Chandratal Lake

If you attempt to cross the mighty Kunzum Pass, you are rewarded by the view of Chandratal—a moon-shaped lake with its water changing colours throughout the day. It takes a bit of an effort to reach Chandratal. You can either reach it on foot from either Batal or Kunzum Pass, or opt for the motorable road that takes a little longer route but goes almost till the base of the lake. There are vast meadows on the way where you can camp if you decide to spend a day here. Best time to visit Chandratal is between noon and 4 pm when the lake takes an aquamarine blue colour. It changes colour as the clouds move over it. A small chorten with colourful prayer flags stands at the edge of the lake. I sat on a stone admiring the pristine lake when our guide told us about the possible parikrama or circumambulation around this lake. We decided to walk around the 4 km or so circumference of the lake. It is a simple walk and can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours depending on the speed of your walk and how many times you stop. I stopped many times to take photographs, to soak in the views from all corners of the lake and to just feel it!