Announcement

**sajalsheth** · 03-30-2020, 09:30 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

From Parking area there is a normal trek of 1 km to Chandratal, which takes 15 minutes to cover. This was my first view of Chandratal Lake.

View behind me.

At 3.20pm, this was my wide view of Pristine Chandra Tal Lake.

Video of Chandratal first view

I was at top view point of Chandratal. I could see some tourist below.

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 03-31-2020, 03:49 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

A selfie for memory.

I had reached Chandratal Lake also on day 10 of my ride. Half of my journey was done.

The shape of the lake looks like a moon.

I trekked down to reach near this pristine and sacred lake at 14100 feet.

As per Hindu sayings, Lord Krishna and Raadha’s immortal soul went to heaven via this route. They spent a night at Chandratal.

Chandratal lake video -1

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 03-31-2020, 10:51 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

I went near lake and had its water. This was the purest water. And this was a beautiful spot.

Tourists and Camp owner’s efforts makes this lake what it is. Once a week all Camp owners come here and clean the area near Lake. That is why it is so clean.

Those pink mountains opposite this lake, makes the view different than other high altitude lakes.

I thanked God that I could reach here.

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-01-2020, 12:09 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

Sun light and clear day made me happy.

One must visit this crystal clear water lake, at least once in lifetime.

I just wanted to sit there for hours and “drink” the views with my eyes.

There was peace and calmness.

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-01-2020, 10:44 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

There is another local story where there was a mermaid in this lake and used to come to the surface on the melody of a flute played by a boy. When the boy told this incident to everyone, she never returned and vanished. This lake looks magical during full moon. It's a must visit for camping & stargazing.

The water flows from Chandratal Lake flows and merger with Chandra River.

During winters all these mountains will be filled with snow and this area will be more beautiful.

It looked beautiful from every angle.

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-02-2020, 12:19 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd..

Pure, Pristine and sacred.

This Lake of the Moon is picturesque and it beauty is legendary.

This lake is deep blue crystal clear water body high up in the valley hollowed in an attractive crescent shape.

It was 4.30pm and there were so many tourists there. All very enjoying and taking pictures.

....Cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-02-2020, 10:49 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....cont'd...

So many Tibetan prayer flags were there, but never saw a specs tied with them.

I missed my family very much. There was no mobile network to contact them.
I had one empty bottle with me. I filled up water of Lake in it and decided to carry all the way back to Cuttack, specially for my family.

I wanted to see sunset from here. But the cold winds were too harsh there.

Just because of Sun light, it was easy to spend time there. After sunset, temperature will be very cold.

...Cont'd...

**sajalsheth** · 04-03-2020, 08:53 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

.......Cont'd...

I took a 360 degree video of Chandratal.

Chandratal video -360

At 5.15pm the wind became too harsh and cold. Many tourists started leaving back. I also decided to go back to camp.
As I reached parking area of Chandratal Lake after trekking for 15 minutes, I found that rear tyre of my bike has less pressure. There might be a puncture. But since my tyres are tubeless, I did not worry much and decided to reach Camping area and then have some solution for it.

At 5.45pm, this was the view of camping area on my way back from Lake.

Last few minutes of sunlight was left and mountain peaks were getting those last rays.

At 5.50pm, I was back at Tenzin Camp.

After that I told Mr. Bali, in charge of Tenzin Camp, about the puncture of my rear tyre. I had puncture kit with me, but not the pressure pump. So I needed an air pump, which some of the four wheeler vehicles might have. It can be used with the power from cigarette lighter power point of cars.

I approached many cars, but nobody had it. At last it was found that one Audi car had that air pump. Owner told me that if I need it he will give it in morning. I was ok with it as it was already dark and better to use it in sunlight.

It was too cold there. I went to kitchen camp where night food was prepared and many tourists were having fun by playing cards etc. I met Mr. Tenzin, Son of Chacha Chachi. I heard many stories and experiences….. 2018’s sudden snow fall at Chandratal area and how they managed during that tough time..… How they live in these tough condition and harsh weather etc.

I asked him about Samudri Tapu Lake and whether it was possible to reach there tomorrow morning. He said it will be a full day affair.
All other tourists were sharing their experiences. One group of bikers told me that their group biker’s Bajaj Avenger was stranded on the way to Chandratal. Its clutch plate was damaged. They could not do anything about that bike and just parked it on road and came to Camping area.

One tourist was provided Oxygen can as he had breathing problem.
I used my emergency torch and power bank there.
In the night we were given roti, sabjee, rice and daal, in common dining area.

I took extra blanket (total three) from Camp Manager, as it was too cold there in night.
It was the coldest night of this ride.

This was my map for the day.

Coming up…next… Ride from ChandraTal to Kaza via Chicham, Kibber , Gette Chorten & Key Monastery.

.......Cont'd...

**sajalsheth** · 04-04-2020, 08:40 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

.......Cont'd...

13.9.2019

Day 11 = Chandratal to Kaza

via Kunzum Pass, Chicham Bridge, Kibber, Gette Chorten & Key Monastery.

Total 122 Kms

Ride time 8.15 AM to 5.30 PM.

It was not so peaceful sleep at night due to cold temperature. It was coldest night yesterday and it was coldest morning also. Brushing teeth with cold water was difficult, so was using toilet. I skipped taking bath.
This was the view at 6.10am.

There was frost layer on bike bike’s seat showing the cold temperature of night.

But good thing was that my rear tyre was still having half air. So I decided not to do anything with it and just ride towards Kaza. There are mechanics and puncture repair shop there. I can ride till Kaza as tubeless tyre have such advantage.

I started my ride at 8.15AM.
This was my morning view of Chandra River.

Water of river was milky.

And snow capped mountain peak at morning was bliss.

.......Cont'd...

**sajalsheth** · 04-04-2020, 12:42 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

.......Cont'd...

Wide view of the Chandra River.

Nearby mountain peaks in morning.

View ahead of me.

This was the stranded bike of those bikers whom I met yesterday at dining area of Tenzin Tents. I don’t know how they will take it back?

More mountain peaks.

.......Cont'd...

**sajalsheth** · 04-04-2020, 05:38 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd...

I was lucky to get another clear day.

It looks like there are two lakes surrounded by those mountains.

More mountain peak’s view.

I was on continuous ascend to reach Kunzum pass. That zig zag road is old route.

It was 9.05AM, and I was riding on new road which was full to dust.

....cont'd...

**sajalsheth** · 04-05-2020, 12:25 AM

Re: Ride To KISS

...cont'd..

This is view of old road after some ascend.

And the new road with lots of dust & sand.

At 9.25AM, I was at Kunzum Pass.

Kunzum Mata Temple is little inside.

Jio Cables were being laid at Kunzum Pass, so those going to Spiti Valley in 2020 will have Jio Mobile Network coverage.

...cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-05-2020, 03:48 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....cont'd..

I was at 15059 feet and Kunzum Pass was fifth mountain pass of this ride.

Kaza is just 78 kms from here.

I was told to visit Kunzum Mata temple then only proceed towards Kaza. Some views from Kunzum Mata temple.

....cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-05-2020, 11:09 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....cont'd..

I removed my shoes and visited Kunzum Mata Temple and four Stupas there.

Video of Kunzum Pass

....cont'd..

**sajalsheth** · 04-06-2020, 12:09 PM

Re: Ride To KISS

....Cont'd...

I re started my ride at 9.55 AM. This stream is a tributary to Spiti River. This water stream originates from Dhar Thachakapro and Dhar Sitikhud Mountain Ranges.

There were some prayer flags and a Stupa also.

Technically this was my first view of Spiti River.

At 10.20AM, I was descending after Kunzum Pass and this was my first view of Spiti River Valley from far.

A zoom view

....Cont'd...

Announcement

Ride To KISS

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment