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The
hardships of your adventure quest will be
compensated by greetings of welcome from numbers
of glaciers where snow will be throughout the year
--a different terrain with nature in its
extraordinary state.
Day 04
After crossing Rohtang pass, we will reach a village known as
Gramphoo. From here we will trek until Chatroo by evening, and that will be our
first camp site. Here we will have a bonfire and cook some roast and local
dishes. This meal will be our last treat for a few days, as food for us will be
simple and as per availability, but it will be pre-planned to include all
dietary requirement of such a high level of altitude.
Here we will start a trek towards Lake of Moon, along with the Chandra
river crossing. Jumping from rock to rock, and avoiding drizzling from many
waterfalls --- Feel it and it will be real, when you are actually there. Did I
tell you that you should load your camera and keep extra rolls of film? - That's
because from here you will be taking pictures all the time --you can't help it--
because nobody wants to miss anything-mark my words. We will carry on through
narrow natural trails where snow and glaciers, sometimes the road is missing, so
just follow your instincts to make one! - Anyway, our experienced guide will be
there always. The choice will be yours, whether to take a steep green trek, or a
moderately ascending one - you will be surrounded by green treeless mountains
with yellow Alpine flowers. Making your way through glaciers some times will
require caution, sometimes will be easy - sometimes on snow, other times through
cold water. We will be in a place called Chatru by evening. We will pitch our
tents here and make ready for a well deserved sleep, but you can't resist
yourself from taking a walk in solitude under calmness and serenity! --- For me,
it was always a means to spend some time in self analysis. It could mean
something different for you. This place is windy, which makes your night's stay
adventuresome, a common feature at that height. (Total stretch of 25-28 kms)
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Day 05
We will wake up in the morning
to a refreshing breakfast and tea, and then we will carry on with our journey.
From here our surroundings will change to sharper gradients, and the valley will
be narrow, and our companion river Chandra fed with glacier water. Let me
caution you here. There will be cold and snow, even in July, a very different
weather when compared to other parts of India, which will be swept by a heat
wave by this time of year. We are ready for any contingency plan. We will walk
up till we reach a placed called Chota Dara. Here will be a government guest
house where we can stay, or we can move ahead. From here you can do photo shoots
of shining mountains, deep trenches, the hide and seek of sun with clouds!
That's what I call "nature in its untouched state"! You will go through a lot of
river crossings, precarious and slippery paths and be welcomed by the massive
Bara Shigari glacier! Soon we will be on the way to Batal through the base of
Kunjum pass (altitude 15,500 feet). You have to cross Pagal Nala (means mad
rivulet), such a precarious that we must help each other cross it. So our camp
will be on rock terrain of Batal. It's a mysterious place, because for a few
hours it will be very windy, then after a time, it will be quite as if nothing
happened - amazing isn't it. We will take a halt here and next day we will trek
to Chandratal. It seems so near - yet it will be a long trek. |
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Day 06
After relaxing and a good sleep, we will
trek forward, and after crossing a rope bridge, will be in the Spiti valley,
with its sharp mountains and sometimes green meadows. In between, it will be
quite a hectic walk, but worth the magic of Chandratal, as someone has written
--- 'long and difficult the trek, the more is its magic'! Anyway, after making
the trek, you will then be in a beautiful meadow and gazing upon the heavenly
lake called Chandratal - fed with water from near twenty glaciers, which are
like soldiers protecting its uniqueness. - The reflections of the surrounding
environment will be mesmerizing! We will camp here and enjoy this heavenly place.
Day 07-08
Next day we will head back to Manali. The route
will be the same, but you will find it different all again.
Day 09-10
But soon, after two days of trek, we will be back to Manali, and next
day to Delhi. |
