After walking for 14 kilometers or so, I was happy to crawl into my tent which others had kindly pitched. Dilip and I were sharing the tent. What I didn’t like though, was the rain. It had been falling incessantly since we started trekking. Only rain in Spiti means light tip tip drops. You will not get really wet but it can be mighty annoying. It is also annoying because the clouds cover all the view. I mean here I was so close to Chandratal Lake and yet I was not running down to it because of the weather! I told Vishal, “Chandratal is a myth!”
After walking for such a long time, I didn’t take much time to doze off. I was snug in my sleeping bag, I was out of the rain and wind and I was so tired. Thankfully my ankle and knee were not giving any major trouble after the fall. I woke up only when Ramakant ji gave us some tea in the tent! I was even more annoyed that the rain was still falling without a break. After the tea, I managed to doze off once again.
This time I woke up when it was trying to get dark. Vishal gave us soup and pop corns to eat. They were the best pop corns I ever had. Dilip and I were on a cribbing spree about the weather. I mean here I was after walking 14 kilometers, only to get cooped in my tent and listen to rain, rain and some more rain! I was telling Dilip that I spent more time looking at the roof of the tent that I did at the Chandratal Lake!
Before the pop corns arrived I was also telling Dilip that the only thing that remained now was to spill over the small quantity of tea left at the bottom of the glasses inside the tent. He offered to take the glasses out, stumbled near the outer flap of the tent but thankfully spilled the leftover tea on the grass. He is 6 foot plus and then it was his turn to cribb out the height of the tent. I agreed it felt like murgi ka darba (hen’s coop) with nowhere to run and the only place to hide from the rains.
Darkness fell and the weather was such that no one went to the lake. Sometime later we had dinner and turned in for the night. I was hoping for better weather in the morning.
The next morning was not too great weather wise. It was a short walk to the lake after I finished drinking a cup of tea. But even in that cloudy grey weather Chandratal looked majestic. I really truly want to go back the next year later in the season, I would be praying for clear skies! As I said, I spent more time inside the tent than by the lake but even then it was worth walking all those kilometers. I would do it again without thinking twice, if the road is closed.
I feel truly blessed to be able to walk up to the lake and a glimpse of it. I visited Spiti in 2007 but I could not go to the Chandratal Lake then. I went back to the region after 7 long years. It would be 10 years since I have not been to Ladakh. I have to set the other count right and soon! And I hope I would never wait for another 7 years to go back to Spiti. Being back in the plains gives me low altitude sickness.
Tea and Soup was from Dhaba or you guys cooked it?
It was from our own kitchen Tushar!
The snowy clouds, the green water and the colourful hills surrounding are just awesome! Heavenly views Mridula! Are those white patches are waterfalls?
Those white patches are snow Sindhu. 😀
awesome pic and lovely place
Thank you Lata.
Heavenly place and beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you Deepa.
Wow, such an amazing experience. And I wished it had not poured so much, n we had got more to see frm the lake.
Meghana so I will go back next year!
How did you start traveling Mridula? I just cannot conquer whatever it is that keeps me back. Which was your first trip?
Rahmath that would be in childhood with parents! 😀 But it is really with my husband I started trekking and then due to the blog took off to many places!
Going there next weekend..so excited 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a great time.
Mridula i so much envy you now…
Chaitali 😀 😀 😀
Chandratal looks so surreal!
It is indeed surreal!
Majestic lake and mountain.
Thank you Abhijit.
loved that tiny brook gurgling in the meadow… 🙂
Thank you Seeta.
wowow that is such a majestic place.. beautiful pictures
Bikram’s
Thank you Bikram.
amazing shots!!!…ita been 7 years too since I trekked (which is basically since i got married as the husband prefers relaxed slow travel!!)……
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com
Sushmita trekking takes you to some of the remote areas but I understand the lure of relaxed travel! 😀
This lake does look like a myth.. A beautiful dream..
Megha I am going back again!
Yes Kalpana, normally you don’t need to trek as there is a jeep road but when we went the road was not open! It is a stunning place.
Wooww…….this word just came out of my mouth looking at your pictures…
It’s been so long that I couldn’t go out with my family due to some professional reasons and I know I m gonna regret this at the age of 40….
But seriously You have captured awesome clicks….
Thank you Mitali. And I am on the other side of 40 😀
hahaahaha…..then you won’t regret at the age of 80….
Very true 😀
Hi,
May I know do you book the tent at Chandratal in advance?
Greg
Hi Greg,
One way is to go to Batal and inquire there about the tents. They are usually available. Another way is to leave a message to Ramakant ji who was my guide https://www.facebook.com/manalitreks he is a local and would know some phone numbers of people organizing the tents. Hope this helps a bit.
Thank you! Will contact Ramakant ji to find out more 🙂
If you drop me a line at mridulablog at gmail dot com I can give you his number.