In Search of Moon Lake In The Indian Himalayas

In the post being shared today, you will read how me and my friend have been trekking continuously for six days so that we can reach Chandratal lake. We are both roaming in the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh, located in the north of India. So far we have trekked 165kms with an elevation gain of 12500m. Today in this post you will read how both of us reach Chandratal by asking for lift from Keylong by bus, taxi and truck.

The Feeling of reaching to favorite destination, Chandratal Leke

From Baralacha we start walking towards Keylong and after walking about 5-6 km we get a lift in a truck. The truck drops us at Keylong from where we get another truck from where we get off at Khokhsar. From here we get another truck which drops us at a place called Chhota Dada. The reason for getting off here is that the road ahead is bad and a truck broke down there. Our truck driver refuses to go ahead today due to long traffic jam.

Vehicle No 01

Vehicle No 02

Vehicle No 03

Vehicle No 04

Now both of us are sitting on the roadside and asking for lift from every passing vehicle. After about an hour of lounging we get a lift in a car. After talking, it is known that they also want to go to Chandratal, so we all go together. If the car is small, it gets stuck in the mud while going ahead. We take our car out of the mud with great difficulty by seeking help from oncoming vehicles. The driver's name is not Suresh and he is a teacher in Manali's college, he tells us that we had given lift to both of you so that if we get stuck somewhere, we can get help.

Chhot Dara, from where we got another vechie to reach Chandratal

The way through boulder zone

Truc stuck into the boulders

The mystic Chandra river going to meet Bhaga river

This is the truck stcuk in rocks

Suresh stops the car at Batal where we all have lunch and drink hot tea. From here a road leads straight to Spiti and if we take a left we reach Chandratal which is 18 km from here. Earlier, one had to walk to Chandratal from here, then later after the construction of the road, it became very easy to reach Chandratal.

Suresh sir gave lift us in his Santro car

The Board saying "Guest house of Batal

After another two hours we finally reach Chandratal after 6 days. There is a parking two km before the lake where Suresh parks the car. We all walk around the lake together. After about half an hour Suresh leaves, me and Naveen decide to spend more time. For the sun to set and we circle the lake. The smell of sweat is coming from both of us very strongly so we take bath in the lake. Although bathing or swimming is strictly prohibited here, still we take bath sitting on the shore.

The camp site of Chandratal

First glimpse of Chandratal lake

I am super exited to see the Moon lake of Trans Himalayas

Chandrata Lake aks Moon Lake

The Moon lake feels liks we got water on Mars

Chandratal Lake is situated at an altitude of 4300 meters above sea level. According to mythological beliefs, Yudhishthira, the eldest brother of the Pandavas, was taken to heaven here. The meaning of this lake in English is Moon Lake and the Chandra river goes ahead from here to Tindi and joins the Bhaga river to form Chandrabhaga. Here it is also believed that fairies come here on the night of full moon, for which there is no concrete proof available.

The vibes of Lake

The Crytal clear aqua water of lake

The Friends of journey, together we reach

We go to the camp site located two km back from the lake and talk about our loa food there. We are shocked to hear the food costing Rs 300 for one person and we decide not to eat the food. We both pitch our camp and go to sleep after eating a chocolate each. It rains lightly at night and the temperature becomes cooler.

CB-13 Peak in CB mountain range

Campsite of Chandratal

In the morning, both of us quickly pack our tents and walk towards Batal as we will get a bus from there. After 5 hours of trekking we reach Batal where we have lunch and after half an hour board the bus. From here we reach Manali by a 6 hour bus journey where we spend the night in a very cheap room.

The way back to home

Reached manali safely

So this was our journey which started from Chamba and ended at Chandratal. Next time I will tell a different story.

Disclaimer: I have translating Hindi tect to English by using Google Translator, Please let me know if you find any errors in translation.

Its too hard to get lift here becuase there are too less vehicles go

The Chhota Dara bridge which was collapse once

The way to Spiti valley

The Landscape of Trans Himalayas

The fun of remembering your journey and loved ones while sitting by the lake is very beautiful

Adding some more life to myself

I will remember everything till my last breath

My crime in partner 'Naveen' enjoying

Reflection tells that what you do will happen to you.

CB13 Peak which is 5650m

The Tree line of Manali, Himachal Pradesh