Guide to Prashar Lake Trek, the land of floating Island

Lake has unpredictable weather from snow-laden mountains to bright sunshine-filled days. You can trek throughout the year. Weather at Parashar will be the same as Mandi. Highest Parashar temperature is 21C and lowest -8C

Why Prashar?

Day 1-Delhi-->Mandi-->Baggi->Krishna Camps

Take evening HRTC AC Volvo from Kashmere gate at 6:30 PM. Reach Mandi next morning 7 AM.

Mandi to Baggi - Bus timing and Fare

From Mandi, either take taxi till Baggi . It will cost approx 800-1000 rs.

Another option is the local bus. The first bus leaves from Mandi at 6 am. I got the next bus at 7:45 AM, it took 1.5 hr for baggi. Costs 56 Rs for Male and 42 Rs for Females.

Entire route has some of the most amazing views with clouds covering the entire valley.

Baggi to Parashar Camp

Reached Baggi by 9.30 am. We had booked camp and guide from Krishna camps. The bus leaves exactly in front of Krishna cafe. After reaching there we had to freshen up and leave for the trek. I rented gum boots and stick from the near by shop

Gum boots-350 rs pp

Stick --50 rs pp

Day 2: Camp to Parashar Lake

How much time it takes to reach camp?

EThe entire journey will take approx 4 hours depending on your fitness level. During winters it takes more time since some places snow is a bit slippery and you have to walk with the utmost care. At some points, the climb is steep also, moreover, snow makes it harder to walk upon. Fresh snow is soft but old frozen snow is too slippery.

Its advisable to wear gumboots since during January and Feb there is heavy snow up to 3 ft

How is trail from Camp to Parashar Lake?

We woke up by 6 am in the morning and had a beautiful site right outside our campsite covered with snow. After having a heavy breakfast it was now time to leave for Parashar lake. From the campsite to lake its 2 km distance.

The entire trail is through the snow, as deep as 3 ft. Starting part of the trek is easier as you leave the campsite. However, as you keep moving further, the snow keeps on increasing and there is hardly any pathway. It's not possible to walk and cross, the only easiest way to pass through is to slide.

You will love this part of the trek. I mention it again don't forget to wear gumboots.

How much time it takes to reach the lake?

It took us 2 hours to reach the lake.

What makes lake so special?

1. Lake is famous for the Parashar rishi temple situated right at the bank of the lake. You can read more about the history of this temple but for your curiosity let me tell you it was built during Pandavas time. Since then it is standing tall but yes it's been renovated a few times.

2. Completely frozen during winters.

3. What is more breathtaking is entire temple surrounded with ice not just outside but even inside. We walked barefoot over ice to go inside the temple. Met pandit and spent some quiet time there talking to the Pandit Ji. We stayed at the lake for around 1 hour which included clicking some of the amazing pictures of my life and having some food..

How was the descend?

It was now time to start descending ,we had to catch 6:30 bus from Mandi.

We passed through approx 3 ft snow, not to mention gum boots turned out to be a life savior. At some places, it was really difficult to cross through, since the path was too narrow to walk. But most of the descend we did was by sliding and believe me it was too much fun

Baggi to Mandi- Bus timing

We reached Baggi, the base village by 4 PM. Although it was a bit late, we had evening snacks, changed clothes, and returned our rented gumboots and stick. From Baggi we left at 4:45 by cab since the only bus of Mandi to Baggi wasn't operational that day due to some issue.

Camp owner Krishna dropped us in his taxi and charged 1100 bucks. It took us one hour to reach Mandi. Despite the bus delay of 1 hour, we reached Delhi next day 7 AM.

**Don't believe what they say, go and see it**

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