Manimahesh Yatra package
The Kailash of Himachal. A drive deep into Chamba's Budhal valley, then two days on foot to a sacred lake below Mount Kailash at about 4,080 metres.
- Duration
- 6D / 5N
- Highest point
- 4,080 m
- Distance
- About 450 km by road + 26 km on foot
- Best time
- Aug–Sep, during the official yatra
About this trip
Manimahesh is one of the holiest yatras in the western Himalaya. Every year, around Janmashtami to Radhashtami, lakhs of devotees walk from Hadsar village above Bharmour to a small lake below Manimahesh Kailash peak, where they bathe and offer prayers to Shiva. The Gaddi shepherds of Bharmour have kept this pilgrimage for centuries.
We run it from Kangra the way families find easiest. You drive to Chamba on day one, then to Bharmour, the old capital of the Chamba kings with its Chaurasi temple complex. The walk is split in two, with a night at Dhancho. Ponies and porters are available, and during the yatra there is a helicopter service from Bharmour to Gauri Kund for those who cannot walk.
This is a real high-altitude trek, not a temple visit by car. We plan it carefully: an acclimatisation night in Bharmour, a guide with the group, and a clear rule that anyone feeling unwell turns back.
Highlights
- Darshan and holy dip at Manimahesh lake
- Chaurasi temple complex in Bharmour
- The Hadsar–Dhancho–Gauri Kund trail beside the Budhal
- Gaddi villages and summer shepherd camps
- Chamba town and the Lakshmi Narayan temples on the way
Altitude on the route
Day by day
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Day 1
Kangra to Chamba
Pickup at Kangra, Gaggal or Pathankot. Drive via Nurpur and Banikhet to Chamba. Evening at the Chaugan and the Lakshmi Narayan temples.
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Day 2
Chamba to Bharmour
Drive up the Ravi gorge to Bharmour (about 65 km). Darshan at the Chaurasi temples, complete the yatra registration and rest for acclimatisation.
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Day 3
Hadsar to Dhancho
Short drive to Hadsar, then about 6 km on foot to Dhancho, where the yatra camps and langars are. Night in a tent.
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Day 4
Dhancho to Manimahesh and back
Early climb via Gauri Kund to Manimahesh lake (about 7 km). Darshan and dip, then walk down to Dhancho or Hadsar depending on the group's pace.
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Day 5
Down to Chamba
Walk out to Hadsar, drive to Bharmour for lunch and on to Chamba.
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Day 6
Drop
Drive back to Kangra, Gaggal Airport or Pathankot station.
Included
- Hotel nights in Chamba and Bharmour, tent at Dhancho, twin sharing
- Breakfast and dinner (vegetarian)
- Private cab Kangra–Bharmour–Hadsar and back
- Local guide for the trek days
- Tolls, parking and driver allowance
Not included
- Yatra registration fee
- Pony, porter or helicopter
- Lunch on trek days
- Personal expenses
Good to know
Registration
The Himachal government requires every yatri to register for the Manimahesh yatra, usually online and with a medical check. We help you complete it before travel.
Fitness
The walk is about 13 km each way with over 1,700 metres of climb. You should be able to walk uphill for five to six hours. People with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor first.
Weather
The yatra falls in the monsoon. Expect rain, slippery stretches and cold nights near the lake. Carry a proper rain jacket and warm layers.
Outside the yatra
The trail can be walked from June to October, but without langars and camps. Ask us for a trek-style plan outside the official dates.
Stay, pickup and who it suits
- Where you stay
- Simple hotels in Chamba and Bharmour; a tent or yatra camp at Dhancho.
- Pickup points
- Kangra, Gaggal Airport, Pathankot station, Dharamshala or Chamba
- Best for
- Shiva devotees who are fit to walk, yatra groups and families with healthy teenagers.
Manimahesh Yatra: questions
When is the Manimahesh yatra?
The official yatra usually runs for about two weeks from Janmashtami to Radhashtami, in August and early September. Exact dates are announced by the Himachal government each year.
How long is the Manimahesh trek?
About 13 km each way from Hadsar, via Dhancho and Gauri Kund. Most yatris take two days up and one day down.
Is there a helicopter for Manimahesh?
During the official yatra, helicopter services usually run from Bharmour to Gauri Kund, about 1.5 km below the lake. Seats are limited and weather-dependent.
How far is Bharmour from Kangra?
Roughly 230 km by road via Nurpur and Chamba, a long day of driving. That is why we break the journey with a night in Chamba.
Similar trips
Shakti Peeth Yatra
Kangra → Chamunda → Jwalamukhi → Baglamukhi → Chintpurni
Plan your Manimahesh Yatra trip
Tell us your dates and group. We will send hotels and a final price you can change freely.