Chandratal – Baralacha — The Moon Lake Trail

The Moon Lake

Chandratal — the 'lake of the moon' — is an impossibly blue crescent at 14,100 ft beneath the Chandrabhaga peaks, sacred in local lore and simply staggering at dawn. The trek links it to Baralacha La along the infant Chandra river, tracing the old Spiti–Ladakh road.

The Route

From the lake, camps at Tokping Yongma and Tokping Gongma stage the walk to Baralacha La (16,000 ft), where the Manali–Leh highway crosses; itineraries run the route in either direction with vehicle support at both ends.

Best Time and Difficulty

June–September. Moderate: high but short days, several stream crossings best done early morning, and big-sky camping throughout. Acclimatize before sleeping at the lake — you start high and stay high.