Also see: ‘Our Photography Tour to Chandratal and beyond in Lahaul & Spiti‘
Few places can match Chandratal in beauty and grandeur. Nestled in the middle of snow-peaks in in the Himalayas, the deep blue waters of the mountains reflect equally blue skies and the heavenly landscapes. The mountain walls stop the wind, allowing the lake waters to be absolutely placid and form a perfect mirror. Tiny mountain flowers in yellow, white and purple decorate the banks of the lake, enhancing the beauty of the landscape. There aren’t many places in this world I would give up Chandratal for.
For the last few years, I have been fortunate to travel to the mountain regions of Chandratal and its surroundings, leading photography tours for Darter. Each year, I arrive with a conviction to make images that justify the beauty of these landscapes. And I work on new perspectives of the lake each year. Yet, images are not much compared to being there, watching the sun reflected by the lake surface and meditating with the camera.
Chandratal Lake – Mountain and Sky above and below.
Flowers on the lake shore add to its beauty.
Wandering by Chandratal lake.
Chandratal has many moods that can surprise the visitor. More often than not, its surface is calm and inviting, though a few windy afternoons can occasionally disturb its surface. The waters are blue when on most days as the sky here is clear and cloud-free. On the rare days when it is cloudy, water appears emerald in colour. Very few people get to see the Chandratal surrounded by snow, as the lake becomes inaccessible during the winter months.
In Black & White – play of light over the lake and the mountains.
Lahaul & Spiti Valleys, in the northern parts of Himachal Pradesh are blessed with beautiful lakes, fast flowing rivers and mountain landscapes that are remote and yet not difficult to access. Although connected by roads, the region is not overrun with visitors despite its unparalleled beauty. Add to this, the friendly people of Spiti, with their cheerful demeanour make you feel welcome in their land. The ancient culture of Spiti, with its monastic practices of Tibetan Buddhism has its own charms.
Also see: ‘Heart of the Himalayas – Photography Tour to Lahaul & Spiti‘