Well, I am back with this post earlier than anticipated, but trust me there is nothing like a bunch of people telling you that they liked your blog and they were waiting for more. One more thing, the thing i mentioned in the previous post – the personal tragedy – well, i shall not talk about it after all. The more you talk about it, the more it pinches you and also i dont want to bother you guys with the sob story. So, only good vibes from here!
So where was I? Yes. Thanks to Rohtang we reached Batal just before sundown. It was weird though, how the darkness descended so abruptly. One moment there was light and the other moment – darkness. After stripping off the luggage from the bikes, there was the customary cleaning of spark plugs and the tightening of chains. Wolf actually went a bit further; he disassembled his carbaurator in order to increase the air and fuel intakes. While it was a bright idea, a bit of cold sweat did appear when after attachinig the re-tuned carbaurator, the bike refused start. But you know the thing with those old cast iron bullets…there is nothing a good, hearty kick or twenty wont fix.
It was also decided that we would have to modify our initial plan a bit as going back to Manali would take as much time, if not more. So the idea of camping overnight by the lake went for a toss and we decided to make it a day trip.
We Left the dhaba as soon as the sun had started to warm the rocky hills. We could have taken our bikes down the road to around 2 kms from Chandrataal, but we decided to park. For most part, we had not yet fully recovered from the previous day’s ride, but there was this little voice inside all of us saying that we would like it more if we went a a bit closer to nature. Hence we hike!
From Batal we started walking on the road to Kunzum La. 2 kms down is a fork on the road with a board indicating that the road branching off to the left leads to Chandrataal
There are just two water crossings on the way to Chandrataal as compared to the dozens we encountered on the drive from Rohtang to Batal. Also, this time, we were on foot, so off went the shoes and the socks and up rolled the trousers and the hikers bravely waded through the ice cold water.
The walk to Chandrataal is long but gentle. All you need is a lot of water and if you were to learn from my mistake, something to cover your head with. It is very windy all along the road and if your head is uncovered and in my case, shaved, you better get some cover or get ready for a nasty headache.
People know know me, know that i detest physical exercise of any form and i have a beer belly to prove it. But i am also known to walk a bit from time to time. I love mountains, and i love being close to nature, but hiking is not my thing. The thing with hiking is, you can never get past the horizon and more often than not, you can actually see your destination before you reach it. Hell, you’ve had one eye on your destination all day long. Not my kinda thing. I am big on surprises.
Chandrataal is located at an altitude of 4,290 m and remains frozen for 7 months in a year. For the remaining five, it charms tourists and attracts the bhedis, local herdsmen who flock (literally!) to the meadows around the lake with their sheep and sheep-dogs. As the summer wanes, they head off from Spiti towards the meadows of Kangra Valley, where their sheep can graze without having to worry about the snow.
After resting on the meadows by the lake and for a long time just getting used to the brilliant sparkle of the water, we walked around the perimeter of the lake, adding 2 kms to our walk-load for the day. Chandrataal is a holy spot for the nomadic herdsmen of Spiti and they believe that in the clear blue waters of the lake resides a Devi who grant the pure at heart, their deepest, most sincere wish. I didnt catch a glimpse of her, but then again, who said anything about me being pure at heart!
An ideal way to complete the Chandrataal experience would be if you follow a slightly uphill trail from the lake to Kunzum La. People say that the views from this route are better, but then if you ask me, what is not beautiful in a place like this? Once you reach Kunzum, its all the way downhill to Batal.
One thing we did miss out on was camping by the lake. God knows how awesome it would have been. But if time permits, and if the company is right, i shall return again. After all, thats the wish i made to the goddess in the lake! So now, just wait… and watch!
Wow!!! Patanahi what exactly shud i write here…im like hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
My mouth just does not close….
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Bodhi, interesting travelogue and beautifully captured what appears to be pure bliss! Haven’t seen natural beauty in India captured any better in a long time.
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Bodhi…wat can I say bro..awesome!! breathtaking!! enchanting!! magical!! I am going to run out of adjectives..but u get the idea 😛 The pictures are superb…well done…ur really maturing as a photographer…remind to kick me on my ass the next time I turn down a proposal to go on an adventure!
cheers!
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like i said pehle, Aamir, get a life!
Better still, get a bike!
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feeling a lot better!
tui ki dekhe eli ami sudhu bhabchi..tui min 1 year aar low feel korbi na coz f ths trek!
awesome pictures as usual!
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Bo,
These pictures are beautiful. They reminded me of the ones that i took when i went to Ladakh earlier in the summer. Beautiful barren landscapes interspersed with pure natural scenery. And the pictures of the water are amazing. The light and the color has come out really well and so have the buddhist prayer flags.
Keep clicking!
P.S. – In case you are still wondering who I am, Yashika referred me here 🙂
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I’m still in awe of those photographs. I can’t believe this place exists. I want to take my Palio there. Bodhi you game?
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Oh boy!! Pics are much better than part one… pristine aqua and turquoise waters! Love it. Each picture is postcard perfect in its own way! 🙂 If this was for work, then your job rocks (except that so much travelling can get a little nasty) 🙂
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Excellent write up with beautiful pictures. I have plans for this trek in the future.
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Absolutely brilliant travelogue man! Can’t wait to get to this place!
Have some questions for you on IM. Would be great if you can help 🙂
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Hey Akshay,
Glad you liked the travelogue mail me with your questions: bsenroy[at]gmail[dot]com
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Loved your blog…..amazing clicks…keep it up..
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I don’t like you anymore. You get to go to such places while all I do is blow up my salary on some stupid clothes, which I don’t wear more than twice.
Make me wise Bodhi.
And hey, you want to go there again, right? provided you have ‘good’ company?
I’m sorry I’ve turned you down a lot of times 😛 I promise this time around, I won’t 😀 😀
P.S. I like you, you know!
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awesome dude………i love the maturity with which u have narrated the entire experience…..well organised and nothing to write about your skills when it comes to photography…fantastic buddy. Keep it up and keep it going.
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Unreal…..too good to be true!
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wow!..what a view..i just cant express myself.. you are lucky to get to see..thats the nature’s beauty at its best..mind blowing…
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its so nice to see those cloud over the mountains. Indeed you did an awesome trip and thanx for sharing the photos.
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wow wow wow!!!!!!
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so beautiful!
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hi..kind to see http://andalastravel.com for another side of world
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Very interesting post! 🙂
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Good article
http://acyclovir.blogetery.com
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keep them coming, they are awesome
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its all stunning….dear next time i want a trip with you ,,,i have classic 500…now on 20 june i am leaving for leh and return via chandertal
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Stunning scapes! This is one place which is in my dream list for a long long time. Don’t know when I will be able to make it finally. The charm of Chandratal lies in its inaccessibility for most of the year
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Exactly. You must go there, and i tell this to everyone, please do not take your vehicle. Trek. It is more enjoyable and kinder to the environment!
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Awesome post and a lovely place!! I really wish to visit it soon…thanks a lot for the write-up! 🙂
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Nice photos and well written. I visited Chandratal in July 2015 and believe me Chandratal superb place. I tried to memories my exp on http://bit.ly/1JkJyno
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