Unpredictable path, sloppy trail, and clogged ice on the surface make the pathway to snow camping near Prashar Lake. Camping at 2730 meters, in the lap of the Himalayas, beside a lake with quaint environs is the most thrilling weekend getaway you can plan this winter.
Located in the vicinity of river Beas, it is a coveted jewel of Himachal and an ideal weekend getaway from Delhi. Baggi village, overlooking the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayan mountain range makes way for Prashar lake. With breathtaking beauty surrounding you, snow camping around Prashar Lake will be a trip to remember. Here’s why!
Why Camping In Prashar Lake Is A Camper’s Delight?
The strategic location of Prashar Lake puts it at the top of a camper’s dream destinations. Talking about other thrills in the offering, the treacherous trail leading up to Prashar Lake is beautifully decked up with lush greenery and flowers around.
Must Read: Glamping In India: 12 Places For A New Experience
Best Time For Snow Camping At Prashar Lake
December – March is the time when the entire place is carpeted under a thick sheet of snow, which makes the lake look like a shimmering jewel. If you are just looking for camping – minus the snow – July & August can also be counted among the best months to visit Prashar lake when lush greenery and blooming flowers surround and give it a fresh look.
Temperature: Mercury drops down to -9 degrees during winters and goes up to 23 degrees during summers. Pack your bag accordingly. However, the weather condition around the lake remains moderate and makes it ideal for camping.
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Take a trip to spend the upcoming long weekend with your buddies.
✓ Stay at 4 star rating hotels with local sightseeing, meals and transfers.
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Trekking To And Camping Near Prashar Lake
Start & End points: Suda Village
Duration: It takes 1 night and 2 days to complete the trek and camping. Time taken to reach the starting point of the trek and reaching home from the endpoint of the trek must be calculated extra.
Distance covered: The distance is 7.5 km each side, which means you will be covering a total of 15 km in 2 days.
Camping at Prashar lake is the best bargain for your last two days of a week, and certainly the best weekend trip from Delhi you can take this winter. The itinerary of most trekking and camping organizers remains much like this:
Day 1: Reaching Suda Village In Mandi Via Baggi
Spend the night at Thakur hotel in Suda village. It is a preferred starting point for the trek, and thus a convenient lodging option that provides good food and comfortable stay. In case you can find a homestay, nothing like it!
Suggested Read: 10 Offbeat Trekking Spots In The Himalayas
Day 2: Trekking To Prashar Lake From Suda
Prashar lake is roughly a 3-4 hour trek that takes you through ridges, woods, and captivating sights of Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, and Kinnaur mountain ranges. Have a hearty breakfast and then start the trek. On the way, keep asking villagers for directions as negotiating the path becomes tough with snow all over it.
Having said that reaching Prashar lake in winter is definitely a bit tricky but the experience, in the end, is worth all your effort. The route leading to the lake is surreal and offers a breathtaking view of snow-capped peaks and lush greenery around. Upon reaching the campsite, delicious snacks will be served, followed by dinner.
Night 2: Snow Camping In Prashar Lake
Get ready to spend the night camping near Prashar Lake. Spread your tents under the colossal sky with a clear view of the milky way. Don’t miss the chance to capture the breathtaking view of shining stars in your camera.
Also, there are lots of activities that you can plan for the night. Camping is all about having fun with friends and fellow campers and indulging in activities like stargazing, making a bonfire, playing games like truth or dare & antakshari, and late night barbecue sessions.
Note: If you are planning an extended stay at the lake to enjoy the sea of white snow and tranquilising locale amid mountains, there is a Forest Rest House and Trekker Hut, at a distance of 300-400 meters from the lake. The dormitory of the Pagoda temple complex is another place to stay near the lake. Priests at the temple provide free bedding and stay option when approached.
Make your bookings in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
Suggested Read: 7 Scintillating Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh In Monsoon
Day 3: Trek Back To Suda & Head Back Home
Wake up to a glorious sunrise brightening the snow-capped peaks, a truly mesmerizing sight to behold. Enjoy a lavish breakfast and head back to Baggi and start the return journey to your respective place from Mandi.
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Charges For Snow Camping Near Prashar Lake
While a few solo travelers have pulled off this recommended weekend trip by spending little over INR 1000, there are tour organizers who charge INR 3000 – 4000 for a 2-day trek, which includes all the basic facilities required for the tour.
If you are traveling on your own make sure that you are well equipped with all the camping essentials.
Suggested Read: 11 Travel Tips For Himachal Pradesh That Will Come In Handy For Your Trip
Things To Pack
Here comes the most important part of your travel plan. Now that you know the place and the weather conditions, you must be aware of all the requisites that must be taken along while planning a snow camping at Prashar Lake.
Snow Camping Tips
- Try “penguin walk”, an art of walking on snow which requires dragging the foot without much lifting.
- Sunglasses are mandatory for the trek as they prevent snow blindness.
- Sleep with your boots on if you aren’t used to extreme cold conditions. It will keep you warm and comfortable.
- Though sunscreen helps prevent sunburns, try to stay covered as much as possible.
- Don’t be too harsh on your skin because extreme conditions make them delicate and vulnerable.
Other Tourist Attractions In Mandi
After you are done with camping and still have a day or two to spare, book a taxi and explore some of the exciting locations near Mandi town. They are lesser explored tourist attractions in Himachal, mostly visited by campers and trekkers from across the globe and are an absolute treat for the soul.
Here are the 5 top tourist attractions you must not miss:
- Pagoda temple
- Shikari Devi Temple
- Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple
- Karsog Valley
- Chindi Valley
How To Reach Prashar Lake In Winter
To reach Prashar Lake you first need to reach Mandi and further hire a vehicle to reach Suda village via Baggi village.
By air: Gaggal Airport, Dharamshala is the nearest airstrip at a distance of 87 km from Prashar Lake. The airport is well connected to Delhi. From Dharamshala, you can take a private vehicle to reach the campsite near the lake directly.
By rail: Kanoh Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Prashar Lake at a distance of 48 km. Hire a taxi from there to reach the campsite.
By road: You can take a bus from Delhi to Kullu – Manali, get down at Mandi and then hire a private cab.
Suda lies a couple of kilometers uphill from Baggi en-route to Prashar lake. At 7.5 km from the lake, this is the closest you can get to the lake by a vehicle during December – March because during winter the routes leading to the lake are closed due to heavy snowfall. From here, the only way to reach the lake is by trekking. In total, it takes around 13 – 14 hours to reach the lake from Delhi, which makes it not a very comfortable, but a totally worth-it weekend getaway.
Note: Carry snacks and dry fruits that would suffice for a couple of days because Prashar Lake in winter isn’t a place that boasts of too many eateries.
Further Read: 29 Famous Lakes In India That Will Bedazzle You With Their Stunning Beauty
Snow camping near Prashar Lake amidst extreme conditions is the perfect weekend trip you can take this winters. If the idea excites you, pack all that you can, book your tickets, plan your vacation in Himachal Pradesh and get ready to have the most amazing trip of your life!
Long Weekend Trips Starting @ Rs 3499/-
Take a trip to spend the upcoming long weekend with your buddies.
✓ Stay at 4 star rating hotels with local sightseeing, meals and transfers.
✓ Travel in AC coach round trip (from Delhi).
✓ All Inclusive Deal– Camping, Jeep Safari & Trekking as per itinerary
✓ Sign up NOW to celebrate the long weekend out of town!
A perpetual nature seeker, Amit is on a mission to explore the best of planet Earth. Much famed as the Whistling Hound, Amit’s is currently based out of Wroclaw in Poland, and is experiencing the best of his life in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
