Chandratal Lake

Chandratal Lake — The Moon Lake of Lahaul

Chandratal is one of the most stunning high-altitude lakes in the Indian Himalayas. Meaning “Moon Lake” in Hindi, it gets its name from its distinctive crescent shape, cradled at 14,100 feet on the Samudra Tapu plateau in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh.

Fed by glacial melt from the surrounding peaks, the lake shifts through a remarkable spectrum of colours in a single day — from deep emerald at dawn to sapphire blue at noon to molten gold at sunset. With no outlet and crystal-clear waters, it reflects the sky and mountains so perfectly that the boundary between earth and water seems to disappear.

“Chandratal does not just take your breath away. At 14,000 feet, it reminds you how small you are — and how extraordinary this planet can be.”

The lake is sacred to local communities, and legend says it was created when the moon god Chandra descended to earth. It sits on the ancient trade route between Lahaul and Spiti, near the Kunzum Pass, and remains accessible only from June to early October before the snows seal it off for the long Himalayan winter.

Highlights of Chandratal Lake

• Chandratal Lake — crescent-shaped moonlit water at 14,100 ft
• The Moon Lake legend — created when the moon god Chandra descended to earth
• Colour-shifting waters — turquoise, emerald and gold reflections of the peaks
• Stargazing paradise — Milky Way visible to the naked eye at 14,000 ft
• Ramsar Site & Wildlife Sanctuary — rare Himalayan flora and fauna
• Off-road adventure — steep inclines and water crossings from Batal