Chandra Taal

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Chandra Taal

Location	CB Range, Spiti Valley, Himachal
Coordinates	77.61706E, 32.47518N
Basin countries	India
Surface elevation	4300 m

On the treking route to Chandrataal (from Kunzom La)

Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon) is situated at an altitude of about 4300 meters in the Himalayas. Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a magnificent cirque presents a breath-taking view on the other. The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. Situated in the Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh (India), Chandra Taal is a popular destination for trekkers and campers. The lake is accessible on foot only for few months in a year, May to August. A clear stream of water flows out of the lake. During the day the lake appears prussian blue in color, and a greenish tinge appears towards the evening. The lake is situated on a plateau(Samudra Tapu) overlooking the Chandra River which originates from a glacier near Bara-lacha-la.

1 More photos
2 How to go
3 Where to stay
4 See also

[edit] More photos

[edit] How to go

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There are three trekking routes to Chandra Taal:

From Batal:: A trek of about 14 km along River Chandra. This is the easiest route without much gradient. Most of the route is motorable.
From Kunjam La: A 13 km trek from Kunjam La, mostly downhill and can be made in 2-3 hours.
From Bara-lacha-la: A 3 day trek from Bara-lacha-la, the route that presents the most exotic view. You need camping equipment and ration to travel this route.

Batal and Kunjam La are situated on the Manali Kazaa road. Bara-lacha-la is located on the Manali-Leh Highway.

See trekking map [1]

[edit] Where to stay

The nearest places to stay in Baatal / Kunzom Pass region are Chhota Dhara and Losar. Losar has a few government bungalows as well as a small private hotel. There is only one government bungalow at Chhota Dhara. Advance reservation is a must for the government bungalows. Booking for Losar is done from Kaaza and that for Chhota Dhara is done from Keylong.

Camping at Chandra Taal in good weather can be a rewarding experience.