Chandratal Lake
You need to see Chandratal in person to appreciate its breathtaking grandeur, which is unmatched. It is perched at an astounding elevation of 4200 meters above sea level. This lake, a refuge from the hectic city life, is steadily rising to the top of the list of Spiti Valley's tourism attractions. The lake is the ideal location to take Instagram-worthy photos because of the stunning background provided by imposing mountains and meadows covered in stunning wildflowers.
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Chandratal Lake Overview
Chandratal Lake, also referred to as "the trekker's paradise," is regarded as the most alluring lake to be found in the Himalayas. This captivating lagoon is situated near the Chandra River on the Samudra Tapu plateau. The most beautiful views of the Spiti area can be found at Chandratal, which is located at an elevation of 4300 meters.
The lake's moniker derives from its crescent-shaped shape. Chandratal is the ideal place to begin your trip if you're looking for the ideal balance between adventure and relaxing vacations. Your heart will race as you travel through dangerous Batal paths on the way to Chandratal Lake.
You will also have the opportunity to ascend the mountains between Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass while traveling. Although this fascinating location has a lot of folklore associated with it, what draws tourists there are the crystal-clear water, majestic mountains, and serene environs, which make it a suitable location for camping. Chandratal, which is dispersed over an area of 2.5 kilometers, experiences a tremendous inflow of tourists in the summer.
This location continues to be high on adventure seekers' bucket lists who want to push themselves to the maximum during the winter.
Chandratal Lake Highlights
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Chandratal, one of Himachal Pradesh's most beautiful lakes, provides a lovely fusion of adventure and untainted nature.
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You must hike through the most challenging roads and glaciers to get to this pristine lake, which is located at an elevation of 4270 meters, but the vistas are well worth the effort. Therefore, it is at the summit of experienced hikers' bucket lists.
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The Wildlife Act classifies the Chandratal Lake Wetland Reserve as a Ramsar protected location. As a result, lodging near the lake is not allowed. However, you have the option of camping at the approved location, which is about 2 km away.
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For those who enjoy the Himalayas, a visit to Chandratal Lake is essential because of the lake's mesmerizing early-morning reflections of the nearby peaks.
Points Of Interest for Chandratal Lake
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Chandratal Lake Trek
If you are an avid hiker looking for difficult hiking routes, the Chandratal Lake trek is the one for you. Starting in Manali, this soul-stirring trek brings you to Chikka, which is tucked away at a height of 3100 meters. Shira Gorh, Hampta Pass, and Balu Ka Ghera are the next destinations along the path.
You ascend to the dangerous Batal paths from Shira Gorh. Despite the difficult and exhausting journey from Batal, the scenery will leave you feeling renewed and energised. From here, the road divides to Kunzum, the main entrance to the Chandratal Lake.
How To Reach Chandratal Lake
There are two viable routes from Delhi to Chandratal Lake by road. While the first route takes you through Manali, the other one passes through Shimla and then leads you to Spiti Valley.
- Routes from Shimla:
Starting in Delhi, this path goes to Narkanda. One can journey to Kalpa from here and then on to Kaza and Nako. After stopping at Spiti Valley, move from Kaza in the direction of Chandratal Lake. It is advised to journey along this route from Shimla to Kinnaur before continuing on to Spiti Valley. Chandratal Lake is accessible after leaving Spiti Valley.
- Routes from Manali:
The Manali route is your best option if you want to take a quicker journey to Chandratal Lake. You will begin your voyage in Delhi, travel through Mandi, Kullu, Rohtang La, Battal, and Gramphoo, and then arrive at Chandratal Lake.
1. By Public transport:
While traveling through public transport, there are the following two routes to Chandratal which you can opt for.
- Manali to Chandratal: Early in the morning, there are two vehicles that travel between Manali and Kaza. At 4:30 AM, the bus departs from Kullu and brings you to Manali. The expense of a ticket to Kaza from here is only about Rs 250 per person. You can hike to Chandratal Lake after arriving at Chandratal diversion point in the twilight.
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-Shimla to Chandratal: There are two non-ac buses that travel from Shimla to Reckong Peo. Once you reach Reckong Peo, board on a 7:00 AM HRTC bus to reach Kaza. From Kaza, board a bus for Manali and get down at the Chandratal Lake diversion point. From this point, you can cover the remaining distance by hiking.
2. Road Conditions:
The road conditions worsen once you leave the Manali-Leh route. The path from Gramphu to Batal is just a rough, unpaved road that crosses several bodies of water. Even if you chose the Kaza-Chandratal route, the state of the roads won't significantly change. Due to the existence of rocky formations, the complete route has numerous problematic areas.
Best Time To Visit Chandratal Lake
Since the complete route is covered in snow during the winter, it is not recommended to schedule your trip to Chandratal Lake during this time. The routes past Losar will still be blocked even after the snow begins to melt in May. When the snow removal process is finished in June, Chandratal Lake is at its most beautiful.
You can walk the 14 km road from Batal to the lake during this period. You can also schedule your trip for July through September, when the weather is pleasant and the roads are still accessible. However, owing to landslides and wet roads, the August monsoon should be avoided at all costs.
