Tag Archives: Mountains

Himachal, India, Photolog, Tourism, Travel

Spiti Valley, in photos, which made me mad for Travel

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The “Spiti” means the middle land; that lies between India and Tibet.

The Spiti Valley journey brings you close to never ending landscapes, ancient world monasteries, gushing wide rivers, crystal clear blue lakes, snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and clear blue skies. In the valley, each carved mountain, treacherous roads, and innocent villagers have their own story to tell. The travelers like us (me and Tashi) get mesmerized to become a storyteller, photographer and travel blogger.

The famous story writer Joseph Rudyard Kipling said: “Spiti Valley is a land of god and this place is no place for men. Here the mountains peaks are high enough from the feet and silence has beaten this place” – I completely agree, there is no human/vehicular noise, no pollution, no over development, no industrialization. How silent and ethereal the place is Only wind and water sing their own songs.

The Spiti Valley has its own crazy aura which binds you to sit quietly and get lost in nature. You start planning to stay back,  instead of going. Here in few pictures from our lens, I will describe how the beauty of this “Land of God” turned us to a passionate photographer and travel blogger.

Journey to Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Our journey started from Rohtang Pass, also known as Pass of the Corpses. This pass connects Kullu valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Journey started from rohtang pass for Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

We were heading towards Chandratal Lake but each mountain on the way stopped me for a click. I wonder how beautiful each peak is carved naturally. The mountains call me to reach the heights and explore the most unexplored paths.

Heading to Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Before reaching the mesmerizing Lake of the moon, on the way, there are so many crazy valleys. Each valley is covered in hues of golden sand, rocky mountains peaks covered in snow, glaciers, and river flowing in the center of the valley. Such views make me think nothing  else is more beautiful than this place.

on the way to chandratal lake, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

The complete semi-arid dessert, Spiti valley is a world in itself. There are hardly any humans. The wind, water, and nature have  written their own stories on each wall.

In semi arid dessert, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The valleys are so wide and mountains peaks are so high; that I and this huge vehicle; Mahindra – Scorpio seems to be like ants in this panoramic view.

In the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Driving just next to the river bed, and again mountains have changed their colors. I wish I could count the color hues of mountains in this valley.

At the river bed in Spiti valley, himachal pradesh

Here comes this master place for which the whole journey started. The Chandratal Lake, located at an altitude of 14,100 feet where each mountain changes its color every hour. It is so clean, so quiet and so beautiful. We spent here one day and night. For details check my blog post on Chandratal click here.

At Chandratal lake, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The best view- I could spot so many yaks grazing together (Check those black dots)

Yaks grazing in spiti valley at Himachal Pradesh

The Kunzum pass located at 15,600 feet is a high mountain pass that connects Kullu Valley and Lahaul valley to the Spiti valley. The fluttering prayer flags have Buddhist mantras and prayers displayed on them produce a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried by the wind across the countryside. Here the wind was at full speed and check my Scorpio has turned gray from Black.

Kunzum Pass, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The Gateway to Spiti valley (Where Gram Panchayat of Losar village welcomes you)

Gateway to Spiti Valley at Losar Village, Himachal Pradesh

My next stop was at Kaza the capital of Spiti Valley. The Hotel Deyzor, Kaza is an awesome property, where this wonderful caption and calligraphy pulled me to click. Hotel Deyzor represents a true spirit of Spiti Valley for any traveler with a comfortable stay & good Dining Menu. The way in which it has been constructed at such a remote location is really applaudable.

Hotel Deyzor, Kaza, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

 

Next day we started our journey from lush green Dhankar village; an abode in heaven. Dhankar is the old capital of Spiti and lies between Kaza and Tabo. It is built at an altitude of 12,774 feet.  The village seems as a spur or bluff which stands out into the main valley and ends in a precipice.

Dhankar Village, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Ahead Kaza, we stopped at Tabo. The  Tabo Monastery lies at the bottom of the valley, unlike the other monasteries perched on the top. The monastery offers you a stay at a mere amount of Rs 500 per person. The rooms have mud lining on the walls and ceiling and are super cozy and comfortable.

Tabo monastery, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Oh! Not to be missed! On the way, there is 550 years old mummy of Saint Sangha Tenzin in sitting position at Gue Village. The locals believe that she gave up her life while meditating.

Gue Village, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Heading towards Kinnaur Valley, at Khab there is a confluence of two rivers –the Satluj and Spiti River. Check whole scene is so picturesque.

Confluence of river Spiti and Satluj at Khab in Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Last but not the least; when roads were that adventurous and nature had so much to show, we got transformed to a writer, poet, travel blogger, storyteller, and photographer.

We say travel to this terrain, even you will explore and get to know more about yourself.

Himachal, India, Tourism, Travel

7 life lessons Himalayan trek taught me

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For the first time in my life, I tried doing something which I thought was not achievable by me. Yes! I did a 2-day trek each 6-7 hrs without the porter and with my soul mate to reach the hot water spring of Kheerganga . It was a simple adventure when I started walking through zigzag roads seeing waterfalls and clouds kissing mountains. Just 6 km ahead and it was no more adventure for me- the slopes turned to climbing mountains and crossing landslides. This Himalayan trek changed my vision towards life. It brought the best and worst out of me. It taught me how you need to push yourself when the destination is away and when your inner self- keeps on telling you that the Himalayas are calling you.

7 life lessons which Himalayan Trek taught me

Here are the 7 life lessons Himalayan trek taught me.

  1. Keep moving till you reach your destination

No matter how slow or fast you are from your fellow members; you all have the same destination. Remember it is not a sprint or race. Slow and steady always win. So, just keep moving. If you feel exhausted take rest and enjoy the vistas you have just seen in others pictures.

Keep moving till you reach your destination - Himalayan trek

If the thought of going back comes in your mind, remember all the ups and downs you crossed to reach this point. Going back is as demanding as going up. So, be slow and calm and head patiently towards your destination. There is no looking back in life, similarly, there is no looking back while trekking.

  1. Believe in power of self-motivation and optimism

Optimism is a key to success. There is nothing impossible. The strong determination and desire help you achieve your goals. Himalayan Trek, an adventure chosen by you needs a lot of self-motivation. So, keep tricking your brain that something great, unexplored and untouched is waiting for you at the top. You will definitely get a push to step ahead and explore the unexplored Himalayan sagas.

  1. A single tough day doesn’t mean the end of world

    Single tough day doesn't mean end of the world - Himalayan Trek

While trekking the Himalayas, you cross rough surfaces, boulders, stones, waterfalls, gravel, and grass. You need to concentrate at every point. The moment you think something else, you might slip, fall and get hurt. In those tough times, you need to get up, balance and make your own way to reach the final destination. So, a single bad moment or tough day in your life shouldn’t stop you from attaining your goals.

  1. There is a bigger world outside where you can connect with yourself

7 life lessons Himalayan trek taught me

In our fast-paced urban lives, we hardly have any time for ourselves. We have forgotten that there are outdoor games which are better than games on tablets and laptops. Going for a Himalayan trek gives you fresh air, natural earthy smell, sunlight. No mobile networks give you more time to connect with yourself and your hiking mates.

Also Read: 24 treks for 12 months of the year

  1. Single turn can change your life

 Sometimes while hiking the Himalayas, curiosity in you may push to chose less trodden path instead of properly marked trail even before knowing what you may be venturing too. Choosing unexplored path may land you to slippery road, lying among grazing mountain goats or somewhere near Buddhist monasteries. The lesson is – take risks and turns only when you are prepared for both expected and unexpected situations.

  1. Love and Humanity still exists

    7 life lesson which Himalayan trek taught me

While Himalayan trek you will find people who hold your hand and make you cross bridges, steps, and landslides; without knowing your name and caste. When the most experienced and prepared trekkers get lost during harsh weather conditions, it’s the kindness and gratitude of locals which offer them the roof and the warm meal to comfort.

  1. Success doesn’t come overnight

Snowy peaks, clear skies can’t be seen by walking just a few miles. You need to walk for a day/ days to get those fascinating views. Similarly, in life, you need to get your hands dirty every day. You may have to climb multiple stairs each moment to reach mountain top and accomplish your goals.

7 life lessons which Himalayan trek taught me

Himalayan trek was a life changing the experience for me. You realize how beautiful life is. Problems are artificial and they are just for a matter of time. How humanity and kindness makes someone smile. Most importantly accomplishing steep slopes and mountains is like rewarding yourself and learning lessons.

India, Tourism, Travel

A Must Visit to the Fairyland – Chandratal Lake

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Mountains are our second home and we can drive to them; any day any hour we need a break from the city life and pollution. And this time the exploration was to one of the most rugged terrains of Himachal i.e. Lahaul Spiti. So, we planned a 10-day road trip itinerary to Lahaul Spiti, keeping in mind a day’s layover in the land of fairyland i.e. Chandratal Lake.

Chandratal lake, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

About Chandratal Lake

Chandratal or Chandra -Tal, is derived from two Hindi words Chandra meaning moon and Tal meaning lake. So, the lake is also known as the Lake of the Moon or Moon Lake.

The Chandratal Lake is fresh water, high altitude lake in the Lahaul Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. It lies at 14,100 square feet, spreads up to 2.5 kilometers and is the main source of River Chandra. From sides, it is enclosed by semi-arid brown mountains Moulikla and Chandra Bagha, which turns completely white in the winters. The Cirque in between these Himalayas provides a complete 180-degree view of the deep blue colored lake.

The Panaromic View of Chandratal Lake, Spiti Valley, Himachal, India

 

Every high altitude lake in India is linked with some or other story. Similar is the case of this crescent-shaped, Chandratal Lake. So, let’s start with the story itself.

Story of Chandratal Lake

The Moon Lake, in Himachal, is believed to be discovered by shepherds. There are several stories linked to this lake and here we are reciting the ones we heard from Tenzin Bodh of the Tenzin Camps.

The first story is that the God Indra landed in his Chariot at Chandratal Lake to take Yudhishtra eldest of all the Pandavas, in the mortal state to heaven. So, the lake is considered as sacred and is visited by thousands of Hindu Devotees, every year.

The second story is – A shepherd used to come, sit and talk to the Moon Lake every day for hours. One day while sitting he saw a fairy. She wished to marry him and in return will fulfill his all dreams. He denied her proposal saying he is already married. Fairy gave him the solution that he can stay with his wife; & marry her too; without disclosing it to anyone. He was happy and didn’t tell anyone about this happening. One night while he was drunk and arguing with his wife he disclosed that fairy wants to marry him. It’s believed that was the last day Fairy was seen in the Chandratal Lake.

The first glimpse of Chandratal lake from Mountain top

Third Story is – Chandra was a daughter of Moon God and she fell in love with Bagha, the child of Sun God. It was love at first sight at Baralacha pass but heir love was not approved by their parents. So, both of them decided to elope and marry without parents’ permission at Baralacha Pass where they met for the first time. On the day of a meeting, Chandra reached bit earlier than Bhaga. When she didn’t find Bhaga at the decided location, she started running towards Kunzum La and back to Baralacha to search him. At Tandi, she saw Bhaga coming from the opposite direction. So, finally they met and the celestial marriage happened. Many of the trekkers, trek on this route to witness real beauty.

The River which flows at Tandi is known as Chandrabhaga River, which on entering Jammu and Kashmir becomes Chenab.

Also Read: Ladakh- The Land of High Passes

How to reach Chandratal Lake

The Chandratal Lake can be reached from Manali as well as from Shimla.  From both these routes, one needs to reach Batal and further take a diversion to reach moon Lake.

Route from Shimla via Manali (364 kilometers): Manali – Marhi – Rohtang Pass – Chhatru – Batal

Route from Shimla via Rekong Peo (533 kilometers): Shimla – Rekong Peo – Nako – Kaza – Batal

From Batal, the Lake lies further 13 kilometers inside, and it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the base camp.

The Trail to Chandratal Lake

The Moon Lake can be reached by trekking as well by driving from Batal. One can drive his/her own vehicles, hire a cab, or join in shared cabs & buses. Do; check the time of buses if you are going by bus. In case, you miss one wait for the shared cabs at Batal, as there are only limited options.

 

The last 2 – 3 kilometers of Chandratal Lake can be covered by hiking & traversing the mountain slopes, getting 360-degree views.

Condition of Roads

The road to Lake is narrow, made of mud and gravel, with lots of potholes. The whole stretch runs along the River Chandra and a few points, there are passing water streams and Pagal Nallas too.

Note: Try to keep your vehicle at a maximum speed of 20 – 30 km/ hour, taking care of the cyclist, bikers, and hikers on the way.

Road to Chandratal Lake, Spiti Valley, India

Best Season to Visit Chandratal Lake

The best time to visit lake is from June to September. We went in August end and it was too chilly.

Average Temperature:

Summers: Days are warm but evenings and mornings are chilly and windy. At night temperature goes to 0 or below 0 degree Celsius.

Winters: Temperature varies from -10 to – 30 degree Celsius but the roads and accommodation both are closed.

Nights at Chandratal Lake

The nights at Lake are exceptionally beautiful. You can see countless stars, the whole of the Milky Way galaxy with the naked eye. The place is perfect for night photography as well to gaze at the sky for hours.

Accommodation at Chandratal Lake

Chandratal Lake is famous among both national and international tourists for trekking, and camping. Camping is not allowed near the lake. There are several camps for accommodation at a base, which is about 2-3 kilometers from the lake.

Camps at Chandratal Lake, Spiti Valley

We stayed at Tenzin Camps. The tent had a double bed mattress with several blankets and quilts. Still, we were shivering, so Tenzin provided us two hot water bottles to make ourselves comfortable! That was really sweet of him. And there are separately shared washrooms for men and women.

Food: At morning and evening, you get an aromatic drink to fight altitude sickness. Lunch and dinner contain boiled Dal, Chawal, Sabji for vegetarians and meat for non-vegetarians.

At such temperatures water boils in almost half an hour, so if you want some to drink or for your personal usage let them know beforehand. Tent owners are kind enough to serve you drink at night.

Some Points to Remember

  • The road to Chandratal Lake is really narrow and bumpy so drive slowly
  • Get your vehicles properly inspected before leaving on this route and do carry extra spares; as you won’t find mechanics here for several miles
  • Don’t drive at night
  • Always carry enough woolens and windcheaters with you, as the weather is unpredictable here. If it is sunny right now, it may turn cloudy in next 15 minutes. Wear cap, especially during morning evening to avoid getting sick
  • Do carry sunscreen, sunglasses and first aid kit with you
  • Keep compass with you to keep the idea of directions and to avoid getting lost
  • There is no phone & electricity connection at Chandratal lake
  • Keep yourself hydrated to avoid AMS. If you are hit by it take help from your tent members
  • Avoid drinks at high altitudes
  • Try your photography skills

Tenzin posing at Chandratal Lake

No matter, how much you plan for this trip; the journey to this fairyland will still seem unplanned. The roads are adventurous and nature is just surreal.  The breathtaking views of snow-clad glaciers, arid mountains, green hills, river, and lake, leave you spellbound and force you to stay back or visit again. This crescent-shaped, high altitude glacial lake is for every traveler and adventure enthusiast.

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Chandratal lake, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh, India