How often have you dreamed of reaching a turquoise-blue lake resting high in the Himalayas, waiting to mesmerize you with its pure and glossy waters? Well, venturing on the Beas Kund trek can turn your dreams into reality. Picture this: the moisture gets into our shoes as we tread through lush green meadows beside the noisily flowing river of Beas. Palls of mist hide the sky, mountains, and the nearest landscape, reducing our field of vision significantly. We step on large boulders cautiously, getting goosebumps at the thought of losing our balance and falling into the glacier below. But these ordeals come with handsome rewards- the dynamic views of snowy mountains all around (in clear weather), ending with the picturesque Beas Kund. What’s more, these visual treats can be got within a three-day trek from Manali.
Beas is said to be named after the ancient sage, Vyas, and kund means lake. The trek to this pristine lake takes you to a maximum altitude of 3,700M. The high-altitude lake is located in the Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, only 31 kilometers away from Manali. Topping this short distance is the treasure trove of dazzling views of mountain ranges that surround the Beas Kund trail like protective guardians. The unique location of the trek is accompanied by its easy-to-moderate terrain. Even if you are a rookie in the world of trekking, you should be able to trek to the Beas Kund with ease.
From fit beginners to pro trekkers, the Beas Kund trek charms all kinds of adventure enthusiasts. Whichever category you belong to, the following highlights have been chosen to give you a visual impression of the trek.
Highlight 1: Vista of Snow-Capped Peaks
Are you chilling in the petite aesthetic cafes of Manali? Well, we are here to tell you something better to do. Take your time off on the weekend and set out on the Beas Kund trail which drops you bang in the middle of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. It is like a 3D movie with special effects, only in this movie, you are inside the screen. Towering mountains donning pearl-white caps of snow beam down at you as you walk in their midst. Like a fast-paced movie, this trek is never going to bore you as you are constantly mesmerized by the gorgeous peaks. While some other treks like Roopkund, Kedartal, or Goechala Pass with equally inviting views are at least a week-long, the Beas Kund trek gets you this experience in all of three days.
Curious about which famous peaks welcome you on the Beas Kund trail? They appear as you enter the sprawling meadows of Bakarthach, the first and only campsite of the trail. The Seven Sisters smile at you from the background, while the Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks peek at you from ahead. The Hanuman Tibba peak steals the limelight as the sun shines on it first at the break of dawn. These legendary mountains guide you like age-old mystical sages as you make your way to the Beas Kund.
Highlight 2: Dramatic Change in Landscape
As you inch closer to your goal, you are likely to get dazzled by the dramatic change in landscape. The Beas River leads you from the lush green meadows of Dhundi and Bakarthatch to the rocky moraine areas close to the Beas Kund. While the snowy mountains remain a constant, each kilometer into the trail brings you a bouquet of new surprises.
On the soothing, verdant valleys stretching up to the Bakarthatch camp, you may feel like lying down and taking a nap. You can get introduced to alpine trees as the landscape is dotted with oak, fir, and walnut trees. As the Beas River gains altitude, a snowy glacier appears in its place. The vivid transition from greenery to snow can be thrilling to witness. Beyond the Bakarthatch campsite, the large boulders of the moraine section test your skills in balance. Do you know what the cherry on top is? You get to experience these diverse landscapes only a few kilometers from the bustling town of Manali. Feel the adrenaline running yet?
Highlight 3: Beas Kund
After you strain yourself going up and down the steep rocky ridges from Bakarthatch, the Beas River finally leads you to its birthplace, the Beas Kund. It is a beautiful sight just on the second day of the trek. The high-altitude lake is nestled in the middle of peaks like Ladakhi, Shitidhar, and Friendship. Coming from these peaks, glacial streams connect to the Kund like white ribbons. The turquoise-blue waters of the lake may be enough to satisfy your visual appetite for a long time. Do you believe in the fountain of eternal youth? Well, the Beas Kund can give you that feeling as you drink its cold and pure water.
Besides its bewitching beauty, the Beas Kund is also entangled with Indian mythology. Can you imagine bathing in the ice-cold waters of the lake? Well, that is what Rishi Vyas, the ancient sage who wrote the Hindu epic Mahabharata, is said to have done, daily. It is no wonder that the Beas Kund is named after him. So don’t be surprised if you feel a tingling sensation of spiritual upliftment at the lake, as the memory of Vyas is buried deep within it.
Highlight 4: Witness the Dynamic Sky
Did you think that was it for this short, three-day trek? Wait till you hear about the beautiful skies on this trail. When the sun is blazing above your head, the sapphire blue sky is a beautiful contrast against the pearl-white tops of the mountain peaks. Even after the sun has set, the dark black sky is encrusted with glittering stars and a glowing moon. On a very clear night, you may even get to see the faint white shades of the Milky Way! The marvels of the trek do not end with the landscape but extend to the sky above.
Even when the sky is overcast with clouds, the Beas trail still has tricks up its sleeve. In rainy weather, you may get to see whiteouts. A whiteout happens when a pall of white fog creeps up on the landscape, hiding the sun, the mountains, and even the tents only a few yards from you! What’s more, this magical phenomenon happens only within a few minutes. Getting Harry Potter vibes? Well, you won’t need to fight Voldemort or Death Eaters though, in case you were worried!
These dynamic skies are hard to come by in the polluted gray air of our cities. Beas Kund and its skies have no such problems – the pristine landscape here only breathes green and blue.
If you are a lover of all things nature, do not hesitate to take three days out of your next trip to Manali to bring yourself to Beas Kund.
