Mantalai Lake is located at 4200 m on the trail to Pin Parvati pass and is the source of Parvati river. The lake is formed by the melting of snow from the nearby mountains and glaciers. There is a legend associated with a stone crossing at Mantalai and a shrine lined with tridents has been built to this effect. The Parvati river is crossed on Pandu Pul, which marks the route that the Pandava brothers took in an earlier age.

After crossing the hot springs at Kheerganga, the trail passes though magical fir and rhododendron forests to bring the trekker to the meadows dotted with sheep of gaddi shepherds at Tunda Bhuj. The trail further leads and climbs among waterfalls, streams and wildflowers to the next campsite and overnight stop called Thakur Khan.

From Pandu Pul, the trek leads to Odi Thach, which is a splendid location in a wide space surrounded by snowy peaks. From Odi Thach, the climb is steep and difficult but the otherworldly views more than compensate for the troubles. Mantalai Lake is a day’s hike away from the campsite at Odi Thach.

The entire stretch doesn’t have any village or camps and it is recommended to plan the trip to Mantalai Lake with a group and a guide and be properly acclimatised before attempting it.