Chandratal Lake is also known as Lake of the Moon or Tso Chigma. This lake is located in the Spiti Valley of the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Lake is situated at an altitude of 4250 meters above sea level. This lake is also the origin of the Chandra River. Which goes ahead and joins the Bhaga River and together forms the Chandrabhaga River, which is known as the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.
History of Chandratal Lake
According to Hindu mythology, it is said that after the battle of Kurukshetra when Lord Indra came to take the mortal Yudhishthira to heaven, he landed in the Chandratal Lake and it was from here that O Dharmaraja Yudhishthira was granted the gate to heaven. According to the local people, it is considered a holy lake.
The second story is about Chandra, the daughter of the moon god, and Bhaga, the son of the sun god. It is said that both loved each other very much. But when this thing came to know in Dev Lok, the gods started opposing them. Both were finding it difficult to get married. So Chandra and Bhaga took the form of water element to meet. And both started flowing in different directions. Separated, both met at Tandi and both became one forever.
Camp at ChandraTal Lake
Lake is situated at an altitude of 4,300 meters in the Spiti Valley of Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. If you want to go on Chandratal Lake Trek, you can get complete information by booking online. Manali to Chandratal is a journey of 3 to 4 hours. Camping by the lake and feeling the cool breeze will make you blissful. Humpta Pass trek is 35 km from Manali and the track starts from Manali, and from Manali comes Jobra and then Cheeka. The height of the Humpta Pass is 14,100 feet. The whiteness and greenery of the mountains here make your track very spectacular. You can camp at Chandratal. The Chandratal Humpta Pass trek is very memorable and the Chandratal trek is also not far from Manali. This track can be done anytime in the summer.
Best Time to Visit Chandratal Lake
The best time to visit Chandratal Lake in Spiti is during the summer months, from late June to September. During this period, the weather is relatively mild, and the snow around the lake has melted, making the area accessible. Late June to September is the most popular time to visit Chandratal Lake. The weather is pleasant, and the temperatures range from 10°C to 15°C during the day. The road leading to Chandratal is usually open during this time, allowing easy access.
The road to Chandratal Lake starts opening up in April as the snow begins to melt. However, this period may still have some snow on the ground, and road conditions can be challenging. Keep in mind that weather conditions can vary, and it’s essential to check the latest updates on road conditions and weather forecasts before planning your visit. Additionally, since Chandratal is at a high altitude, visitors should acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness.
