Chandratal

Chandratal, the Moon Lake, sits at about 4,300 m in the upper Chandra valley of Lahaul and Spiti. It is near the source of the Chandra river and close to Kunzum La, which separates Lahaul from Spiti. The crescent-shaped lake is fed by snowmelt and surrounded by bare peaks, and its colour changes through the day. The area is protected as the Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary and is a Ramsar-listed wetland. From Manali, the road goes through the Atal Tunnel, Gramphu and Batal. A rough track of about 14 km leads to the car park, a short walk from the shore. The road is open only in the warmer months, usually from about mid-June to September or early October. Landslides or snow can close it. Camps are at designated sites away from the shore, and the night sky is excellent. The altitude is high, so spend a night at a lower elevation first. Keep warm layers and watch for headache or breathlessness. One night at the lake is the usual stay, often combined with the Spiti circuit via Kaza.