2-day Prashar Lake trek from Mandi with camping: See the rare floating island

Trek to a sacred lake with a floating island, camp under stars, and watch sunrise over snow-capped peaks

A 2-day trek to Prashar Lake (2,730 m) in Himachal Pradesh starts with a 9 km uphill walk from Jwalapur village and ends with camping at the lake's edge. The guide meets you at Panarsa, arranges shared transport to the trailhead, and leads the trek with packed lunch en route. You sleep on the lake shore and return the next morning after sunrise. Meals, tent, sleeping bag and mattress are included. The trek runs over two calendar days with one night at altitude.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and trek to Prashar Lake

• Reach Panarsa at 09:30 AM
• Guide picks you up
• Check-in at homestay or hotel
• Transfer to Jwalapur village by shared cab
• Trek 9 KM to Prashar Lake
• Take halt for packed lunch
• Reach Prashar Lake by evening
• Photography and sunset view
• Enjoy snacks, tea, and soup
• Dinner and camping under stars

Day 2: Return trek and transfer back

• Wake up early
• Experience sunrise and panoramic Himalayas view
• Breakfast at campsite
• Trek back 9 KM to Jwalapur village
• Transfer 25 KM back to Panarsa
• End of tour

The experience

The trek starts at Panarsa at 9:30 AM on day one. After a 25 km shared taxi ride to Jwalapur village, you walk 9 km uphill to Prashar Lake, stopping for a packed lunch partway. The lake sits at 2,730 meters and is held sacred to the sage Prashar. A 13th-century temple built from a single tree stands at the shore. The lake holds a floating island that drifts across its surface: its depth remains unmeasured because divers cannot reach the bottom. You reach the lake by evening, photograph the sunset, and camp on the shore with tea, soup and dinner served.

Day two starts before dawn. You watch the sunrise and the 360-degree view of the Himalayas from the lake, eat breakfast, then trek back down the 9 km to Jwalapur. The shared taxi returns you to Panarsa, ending the tour by afternoon. Your guide speaks English or Hindi throughout.

The trek includes private transportation from Panarsa to Jwalapur and back, all meals (packed lunch on day one, breakfast and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two), a tent, sleeping bag and mattress for the night at the lake, and accommodation at a homestay or guest house in Panarsa on arrival. You'll need to arrange your own way to Panarsa. Public transport options run to the village.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Panarsa to Jwalapur and return.
• packed lunch on day one.
• dinner, tea and soup in the evening.
• breakfast on both mornings.
• tent, sleeping bag and mattress for camping at the lake.
• accommodation in a homestay or guest house at Panarsa.
• live guide in English or Hindi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (10 to 41 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Audio guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tripills

Is this one for you?The trek climbs 9 km uphill on day one and descends the same distance on day two, so you need a moderate fitness level and comfort walking at altitude. The early morning start on day two (before sunrise) means an early wake-up, but it is what puts you at the lake for the panoramic view of the Himalayas.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high is Prashar Lake and what makes the floating island unusual?

Prashar Lake sits at 2,730 meters above sea level and contains a floating island that drifts in all directions across the water. The island's depth is unknown because divers have not been able to reach the bottom, making it a rare natural phenomenon.

What do I eat on the 2-day trek?

Lunch on day one is a packed meal served during the trek. Dinner and tea with soup arrive at the lake in the evening. Breakfast is served both mornings: on day one before you rest at the lake and on day two before you trek back down.

Where do I sleep on the trek?

You camp at Prashar Lake on night one with a tent, sleeping bag and mattress provided. On arrival at Panarsa, you stay in a homestay or guest house to freshen up before the trek begins.

What is the 13th-century temple at Prashar Lake made of?

The temple at Prashar Lake was built in the thirteenth century from a single tree, according to local legend.

How much walking is involved each day?

Day one includes a 9 km trek uphill from Jwalapur village to Prashar Lake with a lunch stop en route. Day two is a 9 km trek back down to Jwalapur after sunrise.