Short treks from Manali

Hi Guys,

I am going to be in Manali at the start of July and want to do a trek for 3 or 4 days. I've never been trekking before so I figure a shorter one would be a good way to start.

I've been looking at the following companies (from lonely planet guide)antrek.co.in and northfaceindia.com.

They have suggested the following treks:
*Solang Dhundi Beas Kund
*Bhrigu Lake
*Malana

Has anyone done all or any of these? Any recomendations? I am reasonably fit so I think I would prefer a moderate trek over an easy one.

Also, if anyone can recommend a company that they have used that would be great.

Thanks,
Aly

*bump*

Malana trek is best as it crosses Chandrakhani Pass for you.

What is good about Chandrakhani Pass?
Thanks

Please check last posts here:
Some questions about treks in Himachal

and also:
http://himalayantrailtrekker.blogspo...-himachal.html

Hi, have done all of them

Trek to Bhrighu is amongst the most beautiful treks I have done; link below: I would rate it toughest in all the three you have mentioned.
Bhrighu Lake - A walk to a lake...

ChandraKhani pass trek:
Moderate trek starts from Rumsu village at Naggar you cross Chandrakhani pass and cross over to Malana village.

Beas Kund lake Trek:
Trek starts from Solang Valley you then take a halt at Bakar Thatch and nest day cover Beas Kund and can come back to Solang/Manali. Easiest of all three.

Nature changes shades as season changes; did Bhrighu in June (under rains); Beas in April (in Snow) and Chandrakhani in Oct (Autumn); all of them were beautiful

All these trek I have done with MurliDhar Negi (contacts below)

http://www.visitmanalikullu.com/contact.htm

Thanks so much. When you say that Bhrigu is tough, what do you mean? Is it a rough terrain, very steep ascents?

Thanks

The climb from Manali (vashisht) on first day was tough, also we did it in 3 days (2 night) halts, I think another day would have made it perfect.

Does anyone have any recommendations for companies to book a trek with? I am going alone and would like to join a group (Bhrigu Lake trek if possible), I have already contacted antrek and north face adventures but they say that they have no groups confirmed for the period of my stay and that I can go alone if I want to (with guide + porter). Since I've never trekked before, I would prefer going with a group.

Going alone is not bad either - it is quite safe in the hills. You have already got advise on the three treks, but if I may add, Beas Kund is a base camp for many peak climbs so one can always add a day and do more (otherwise it is simple) - it is closer to Lahaul side than the other two treks so more snow conditions.

Thanks, sounds good. I'm just a bit confused as none of the agents I have spoken to seem to be very organized in terms of organized group treks. Their attitude seems to be more of the "come to manali and we'll try and find a group" variety. Is this normal?

Refer to http://www.indiahikes.in/ for group treks.

When I started, I was also looking for a group. Except Indiahikes, whose link nkothiyal has given, there isn't a very organised organiser. At best they can occasionally link up two groups going with them. Best way I have found is to convince friends or try for partners at IM, detailing your plan (but that generally works for tougher treks, for easy ones you need to be prepared to do it alone). I have done 50% of the treks alone and works okay for me - with company it is better but there can be issues there as well (matching dates, matching stamina etc.).