Overview

Region: Lahoul and Spiti Valley

  Total Duration – 5 Nights / 6 Days

 Maximum Altitude – 4950 m./ 16240 ft.

  Grade – Moderate to Difficult.

  Best Season – June  to October

  Accommodation – Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite

  Food – On trek – All meals included.

  Distance – 45 km.

 

Chandratal Baralacha La Trek

Chandra Tal, literally translated to the ‘Lake of the Moon’, is a glacial lake located between the Rohtang and Kunzam passes at an altitude of 14,100ft (4300m). It is a full day’s drive from Manali and trekkers have to bring their own gear and provisions from Manali, as there are no habitations along the way. The scenic trek from Chandra Tal to Bara lacha la Pass is lesser-known and relatively easy.

The first night’s camp will be on the shores of the lake. With 4 km. circumference, the lake is much bigger and deeper than what it appears to be. The trek on the first day is about 20 km, following the Chandra River upstream. Trekkers are bestowed with the site of the huge riverine island known as Samudra Tapu, which becomes one massive block of ice in winters. Night camp is near the Topko Gongma River.

Second day begins by fording the ice-cold stream at 7:00 am. The early start is to reach the next, much bigger stream (Topko Yongma) by noon as later on it gets too tough to cross with the glacial melt. Camp is on a bluff overlooking the river at a height of 15,500ft (4724m).

Third day’s trek is gentle and much more enjoyable. Navigate through panoramic pastures, and stop by in between to admire and photograph the stunning beauty of the Bara-lacha la glacier on your left (west side). This glacier is the source of the Chandra River. Finally, after six hours of a fulfilling trek, reach the Bara-lacha la Pass at 4950m/16240ft. The pass is situated in between along the Leh-Manali highway and you can always catch a vehicle from here back to Manali. A bonus will be the wildlife sightings that include Marmots, Pica, Horned larks, Lammergeier (Bearded vulture), Wagtails, Black redstart bird, Sand lark, Snow pigeons and Choughs.

 

Things to Pack: Rucksack, cotton clothes, good trekking shoes, a warm jacket,warmer, woollen or monkey cap covering head and ears, UV rays protected sunglasses, raincoat, extra socks, water bottle, torch, cold cream, sunscreen, toilet soap, towel,Walking Stick and medicines that you usually use.

5 Nights 6 Days Available on request Himachal Pradesh
Strength Level
Moderate
Highlights

Tariff:

Fix Departure tariff 12,999/- excluding GST of 5%

 

Itinerary

Trek schedule: 

Day 1: Reporting Manali. (2050m.)

Reporting – Acclimatization – Orientation & Briefing of the trek – Trek Preparation & window shopping

(Sufficient time would be given for visiting market and nearby places)

Day 02: Manali/ Rohtang Pass/ Batal (4000m. via taxi - 7/ 8 hrs)  Approx. 115 km's.

After a healthy breakfast, we will move to the Batal( Sapiti Valley) via vehicle(123 Km. 6 to 8 hour ).  Leaving Chota Dara behind we continue along the right bank of Chandra River. Good view of Bara Shigri glacier on the left side. All above the glacier which is 25 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.

Day 03: Trek From Batal – Chandra Tal (4270m./13096 ft; 5/ 6 hrs) Approx 15-16 km's

Crossing bridge soon after Batal, we climb towards Kunzum la following small stream, which originated above pass. Arriving at pass has a glimpse of Spiti valley, which runs 170 km's towards south. Take a path, which goes to Lake 8 km approach to the large meadows, a favorite area with a multitude of shepherd’s huts. Crossing over a long stretch of stony ground and small stream arrives 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. Leaving Kunzom we trek to Chandratal which is 8 kms long and has a wide panoramic view of Chandra Bhaga peaks all around. Camp after Chandratal.

Day 04: Chandra Tal –Tokpo Yongma (4400m./ 14700ft ; 7/ 8hrs) Approx 10 – 11 km's

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 05: Tokpo Yongma – Tokpo Gongma (4700m./ 15715ft ; 7/ 8hrs) Approx 12 – 13 km's

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 06: Tokpo Gongma – Baralacha La (4890m./ 16030ft ; 4/ 5hrs) Approx 8–9 km's.

Today early departure from camp towards Baralacha la pass, which is 7 km long, gives the source of three rivers - Chandra through South, Bhaga through upper Lahul 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. We will be pick up by our vehicle here and drive to Manali.

 

How To Reach

Distance by road:-

Manali is well connected to Delhi. Take an overnight bus from Delhi and you will reach Manali in 12/ 14 hours(approx.540 km's) Tickets can be booked online at www.redbus.in or www.hrtc.gov.in Tip : Since Delhi Manali is a long journey most Volvo private buses leave Delhi between 5 pm and 6 pm. The last govt. bus leaves at 8.30 pm from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Volvo buses charge between Rs.1,000 to 1,400 per sector from Delhi to Manali and vice versa. Manali to Delhi: Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journeys only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delay.

Nearest Railway Station:-

Nearest Railway station is Ambala (350 kms) and Chandigarh (310 km's). Tip: Regular Volvo and Buses are available from Chandigarh to Manali in the evening. Volvo buses charges between Rs.800 to Rs.1,200 per sector from Chandigarh to Manali and vice versa.

Nearest Airport :-

Nearest Airport is Bhuntar is 60 Kms. ​Bhuntar, which is 52 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Taxi services are available from Bhuntar to Manali, which costs about Rs.1000‐ Rs.2,000. Bhuntar is well connected to Delhi by air. The airliners that take you to this Airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher airlines, MDLR Airlines and Jagson Airlines, operating flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Kullu.

Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

  • Transport required in the trek.
  • Highly advanced & certified mountaineering guide from Himalaya Destination.
  • Skilled Guide who has ample knowledge of the route.
  • Vegetarian meals on the trek (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
  • Cooks/Helper and other requisite staff.
  • Porters/mules for carrying common equipments (like rations/tents/utensils)
  • Equipments – Tents on sharing basis / Sleeping bags / Sleeping Mats.
  • Basic First aid Kit.
  • Forest Permits and camping charges.

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Personal Porters for carrying trekker’s backpacks.
  • Personal trekking equipments – like trekking poles or sleeping bag liners.
  • Personal insurance or cost of emergency evacuation.
  • Purchases of personal natures (like mineral water bottles/bottled or canned beverages/chocolates/dry fruits etc)
  • Food to/from the trail head.
FAQs
June to September is the time one can trek Chandartal Baralachala.
You have to meet us in Manali, here on you will be taken by our representatives to further programs.
The temperature varies a lot at heights. It will be 15-20 degrees in the daytime and nights will be as colder as -7 degrees. When it snows or rains the temperature gets colder than normal conditions.
Every Himalayan trek comes with its sheer weather conditions and terrains. This trek is also full with adventures, hardships and deserted landscapes. It is a moderately steep trek in some ways but is a decent trek into the remote Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh to the Baralachala pass in Ladakh. For this trek one has to prepare a month before trek starts, doing regular cardiac exercises, running and playing outdoor games would help negotiate the high climbs and arid trails. As this trek goes through high altitude, however the terrain is gentle the only thing a trekker needs to do is to be physically healthy. Relieve yourself apart from the daily hustle and bustle to get a unique experience through the fabulous trek.
One should exercise regularly and play outdoor games with indoors activities like swimming, skipping and stretching, which will make your body flexible and strong enough to negotiate steep rustic climbs and heavy backpacks. If you smoke leave it a month before the trek starts.
For this trek one has to carry multiple layers of clothing to avoid freezing, cold and sickness. Down feather (2), waterproof jacket(1), fleece upper (2pair), woolen sweaters (1), woolen socks(3 pairs), Ponchu(1), socks(2pairs), underwear(3), gloves(1pair), thermals(1), dry fit shirts(3), dry fit trousers(3), warm lowers(2), balaclava(1), woolen cap(2), sunscreen cream, lip balm, sunglasses(UVprotected), trekking pole.
The required age for the trek is 18 onwards.
The group size will start from 6 people to 20 people with men and women.
The average walking distance is 9-10 km. each day which will take about 4-5 hours. We will reach each campsite by the afternoon.
Our professional certified guide/instructors will lead the group who are mostly inhabitants. They have enough experience to deal any circumstance occurred while trekking. Our team will be along all the time escorting the group until the trek is accomplished.
The shoes with high ankle support and with good gripping sole could be the best option for the trek. Always remind to buy shoes few days’ earlier beginning of a trek. Because using it earlier will make shoes fit to your feet, though you won’t get blisters or sores on your foot while on the trek.
The Himalayan water is safe to drink and cook. But if someone founds it unsafe he/she can carry chlorine tablets along with them.
Vegetarian food is provided during the trek which starts with healthy breakfast, Packed lunch, evening snacks, soup and dinner. Yes, you will be having a need of a lunch box during the trek. You have to take your packed lunch in this tiffin, so that you can fill your belly at lunch points.
We have tents of different capacity like 3 men, 4 men. We will accommodate the group with sufficient space and comfort by settling 2 persons in 3 men tent. For girls, tents are shared only with female trekkers. If there is a single girl in the group she will have her personal tent.
Yes you can offload your sack to a porter/mule. To relieve your backpack you have to intimate us 10 days prior, so that we can arrange accordingly. The porter/ mule will cost you 1000/- per day with the weight not exceeding 12 kg’s.
Absolutely yes, we had run groups of men and women successfully in the past years and still running it brilliantly. In this context we take female security and safety at utmost. However the mountains are much safer place to be at, even though we consider girls integrity as our prime concern.
In any case of any emergency our staff is skilled and trained for such situations held at high altitude. Our team has a wealth of experience dealing with high altitude sicknesses and urgent situations. We carry first aid kit and oxygen cylinders with us and in any emergency we rescue the trekker till the road head. After reaching road any additional cost of evacuation is borne by the trekker. All and all it is trekker’s responsibility to get a certified medical fitness document before coming for the trek, which certifies that the trekker is fit for the trek.
If the trek is deviated by any situation which is beyond control will be sorted out by our group leaders to a best decision. If the trek is stopped by any contingency, the group will be taken back safely to the nearest dwelling or if the trek is extended by any natural calamity the cost of expenditure will be borne by every trekker.
Yes, there will be eco friendly toilets at each campsites. These toilets will have a deep pit inside to answer natures call alongside the pit a mound of soil will be to cover the organic waste. Always remind to use tissue papers, avoid using wet wipes as it is non degradable.
No, you can’t have liquor or smoke during the trek, as consuming such things dehydrates the body that no one want to spoil a momentary time. Lack of water in body makes one prone to the altitude sickness, which is a main cause of illnesses in every trek. So make yourself refrain such things to get a fruitful experience.
No, there are very less chances of network being receipted. So we recommend you to make all your urgent calls before commencing to the trek.
You can take some basic medicines along it will help avoid any kind of sickness at heights. It is good to put medications in your prime list of things while packing which will be useful in the wilderness where one couldn’t find any medic. Here is a list of medicines you can opt to your requirements- Crepe bandage, Band aid, cotton, ORS, volini spray, disprin, avomine, combiflam, paracitamol, digene, anti diarrhea tablets, betadine, sunscreen SPF30, lip balm etc. Yes, medical certificate is mandatory for every trekker. Medical form should be certified by a recognized doctor claiming that you are fit to do trek. If in case you have any health related prior illnesses, you should consult the doctor and carry all necessary medications.
No, doctor will not accompany the group, but our trek leader and instructors are experienced in giving first aid in wilderness. We have all the necessary medications along with oxygen cylinders and pulse meter to check trekker’s health on daily basis. We ensure all the group members are fit and healthy at every point, so that they can enjoy the trek with more gloat in the end of the trip.
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