Chandra Taal

Chandra Taal
Chandra Taal
Location Middle Himalaya, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh,
Coordinates 32°28′31″N 77°37′01″E / 32.47518°N 77.61706°E / 32.47518; 77.61706Coordinates: 32°28′31″N 77°37′01″E / 32.47518°N 77.61706°E / 32.47518; 77.61706
Type Sweet Water Lake
Basin countries India
Max. length 1 km (0.62 mi)[1]
Max. width 0.5 km (0.31 mi)[1]
Surface elevation 4,250 m (13,940 ft)
Islands 1
Official name Chandertal Wetland
Designated 8 November 2005
Reference no. 1569[2]

Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon), or Chandra Tal is a lake situated in the Spiti part of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh (India).[1]

Description

Chandra Taal lake is situated on the Samudra Tapu plateau, which overlooks the Chandra River. The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. It is situated at an altitude of about 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) in the Himalayas.[1] Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a cirque encloses it on the other.

Access

Chandra Taal is a tourist destination for trekkers and campers. The lake is accessible on foot from Batal as well as from Kunzum Pass from late May to early October. There is also a motor road accessible as far as a parking lot 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the lake. The route from Kunzum Pass was accessible only on foot before, but now motorcycles and 4x4 cars do travel this distance where you take a right cut from a T-point, the road to left leads to Bataal. It takes approx 2 hours from Kunzum Pass to Chandra Taal. Chandra Taal is also accessible from Suraj Tal, 30 km (19 mi) away.

Other details

Accommodation is available 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the lake. Vast meadows on the banks of the lake are used as camping sites. During springtime, these meadows are carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wildflowers.

The lake is one of two high-altitude wetlands of India which have been designated as Ramsar sites.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Official Website of Lahaul & Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh, India". Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Chandertal Wetland". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
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