Manimahesh Yatra From Amritsar

Highlights & Route

Manimahesh Kailash is the Himachali Kailash: a 5,653 m peak in the Pir Panjal range above Bharmour, with a small glacial lake at its foot that fills with pilgrims for a few weeks each year between Janmashtami and Radhashtami. The yatra is older than any record, and the route is simple: road to Hadsar, then 13 km on foot to the lake. This package starts and ends at Amritsar, the nearest big city with flights and trains from across India, and gives you two nights in Bharmour and two in the camps.

The first day is a long drive up the Ravi valley with stops at the Shiva temples on the way and in Chamba town, before reaching Bharmour and its Chaurasi temple complex. Then the trek: Hadsar to Dhancho on the second day, Dhancho to Gaurikund and the lake on the third, and the full descent on the fourth. The last day returns to the plains through the deodar meadows of Khajjiar and the hill station of Dalhousie, with the drop at Amritsar or, if you prefer, Pathankot.

We keep groups small, provide a trek guide who knows the trail and the camps, and carry oxygen and a first-aid kit. All meals on the trek are included because there is nothing to buy beyond the langars. The package suits fit adults and older teenagers; elderly yatris who wish to join should consider the pony or helicopter option from Bharmour.

Route

Amritsar → Pathankot → Chamba → Bharmour (1 night) → Hadsar → Dhancho camp (1 night) → Gaurikund → Manimahesh Lake → Gaurikund camp (1 night) → Hadsar → Bharmour (1 night) → Khajjiar → Dalhousie → Amritsar or Pathankot

Good to know before you book

The Manimahesh Yatra is open only for the window fixed each year by the Chamba district administration, from Janmashtami to Radhashtami; in 2026 it ran from 25 August to 19 September. The 2027 dates will be announced before the season.
Online registration on the official Manimahesh Yatra portal is compulsory for every yatri (Rs 50 per person in 2026) and is checked at Bharmour and Hadsar. We help you register.
Hadsar to Manimahesh Lake is about 13 km on foot with a climb of roughly 1,900 m to 4,080 m. Ponies, palkis and porters are available at Hadsar at administration-fixed rates, paid directly.
Camps at Dhancho and Gaurikund are tents on sharing basis with sleeping bags and shared toilets; this is the normal standard on the yatra.
Nights at the camps are close to freezing even in September, and rain is common; carry warm layers and a raincoat.
Mobile network is weak to absent above Hadsar for two to three days.

Yatra Highlights

Two-day trek from Hadsar through Dhancho to Manimahesh Lake, with a holy dip at Gaurikund
Chaurasi temple complex and Bharmani Mata at Bharmour, Lakshmi Narayan temples at Chamba
Return through Khajjiar meadow and Dalhousie to Amritsar

Day 1 :

Amritsar to Bharmour via Chamba

Early pickup from your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time, Amritsar airport, railway station or hotel. Drive through Pathankot and into the Ravi valley, about 290 km and eight to nine hours in all. On the way stop at Mukteshwar Mahadev, a cave temple above the Ravi near Shahpur Kandi, and in Chamba town at the Lakshmi Narayan temple group and the Chaugan ground. The Chamunda Devi temple on the hill above Chamba can be included if time allows.

Reach Bharmour (about 2,100 m) by evening. Visit the Chaurasi temple complex, with its ancient Manimahesh and Lakshana Devi shrines and the Dharmaraj temple where yatris seek permission for the trek. Dinner and early night at the homestay.

Overnight: Bharmour

Day 2 :

Bharmour to Hadsar, trek to Dhancho

After breakfast and the registration check, drive 13 km to Hadsar, the road head. Hire ponies or porters here if needed. The trail follows the Budhil stream through pine forest and past waterfalls, climbing steadily for about 6 km to Dhancho at around 2,900 m, four to five hours at a yatri's pace.

Settle into the tented camp, eat a hot meal, and join the evening aarti at the small shrine. Sleep early; tomorrow is the big climb.

Overnight: Dhancho camp

Day 3 :

Dhancho to Gaurikund and Manimahesh Lake

Start at first light after breakfast. The trail climbs steeply above Dhancho through the section called Bandar Ghati and then eases across alpine meadows to Gaurikund at about 3,900 m, roughly 6 km. Women traditionally bathe here before continuing.

The final 1 km brings you to Manimahesh Lake at about 4,080 m, with the Kailash peak above it. Take the holy dip at the lake (men at Shiv Karotri), offer prayers at the shrine on the bank and walk the small parikrama of the lake. Return to the Gaurikund camp for dinner and the night, which keeps you a little lower for better sleep.

Overnight: Gaurikund camp

Day 4 :

Descent to Hadsar, drive to Bharmour

Those who wish can walk up to the lake again at sunrise for darshan of the peak in the first light. After breakfast, begin the descent: about 13 km to Hadsar in six to seven hours, with a lunch halt at Dhancho. Walking sticks and knee support help on the steep sections.

Our vehicle waits at Hadsar and brings you to Bharmour for a hot bath and rest. In the evening, if energy allows, drive up to Bharmani Mata temple on the ridge above the town. Dinner at the homestay.

Overnight: Bharmour

Day 5 :

Bharmour to Amritsar via Khajjiar and Dalhousie

After breakfast, check out and drive down past Chamba to Khajjiar, the deodar-ringed meadow with the Khajji Nag temple, and through Dalhousie, a British-era hill station with views of the plains. Lunch on the way.

Continue down to Pathankot and on to Amritsar, reaching by evening. Drop at your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel), Amritsar airport, railway station or Pathankot railway station if that suits your onward travel better. Book onward trains or flights after 8 pm from Amritsar, or after 5 pm from Pathankot.

Overnight: not applicable (yatra ends)

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Bharmour	Local homestay (confirmed at booking)	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Dhancho	Tented camp	Sharing tents, sleeping bags
3	Gaurikund	Tented camp	Sharing tents, sleeping bags
4	Bharmour	Local homestay (confirmed at booking)	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

When is the Manimahesh Yatra open?

From Janmashtami to Radhashtami each year, usually late August to mid September. In 2026 the official window was 25 August to 19 September. Outside it the camps and langars are not set up and the route may be unsafe, so our departures run only within the announced dates.

Is registration compulsory?

Yes. Every yatri must register on the official portal of the Himachal Pradesh government or the Shri Manimahesh Trust before the trek. Registration is checked at Bharmour or Hadsar. Share your ID details and a photo with us and we will complete it for you.

How hard is the trek, and can I take a pony?

Moderate to hard: 13 km with a steady climb to 4,080 m. We split it over two days, which most reasonably fit people manage. Ponies, palkis and porters are available at Hadsar at rates fixed by the administration and paid directly; booking them a day ahead through our guide is wise.

Why is Gaurikund important?

Gaurikund, about 1 km below the lake, is where Parvati is believed to have bathed. By tradition women take their holy dip here, while men bathe at Shiv Karotri beside the main lake. The two main bathing days are Janmashtami and Radhashtami, when the crowd is heaviest.

Will we see the Manimahesh Kailash peak?

In clear weather the 5,653 m peak rises directly above the far shore of the lake and its reflection is seen in the water. Early morning gives the best chance; cloud often covers it by midday. Local belief holds that only the fortunate see the mani, the jewel, glinting on the summit at dawn.

Can we end at Pathankot instead of Amritsar?

Yes. Pathankot is on the way down and is about 110 km closer than Amritsar, with good train connections to Delhi and Jammu. Tell us at booking and we will drop you at Pathankot railway station or Pathankot airport on Day 5 at no extra charge.

What do we eat on the trek?

Simple hot vegetarian food: dal, rice, roti, sabzi, khichdi, tea and sometimes halwa, cooked at the camps or served by the langars run by local committees. Carry dry fruits, biscuits and glucose for the walk. No non-vegetarian food, alcohol or smoking is permitted on the yatra route.

How long is the drive from Amritsar to Bharmour?

About 290 km and eight to nine hours. After an early pickup we drive through Pathankot into the Ravi valley, stopping at Mukteshwar Mahadev near Shahpur Kandi and the Lakshmi Narayan temples in Chamba, and reach Bharmour (about 2,100 m) by evening. The return on Day 5 goes via Khajjiar and Dalhousie, so book trains or flights after 8 pm from Amritsar, or after 5 pm from Pathankot.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Manimahesh Yatra From Amritsar (this page)	5 days / 4 nights	Amritsar	From ₹24,000
7 Devi Darshan with Manimahesh Kailash Yatra	9 days / 8 nights	Chandigarh	On request
Manimahesh Yatra by Helicopter	5 days / 4 nights	Amritsar / Pathankot	From ₹35,700
Manimahesh Yatra From Pathankot	5 days / 4 nights	Pathankot	From ₹21,000

Manimahesh Yatra From Amritsar

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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