Chandratal Lake: A camper’s paradise

The trek to Chandratal the ” Moon Lake” is almost like going to the moon. You almost feel like the first explorers going to a new place for the first time.

Chandra Tal Lake is situated at a height of 4300 m and 6 kms away from the Kunzum Pass in Spiti and Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh India. Boasting of a circumference of about 2.5 kms, the deep blue-water of Chandra Tal Lake is the source of the Chandra river.

The Chandratal lake, once a halting place for traders who went to Spiti and the Kullu valley from Tibet and Ladakh attracts a large number of adventure lovers.

The mountains peaks with snow caps and slopes around the valley rise up to 3000 meters to 6300 meters. The mountain ranges are called Moulkila and Chandrabhaga which challenge mountaineers.

This crystal clear blue water lake lies in a broad grassy plain, which in ancient times was a glacier, Idle for camping, can be approached from Manali and by Kaza.

According to legend, this lake is the location from where god Indra’s chariot picked up Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. As a result, this lake is a revered one and draws a large number of devotees.

Trekking to the Chandratal Lake

With opening of the Manali-Leh road to foreign visitors in 1989, the number of trekkers for the Batal-Chandratal Lake-Baralacha Pass trek and vice versa has increased .Now a trek is possible up to the Baralacha Pass and from there tourists can board a vehicle to Leh or travel up to the Baralacha Pass by a vehicle from Leh and trek down to Batal.

But with the opening of Spiti and Kinnaur inner line area to foreigners in 1992, trekkers can complete a full circuit of the cold desert areas of the tribal belt.

Best time to visit Chandratal Lake

From June to September a large number of tourists visit the lake. This is also the time when shepherds from Kangra, Mandi and Kullu can be seen with their herds of sheep at Chandra pastures.

The Chandratal trek is rated moderate by most people. Along with it when you can feast your eyes with the unparalleled beauty of this landscape, unique in many respect compared to the other Himalayan treks. The clear blue sky and the rugged brown rolling mountains, almost treeless, form a picture perfect image. This landscape goes on for miles interspersed with lush green meadows, and the sparkling Chandra river down below.

The days are not cold but the temperature drops quickly after the sun sets, and the wind adds its bit. The best way to keep warm is to wear clothes in layers like shawls, sweater etc.