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Chandratal lake - The lake of moon - 15 days
Introduction of
Trip
This trekking program,
which lasts for 12 days, sets out from the Prini village (1700m.): 4 km. South of Manali, and ends after arriving at Baralacha-la
pass (4890m.). Begin to trek from Prini vill. 6km.climb steeply to Sethan village (2900m). Now gentle and easy trail through
thick silver oak forest, Hamta river to be cross at Chika (3300m), following by small stream before Jwara campsite. As scaling
height and leaving Bears den behind cross Hamta-pass (4268m). From top of pass one could see peaks of Deo-Tibba (6001m) and
Indrasan (6220m). Now trek down to main Chandra valley, after crossing river. Following the left bank of Chandra, cross over
the wooden bridge near Chatru (3100m). Further 33 km. On dirt road, along the Chandra River, arrive at Batal (4000m). Crossing
Bridge climb steady towards Kunzom-la (4551m) having a sight of Spiti valley, now trek down in large meadows, lake of moon
approached. Further the trail crosses the two of Tokpo Yongma and Tokpo Gongma. Gentle clime through boulders and grassy stretches.
Reach the top of the Baralacha-la pass. The pass joins the Manali-Leh national highway, which is known as 2nd highest motor
able road in the world

Day 01 Arrival in New Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi - Manali (1'940 m ) drive 16 hrs,
Day 03
excursion around Manali
Day 04 Manali - Prini (1'900 m ) - Panduropa (2,700 m ) trek 5 hrs.
Day 05 Panduropa- Jwara (3'300 m ) 5 / 6 hrs trek,
Day 06 Jwara - Hamta pass (4'268 m ) - Shira Gorh (4'000 m ) 7 hrs,
Day 07 Shira Gorh - Chatru (3'100 m ) 5 hrs,
Day 08 Chatru - Chota Dara (3'800 mtrs ) 5/ 6 hrs trek,
Day 09 Chota Dara - Batal (4'000 mtrs ) 6 hrs trek,
Day 10 Batal - Kunzom la (4'551 mtrs ) - Chandratal (4'270 mtrs )
6 / 7 hrs,
Day 11 Chandratal - Tokpo Yongma (4'400 mtrs ) 7 hrs,
Day 12 Tokpo Yongma - Tokpo Gongma (4'700 mtrs ) 6 / 7 hrs trek,
Day 13 Tokpo Gongma - Baralacha la (4'890 mtrs) - Keylong (3'100 mtrs )
5 / 6 hrs trek, drive 3 hrs,
Day 14 Keylong Rohtang la (3'978 mtrs ) - Manali (1'940 mtrs ) drive 115
kms 6 hrs.
Day 15 Manali - Delhi by air or drive, fly back home.
TRIP ITINARARY
DAY
01: ARRIVEL IN DELHI
Meeting
upon International airport, transfer to hotel, excursion around Delhi.
DAY
02: FLY TO BHUNTER AIRPORT OR DRIVE TO MANALI.
DAY 03: AT MANALI: visit Vashisht
hot spring / Naggar castle / Roerich art gallery.
DAY
04: MANALIi (1950m) / PRINI (1900m) / PANDUROPA (2900m) 6 hrs.
3
km south of Manali on the left bank by taxi/bus to Prini village. Starting point of trek. By visiting village temple straight
up for 3 hrs. Arrive Hamta village and Sethan village. 45-minute walk through alpine forest to the campsite of Panduropa.
Overnight stay I a camp.
DAY
05: PANDUROPA / JWARA (3300m) 5/6 hrs.
Through
thickly forested area with abundance of flowers. Trail goes to a place called Chikka. Cross Hamta stream by bridge. Another
wooden bridge at short distance. Around Chhika some fantastic view of Rocky Mountains. 2
hrs walks arrive at the campsite of Jwara, beautiful campsite.
DAY
06: JWARA / HAMTA PASS
(4268m) / SHIRA GORH (4000m) 7 HRS.
A
gradual climb begins, to arrive Bhalu ka gera (bears den).
Balu ka Gera that is known for wild flowers, rocks and caves.
A further 1; 30 m trail takes you to Hamta pass. From Hamta pass fantastic view of Inderkila, Deo Tibba (6001m) and Indersan
(6220m). Which is superb to see? After crossing the Hamta pass, one enters the Lahoul valley. Walk down to the campsite near
by the stream. Overnight stay in a camp.
DAY
07: SHIRA GORH / CHATRU (3100m) 6 hrs.
Cross-stream
near the camp and follow the right bank until it joins with the Chandra
River. Again, cross the same stream by small wooden bridge. Now follow
the left bank of Chandra River.
30 minutes later a motor able bridge to be cross to reach at the campsite of Chhatru. Overnight stay in camp.
DAY
08:CHATRU / CHOTA DARA (3’800m)
It’s
a 17 km from Chhatru to Chota Dara. After breakfast walk on the dirt road. We follow the right bank of the Chandra River. Along the trail one could see
huge granite walls, which are increasingly popular among rock climbers. The color of these rocks is differs to each other.
Across Chandra River Chhota Shigri glacier and some wonderful views of peaks. Some small teashops mark the arrival at Chhota
Dara. Camp is set near the river.
DAY
09: CHOTA DARA / BATAL (4’000m) 6/7 hrs.
Again
relatively easy walk along the right bank. A good view of Bara Shigri glacier on the left side. All above the glacier which
is 12 km in length longest in Himachal, peaks of White Sail, Shigri Parbat, and Kullu Makalu where daring mountaineers touch
the sky can widely be seen. Overnight camp at Batal.
DAY 10: BATAL –
KUNZOM LA (4551m) - CHANDRATAL (The lake of Moon)
(4270m)
6/7 hrs.
Cross
the Chandra by bridge and walk along the river for an hour and climb towards Kunzom la following small stream, which originate
from this pass. Arriving at pass has a glimpse of Spiti valley, which runs 170 kms towards south. Take a path, which goes
to lake 8 km; approach large meadows - a favorite area with a multitude of shepherd’s huts. Passing and crossing a long
stretch of stony ground and small stream arrive at the lake. Across Chandra river most fascinating sight of Samudra Tapu glacier,
North Dakka glacier, South Dakka glacier and Silver glacier. Above the glaciers towering
mighty peaks of Moulkila and C.B. peaks. Camp near the lake.

DAY
11: CHANDRATAL – TOKPO YOUNGMA (4’400m) 7 hrs.
A
long exhausted trek but well worth, because occasionally trekkers encounters patches of green pastureland. This stretch is
about 14 to 16 km. The trail starts with a series of ups and downs through steep ravine and boulders - stream fields. As you
progress, a flat grassy land, which slopes up to snow, clad ridge. Snow cock can be heard has heard and even sighted, if you
are lucky. After 3 hrs the trail winds down a knoll, which has a steep precipice to the river far down to the left. Cross
the stream if the water is low or find Snow Bridge up near
the source. Or camp and cross next morning as earliest.
DAY
12: TOKPO YONGMA – TOKPO GONGMA (4,700m) 6/7 hrs.
Trek
through a narrow valley flanked on both sides by snow capped mountains. Star walk early as possible, since this stream to
be cross, while the flow of the water is less early in the day. A short walk after crossing the river, here the valley opens
out on a broad plateau where camp is set on a delightful grassy patch.
DAY
13: TOKPO GONGMA – BARALACHA LA (4’890m) – ZINGZING BAR, 6/7 hrs
Today
after break fast start trek towards Baralacha la pass, which is 7 km long gives the source of three rivers - Chandra through
South, Bhaga through upper Lahoul and Yunam towards Zanskar. A splendid view of M-4, which is the highest in the Moulkila
range, can be seen from the trail as well as of Keorang range of Great Himalayas. On the pass, join the main highway. Crossing
Baralacha la walk down to Suraj Tal
Lake, cross a small stream and camp.
DAY 14: ZINGZING BAR – DARCHA (3300m) - KEYLONG (3100m) – MANALI (2,040 m)
Drive
to Manali over Rohtang Pass
(3,978 m)
DAY 15:MANALI - DELHI: by air or drive
Price Includes:
-
Trekking
gear: Two men sharing tent, dining tent, stool /table, toilet tent, kitchen tent, mattresses,
-
Meal:
While on trekking Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, local and western cuisine is served. Particularly we keep our attention towards
variety: hygienic preparation and nutrition, on higher altitude treks. The variety of available food is somewhat difficult
to get and so we serve tinned or packed product. All meal is included while on trekking, jeep safari or mountain biking.
-
Trekking
permits / National park fee/ camp fee.
-
Staff:
Guide (well English speaking local guide, Assistant guide, cook, kitchen boy, camp boy, porters, horses/mules, horseman.
-
Transportation:
to and fro, Tata Sumo, Tata Qualis, Gypsy, Deluxe bus,
-
Medical
supplies. First Aid Kit.
-
Hotel
accommodations.
Price Excludes:
-
International
and domestic flight fare: Delhi
– Bhunter, Bhunter – Delhi.
-
Air
Rescue / Alchoholic beverage / personal insurance / personal expanses.
-
Sleeping
bag.
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Trip facts
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Regions: Kullu, Lahoul & Spiti,
Best Season: Mid June to Mid October,
Trip Length: 17 days
Trek days: 10,
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate,
Highest Elevation: 4890m
Accomodation: 3 star hotel & camp.
Transportation: Tata Sumo, Toyota Qualis (7-8 seater )
Meals: All meals during trek
Group Size: 2 to 10 people
cost and info
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"All in all we
had a fantastic trek to Chandratal. The team was very helpful and the level of service was impressive. They did everything
they could to make us feel comfortable, and they kept the enthusiasm through the hole trek. In particular we were impressed
by the food that was served - some of the best we got in India :)Even though it was the monsoon
period, we had great weather, only raining once for a few hours. Because of the clear weather we were able to enjoy the great
landscapes surrounding us. After the trek KG took us for a day of sightseeing
around Manali. This was a very nice gesture and we were really overwhelmed by
his kindness and hospitality. Thank you very much for a great trek and a remarkable experience!! We Have already recommended
Potala Adventures to our friends.Send our best wishes to Tanzin, Gian, Neema, Nirmal, his younger brother and KG. Kind regards- Lars, Nashwan, Sachin and Soren. Copenhagen,
Denmark

“We came back from a trek to Chandra Tal and overall it exceeded our expectations . Our
guide Yeshi Lama and cook , cooked us by far the BEST meals and was always there to assist us from river crossing to trench
digging in the pouping rain. We throughly enjoyed our time in the mountains and we recommend anyone to join a trek with Potala.
Yeshi as a guide especially”. LAVINIA & KATHY MOK, ONTARIO,
CANADA, Peter & Santos , Berkel, Netherlands
. for combined group

“Dear Prem,
First of all i would like to say that we had an amazing experience.
The trip was very
well organised. Tenzin was very helpful. Me and my friend felt very well taken care of. As it was my first trek experience.
It was a beautiful journey. We made sum friends on our way. Chandratal is an awesome place. The changing landscapes blew our
minds. We would like to do this every year.
The people
who went with us, cook n the porter were very nice people. ( very motivating). You have a great team. Thanks a lot. Warm Regards
“.
Megha Malhotra
and friend
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