Trek Route
The trek starts from Ghera, which lies at the end of an unmetalled road about 18 km from Dharamshala.This is as on June 2010. The road is due for extension, albeit that would not shorten the trail. The trail start point at Ghera is on this frame of OSM.
- Ghera - Kareri: From Ghera, a trail starts to the left towards the stream. A ramshackle hanging bridge to cross the stream and the trail to Kareri starts. The trail crosses another stream on a wooden bridge and then runs along the stream. Just after crossing Dhraka village, the trail climbs straight to the ridge. On the ridge top is Kareri village.
- Kareri - Kareri Lake: The Forest Rest House at Kareri is at the farther end of the village. The trail to Kareri Lake passes along the rest house and takes a left after a water tank, around 100 metres from the rest house. Once this trail reaches a stream, the trail is simple. Each time the stream branches into two, take the trail along the larger stream or always take the stream branching left. Most of this trail is paved with stone steps and is easy to find. The stream leads the trail straight to Kareri Lake.
- Kareri Lake - Minkaini Pass: The trail reaches Kareri Lake from South (thats also the side the temple is on). Go around the lake towards the mountain you can see North and start climbing along the largest dry stream bed. Its a long rock strewn bed of an erstwhile glacier. In parts you will see a paved path. When the glacier bed splits into 2, take the right part, go straight up it. This stretch could involve some low level rock climbing as well. When the remnants of the glacier give way to some grass, you will be able to see 3 trails, heading west, north and east respectively. The first 2 are animal trails. Head west for about 50 metres and then climb over some huge rocks to see a trail zig zagging due north straight to the pass. The rocks at the top of the pass are marked by some small stone structures. These are very small and you will need to strain your eye to see them from a distance.
- Minkaini Pass - Duggi Goth: Climb straight down to the other side of the pass. You can see 2-3 small lakes from a distance in a high altitude valley. Head straight for this valley. There is no fixed trail but you dont need any during summer. Most of the area is alpine grass with some hard granite and easy to walk on. Early spring, an ice axe may be needed for making footholds. Once you reach the valley, you will be able to see a trail on the left bank of the stream. Camping is possible at Nigar (a little upstream from where you meet the trail), Lam Dal (quite a lot upstream) or Duggi Goth (about 1 hour downstream).
- Duggi Goth - Darkund: You will see a clear path laid out once you are near Duggi Goth. This runs along the left bank of the stream all the way to Darkund through thick jungles and a few shepherd stops.
- Darkund - Barehi/Dharbala: If you keep walking along the left bank of the stream, the trail will meet the Chamba Bharmour highway, SH52 at Dharbala. If you choose to cross the stream from one of the various bridges after Darkund and walk along the right bank, you can reach Barehi. From Barehi, an unmetalled road, 6 km long leads to Dunali on the Chamba Bharmour highway.
Remember to go by waypoints and before you use the GPS trail, read this page as well.
