This is undoubtedly one of the remotest and beautiful treks. This is the Chandratal lake trek, which culminates at Chandratal lake. This lake is known by the name of Chandratal Lake due to its crescent moon-like shape.

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Chandratal Lake

Chandratal lake is located in Spiti valley and has an altitude of 4300 meters, which is likely to deter anyone with a faint heart from undertaking this Chandratal lake trek. Moreover, this lake has a circumference of 2 to 3 Km, which makes it unique and pristine indeed. This lake is also the source of the Chandra River, which is the lifeline of Lahaul and Spiti.

Chandratal lake trek, or the Chandratal trek, is for those who are in search of an offbeat location and like solitude, and that too in the deep Himalayas. The surroundings of Chandratal too make it exclusive indeed, as you will see snow-capped peaks, some of which have an altitude of over 6000 meters.

There are two routes to undertake this Chandratal lake trek. One of these is through Batal as well as through Kunzum Pass. You can take the road, which extends in length to 17-18 Km from Batal (semi-paved). In case you wish to head from Kunzum Pass, this distance is around 9 Km, but this would be your real Chandratal lake trek as the 9 Km distance has to be covered on foot only.

Journey from Delhi to Kullu

For those who wish to begin this Chandratal lake trek endeavor from Delhi, the HRTC Volvo service from Delhi to Kullu, which departs in the evening, is the best bet. A day off in Kullu for the next 1-2 days is recommended, as you will not only get to know this beautiful valley of Kullu, but your body will also get ample time to acclimatize before you undertake this rigorous Chandratal lake trek.

As this would be an adventure trek, it is recommended that you head on this journey with a mindset that you shall have to survive with the bare essentials. Thus, go for a basic accommodation in Kullu too, as this shall help you prepare accordingly.

Booking for the HRTC bus can be from Kullu to Batal, which is a fairly cheap affair as the ticket to this heaven will cost only Rs 300 to Rs 350/- per head. A campsite can also be booked near Chandratal in advance, with costs ranging from Rs 2000/- per person to Rs 3500/- per person.

Kullu to Batal

Please note: There are two ways of travelling from Manali upwards. The HRTC Bus now goes through the Atal Tunnel. The other traditional way was through Rohtang Pass, which I have described in this blog since I have travelled through this route multiple times.

If you wish to travel for your Chandartal lake trek in public bus service, HRTC is the only option. Be prepared for a rugged journey as both the terrain and the bus condition might be rough beyond your imagination. This bus starts at 4:00 AM in the morning so you will have to be ready accordingly.

It would be better if the bus tickets are purchased in advance, a day before the journey, because if you get tickets at the last moment, it might not work as at times the seats might be full. The bus halts at Manali briefly at 5:00 AM, and you can catch up for some morning tea and snacks.

The journey beyond Manali is nothing short of heaven. Currently, the bus goes through the Atal tunnel, but until 2021, it used to cross Rohtang pass, which is an experience in itself.

Rohtang Pass

The high mountain pass of Rohtang is at an altitude of 4,000 meters and is in the Pir Panjal range. This range connects two valleys of Kullu and Lahaul. The view from the top of Rohtang is amazing as once you pass this region, the climate and topography change a lot. Suddenly, you will find yourself in a valley that is devoid of a blade of grass!

Once you cross over this region, the tar road suddenly becomes unpaved. However, this journey is once in a lifetime opportunity, and if you are an avid photo lover, the clicks would suffice you for life.

Through Chhatru and Batal

As you cross Rohtang and proceed on your Chandratal lake trek, a few twists and turns down on the Manali-Leh highway, the road turns towards Gramphu. The only halt, HRTC bus on this route will take is at Chhatru before the deboarding point, which is at Batal.

Otherwise, the bus reaches just by lunchtime at Batal, which has a few eateries, including the famous “Chacha Chachi ka Dhaba,” which is popular with anyone who travels through this route!

Chandratal Lake Trek

Batal is the place where one has to leave the bus that goes further towards Kaza. You can hire a taxi too from here in case you have made some prior arrangements from Manali itself. The lake is around 16 Km from this place. However, in case you wish to experience the might of the Himalayas in its real sense, the Chandratal lake trek begins for you from this place.

If you are an avid walker and begin the trek at 2:00 PM from Batal, it will take you around 5 hours to reach the campsite site which is around 3 Km from the Chandratal lake. In case you take a taxi to this point, your Chandratal lake trek distance is only 3 Km. The choice is finally yours!

High altitude and low oxygen level are the only constraints in this 16 Km trek from Batal, which will test you to the limits. However, the gradient is flat, and walking would not be a challenge in case you walk or jog on a regular basis.

As the sun sets and evening sets in, the climate too gets colder, and you shall be able to reach by 8:00 PM at the maximum.

On a clear moonlit night, the Chandratal lake night view is mesmerizing as you will be able to watch the Milky Way clearly with your naked eyes. Believe me, this view is so enchanting that it could take away all your tiredness from the 16 Km Chandratal lake trek that you have undertaken. Eating your Rajmah Chawal plate in this moonlit sky is another worth remembering memory that you will definitely take away with you.

As the dawn sets in, and if you are an early riser, you will see the frost on the ground melting before your eyes. The gleam of the sun rays that fall on this wet grass creates a magical essence, something you shall remember for a long.

The Chandratal lake trek distance from this point forward shall take only an hour if you go at a leisurely pace.

Chandratal Lake

As you walk past a few small hills and are about to give up, the lake appears suddenly. The crescent-shaped lake is a sight worth remembering! The clear and serene blue lake waters are definitely one of the best views in the world.

You can even spend hours at a stretch here; however, just keep in mind not to venture too close to the lake. The waters might look shrill, but they are deep enough to make this your last journey, too, in case you try to act smart.

Moreover, Chandratal lake also holds religious significance for Buddhist and locals alike and you should treat this place with immense purity.

It is all up to you if you wish to return on this day or spend a day more at the camp just unwinding and being with nature. You can trek back to Batal in case it is feasible for you or hitchhike with other travellers as you will make a lot of friends on this trip.

Chandratal Lake Mystery

There are few Chandratal lake mystery which shall interest you. One of the first and most believed one is the folklore between Chandra who was the daughter of Moon and Bhaga who was the son of Sun God.

Relation between Chandra and Bhaga

As their parents were not in favour of marriage, both eloped and finally met at the place where Chanda and Bhaga River meet. Suraj Tal and Chandratal are said to be created out of their union and their love story still reflects in tales of elders in this region.

Mahabharat Connect with Chandratal

Chandratal lake also finds mention in Hindu epic tale Mahabharat. This is the place; it is believed from where five Pandavas made their final journey when they came here after they defeated the Kauravas. It is said that Yudhistir went with Lord Indra to heaven from this place itself.

Fairy Tales of Chandratal Lake

It is also said that fairies visit this lake in the night. It is said that a Shepard from Hansa village used to come here for grazing his cattle. One day, he met a fairy here and with time both fell in love. The shepherd was married but did not tell the fairy about it.

One day, the fairy came to know the truth and she vanished forever. The shepherd was madly in love with her and thus went insane. It is believed by locals that the spirit of this shepherd still haunts this region and you could hear his shrieks in the night!

UFOs at Chandratal

This is perhaps the most interesting fact that you will come across when you are doing the Chandratal lake trek. Scientists from Space Application Centre of ISRO were camping here on 27^th September 2004 when they noticed a robot kind of thing floating in air and approaching their camp. The photograph taken by scientist seems to be like a bunch of balloons approaching fast towards their camp.

It is said that this object came close till 50 meters from these scientists and had a height of 3-4 feet. Before anyone of them could act, this thing bounced back and climbed the peak at a gradient of 75 degrees. After hovering for over five minutes, it finally vanished in the sky. Till date, it is a mystery for scientists too led by Amit Kulkarni if this was a UFO or a random flying balloon. However, your Chandratal lake trek could be a journey of a lifetime for you.

You never know if you could come across a UFO on your trip!

Chandratal Lake Best Time To Visit

The road from Manali to Batal is open from early May to late September. However, best time to visit Chandratal lake is the month of June as snow has been removed from roads completely by this month. You can easily undertake the Chandratal lake trek from Batal itself in case you wish to undertake it from Batal.

By early September, it begins to get colder at Chandratal and you will have to carry heavy woollens which only adds to weight.

Chandratal Lake Camping

There are numerous Chandratal lake camping options and you can choose the one that suits you best. Of the numerous Chandratal lake camping options, Moonlake Camps has been my favorite one.

A prime reason behind the same is these camps offer imported Swiss Cottage like accommodation. All of these camps which are 15 in number have attached bath. Moreover, this camp site is connected through mud trail which means that you can not only do a bit of off-roading but also shall get ample space to park your vehicle in the designated parking area. The prices are reasonable enough and food tastes awesome at 4300 meters amidst a moonlit and a starlit sky! The camp manager can be reached at +919418165232, +916230314570 and +9194181233511.

FAQs

Why is Chandratal Lake Famous?

There are numerous reasons for popularity of this lake. This is a high-altitude lake which can be approached easily during summers. The stargazing experience in this region is simply amazing. The lake has crystal clear waters which attract nature lovers.

What is the best time to visit Chandratal Lake?

June to early September is considered to be the best time to plan a visit to this lake.

How to reach Chandratal from Manali?

Chandratal is around 110 Km from Manali. You can either travel by your private vehicle (preferably 4 by 4 or by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus which goes from Kullu to Kaza. You will have to get down at Batal and head on Chandratal lake trek from here (15-17 km) or hire a taxi from Batal.