited flights; most travellers come by overnight bus or car from Delhi and Chandigarh (12–14 hrs and 8–9 hrs).
Ready for the Beas Kund Trek?
Trek leader, permits, camps and meals handled — one enquiry, no payment until you confirm.