Chandratal Lake
Perched at a staggering elevation of 4200 meters higher than sea level, you have to see the unparalleled beauty of Chandratal to believe it. A refuge from the lightning fast city life, this lake is gradually becoming one of the most kind looking traveler’s spots in Spiti valley. With the mesmerizing setting of regal mountains and meadows covered with stunning wildflowers, the lake is the perfect location to click Instagram precious pictures.
Normally Well-known as the trekker's heaven, Chandratal Lake is reckoned as the most attractive lake placed in the laps of Himalayas. This tempting lake is perched on the Samudra Tapu plateau which dishonesty in close up immediacy to Chandra River. Placed at an elevation of 4300 meters, Chandratal is near the premium image of the Spiti area. If you're preparing a tour to the Himalayas, don't miss out on stake in Chandratal Lake in your Spiti Valley Tour.
The lake is crescent-shaped, and that is how it got its name. If you are looking for an ideal combination of exploration and laidback holidays, there could not be a better place to kick start your trip than Chandratal. The road to Chandratal Lake takes you through the treacherous trails of Batal which will set your adrenaline pumping.
Explore the loveliness of Spiti on a trip from Delhi, where you'll find the spectacular Chandratal Lake, offering a serene retreat amidst the mountain. With a Spiti trip package from Delhi, a memorable moment by the calm shores of Chandratal Lake.
On your way, you will also get to raise the glaciers among Kunzum pass and Rohtang Pass. This exciting place has much folklore attached to itself but what lures its guests are its turquoise blue water, royal mountain and tranquil environment which make it an apt spot for camping. Sprawled over a region of 2.5 kilometers, Chandratal sees a massive influx of travelers in the summer months.
In the winter months, this spot majorly remains in the bucket list of exploration enthusiasts who want to push past their limits.
Highlights
• Explore the tranquil loveliness of Chandratal Lake, nestled in the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,250 meters.
• Admire the lake’s curved shape, which gives it the name "Lake of the Moon."
• Trek through challenging terrains and glaciers to reach this pristine lake for a journey complete with breathtaking views.
• Take some time to photograph the surrounding ChandraBhaga Mountains as they reflect in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.
• Embrace the unique experience of camping near Chandratal, under a blanket of stars, amidst the Himalayan wilderness.
• Capture the ever-changing hues of the lake, from turquoise to emerald green, as sunshine dances across its outside.
• Observing the wealthy fauna just about the lake includes rare Himalayan birds like Snow Partridge and Golden Eagle.
• Soak in the calm ambience of Chandratal surroundings, a great run away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
How to Reach
There are two workable routes from Delhi to Chandratal Lake by road. As the main way takes you throughout Manali, another one passes through Shimla and then leads you to Spiti Valley.
- Routes from Shimla:
This way starts from Delhi and leads to Narkanda. From here, one can shift to Kalpa, and then more tours to Kaza and Nako. Later than captivating a stop at Spiti valley, head towards Chandratal Lake from Kaza. While following this way, it is suitable to tour from Shimla to Kinnaur and then head towards Spiti Valley. Once you exit Spiti Valley, you can visit Chandratal Lake.
- Routes from Manali:
If you want to track a shorter way to Chandratal Lake, the Manali way is your perfect bet. It is a tiny trip where you will kick start your tour from Delhi, pass through Mandi, Kullu, Rohtang La, Battal, Gramphu, and at last arrive at Chandratal Lake.
1. By Public transport:
While traveling throughout public transport, there are the following two routes to Chandratal which you can opt for.
- Manali to Chandratal:
There are two buses that travel among Manali and Kaza early in the morning. The bus starts from Kullu at 4:30 AM and takes you to Manali. At this peak, the label to Kaza barely costs Rs 250 per person. Once you get down at Chandratal distraction spot by the evening, you can trek your way to Chandratal Lake.
-Shimla to Chandratal:
There are two non-ac buses that tour from Shimla to Reckong Peo. Once you arrive at Reckong Peo, board a 7:00 AM HRTC bus to arrive at Kaza. From Kaza, board a bus for Manali and obtain downhill at the Chandratal Lake distraction point. From this point, you can cover up the remaining space by hiking.
2. Road Conditions:
Once you switch off the Manali-Leh highway, the road condition gets unfavorable. The track from Gramphu to Batal is just a rough unclean way with some water crossings throughout the way. Even if you have opted for the Kaza-Chandratal way, you will not notice any major development in the road situation. There are so many difficult spots along the whole way due to the presence of rocky formations.
Best Time to Visit
Winter is not considered as an ideal time to plan your Chandratal Lake visit as the entire way is blocked with snow. The snow begins to clear up in the May month, but the routes further than Losar will still be blocked. The perfect time to visit Chandratal Lake is in June month when the snow clearance function is complete.
In this time, you can arrive at the lake by trekking the 14 km long street from Batal. You can also plan your visit between July to September as the roads remain open and the weather turns pleasant. But one must absolutely stay away from heavy rain of August owing to wet roads and landslides.
Other Essential Information
Location: Chandratal Lake is nestled in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is just about 6 km apart from Kunzum Pass. There are two famous ways to arrive at this place. As the primary way is from Delhi to Manali, the subsequent way passes through Shimla and Kinnaur to Spiti Valley.
Altitude: The Lake is hovering at an elevation of 14,220 feet or 4,270 meters more than the sea level. As it is one of the elevated elevation lakes in the Himalayas, you require planning your tour with a correct timetable.
Distance from Spiti: Chandratal Lake is just about 27 kilometers apart from Spiti Valley.
Distance from Manali: Manali to Chandratal Lake is a 250 km journey by road. It will take approximately 12 hours to traverse among these two locations.
ATMs near Chandratal Lake: It is desirable to take sufficient money all along with you on the Chandratal tour. Chandratal is bereft of human decision, and you won't find so many ATM's in this area. One can find the nearby ATMs in Manali and Kaza.
Mobile Connectivity: There are simply some ways in Spiti Valley where you can benefit from polite phone connectivity. One time you annoyed Gramphu and took a course to Chattru, you will barely see any phone signals. Therefore, it is desirable to take a BSNL or MTNL sim card all along with you as only these two connections work in this area.
Petrol Pumps near Chandratal Lake: The nearest petrol pump to Chandratal can be found in Kaza. You can also tank up at Tandi petrol pump on Manali-Leh highway.
Hospitals near Chandratal Lake: You want to keep your medical kit prepared on your tour to Chandratal as this spot lacks in health check facilities. You won't be capable of any medicinal services till you go to Manali.
Chandratal Lake Itinerary
Your whole schedule must be based on your soothe and the number of days at hand. If you want to stay away from AMS hassles, it is ideal to choose the Shimla way. Though, if you have less time at hand and you want to go for a shorter way, choosing the Manali route is the perfect bet. Here is a general itinerary for Chandratal Lake that strikes a balance all among case and comfort.
Day 1: Tour from Delhi to Manali and take an overnight stop at Solang Valley.
Day 2: Begin your trip from Solang and head towards Batal.
Day 3: Go away for Chandratal and enjoy a memorable camping and hiking experience.
Day 4: Later than spend a day full of exploration in Chandratal, get on your way back to Manali.
Day 5: Tour back from Manali to Delhi.
Chandratal Lake Weather
The climate at Chandratal Lake remains cold during the year. In the winter season, the normal temperature varies from -40 to 0 degrees Celsius. While the summer months in Chandratal also continue chilly, you will be capable of enjoying snowfall generally in winter months only.
The normal day and night temperature in the summer months variety from 6 to 15-degree Celsius. It is perfect to stay away from the Chandratal tour in the monsoon as the place remains closed unpaid to landslides.
The Legend of Chandratal Lake
This tempting place in Spiti valley bears massive importance in Indian mythology. If legends are to be thought, Chandratal Lake is the place from where Lord Indra's chariot chose the eldest of the Pandava brothers, Yudhishthira. This is why the lake is frequented by a huge number of Hindu devotees too.
Another story that is famous is the locals' discussion about two lovers named Chandra and Bhaga. Chandra was the daughter of the moon as Bhaga was the only son of Lord Sun. Chandratal Lake is said to be named after the moon god's daughter, Chandra.
Where to Stay Near by Chandratal Lake
There is not a correct spot to stay nearby Chandratal Lake as the administration has excluded camping nearby the place. Chandratal Lake is; located on an empty land where you can't have a nightmare of a comfortable stay in 3-star hotels and cottages. Though, just 2 kilometers apart from this peak, you can find a camping place where you can pitch your tents. If you are looking for safer life choices further than self camping, you will still be absent with some choices.
There is a little place called Chandra Dhaba Batal which can accommodate just about 7-8 people. If you are lucky, you will get to stay in igloo style huts right in front of the Dhaba. You can also plan your stay in Batal PWD Rest House. Away from this, one can come back to Manali-Leh main road and live at the Khoshkar visitor home. If you desire a few improved lodging choices, just tour towards Keylong and book your stay in any neighboring hotel.
Places to Visit near Chandratal Lake
1. Sissu: Nestled at an elevation of 3170 meters, Sissu is well-known for its picturesque vistas and superb waterfalls. Sissu Lake is cradled on the banks of river Chandra. Just 90 KM apart from Manali, this remote hamlet is a perfect location to get in contact with nature.
2. Kunzum Pass: This pass is situated at an elevation of 4,551 meters more than sea level. It is the most important entrance to Spiti Valley from Lahaul Valley. A 15 km trek from this point will take you to the Chandratal Lake. Most of the guests take a stop at this location to visit the Kunzum Devi temple.
3. Darcha: It is another trekker’s heaven nestled at the elevation of 3360 meters. Darcha is approximately 24 km apart from Keylong and is a famous camping place. You can start your trekking journey from this point and head towards Zanskar Valley.
4. Suraj Tal: A 2-3 day trek from Chandratal will take you to this unreal location called Suraj Tal. It is a go-to location for travelers looking for road tours and trekking. Created by the streams of Bhaga River, this lake is famous as the lake of Sun God. Nestled at a height of 4,950 meters, it is the third maximum lake in India.
5. Bara Shigri Glacier: Hailed as the main glacier in Himachal Pradesh, Bara Shigri is located in the Chandra Valley. It is a 25 Km long and 3 Km broad glacier which rests on the center rise of Himalayan variety.
6. Baralacha La: placed at a distance of 75 Km from Keylong, this pass is a main attraction on Manali-Leh road. The pass acts as a bridge among two well-known mountain ranges of India, namely, Zanskar Valley and Pir Panjal.
Things to Carry
If you have selected off-season to go aboard on the Chandratal trek, it is improved to be ready with a few necessary objects. Few of the things that you require to take on the Chandratal trek are scheduled as under:
- Serious woolen clothes and socks
- Waterproof clothing, including jackets and flowers.
- Torchlight
- Medicines
- Water bottle and towels
- Camping equipment
- Wooden stick
AMS at Chandratal Lake
Experiencing sickness on Himalayan trips is the most ordinary phenomenon. If you are mountaineering in elevated altitude, there is a fair possibility of AMS hitting you. However, such mountain illness can damage your tour plans and rotate your thrilling trip into a horrible experience. If you want to stay apart from such occurrences, here are a few things that you must keep in mind.
- Try to chase the tour schedule which takes care of the fast raise in the height. If you experience gentle AMS even later than allowing for all the due safety measures, keep some AMS medicines like Diamox handy.
- You can bear a little oxygen all along with you.
- Up your water eating and continue hydrated during the hike. However, don't over hydrate as it can result in failing and vomiting.
