Most of the tourists travel from Shimla to Manali via Mandi by National Highway 21. Tourists, who are not in a hurry and wish to enjoy nature in less crowded environment, may travel via Jalori Pass [10,866 feet above sea level]; they may join National Highway 21 at Aut.
Jalori Pass is a high altitude road with a temple [partly visible in above referred photograph], a few dhabas, and a rain shelter built by the state government. Dhabas provide basic accommodation and food. Nearly fifteen minutes walk from Jalori Pass to Saryolsar Lake take us to a tented accommodation by Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Limited.
Unfortunately, contact numbers have been disfigured in above signboard.
Four wheeler vehicles can also go near the tented accommodation. The tented accommodation is on a lower level as seen in above photographs. The tourists have to walk down from the road head to the tented accommodation.
Saryolsar Lake [10,233 feet above sea level] is little lower in altitude compared to Jalori Pass.
I stayed at Shoja [8,802 feet above sea level] and made a day's visit to Saryolsar Lake. All the places - Saryolsar Lake, Jalori Pass, and Shoja lie in Kullu disrtict of Himachal Pradesh. While travelling from Shoja to Jalori Pass [5 km], I could see snow in route during first week of June 2015.
The trek from Jalori Pass to Saryolsar Lake is a gentle trek [6+6 km] without any sharp ascent / descent. The path is well laid out and not slippery.
I hereby share a few photographs shot during initial stage of the trek.
It appeared that some trees were deliberately damaged.
Wild flowers could also be seen on the way.
There is Budhi Nagin Temple near Saryolsar Lake. Following signboards could be found guiding the pilgrims.
When Saryolsar Lake was nearing, I could see some shepherds' huts. I also interacted with a few shepherds from Kashmir before that; but they were going ahead of Saryolsar Lake.
The temple administration had put various informative boards for the pilgrims.
The first look of Saryolsar Lake was mesmerizing!
I hereby share a few more photographs of Saryolsar Lake.
In the following photograph, both the temple and the lake are visible.
Budhi Nagin Temple is small and attractive.
As I was nearing Jalori Pass after completing the trek, I could see a lot of sheep.
It started raining after 11-30 am and continued incessantly for hours. I could return to Jalori Pass safely without getting wet and after having food, left for Shoja.
Dhabas near Saryolsar Lake offer basic food and beverages. They may also provide basic accommodation. A board by temple administration [published on this same page] states availability of basic accommodation at temple; however, I could not see anybody. Accommodation by Forest Department near Jalori Pass appeared good. Dhabas at Jalori Pass provide very basic accommodation.
Hence, it is advisable to stay at Shoja and visit Jalori Pass and Saryolsar Lake; the trek should start early in the morning and finish before 11-30 am.
Persons desirous of availing public transport may inquire at Shimla or Kullu regarding availability of the same.
