Chandra Tal Lake Trek: A Journey to the Moon Lake

Chandratal means the lake of the moon. This lake is located in Lahaul in the Himalayan region and Lahaul part of the Spiti district. This is located near the Chandra River. This lake’s shape is like the moon’s size, so it is called Chandratal Lake. Chandra Tal is a tourist destination for trekkers. This place is accessible from the end of May to the end of October. Chandratal is 8 km (500 mi) from Kunjum Pass and 2.9 km (1. 8 mi) from Batal.

How to reach Chandra Tal Lake

One can go to Chandra Tal Lake by road, rail or air. There are two options for the on-road route. You can drive to the lake or take a public transport bus to reach your station. Further, two options exist to reach the lake by bus, depending on your trekking route. A trip to Chandratal Lake can be made either by the Delhi-Manali route or the Simla-Kinnaur-Spiti valley. The total distance between Delhi and Chandratal is 680 km, and the distance between Manali and Chandratal is 140 km.

Chandratal: a spot for high-altitude trackers

Chandratal is a favourite place for high-altitude trackers. The elevation of the lake is roughly 13,500 feet above sea level. It is about 4300 meters (14100 ft) above the Himalayas. Therefore, snowy hills surround this lake. The tent accommodation for tourists is available 5km from the lake. There is a huge grassland on the lake banks. On these grasslands, hundreds of wildflowers bloom in the spring season. Chandratal is very high. And here is the lack of oxygen; your body won’t be able to fulfil the demands of low oxygen levels if you are not physically fit.

Kunjum Pass

Kunjum Pass is 8 km from Chandratal. The Kunjum Pass is very extensive. There is a temple of Goddess Durga at the top of the pass. All tourists revolve around the temple. The Stupa is located at the summit of the pass. These stupas are considered sacred. Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La is a high-altitude pass that connects the Spiti Valley with the Lahaul Valley. There are many high-altitude mountain passes in India. The Kunjum Pass is one of India’s highest motorable mountain passes at 15060 feet above sea level. It offers an awe-inspiring view of the Chandra-Bhaga mountain ranges.

The Kunjum Pass is closed most of the year due to heavy snowfall. It only opens during summer for 3-4 months (June-September).

The folklore adjoining Chandra tal

Stupas and temples of goddess Durga are situated at Kunmzum pass, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. According to the local folklore of Mahabharata, Chandratal Lake is the place. Yudhishthira was taken from Jha in a chariot by Lord Indra. The locals believe that this lake is divine and spiritual.

Camping Ban on Chandra Tal Lake’s Banks 

There has been a ban on camping on the Chandra Tal lake banks for the last 4-5 years. Chandratal is home to Snowlepard, Chakor, Kestrel, Chough, Red Fox, Golden Eagle, Black Ring Stealth, Himalayan Ibex, and Blue Sheep. Therefore, for the protection of these species, this entire area now comes under the Chradtal Lake Wetland Reserve. It is a protected site and is restricted to humans. Therefore, you can pitch an existing camping facility or your tent. 

The famous Chacha-Chachi Dhaba

Battal has a famous Dhaba, which is called Chacha-Chachi Dhaba. This old couple has been running this place for 50 years. And this couple helps bikers and travellers in this inaccessible place during normal and difficult weather conditions. 

Chacha Chachi Dhaba in battle -15 km from Chandra Tal Lake, Spiti valley-Himachal, India