About Chandratal Baralacha Trek
Nothing short of an enthralling expedition, the Chandratal to
Baralacha Pass trek takes you through winding scenic trails, picturesque
valleys, dense forests, quaint villages and awe-inspiring landscapes.
One of the most sought after treks hidden in the quaint valleys of
Himachal Pradesh, the Chandratal - Baralacha trek gives you an
opportunity to revel in the mesmerizing beauty of the 'Chandratal' or
the 'Moon Lake' as it sits in its mystical glory, cuddled in the
tranquility of the Spiti Valley. The adventure does not end at
Chandratal; a thrilling climb to the majestic Baralacha La connecting
regions of Spiti, Lahaul, Ladakh and Zanskar adds to the magical charm
of this memorable trek. The nature's work of art at the Baralacha La is
just indescribable in words; the magnetic vistas of the Chandra and
Bhaga Rivers and the enchanting beauty of the emerald Suraj Tal leaves
you speechless and awed the very instance you reach the pass.
Area : Himachal Pradesh
Duration : 10 Days (4 days travel/6 days trekking)
Best Season : Mind June to Mid October
Grade :Moderate
Altitude : 4550 mts
Total Trekking : 60 K.M
Be prepared to ascend steep slopes, cross gurgling rivers, traverse
through boulder fields, brave icy-cold waters of the milky white
streams, cross over rustic bridges and witness a dramatic change in the
landscape from lush greenery of Kullu-Manali valleys to arid and barren
mountains of Lahaul-Spiti valleys; as you make your way to the
Chandratal and Baralacha La. Needless to say, immerse your souls in the
captivating vistas of snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas, shimmering
glaciers, crystal clear water streams and flower carpeted meadows along
this fulfilling and enticing journey of your lifetime.
Commencing from the scenic hill station of Manali, the trek follows
the route through Batal via Rohtang Pass, halting mid-way at the
beautiful Chandratal Lake, perched at a height of 13,000 ft. above sea
level. After spending the night in camps at the lakeside, start your
journey ahead via Topko Gongma, Topko Yongma, finally leading you to the
Baralacha La, situated at an elevation of 16,000 ft. Designated to be
of moderate to challenging grade, the Chandratal Baralacha trek is
packed with all the necessary elements an ardent trekker looks forward
in an ideal trekking excursion. With its immense scenic beauty and
plethora of thrilling twists and turns along the journey, the trek,
undoubtedly will leave you asking for more.
Chandratal Baralacha Trekking Tour Highlights
- Indulge in sight-seeing at Manali and explore the place's sacred ancient temples.
- Get an opportunity to enjoy scenic vistas at the Rohtang Pass.
- Get the opportunity for camping at serene and picturesque locations set amidst lush landscapes; Chandratal lakeside camping needs a special mention.
- Explore the culture of Lahaul/Spiti immersed in Buddhism.
- Abundance of photographic locales for photographers.
Best Time to Visit Chandratal Baralacha Trek
The Chandratal Baralacha route is accessible between June-July to
mid-October but, the best month to visit it, is during the month of
September. In June, the roads may be in pathetic conditions and owing to
presence of slippery snowy patches, you can face tough time climbing
the ascent. July-August is the time of heavy monsoon showers in the
region with huge possibilities of land-slides, avalanches and
cloud-bursts so, better embark on to the journey in September. The route
can close any time in October. Also, it is not recommended to venture
on this trek in October as the temperature drops below zero, making the
trek all the more difficult.
Where is the Chandratal Baralacha Trek
The Chandratal Lake is a crescent shaped alpine lake, tucked away in
the Spiti Valley, surrounded with majestic snow-clad peaks of the
Chandrabhaga Range of the Garhwal Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. From
Chandratal, at a distance of approximately 37 km. lies the Baralacha
Pass located in the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh that connects
Zanskar and Ladakh regions of Jammu & Kashmir.
How to Reach Chandratal Baralacha Trek?
The Chandratal Baralacha trek starts from the quaint hill town of Manali that can be reached through following options.
By Air: The nearest airport to Manali is the Bhuntar
Airport located at Kullu. Flights from Delhi and Chandigarh regularly
ply to Kullu, from where taxis and buses can be booked to reach Manali.
Taxi can be further hired up till Batal from where the actual trek
begins.
By Rail: Nearest and most recommended railway
station to Manali is at Chandigarh. Chartered taxis and buses can be
hired to Manali from Chandigarh and then, a taxi up to Batal.
By Road: Many regular overnight Volvo and state run
buses ply directly from New Delhi, Chandigarh and Dehradun to Manali.
From Manali, private or shared taxis can be hired to reach Batal.
