Chandratal, also known as Chandra Tal, Chandra Tal, Chandra Taal, Chander Taal, or simply Moon Lake, is a desolate yet picturesque lake located 14100 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh, northern India. It is located six kilometers from Kumzum Pass in the Himachal Pradesh region of Spiti and Lahaul.
The lake was given its name due to its crescent form. Chandra Taal is thought to have been found by traders who traveled to the region from Tibet or Ladakh. After a long trek, the traders would rest by the lake before Kullu or Spiti.
The sweet water lake is around 2.5 kilometers wide. It is the source of the Chandra River, which combines with the Bhaga River to form the Chandrabhaga River, which subsequently takes on the name Chenab.
The lake is only open to the public during the summer months. The lake will be shut off and frozen for the remainder of the season.
The lake is typically blue. However, it changes color depending on the color of the sky. The lake is perfectly framed by the Chandra Bhaga mountain range (CB Group).
Even though the area is desolate and devoid of a human population, it is a popular camping spot during the summer. The blue color of the lake, flanked by a broad carpet of green grass and the immaculate white of the Chandra Bhaga mountain range, often takes visitors by surprise.
According to Hindu mythology, Chandra Taal is the location where Indra, the King of Gods, arrived in his chariot to carry Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five Pandavas, to Swarga in his mortal form (heaven). Fairies, according to locals, visit the lake at night.
In Chandra Taal, there are also few places to stay. The primary places to stay in Kunzum Pass and Batal are PWD guesthouses and rooms rented out by residents. During the summer, the bulk of tourists opt to stay in a camp in Chandra Taal.
In Chandra Taal, there are few places to dine. Some dhabas serve meals at Batal and Kunzum Pass. Chandra Taal’s restaurants mostly serve Tibetan cuisine with a small selection of Indian dishes. Expect nothing out of the ordinary in terms of food.
About Chandra Taal Lake
Chandra Taal Lake, also known as the trekker’s paradise, is often regarded as the most captivating lake in the Himalayas. This appealing lake is located on the Samudra Tapu plateau, near the Chandra river. Chandra Taal, located at an elevation of 4300 meters, provides some of the most spectacular vistas in the Spiti area.
If you’re searching for a great combination of adventure and relaxation, there’s no better place to start than Chandra Taal. The lake acquired its name because it is crescent-shaped. The path to Chandra Taal Lake winds through dangerous Batal trails that will get your pulse racing.
You will also be able to ascend the glaciers between Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass on your route. This enthralling location has many legends linked to it, but what draws tourists is its turquoise blue lake, beautiful mountains, and quiet surroundings, making it an ideal camping location. Chandra Taal, which spans 2.5 kilometers, sees a large inflow of visitors throughout the summer months.
This location is on the bucket list of adventure seekers looking to exceed their limits during the winter months.
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The Best Way to Get to Chandra Taal Lake
By car, there are two possible routes from Delhi to Chandra Taal Lake. While the first route takes you via Manali, the second way takes you through Shimla and then to Spiti Valley.
Routes from Shimla include:
This road starts in Delhi and ends at Narkanda. From here, one may go to Kalpa and then to Kaza and Nako. After stopping at Spiti Valley, continue on to Chandra Taal Lake from Kaza. It is best to take this route from Shimla to Kinnaur before continuing on to Spiti Valley. After leaving Spiti Valley, you may visit Chandra Taal Lake.
Routes from Manali:
If you want to go to Chandra Taal Lake in a shorter amount of time, the Manali route is your best choice. It is a short journey that will take you from Delhi through Mandi, Kullu, Rohtang La, Battal, Gramphoo, and ultimately to Chandra Taal Lake.
Road Conditions: Once you leave the Manali-Leh highway, the road conditions deteriorate. The road from Gramphu to Batal is a difficult, muddy path with many river crossings. Even if you take the Kaza-Chandra Taal route, the road conditions will not improve significantly. Because of the existence of rocky formations, there are numerous difficult areas along the whole course.
What You Shouldn’t Miss at Chandra Taal Lake
Sissu: Sissu, located at an elevation of 3170 meters, is noted for its picturesque panoramas and spectacular waterfalls. Sissu Lake is nestled on the banks of the Chandra River. This secluded village, only 90 kilometers from Manali, is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature.
Kunzum Pass is located at an elevation of 4,551 meters above sea level. It is the primary access point to Spiti Valley from Lahaul Valley. A 15-kilometer hike from here will take you to Chandra Taal Lake. The majority of travelers stop here to view the Kunzum Devi temple.
Darcha: It’s another trekker’s heaven, situated at 3360 meters. Darcha is a famous camping spot around 24 kilometers from Keylong. You may start your trip from here and make your way to Zanskar Valley.
Suraj Tal: A 2-3 day walk from Chandra Taal will lead you to this bizarre location known as Suraj Tal. It is a popular destination for travelers interested in road excursions and trekking. This lake, formed by the tributaries of the Bhaga river, is known as the Sun God’s Lake. It is India’s third-highest lake, located at an elevation of 4,950 meters.
Bara Shigri Glacier: Known as Himachal Pradesh’s biggest glacier, Bara Shigri is located in the Chandra Valley. It is a 25-kilometer-long, three-kilometer-wide glacier that is on the middle slope of the Himalayan mountains.
Baralacha La: Located 75 kilometers from Keylong, this pass is a prominent attraction on the Manali-Leh route. The pass connects two well-known mountain ranges in India, the Zanskar Valley, and the Pir Panjal.
Other Important Information Regarding Chandra Taal Lake
- Chandra Taal Lake is located in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley. It is around 6 kilometers from Kunzum Pass. There are two popular ways to this location. The first route runs from Delhi to Manali, while the second runs from Shimla to Spiti Valley through Shimla and Kinnaur.
- Timing: This site is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day of the week.
- The lake is located at an elevation of 14,220 feet (4,270 meters) above sea level. Because it is one of the Himalayan high-altitude lakes, you should plan your journey accordingly.
- Chandratal Lake is around 27 kilometers distant from Spiti Valley.
- Distance from Manali: The road trip from Manali to Chandratal Lake is 250 kilometers long. It will take around 12 hours to go between these two locations.
- ATMs around Chandratal Lake: We recommend that you bring adequate cash with you for your Chandratal excursion. Chandratal is devoid of human settlement, and there aren’t many ATMs in the region. The nearest ATMs may be found in Manali and Kaza.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: There are just a few roads in Spiti Valley that provide adequate phone connectivity. You won’t see many phone signals until you cross Gramphu and head towards Chatru. As a result, it is recommended that you bring a BSNL or MTNL sim card with you because only these two connections operate in this location.
- Petrol Stations Near Chandratal Lake: The nearest petrol station to Chandratal is in Kaza. You may also fill up at the Tandi petrol station on the Manali-Leh highway.
- Hospitals around Chandratal Lake: Bring your medical kit with you on your vacation to Chandratal because the area lacks medical facilities. You will not be able to get medical services until you are in Manali.
Weather in Chandratal Lake
The weather in Chandratal Lake is chilly all year. The average temperature in the winter ranges from -40 to 0 degrees Celsius. Though the summer months in Chandratal are similarly chilly, you will only be able to enjoy the snowfall during the winter months.
During the summer, the average day and night temperature ranges from 6 to 15 degrees Celsius. It is advisable to avoid visiting Chandratal during the rainy season because it is still closed due to landslides.
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Trek to Chandratal Lake
If you are an avid hiker looking for tough hiking paths, go no further than the Chandratal Lake journey. This soul-stirring trip begins in Manali and leads to Chikka, located at an elevation of 3100 meters. The path then goes to Balu Ka Ghera, Hampta Pass, and Shira Gorh.
From Shira Gorh, you may ascend to the perilous Batal paths. From here, the path divides to Kunzum, the main entryway to Chandratal Lake. Though the journey from Batal is difficult and exhausting, the surrounding scenery will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Visitor Tips for Chandratal Lake
Though the Chandratal Lake walk provides hikers with a plethora of unique experiences, there are a few measures that should be followed to protect your safety.
– It is best to avoid drinking alcohol when walking over these Himalayan terrains.
– Bring plenty of cash with you because there aren’t many ATMs along this route.
– Try not to get your garments wet when crossing the water, nallas. Carry a towel and extra clothing in your bag to dry off if you get wet in chilly water.
- Suppose you want to enjoy a calm and simple trekking excursion. In that case, it is best to begin your adventure in Shimla rather than Manali.
Chandra Taal is a serene location. Every step you take towards the beautiful lake is worth the view. I would suggest sitting by the small high altitude towards the left of the lake, and you will only feel one thing. Peace!
The view and environment are so peaceful that all your emotions, tensions, and thoughts go tranquil for a long time. The crystal blue water, the snowcapped mountain, the sandy shore by the lake. What more do you need?
Chandra Taal is one location that you must see once in your lifetime. A location where you will feel the tranquility, and you will finally realize why all the saints move to the Himalayas to get away from the world. The views are so heavenly that you don’t need anything else for company. Even a poet might feel thoughtless once he reaches this place.
The peacefulness in the air is so high that all you do is adore the view and…
