Day 3
SHOJA - SEROLSER LAKE - SHOJA - 10 KMS DRIVE. 12 KMS HIKE/ 5-6 HRS
Himachal Pradesh, with most of it lying in the lap of Himalayas, has an abundance of lakes. A drive to Jalori pass will take 15-20 minutes from the Shoja retreat/guest house. From there a well-defined trail takes one to the Lake. Few hundred meters on the trail and then you get in to the Oak forest. The sun rays filtering through the tree cover, the blue of the sky through the foliage, the up and down of the trail, an occasional sight of a bird, a clearing showing the huge green vistas cascading down to the Sutluj valley, all of this and more will keep you an enchanting company all the way to the lake. The lake makes up in crystal clear clarity what it lacks in size. The local belief is that no one has ever found a leaf floating in the lake though leafy trees surround the lake itself. Nearby is a small temple beyond which the meadows start. An average person may take about one and a half to two hours to cover the 6 km trail from Jalori pass to the lake. An early start will get you back to the retreat/guest house for the hot lunch. For people who would like to spend more time with the chirping birds, we will be too happy to provide you with a lunch hamper for you to enjoy an al fresco lunch on the banks of the lake.
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LOCATION/ HOW TO REACH : 
Hiking to nearby Raghupur Fort Meadows that overlook the Tirthan Valley in Kullu district in the West and Shimla district in the East. Drive to Jalori pass and walk in the open for about hundred meters towards Satluj valley before it heads straight into the forest on a well-defined trail. Half a kilometer later, a short steep climb takes one to a small meadow that offers a photo-op. A short rest and off you go into the Oaks and Rhododendrons forest slowly climbing up and then shifting gear for a final steep climb of 15 to 20 minutes. Here the tree line finishes and we move into a lush green meadow. A little up and we are rewarded with a 360 degrees view of The Himalayas, Dhauladhar and Kinnaur ranges, all of them in one sweeping glance. Keep strolling and in a while we end up at the dilapidated Raghupur Fort. The local people believe that an erstwhile king of Mandi province got this fort constructed hundred of years ago. Theories abound as to why this fort was constructed on a ridge where scarcity of water was a perennial issue. One of them will have us believe that this retreat was made in case the king had to retreat in to the mountains in case his kingdom was attacked by the enemy forces from the plains. Yet another popular belief is that the fort was constructed for the pleasure of the king away from the prying eyes of his family and subjects. Whatever the truth, the King could not have chosen a better location. One look and you would not want to go back. All around you are swathes of lush green meadows that gently descend into the oak and blue fir forests. The meadows also happen to be the favourite ground of local shepherds. It is a sight to behold with hundreds of sheep and goats munching around with not a worry in the world, with at least couple of shepherd dogs in attendance. Early mornings and late evenings provide an excellent photo opportunity. Hike back to Jalori pass and onto a waterfall. Picnic lunch by the fall in the afternoon. A short rest and hike back to retreat/guest house.
