Trekking to chandra tal and barlacha la

Friends,
Planning a trek to chandratal and barlacha la we are three people age between 20 -30 years , i had trek a little in my teens like trekking to triud at dharamshala and one or two more not able to remember there names but the other two are newbies at this would there be any problem in undertaking this trek by the way we are planning to take a package from a tour operator at manali and there would be a guide porter and cook with us during the trek.

Please help.

A Khanna

About 3000 meters difference between Manali and the Baralacha La - altitude sickness is an obvious concern. Read up some on safe ascent rates and don´t rely blindly on your tour operator in this.

There are some fords to be negotiated as well judging from Google Earth , I´m curious myself on how difficult these are . It rained a lot last year , I´ve heard - did this mean it was harder to cross ?

Hi,
Well there is a trail between the two places and mules move on it. But as has been mentioned altitude is a big problem and I would not recommend the trail for fresh people. As for the tour operator is concerned in likely hood he will not say no if he is getting paid since if you return half way it is your problem. Do some small trek and then think of this one. Try Brigu lake for one if you want to visit Manali region only. It will give you some idea of altitude and camping.

Dear VSK,
In that case can we only go till chandratal and return instead of moving forward to barlachala, is it advisable or even chandratal would be problem area as far as altitude is concerned.

A Khanna

ACCLIMITISE ... sir! .... right do a chanderkhani or a beas kund first and then attempt this one ... its a good walk .. I would also suggest the HAMPTA pass walk as there is enough time to acclimitise in that one .... do this and make a jeep trip to Chandertal and camp .... and its a difficult trek keeping in view the crossings at yongma and gongma which need to be negotiated carefully and possible only in the mornings .... hope this helps ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

Thanx for the info on the fords , dhananjay.

Chandra Tal is around 4300. But it´s not an issue of how high you go , but how fast you go there. Acclimatise ,as dhanajay pointed out. Another way of acclimatising - and trying out shorter treks would be to forego Manali and make Spiti your first goal . Plenty of opportunities for acclimatisation enroute to the Kunzum La.



(A larger version of the map also available at masterlyinactivity.com , even some ideas , though it´s written for cyclists)

Hi,
Sorry for late reply. Well Once you have made your mind do it following the right procedure.
One day go Dhundi from Solang nala and return back. Then plan for a visit to Brigu lake after spending a day at Manali.This will take 3 days or so. Then plan for camping at Chandertal, carry your camping equipment and spend two days camping on the shore of the lake. The road goes right upto the lake if I am not mistaken. This will be a good experience and give you confidence for future terks in Himalaya. Do take porters for carrying your camping equipment and also for guiding you.
If you are still worried then go towards GHNP and obtain all the help from SAHARA NGO located at Sai rOpa TOURIST COMPLEX.
All the best.

Hi,

i think u have successfully completed ur trek in chandratal barlachala in the year of 2007. this year '2009' we cogitated to travel in that domain, that’s why i call for some details information regarding this ie. demanded time from kolkata to kolkata, budget, route details, handiness of porter, guide with charge per day etc. pl help me & give necessary information.

thanks with love

anish

Ooooooooo… so sweet, i think no body is worried to give any suggestion regarding this. well i am stale waiting for ur response, so pl.

love u gays

anish

Do they still allow jeeps upto Chandratal or it have to stop some kilometers away. My opinion is, Jeeps should not be allowed to Chandrataal.

I agree with you Bhaswaran , but I hold little hope of seeing it happen.

Can´t tell, last time we were in the area there was some commotion on Kunzum La, apparently people went to the crest of Kunzum La and then by pony to Chandra Tal.



We never made it to Chandra Tal, but I agree, jeeps would certainly spoil it. I wonder what happened to the the original poster? Did they make it to Baralacha. From what I understand the only difficulty may be swollen rivulets that have to forded: easy in the early morning after a cold night, possibly difficult in late after noon after a hot day.

Like it or not (not) the jeeps are there , the road goes just up to the ridge overlooking the south end of the lake.

I never made it the whole way up to the Baralacha La , because I started out too late , but especially the Tokpo Yongma is definitely something more than a rivulet , I´ve occasion to discuss this in Kaza with locals. Ponies were mentioned as a definite advantage , as well as as circumventing the tributary streams first.

Tokpo Gongma was ok - at that time with low water levels generally.

Never hiked that route, but I am aware that there can be scary fords in Lahul. We had a huge problem with the Lingti Chhu. Would not have gotten across if not some local gentlemen had turned up with a horse and helped us across.

We never hike in India without a fording rope. Several times we have had to camp and wait for the water to recede over night. A rope makes a lot of difference, if the water gets you it is not necessarily fatal, though you certainly get wet and cold.

Hi per,

I think u have a good knowledge about Chandra tal – Barlacha la. So can u told that September is a comfortable for trek in that region (upto Barlacha la). If yes then which type of weather we get in the last of September or first of October & can u suggest the approximate budget from kolkata (India).

thanks