Suraj Tal

A divine lake, Suraj Tal, also called Surya Taal, is encircled by breathtaking landscapes and magnificent mountains. It is known to come from the Bhaga tributary of the Chandrabhaga river and is located in the Lahaul Spiti valley beneath the Bara-lacha-la pass. This magnificent lake has the distinction of being the third highest lake in India and the 21st highest lake in the entire globe. It is also venerated as the lake of the Sun God, and it is said that bathing in this holy lake will purge you of all your sins. Wintertime brings out the best in this lake's beauty as the mountains surrounding it are fully covered in snow, giving the area an almost heavenly appearance.

Due to the similarity of the local climate to that of the Polar region, the areas encircling it are largely uninhabited. This lake is a popular destination for motorcyclists and trekkers in addition to being a scenic haven for nature fans and a blissful treat for the divine souls. The Manali-Leh route, which is well known for cycle trips and trekking, passes by this lake, which is the main reason it has attracted so much attention.

The route includes Baralacha-La-Pass, which serves as the starting point for a number of exhilarating excursions. In order to take a break from their journey, motorcyclists and adventure seekers frequently halt at Suraj Tal and set up camp for a relaxing stay. Every photographer's fantasy is to capture the scenic beauty that permeates this holy and breathtaking lake, which seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale.

Trekking at Suraj Tal

Suraj Lake is a trekking enthusiast's paradise because it offers some of the most breathtaking hikes and takes you on an unforgettable adventure. It is near to the Baralacha Pass, which is where the roads leading to Zanskar and Spiti Ladakh converge. Baralacha Pass is also the location of numerous outstanding hikes that promise countless surreal and ethereal views of nature. Initially departing from Zingzingbar, the Suraj Tal trekking path threads across the Bhaga River for up to 3 kilometers before reaching a bridge on the northern bank. After about 2.5 kilometers of ascent, there will be a sharp descent that will lead to Suraj Tal.

The Manali-Leh Highway is a popular base camp for trekkers, and during this entire expedition, you'll get to traverse two of the most picturesque passes, Baralacha la and Rohtang Pass. The trails along this trekking route will give you the opportunity to explore the rich culture that adorns the Spiti region in addition to observing yourself being nourished by nature. You can set up your tents at Suraj Tal under the star-studded, starry night heavens to cap off your exciting trekking journey.

Places to Visit Around Suraj Tal

This waterfall, located in the Kullu Valley, flows down to the Beas River. It is well-known that this location is the home of Goddess Jogini, and many sages come here to receive the goddess's benediction. By making a short trek from the Vashisht Temple, which is surrounded by towering pine trees and apple orchards, you can easily reach the waterfall. The hike to this cascade is regarded as one of the most picturesque short hikes nearby Manali.

2. Shashur Gompa

Because it is surrounded by pine trees on all three sides, this highly venerated Buddhist gompa is also known as the Palace of the Blue Pines. It is devoted to the Zanskari Lama and serves as a Buddhist teaching facility. This monastery is embellished with flags, traditional paintings, and chortens, which raise the degree of its beauty.

3. Kardang Monastery

This Drukpa Lineage hermitage in Lahaul Valley is very well known. It is a nine hundred year ancient monastery that was founded in the 12th century. It is used as a storage facility for numerous significant Buddhist, Tantric, and Thangka paintings that decorate its interiors. Ancient wall frescoes, golden Buddha sculptures, and a sizable library are also present here.

Buddhist scriptures and volumes of documents can be found in the library. Additionally, it is well known for housing a sizable collection of Kangyur texts and antiquated weaponry. This monastery is home to about thirty women and monks who practice Buddhism. They are free to choose a partner for marriage and visit them to meet their relatives.

Suraj Tal doesn’t have a train, bus or flight connectivity but it is well connected with road, and you can easily reach here by hiring a taxi or cab from Keylong.

By road:  Around 65 kilometers separate Keylong from Suraj Tal. From National Highway NH 21, also known as the Leh-Manali highway, Keylong district is readily reachable by road. For the people who live in Lahaul Spiti, this is the most important route connection. Bara-lacha la pass is only 3 km away from the road that goes to Suraj Tal. Winter renders this picturesque path from Rohtang Pass to the Leh district completely impassable.

The best time to visit Suraj Tal is between April to mid-May when the snow starts melting, and the weather of this place becomes extremely pleasant. You can also visit this place during mid-May to mid-July when the summer is in its full swing and hordes of tourists visit this place to enjoy its ethereal beauty. 

During Winters: You should avoid visiting Suraj Tal during winters as the roads through which you can enter Suraj Tal are also blocked during winters due to the inhospitable environment. Also, the temperature falls beyond -2 degrees Celsius and the entire water body gets covered with snow.

During Monsoon: Suraj Tal should also be avoided from July to September because of the risky landslides and nonstop torrential rain that occurs there during the rainy season. Due to the possibility of calamities, the majority of the roads that enable you to enter this area are also closed during the monsoon season..

- Location: Lahaul Valley, Keylong, Himachal

- Elevation: 4950 meters

- Altitude: High, the third highest lake in India

- Distance from Spiti: 16.0 km

- Distance from Manali: 187.2 km

About Bhaga Valley

Bhaga Valley, also referred to as the Stod valley, was created from Surya Tal up to Tandi and starts at the foot of Baralacha Pass in the southwest. Up until Darcha, it is entirely deserted and desolate and is situated in Lahaul. This valley widens after Darcha, and in the areas beyond this area, you can locate a few more settlements. There are small settlements every seven to eight kilometers from Darcha forward.

From Darcha to Kolong, this region is referred to as Stod, and from Keylong to Keylong, as Gnat. The Bhaga Valley is home to Suraj Tal Lake, which is said to be the third-largest lake in all of India. It is one of the most beautiful lakes that tourists genuinely adore. Bhaga Valley also provides a quick rush of adrenaline to trekkers as it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful trails that can be mastered by both expert and novice hikers. In the winter, the valley is completely covered in snow, giving the impression that it is made of ice. The addition of the pine trees and the lush vegetation gives it the appearance of a natural wonderland that each visitor should investigate.

Tips for Visiting Suraj Tal

Here are a few tips that you must follow while visiting Suraj Tal: 

1. Make sure to carry your snow boots and a comfortable pair of shoes for long walks near Suraj Tal.

2. Dress in layers so that you don’t get hit by cough and cold due to the cold climate prevailing here.

3. Carry snacks along with you so that you can level up your energy in between the trip.

4. Carry a map so that you don’t get lost on the way due to darkness or other emergency factors.

5. Research about the area beforehand so that you can be aware of the difficulties that might arise on your way.