Our Spiti journey started from Chandigarh to Shoghi, Jeori-Sarahan, Sangla-Chitkul, Kalpa-Nako, Gue-Tabo, Dhankar-Mud, and then we spent few days in Kaza and explored places in and around Kaza. Finally, on the 10th day, it’s time to head to one of the most incredible lakes in Himachal Pradesh, India. Imagine of a crescent-shaped lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains – no, I am not referring to any European lake, but Chandrataal Lake located in Lahaul-Spiti district. The meaning of the name ‘Chandrataal’ is ‘The Moon Lake’, due to its shape. You must not miss visiting this beautiful high-altitude lake on the way to Manali from Kaza or on the route back.
Highlights of Day 10
- Goodbye Kaza
- Losar
- Kunzum Pass
- Chandrataal Trekking
- Chandrataal Campsite
Goodbye Kaza
We had bought fresh fruits from Kaza Market and made a smoothie out of them before leaving Kaza Homestay. Our kind hosts also offered us hot parathas for breakfast. It was 9 AM when we left Kaza.
Losar
Losar is around 58 km away from Kaza. After 2 h of driving through the deserted stretch with multiple stops on the way for picture, we could see a glimpse of a small village – that’s Losar.
Losar to Kunzum Pass
Our next stop was Kunzum Pass, which is only 20 km away, but the road is not very smooth. Hence, it took us around 45 min to reach there. It is one of the highest motorable passes of India and acts as a connecting link between the Lahaul Valley and the Spiti valley.
Kunzum Pass to Chandrataal
When travelling from Kunzum Pass, a right turn before Batal will take you to a curvy ride for 12 km. The road condition is not great; it is nothing more than a dirt track. It is extremely risky. We used to get a bit tensed whenever there is a vehicle coming from opposite direction as the roads are narrow and right on edge of the cliff. But our driver had extremely good driving skills and strong heart to drive on these roads like a pro. However, the surrounding landscape is breath-taking.
Few years ago, campsite used to be just next to the lake. But as it led to a lot of dirt and pollution caused by humans, they were asked to move away. The motorable dirt road ends at a parking lot 2 km before the lake. We reached there at around 2 PM.
Walk to Chandrataal
Did you know that Chandrataal is the source of Chenab river, which flows from India to Pakistan?
Chandrataal is literally in the middle of nowhere. The road does not reach up to the lake. It ends at a parking lot 2 km before the lake. Then, we walked the remaining distance to reach Chandrataal. Anyone with basic fitness can walk the distance. We walked at a relaxed pace, soaking in everything that nature had to offer. It took us about 20-30 min to finally reach the lake.
Chandrataal
Chandrataal is a freshwater lake with a circumference of 2.5 km, located at an altitude of 4,300 m above sea level. Locals believe that Chandrataal is the place where Lord Indra, the king of Heaven and the leader of the Devas according to Hinduism, took Yudhishthira from Mahabharata to heaven in a chariot. Hence the lake is considered to be blessed and adorned with high spiritual significance.
We spent solid 3 hours beside the lake before heading back to the parking lot from where we would be driving down to our campsite. We reached the campsite when the sun had already set. It was around 6 PM.
Chandrataal Campsite
The campsites are located 3-4 km away from the lake. There are many camping facilities there. You also have the option to pitch your own tent. I highly recommend you to book your tent stay in advance as the options are limited. If your stay falls on a weekend, it might be difficult to get a tent.
There was no electricity in the campsites. We had power banks to charge our mobiles and cameras. Everything runs on generator, which is usually turned off in the night. This surely gave us some great opportunity to do some astro-photography.
We went to sleep early as our drivers alarmed us about getting up very early the following morning. As the road from Chandrataal to Manali is not great, every car leaves together at the same time early in the morning. This is to support each other during the way in case any help needed as the road is very treacherous and hostile. To know more about the journey and Manali, follow my next blog on days 11 and 12.
Total Distance Traveled: 90 km
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN INR)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 10 in India – In & Around Kaza.
- Stay at Campsite (1 night): 1500
Total expense (roughly): 1,500 INR
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Loved the whole write up. It’s so many pictures. I saw myself in many of them. This was an amazing trip. Your blog really brought back memories. Want to go to Spiti again soon. Keep writing more often. Love your content.
Thanks Richie for supporting!
Love everything and anything about camping so your post really got me motivated to do this kind of activity in India. The lake and mountains look absolutely beautiful, almost like in Europe. It’s also nice to know that the cost of this kind of experience is quite affordable. Definitely will include it in our bucketlist.
Thanks a lot!
Yes, these are not expensive. Very much affordable activity.
More trekking trails I need to do in the Spiti Valley. This place has been on my wishlist for a long time and as a hiker, I am totally loving the terrain and scenery in the photos. Lots of good advice here and love your write up, sounds like every moment you had in the valley was amazing. Now I just need Mr Corona to go away so I can enjoy the experience too.
We all are waiting for Mr. Corona to go away, but it seems he is going to stay with us for a while.
Chandrataal Lake is absolutely gorgoues and I’ve not heard about it before your article, but am now definitely paying attention. I do enjoy reading your articles of your time on this road trip, and it’s interesting to see how close the Lake is to Kaza in the scheme of things. And that road between Kaza and Losar is extremely surreal and beautiful. I would absolutely love to dip my toe into that lake, so beautiful!
Chandrataal is serene, you must visit the place once.
Spiti Valley is high up there in my wish list after experiencing it here through your post. I love all the photos which makes me want to go and experience it in person. Looks like you had a great time in the valley. Lovely write up to transport us there.
Glad that you liked it, Roy.
The landscape is so surreal. I have heard so much about this scenic route. And your pictures have made it come alive. I would like to do this someday but first I think a bit of acclimatisation is also needed.
Yes, acclimatization is important. Hence I advise everyone to complete the circuit from Shimla to Kaza to Manali side.
Wow, this looks more like glamping than camping! I have been following your road trip and I think this might be my top stop so far. I especially love the colors of the lake, and the photo of your bridge pose before you left!
Yes Chloe, based on the amenities, you can call it glamping.
This mountainous desert views reminded me of American Southwest. They are amazingly beautiful! The view around the lake is fantastic! I’m not sure if I would dip my feet there though. I think your tent is more to glamping though. Huge and you got to sleep on a bed. 😉
Yes, I had a great sleep there.
Chandrataal Lake is definitely on my list of places to visit for a very long time. I mean the pictures and the landscapes look stunning there and I am sure the camping experience is totally worth it. I will definitely plan to camp there for a few nights when I visit Chandrataal.
Yes, the camping site is actually pretty cool out there.
You keep spoiling us with your amazing posts and photos from the Spiti Valley, to which is an area I really want to explore once Mr Corona has gone away. Would love to check out the lake and do some hiking around here. I have to admit, the camping looks like glamping, but hey, sometimes we can upgrade so we can relax in style after a good day in the nature. 🙂 Keep the posts from the Spiti Valley coming, I really do have an keen interest in this region and its high up on my bucket list. 🙂
Mr. Corona has messed up my travel plans!
I want to start by saying these photos were great to look at! I loved reading your article especially about the little village you saw Losar. Its one great thing about traveling is you get to find something unique everywhere you go. This article is full of culture and information. I really enjoyed it. I think it would take me forever to go everywhere you did because I would be taking so many photos!
Yes, you must take hours in hand just for taking photographs.
Chandrataal Lake’s water looks so clear and the hills on the road from Kaza to Losar look as though they were painted. The blooming flowers of Kunzum valley made for a postcard perfect photo. The tents at the campsite looked comfortable and camping under the stars is a great way to end the day. Gorgeous place!
Thanks, I am glad you loved the place.
Wow trekking here looks like such a lovely experience! I love the natural landscapes of the place. And we would love to also camp there, your experience looked like it was so much fun. We’ll definitely be looking into such a scenic road trip for the future!
The trek is not at all difficult; it’s actually full of ease and scenic beauties.
What a beutiful trip you did Shreya! I love India with my heart and as a hiking and trekking lover, I would love to do this trail. I was in Sikkim five years ago and know for sure that India has some of the best views and cultural experiences for backpacking!
Wow, Trisha! Nice to know you were in Sikkim earlier. You must explore the Himalayas.
I am a great fan of road trips, especially these days when traveling by plane became such a problem because of the pandemic. Your tour of the Spiti Valley Road looks perfect and makes me want to go on a road trip myself. Such varied, peaceful and calm landscape all around! Too bad the campsite at Chandrataal was so far from the lake. I think camping on the lakeshore would have been nicer.
I agree with you, it was there by the lakeshore earlier. But human species is a threat to nature, as you know, hence it’s away now.
I love this whole road trip series. Most of these places, I had never heard of before, but now they’re on my bucket list. The journey from Kaza to Losar is truly spectacular, and Joy really did a good job with the photo of the moonlit campsite. Please keep on sharing.
Will keep on sharing!
Wow, what a view! I actually had to google some of these places because I had never heard of them before and at first I wasn’t sure which country this is…ha ha. Amazing nature and trip! We are big on hiking so this was right on our alley. I love that the tents were so modern.
Yes, the tents were well-equipped.
Every part of this journey seems to add so much great scenery. So many varied experiences along the way. Fun to be able to stop and interact with the local kids. Good to stop at the temple for the Kunzum Goddess to protect your journey. Those nighttime views in the middle of nowhere are stunning.
Loved our time there, Linda.
Chandrataal lake looks gorgeous Shreya! Looking at all your pics and posts about your Lahaul Spiti road trip has made me want to do the road trip myself someday. I would love to camp at Chandrataal myself, wake up to such gorgeous scenery. I hope I am able to make it there soon, I have your detail posts to plan the perfect itinerary.
Let’s exchange our destinations soon!