The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!

tsk1979 · 7th September 2010, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by chethan.ram

You didn't answer my question on Esteem and Safari.

I have posted only safari pics

. The esteem pic was by lordofgondor. I have a safari 4x4 which we took on this trip. LOG posted from another trip to comment on the similarity of terrain of our pictures

chethan.ram · 7th September 2010, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I have posted only safari pics

. The esteem pic was by lordofgondor. I have a safari 4x4 which we took on this trip. LOG posted from another trip to comment on the similarity of terrain of our pictures

Oh! really sorry, that went unnoticed.

tsk1979 · 7th September 2010, 17:56

After the taxis passed we drove on the narrow road some more, braved some more scary moments, esp a hairpin bend where one wheel threatened to break into the cliff, and reached the parking lot.
but wait a minute - The odo showed we had come 10kms from the turnoff not 12.
Enquiry revealed that now we have to walk 3kms instead of one, and that too uphill, as to avoid people camping and littering, the forest dept had made it tougher to get to the lake.

The first half km is the toughest. Earlier you used to drive on this uphill section, now its a walk. A tough slippery walk

Can you spot the white elephant?

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996593085_eiza6xl.jpg

This is the road block. Due to angle of the pic it appears as low, but actually the wall is 4 feet high and made of big rocks.
On the sides is a sheer drop which is somehow appearing flat

Not only that, they dug up a 4 foot deep pit in the road after this wall so that if anybody spends 2 hours removing the stones, they still cannot go forward.
I guess bikers can, maybe

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996596758_fggydxl.jpg

The view towards the river. Its literally a trickle now as we are so near the source

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996598783_oq4nfxl.jpg

The walk is tough and tiring, and mostly uphill. So pics are few

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996604001_xfayaxl.jpg

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996606168_jso9rxl.jpg

The ladakh like colors
Above this hill lies Kunzum pass, from where the lake is a 9km trek, instead of the 3km trek from here

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996608350_dquemxl.jpg

These are the old tracks. Barely 10 days earlier you could drive to almost 1km of the lake

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996610362_hwamuxl.jpg

The mountains

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996618032_2dbxlxl.jpg

And finally, wheezing and panting, we get our first glimpse, of the lake of the moon, Its blue. Very blue. Just like a high altitude lake should be

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996620482_4bekwxl.jpg

TO BE CONT.........

subhashnm · 7th September 2010, 18:20

I think the forest department blocked the road early this season itself. Even when we went there on 12-Aug, it was in a similar condition - blocked and dug up to prevent anyone from going up. Our taxi driver took the Qualis beyond the parking lot and up to the road block, and got fined for it!

Punzabi · 8th September 2010, 08:24

Just like all your previous travelogues, really enjoyed this one too. It came in real handy this time as it was very quiet at office today and I could give your thread my full attention.

Weather here in Adelaide has been constantly rainy & gloomy for more than two months now and the colorful Pictures of yours were eye-candies.Have not seen clear sky for ages now. Big thanks for that

MohsinRoadster · 8th September 2010, 08:42

Every pic in this TL is brilliant!!!

Irish · 8th September 2010, 12:24

Tanveer,

Now please continue with the full glimpse of Chandratal. Wonderful photographs!

tsk1979 · 8th September 2010, 12:46

The first glimpse meant we just had half a km to walk.
This is where the chandra takes birth. Its the source
Towards the left, when looking from campsite side, I spot a huge glacier.

Some panasonic shooting time. The more I use this little cam, the more I love it

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996623305_qjgnkxl.jpg

A wider view

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996625108_w3bc4xl.jpg

Finally after an hour of walking, we reach the lake just shy of 2pm. 1 hour to walk 3kms. I guess its because most of it is uphill, and the altitude stays above 4100 all the time.

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996629611_s5rgbxl.jpg

If you have the time, you can walk around the lake, However, we were little short of time, so decided to do a little walk only

Prayer flags at the lake

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996631715_6entsxl.jpg

The lake of the moon! Chandertal!

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996320961_mvuilxl.jpg

the skies were clear. But it was windy, so no awesome reflections. But it was so refreshing. No tents, no litter. the decision to dig up the road was a good one, even though it means people will have to walk more

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996360122_r4rgyxl.jpg

the water is pristine blue. The blue us city dewellers have forgotten

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996344379_txuscxl.jpg

Does it not look like pangong?

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996329297_z3dj9xl.jpg

Unlike pangong, this lake is alive with green grass on the sides. Here is the path which goes around the lake

The lake of the moon and the Spiti Sprint!-996349362_tmdjuxl.jpg

TO BE CONT........

Irish · 8th September 2010, 13:00

Tanveer,

Really wonderful photgraphs! And yes it looks like Pangong Tso.

phamilyman · 8th September 2010, 13:59

really nice photographs! brilliant triplog - as always the reader is with you, feeling the place!

were cyclists allowed to cycle till the lake? if you saw any that is!

tsk1979 · 8th September 2010, 14:08

As long as you are in a non motorized vehicle, you should be able to go, Its easy to carry your cycle ahead of the barrier.
I didn't see any though. There were a few near the losar stretch, but not sure if they went to chandertaal.

lsp · 8th September 2010, 14:12

Spent some good time at the office going through your travelogue. Wow!! As always this one too is breathtaking. The first pic - the lake of the moon is just so awesome. If I didnt have the self imposed no wallpaper rule, I would have made it into my wallpaper for sure.

Its good to be visiting these places vicariously through your travelogues Tanveer!! Keep up the good work. Wishing you many more amazing travels.

<Badguy> · 8th September 2010, 14:54

Great Pics Tanveer.

I am reminded of our last year trip which I had covered on Pulsar.

The roads (did I said roads !! ok sorry tracks) are really difficult to cross from Rohtang and one needs to experience them than only one can understand.

I had decided on returning from Chandertal last year that I wont go again there because of the terrain but it seems it is calling me now.

Need to arrange for a 4X4 for that trip...

keep on posting.

MohsinRoadster · 9th September 2010, 13:21

great landscapes and very proffessional clicks

Utopian · 10th September 2010, 21:09

Awesome travelogue. Chandertal pics are simply amazing.

Bidding time to visit this heavenly place asap.

7th September 2010, 17:56	#33
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,724 Thanked: 22,936 Times View My Garage	The lake of the moon - Chandertaal!! After the taxis passed we drove on the narrow road some more, braved some more scary moments, esp a hairpin bend where one wheel threatened to break into the cliff, and reached the parking lot. but wait a minute - The odo showed we had come 10kms from the turnoff not 12. Enquiry revealed that now we have to walk 3kms instead of one, and that too uphill, as to avoid people camping and littering, the forest dept had made it tougher to get to the lake. The first half km is the toughest. Earlier you used to drive on this uphill section, now its a walk. A tough slippery walk Can you spot the white elephant? This is the road block. Due to angle of the pic it appears as low, but actually the wall is 4 feet high and made of big rocks. On the sides is a sheer drop which is somehow appearing flat Not only that, they dug up a 4 foot deep pit in the road after this wall so that if anybody spends 2 hours removing the stones, they still cannot go forward. I guess bikers can, maybe The view towards the river. Its literally a trickle now as we are so near the source The walk is tough and tiring, and mostly uphill. So pics are few The ladakh like colors Above this hill lies Kunzum pass, from where the lake is a 9km trek, instead of the 3km trek from here These are the old tracks. Barely 10 days earlier you could drive to almost 1km of the lake The mountains And finally, wheezing and panting, we get our first glimpse, of the lake of the moon, Its blue. Very blue. Just like a high altitude lake should be TO BE CONT.........
	(1) Thanks

7th September 2010, 18:20	#34
subhashnm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 101 Thanked: 3 Times	I think the forest department blocked the road early this season itself. Even when we went there on 12-Aug, it was in a similar condition - blocked and dug up to prevent anyone from going up. Our taxi driver took the Qualis beyond the parking lot and up to the road block, and got fined for it!
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 08:24	#35
Punzabi BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: PB-08/Adelaide Posts: 143 Thanked: 42 Times	Just like all your previous travelogues, really enjoyed this one too. It came in real handy this time as it was very quiet at office today and I could give your thread my full attention. Weather here in Adelaide has been constantly rainy & gloomy for more than two months now and the colorful Pictures of yours were eye-candies.Have not seen clear sky for ages now. Big thanks for that Last edited by Punzabi : 8th September 2010 at 08:26.
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 08:42	#36
MohsinRoadster BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 304 Thanked: 31 Times	Every pic in this TL is brilliant!!!
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 12:24	#37
Irish BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: India Posts: 603 Thanked: 652 Times	Tanveer, Now please continue with the full glimpse of Chandratal. Wonderful photographs!
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 12:46	#38
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,724 Thanked: 22,936 Times View My Garage	chandertaal!! The first glimpse meant we just had half a km to walk. This is where the chandra takes birth. Its the source Towards the left, when looking from campsite side, I spot a huge glacier. Some panasonic shooting time. The more I use this little cam, the more I love it A wider view Finally after an hour of walking, we reach the lake just shy of 2pm. 1 hour to walk 3kms. I guess its because most of it is uphill, and the altitude stays above 4100 all the time. If you have the time, you can walk around the lake, However, we were little short of time, so decided to do a little walk only Prayer flags at the lake The lake of the moon! Chandertal! the skies were clear. But it was windy, so no awesome reflections. But it was so refreshing. No tents, no litter. the decision to dig up the road was a good one, even though it means people will have to walk more the water is pristine blue. The blue us city dewellers have forgotten Does it not look like pangong? Unlike pangong, this lake is alive with green grass on the sides. Here is the path which goes around the lake TO BE CONT........
	(1) Thanks

8th September 2010, 13:00	#39
Irish BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: India Posts: 603 Thanked: 652 Times	Tanveer, Really wonderful photgraphs! And yes it looks like Pangong Tso.
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 13:59	#40
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,972 Thanked: 4,654 Times	really nice photographs! brilliant triplog - as always the reader is with you, feeling the place! were cyclists allowed to cycle till the lake? if you saw any that is!
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 14:08	#41
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,724 Thanked: 22,936 Times View My Garage	As long as you are in a non motorized vehicle, you should be able to go, Its easy to carry your cycle ahead of the barrier. I didn't see any though. There were a few near the losar stretch, but not sure if they went to chandertaal.
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 14:12	#42
lsp BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 381 Thanked: 188 Times	Spent some good time at the office going through your travelogue. Wow!! As always this one too is breathtaking. The first pic - the lake of the moon is just so awesome. If I didnt have the self imposed no wallpaper rule, I would have made it into my wallpaper for sure. Its good to be visiting these places vicariously through your travelogues Tanveer!! Keep up the good work. Wishing you many more amazing travels.
	() Thanks

8th September 2010, 14:54	#43
<Badguy> BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Noida Posts: 76 Thanked: 36 Times	Great Pics Tanveer. I am reminded of our last year trip which I had covered on Pulsar. The roads (did I said roads !! ok sorry tracks) are really difficult to cross from Rohtang and one needs to experience them than only one can understand. I had decided on returning from Chandertal last year that I wont go again there because of the terrain but it seems it is calling me now. Need to arrange for a 4X4 for that trip... keep on posting.
	() Thanks

9th September 2010, 13:21	#44
MohsinRoadster BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 304 Thanked: 31 Times	great landscapes and very proffessional clicks
	() Thanks

10th September 2010, 21:09	#45
Utopian BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 603 Thanked: 123 Times	Awesome travelogue. Chandertal pics are simply amazing. Bidding time to visit this heavenly place asap.
	() Thanks