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Day2 (Part2): Batal - Chandertal Lake - Batal
<< Back to Day2 (Part1): Gramphoo - Batal
Day2 (Part2): Batal - Chandertal Lake - Batal
(32kms in 3 hrs)
Batal wale UncleBatalAunty and Unclearrey theek hai, ghar ki murgi dal barabar, wapas aa jaoin this world, money talks and bullshit walksUncle
To prepare for this last leg to the lake, we decided to ride with just camera bags, essential spares & tools and some eatables. We unloaded our bags from our bikes at the dhaba and finally resumed our ride at around 1pm. Chandertal Lake is about 16 kms from Batal. If you continue towards Kunzum Pass from Batal, after about 3 kms there is a left turn towards the lake. We stopped at this spot to catch a last breath before beginning the final crusade, and were back on the saddle before the cold sweat could take over again.
The valley at the first glance might seem similar to any other one in this part of the world, and maybe it was, but to me it seemed strangely quiet and serene, almost surreal. Unlike the enchanting and inviting beauty of rest of the Spiti valley, this gorgeous section looks rather uninviting and scary. Look closely and the mountain seems to be nothing but a huge colossal resting heap of loose gravel very silently watching over a quiet Chandra riverArjun was smiling because we were finally heading towards the lake after many failed attempts previously, Abhishek was grinning ear to ear. God alone knows why he loves these off-roads so much. The lake was still some 6kms ahead and the mystical land was changing colors almost every 100mts. The sand gravel ground changed from brownish to more dark brown to almost black to magenta and further to more reddish. We were finally heading towards the end of the valley and could see a wide plane in front. For once we all opened the throttle and enjoyed a little speed. Suddenly a bed of small yellow flowers stretched for about 50mts grabbed my attention. It seemed comforting in this cursed barren land. We stopped and clicked a few pictures before continuing with the ride. Chandertal Lake was still some 4kms from here. The path ahead led us to a lush green patch with some colorful tents on them. Earlier Vivek Sir and Batal wale uncle told us about them, that this is the nearest accommodation to the lake but these guys charge exorbitant price for a stay (Rs. 2000/ per head per night).
As you cross these tents on your left, you get to a board welcoming you to Ramsar WetlandChandertal Lake, because for one there are no boards around it stating its Chandertal LakeClint Eastwood flick named The Good the bad and the ugly (1966)Chandertal Lake.
I am not going to try and explain the sight, I lack the talent and my language lacks the words. Enjoy the pictures.
It was almost 3pm and we spent the next hour absorbing the natural beauty in front and around us. We sat down at a grass patch next to the lake, listening to the continuous water gurgling under the clouded sky. That by far has been one of the most relaxing moments of my life. Clicked a lot of pictures, made few videos and enjoyed chit chatting over some snacks. You know how fast the clock runs at such times, it was already past 4pm by now and we were far from being satisfied. While both Abhishek and I were lost experiencing the lake, Arjun, the wind is goneAbhishek leaving us in dust and Arjun following suit. That was the last time I got a proper look at Abhishek and his bike. With Arjun just couple of feet ahead of me, we covered the entire stretch till Batal in less than 50mins.
We entered the dhaba and an even gladder Uncle greeted us with hot tea. We narrated our experience to him and many others sitting inside the dhaba. Even before we finished our tea, it started raining outside. We thanked God once again. I saw a familiar face in one corner of the dhaba, it was Bill whom we had met in the morning. His son was on cycle while he accompanied him in a Tavera to Batal from GramphooArizona and he has done some very impressive rides, covering 49 states in 60 days, a month long ride to AlaskaBMW GS1200 in person. Anyway I should save this for some other time. It was a great day in our lives and post an early dinner we were in bed at 9pm.
<< Back to Day2 (Part1): Gramphoo - Batal
Day2 (Part2): Batal - Chandertal Lake - Batal
(32kms in 3 hrs)
Batal wale UncleBatalAunty and Unclearrey theek hai, ghar ki murgi dal barabar, wapas aa jaoin this world, money talks and bullshit walksUncle
To prepare for this last leg to the lake, we decided to ride with just camera bags, essential spares & tools and some eatables. We unloaded our bags from our bikes at the dhaba and finally resumed our ride at around 1pm. Chandertal Lake is about 16 kms from Batal. If you continue towards Kunzum Pass from Batal, after about 3 kms there is a left turn towards the lake. We stopped at this spot to catch a last breath before beginning the final crusade, and were back on the saddle before the cold sweat could take over again.
The valley at the first glance might seem similar to any other one in this part of the world, and maybe it was, but to me it seemed strangely quiet and serene, almost surreal. Unlike the enchanting and inviting beauty of rest of the Spiti valley, this gorgeous section looks rather uninviting and scary. Look closely and the mountain seems to be nothing but a huge colossal resting heap of loose gravel very silently watching over a quiet Chandra riverArjun was smiling because we were finally heading towards the lake after many failed attempts previously, Abhishek was grinning ear to ear. God alone knows why he loves these off-roads so much. The lake was still some 6kms ahead and the mystical land was changing colors almost every 100mts. The sand gravel ground changed from brownish to more dark brown to almost black to magenta and further to more reddish. We were finally heading towards the end of the valley and could see a wide plane in front. For once we all opened the throttle and enjoyed a little speed. Suddenly a bed of small yellow flowers stretched for about 50mts grabbed my attention. It seemed comforting in this cursed barren land. We stopped and clicked a few pictures before continuing with the ride. Chandertal Lake was still some 4kms from here. The path ahead led us to a lush green patch with some colorful tents on them. Earlier Vivek Sir and Batal wale uncle told us about them, that this is the nearest accommodation to the lake but these guys charge exorbitant price for a stay (Rs. 2000/ per head per night).
As you cross these tents on your left, you get to a board welcoming you to Ramsar WetlandChandertal Lake, because for one there are no boards around it stating its Chandertal LakeClint Eastwood flick named The Good the bad and the ugly (1966)Chandertal Lake.
I am not going to try and explain the sight, I lack the talent and my language lacks the words. Enjoy the pictures.
It was almost 3pm and we spent the next hour absorbing the natural beauty in front and around us. We sat down at a grass patch next to the lake, listening to the continuous water gurgling under the clouded sky. That by far has been one of the most relaxing moments of my life. Clicked a lot of pictures, made few videos and enjoyed chit chatting over some snacks. You know how fast the clock runs at such times, it was already past 4pm by now and we were far from being satisfied. While both Abhishek and I were lost experiencing the lake, Arjun, the wind is goneAbhishek leaving us in dust and Arjun following suit. That was the last time I got a proper look at Abhishek and his bike. With Arjun just couple of feet ahead of me, we covered the entire stretch till Batal in less than 50mins.
We entered the dhaba and an even gladder Uncle greeted us with hot tea. We narrated our experience to him and many others sitting inside the dhaba. Even before we finished our tea, it started raining outside. We thanked God once again. I saw a familiar face in one corner of the dhaba, it was Bill whom we had met in the morning. His son was on cycle while he accompanied him in a Tavera to Batal from GramphooArizona and he has done some very impressive rides, covering 49 states in 60 days, a month long ride to AlaskaBMW GS1200 in person. Anyway I should save this for some other time. It was a great day in our lives and post an early dinner we were in bed at 9pm.
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