Chamba and Manimahesh tour from Kangra

The main yatra falls around Janmashtami and Radhashtami, usually late August or early September, when the trail and the lake are at their busiest. The road to Hadsar is open roughly May to October, so you can visit Chamba and Bharmour outside the yatra season and have them almost to yourself — the lake trek itself is only sensible in that window.

No. No vehicle can. The road ends at Hadsar, and from there it is roughly 13 km of steep trail to the lake at about 4,080 m, usually taken over one or two days. We drive you to Hadsar, wait for you, and help arrange ponies, porters or a helicopter seat where those are running.

Fit enough for a long, high, sustained climb. It is a pilgrimage route rather than a technical trek, and people of all ages walk it, but altitude sickness is a real risk above Dhancho and the weather turns fast. If there is any doubt, spend a night at Bharmour to acclimatise first. We build that in when asked.

The Lakshmi Narayan temple complex, six stone shikhara temples from the 10th century onward, the Bhuri Singh Museum with its Pahari miniature paintings, the Chowgan promenade, and the Chamunda Devi temple on the hill above the Ravi. A full day is not too much.

Three if you want Chamba and Bharmour with a look at the Chaurasi temples. Four or more if you intend to walk to Manimahesh Lake, since that needs its own day or two plus a margin for weather. We would rather build in the margin than have you racing a schedule at 4,000 m.