Chandratal & Surajtal trek

gopal

I want to visit chandratal and suraj tal and any other beautiful place that might be near. Though we are not very physically fit(average office going joe kind 25 year of age) we would like to include some amount of trekking in the itinerary. We will be starting travel on 13th August from delhi.

Will it be good idea to go to suraj tal by bus and then trek back to chandra tal as has been noted in one of thread on this site that this way present one of the most beautiful panaroma of himalaya and glaciers?? how much time trekking will take keeping in mind our average fitness level if at all this trek is possible for us. How one should arrange for camping if required on this route ?? and is Piar singh will be there at chandratal around that time as i read one thread on this site that he generally is there from july to september?

And what clothes and shoes we should carry , we don't have any trekking/mountaineering gear and never used one ??will these gears be required for our trip ?
Are there better options to visit around this region ??we are planning to spend 6-7 days during the trip ??

babuchand

no mountaineering gear is needed. it is not a tough trek

camping by pitching tent is difficult for newbees
there is one resting place in the way, check the forum for alll needed info..... u should cover the distance anyhow, irrespective of your fitness levels.

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babu
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jyotipg

U would be trekking downhill most of the time if u start from Suraj Tal. So should not be very tough.

but acclimatise well.. you are starting your trek at 4900m. and be ready to face cold conditions..

I had an iterinary for this trek from Manali to Suraj Tal (as a back up plan for my last trek).

I am pasting it below:

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MOON LAKE TREK

REGION : Manali, Lahaul & Spiti Valleys
MAX HEIGHT: Baralacha la (4,845 Mts.)
SEASON : June to October
DURATION : 10 days

One of the most delightful trek in Western Himalaya and the Jeep Safari in Spiti and Lahaul provides an introduction to the old tradition and way of life in the Himalayan region also one visits some of the most ancient monasteries and temples. This Trip Affords views of lush green valleys towering snow clad mountains and barren hill with surrealistic forms and shapes. Excellent for the trekker who is reasonably fit. Leaving the Manali valley, the trek proceeds through evergreen cool forests of walnut, oak, and the accessional alder. The views of the entire Kullu valley are excellent and are glimpsed all along the trail. Once atop the Hampta pass (4268 Mts.), other spectacular panorama of peaks appear. The Chandrataal is a jewel of lake so breathtaking in its beauty that one feels like spending an eternity here. Then it is in to the Lahaul Valley where barren towering mountains rise above lush green fields of potato and barley. And the presence of Buddhist culture seems evident. An unforgettable trek to establish your first love with Western Himalaya. And the jeep Safari is an introduction to the old tradition , culture and way of life of the people living in this region.

Day: 2nd June Manali – Marsu (Sethan) – 2300 mts: (06 Hrs.) - The trail gradually ascends to a small temple above the Village and further steep climb up the Ridge to the sparse pine forest below Sethan Village, leads on to Marsu or Sethan, a large green meadow surrounded by alpine forest.

Sethan – an isolated village in the middle of forest of pine. Villagers from Spiti settled Sethan (2710m) several generations ago. From here the trail levels out before entering a narrow pine-forested valley. The camp is a small clearing near a spring line with an adequate water supply throughout the season.

Day 3rd June: Sethan - Chhika (3270Mts.) 5 hours trek through breathtaking landscape, through the meadow, where shepherds herd their buffalo and graze their sheep during summer and Monsoon season. surrounded by high mountain ranges to just below the Hamta Pass, on a grassy bank slope. In impressive surroundings, close to Tokru-Shakru peaks. Here rock assumes wonderful colours. Chikka (the camp site) is followed by a River, Alain Nallah and its snout is Hamta Pass finally we reach Chikka.

Day: 4th June Chhika – Base of Hampta Pass (3800 mts) 3 hrs: - This short walk is included in order to allow you to acclimatize before crossing the Hamta Pass. Grassy banks, sloping down from the high cliffs all around, pave the trial. There are some side streams to cross before descending back to the
main valley floor. This area is popular with the Gaddi shepherds in the early part of the season, grazing their flocks before continuing their migration to Lahaul. The camp at the base of the Hampta Pass is named Balu Ghera (3700m); brown bears are said to hibernate in the nearby rock caves during the winter.

Day 5th June Balu Ghera over Hampta Pass (4270 Mts.) to Chhatru (3350 Mts) ( Mts.) ( 07 Hrs.)

From camp there is a short, steep climb over scree slopes before reaching a plateau where you can gain views back down the Hampta Valley and across to the peaks on the far side of the Kullu Valley, including Hanuman Tibba (5928m). The last 200m to 300m to the pass are steep, with views of rock spires and hanging glaciers completing the panorama. The Hampta Pass (4270m), is on the true right side of the valley. However, there is an excellent vantagepoint for viewing the Lahaul Range, which can be reached by diverting from the main trail through the moraine towards the centre of the valley. From here, the peaks of Deo Tibba (6001m) and Indrasan (622 1 m) can also be appreciated. The history of climbing these peaks dates back to 1912 when CG Bruce led a British team on the first ascent of Hanuman Tibba. The next ascent, however, was not until 1966. In between, the first ascent
of Deo Tibba was made in 1952 after many attempts, while Indrasan was first climbed in 1962. From the pass there is a very steep descent down switchbacks to the valley floor. In June, when the trail is under snow, an ice axe is necessary. We reach the valley floor This area is referred to as Silagauru
Further stream crossing is involved, though the water in the stream is very less Following the valley down on the true right through the boulder field to your first views of the Chandra Valley. Camp at Chhatru.


Day: 6th June > Chhatru – Chhota Dara (3740 Mts) - Chhota Dara – Batal (3960 mts) - Batal – Chandertaal (4270 mts) 5-6 hrs
The trail today winds through a narrow valley along the roadside. The terrain becomes more rugged and the colors more spectacular. All along the trail (which is actually an non metalled road) the River Chandra keeps on company as it roars along to join the Bhaga River at Tandi near Keylong.
Today the same trail along the river Chandra on the non metalled road leads to tiny hamlet of Batal. From here there is a bifurcation, one road leads over the Kunzum –La in to the Spiti Valley, while the other one goes on towards enchanting lake of the moon (Chandertaal). On the way, glimpses of the Bara Shigri Glacier provide one with the enormous scales that the Western Himalayan glaciers are made of. This particular glacier extends over 12 km. Camp at Batal.

An extremely pleasant walk with gradual ascents and descents through some of the most magnificent scenery witnessed in the Lahaul – Spiti region. The first sight of this wondrous lake takes ones breaths away, with its shores ringed with meadows carpeted with hundreds of varieties of alpine flowers. An excellent campsite and a relaxed evening after the rewarding walk form Batal.
The whole stretch can be done in a single day if the the road is open. I know that distance upto 3 kms ahead of chandra tal is motorable now. We can even go to Kunzum La in a Vehicle.
Day: 7th June > Chandrataal – Topkogongma (4320 mts) 5-6 hrs: - A walk through similar terrain as the day before, after leaving this jewel of a lake, brings one to Topkogongma where a river crossing is made that leads on to the campsite.

Day: 8th June > Topkogongma – Topkoyongma (4640 mts) 5-6 hrs: - Today again, another river crossing is involved, so an early start is advisable. The scenery is quite barren in a beautiful kind of way and by evening the campsite is reached.

Day: 9th June > Topkogongma – Baralacha – La (4830 mts) 6-7 hrs: - A five hours climb leads up to the Baralacha –La. The name of pass literally means a summit with crossroads meeting on the top. Roads from Zanskar – Ladakh – Spiti meet here. From atop the pass superb views of the mighty Western Himalayan peaks are obtained on the way to the campsite. An extremely pleasant walk with gradual ascents and descents through some of the most magnificent mountains cape as here one is exactly in the heart of the Great Himalayas. Here jeep would pick us up and drive back to Manali over Rohtang Pass.

Day 10th June : Manali – Delhi .

__________________
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gopal

Thanks for the information .
can u tell me how much time it will take trekking from Suraj tal to Chandratal ? And how to find information abt stay on the route. And i have read in another thread on this site that this trek is not very well marked out ,will a guide be needed ?? If a guide is needed from which place should a guide be hired ?

gopal

Anyone there , please reply to previous mail. We are to leave on 13th August.

babuchand

if u want to cover only chandra tal then the path is easy... not going thru' hemta base....
After breakfast drive along the river Chandra, and heading towards Batal. The drive offers vies of Barashigri glacier, White Sail Peak, Lalan Peak and the CB group peaks along the way.
Arriving at the top of Kunzum La pass at 4270 mt. Visit the shrine on the pass and then start the trek towards the Chandertal Lake at 3950 mt.
Set-up camp for overnight stay.
its a down hill path.
check this link
http://www.shikhar.com/adventureTour...dertalTrek.htm

distance from batal to chandratal could be around 15km as Batal-Chandra Tal: Walking Time is 6-7 hrs.

there is a way surajtal -> topoyangma -> chandratal...2days trek
link... http://www.spantours.com/tourpackages/chandertal.html

but couldnt find any map and/or dictance info

try to get good guide from Manali.

dhananjay

Hi,
Did this one long ago ... 4 days of walking through plateau .. approximately walkabout 5-6 hours each day ... there is a need to be acclimitized well ... and get up early .. the nullahs near gongma are flooded after 9 and this year I guess the glacial melt would be more ... A guide is necessary and so are mules ... Aclimitize for one day at chandratal ....

Cheers,
Dhananjay

vistet

You might find this map of some use. This is a huge jpeg file, requiring good connection or/and a Buddha nature. You will find Suraj Tal by locating grid line 39:7 (just after the map title "Palampur" on top, and following it down.
The standard reservations about the AMS Map Series apply : the ground work is ancient, name forms .. strange , but they still offer some solid topographical view of the terrain. The reliablilty digram classes this section as "poor" , to top.

The new Olizane Ladakh/Zanskar map (South) that I´ve mentionned in a earlier thread covers a large part of this trek, but I haven´t compared them yet.

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