[tsk1979]

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]

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]

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.........

[subhashnm]

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]

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]

Every pic in this TL is brilliant!!!

[Irish]

Tanveer,

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

[tsk1979]

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........

[Irish]

Tanveer,

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

[phamilyman]

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]

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]

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>]

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]

great landscapes and very proffessional clicks

[Utopian]

Awesome travelogue. Chandertal pics are simply amazing.
Bidding time to visit this heavenly place asap.