Chandranahan Lake Trek

6 Days
Group : 8-15 People
Guided Trek
Difficulty: Easy
Start: Shimla
Maximum Altitude: 4,260 m

The Chandranahan Lake trek is situated in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. At an altitude of 13,780 ft, a picturesque lake within the vicinity of the ranges is truly a hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh.

The trekking trail to the Chandranahan lake meander through undulating meadows of thick, lush green forests, verdant grasslands, and carpeted wildflowers that remain shrouded in snow during winters and dense forests, which further leads to the infamous Buran Ghati Pass.

Beautifully tucked away in the Pabbar Valley, Chandranahan lake is one of the most exquisite lakes found amidst the snowy mountains. If you want to get to Chandranahan Lake, you must first reach Rohru at a distance of 120 km from Shimla and then to the quaint village of Janglik via Chirgaon, from where the trek starts.

The Chandrahan lake is the source of the Pabbar River and is located on the southeastern slopes of the Himalayas. The lake is considered highly sacred by locals. They believe that Devta Shikru Maharaj has its origin here and tends to visit the lake for a ritual bath once every year.

Trekkers to Chandranahan Lake will witness the awe-inspiring snow-clad mountains of Pabbar valley. Chandranahan, comprising seven glorious seven glacial ponds, is the point of origin of the Pabbar River. A trek to this place is no less than a walk into paradise, going through endless meadows, alpine forests, gurgling streams, glaciers, and a massive waterfall. The trek begins from Janglik Village and ends back in Shimla.

Shimla is encircled by pine, deodar, and oak forests. Covering an area of 25 sq km at the height of 7,238 ft, its well-developed amenities, easy reach, and diverse tourist attractions make it one of India’s most popular hill stations.

Departure & Return Location

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Meeting Time

6 A.M.

Price Includes

Activity: Trekking, Camping, etc
Accommodation during Trek (Camping)
Meals during Trek (Veg)
All season Camping tents on twin/triple sharing basis, Sleeping bags with adequate sub-zero temperature rating, comfortable mattress
Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys, ice-axe, micro-spikes, slings
Forest Permits/Camping Charges/Permits, Trek Permit Fee/IMF Permission – up to the amount charged for Indian Nationals.
Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid knowledge
Experienced Local guide, cook, helpers
Porters or mules for carrying common luggage
Exhaustive First Aid kit including portable oxygen cylinder, oximeter

Price Excludes

Transportation
Meals during the road journey
Insurance
Any expenses of personal nature
Mules or porter to carry personal luggage. (extra luggage, if any can be left at the base camp with the authorities)
Cost Escalation due to natural reasons
Any expense not specified in the inclusion list

What to Expect

High AltitudesThis trek can be done anytime during the year, but high altitudes can alter the temperatures. The glacial ponds are sparkling blue during the summer, and the waterfall looks exquisite. During winters, the trail is covered in snow, and the lakes & waterfalls are entirely frozen.
Beginner-Friendly Difficulty LevelThis trek is easy in terms of difficulty level, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers alike. With proper preparation and guidance from your trek leader, anyone can complete this trek.
Picturesque ViewsThe Chandranahan Lake trek takes you through picturesque views of the alpine and lush meadows of the Pabbar Valley in the Shimla region.
Pine Forests and Alpine Meadows:The trek takes you through tall standing pine forests and lush green alpine meadows like Dayara and Litham thatch. The scenery is simply stunning and will leave you in awe.
Local CultureAlong with natural beauty, this trek also offers a glimpse into the local culture of Himachal Pradesh. You will get to interact with locals in villages like Janglik and experience their way of life.

Chandranahan Lake Trek Itinerary

Day 1Shimla to Janglik Village

Distance: 150 km drive
Time Taken: 10 Hours
Altitude: 9,200 ft

This will be our first day of the trek to Chandranahan Lake. We will reach Shimla in the early hours of the morning. Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and a popular hill station among several people across the world. Located at a height of 2,276 m, Shimla was considered to be the summer capital of British India.

Shimla is well connected to main cities, especially Delhi, and several buses are available to and from the route. She retains its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, and the ridge lined up with multiple shops, cafes, and restaurants. We will then drive through the beautiful valley via Narkanda and Rohru passes towards Janglik.

The journey to Janglik will take almost 10 hours. Once we reach, we will stay overnight in a homestay at Janglik village. You can explore the village, meet locals, and enjoy the stunning Himalayan views. In the morning, we will start our trekking toward Chandranahan Lake.

Day 2Janglik to Dayara Thatch

Distance: 8 km
Time Taken: 4 Hours
Altitude: 3,370 m (11,060 ft)

On our second day of the trek, we will begin our trek from the trail going up the village and through the pine forest. After a few hours of rigorous trekking, you will reach beautiful meadows with views of magnificent peaks.

Start the trek by reaching out of the wheat fields, and then we will bid farewell to the Diude huts and quaint village. Further, you gain altitude and have a view of Tonglu, Diude, and other stunning villages lining the ranges. As you enter the forest of lush pine and oak, it begins to get dense, and the steep climb turns into an incremental one. You can view the beautiful pine and oak forests with streams across the trail. It secretly climbs out of the tree line into a vast expanse of meadows, climbing into the hills.

After almost 20-30 minutes of the trek, you can see the receding tree line and now view the undulating meadows that stretch wide and far. As you climb up the cliff with a view of mountains on one side and dark trees on another, descend slowly, and the trail gets wide.

After an hour, you will again enter the dense pine and oak forest, striding under the shades of trees, and the sound of crumbling leaves will make the trek enjoyable. Before reaching Dayara, the trail climbs up slowly, and you will have to gear up for the steep climb, and suddenly the stunning meadow of Dayara comes into sight. Once we reach the location, we will set camp and have some fun. This concludes our second day of the trek.

The trek to Dayara Thatch takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. The trail is gradual and pleasant and surrounded by thick trees on either side. As you move ahead, the terrain gradually rises, giving a beautiful view of the valley below. After about two hours on a gentle climb, you will reach a dhaba. Here, we will take a break and enjoy the stunning views of lush forests and snow-capped mountains. Once rested, it is time to move forward and climb the through the forest.

The first day always feels a little challenging, but once you reach the pretty campsite of Dayara Thatch, your sense of accomplishment will be unbeatable. You can have tea and rest for a while before you settle down for the night and enjoy dinner under the stars.

Day 3Dayara Thatch to Litham

Distance: 5 km
Time Taken: 4 hours
Altitude: 3,430 m (11,250 ft)

On the third day of our trek, we will explore the Dayara meadows in the morning, and after an excellent breakfast, we will start our tour to Litham Thatch. The trail from Dayara to Litham goes through thick forests, alluring green meadows, and streams. Through the fields, the route heads towards the Gunas Pass, and after 30 minutes, we will reach the pine forest. The trail will be mostly descending and comparatively more leisurely than the other days of the trek.

We will cross a narrow stream and exit the forest section with magnificent views of the Dhauladhar range and Gunas Pass. We will gear up for the picturesque views of the grasslands, and after half an hour, the trail will take you through another forest of Bhoj. Descend through this forest and reach a stream from where the Litham Thatch is visible.

The trail after the meadows goes to the Chandranahan stream, which must be crossed before reaching the Litham Thatch. We will cross it and reach our campsite, where you will find plenty of streams crisscrossing Litham. From here, the views are just mind-boggling.

Towards the left, you can see the Chandranahan Waterfall, and on top of this waterfall is the gorgeous Chandranahan Lake. Towards the right are cliffs with snow patches, behind which lies Rupin valley, and in front are snow-covered mountains. At their back lies Buran Ghati.

These meadows are heavenly for nature lovers. Now we will rest and enjoy the beauty of nature as you are in front of the beautiful Chandernahan waterfall, and its fresh streams are sure to win your heart after an exhausting trail route.

Day 4Litham to Chandranahan Lake and Back

Distance: 7 km
Time Taken: 5 Hours
Altitude: 4,260 m (13,980 ft)

Chandranahan is a small glacial lake surrounded by mountains and snow flanks that feed this Lake. On our fourth day, we will take the shepherd’s trail to the top of the ridge and head towards the waterfall’s snout. Reaching this point is a challenge because the trail is quite steep and depending on the season, there can be a lot of snow on this route.

Once we reach the snout of the waterfall, we’ll take a breather and continue the rest of the gradual climb. You can see the mighty alpine valley from this spot, and the views are incredibly mind-boggling.

The setting of this Lake is idyllic; the grassy patches are in the middle, and small waterfalls turn into little freshwater streams. There are rough and steep boulders that mark the lake so always make sure to wear appropriate shoes for this trek We’ll spend some time here, and you can take as many pictures as you want of the lake and its surroundings.

Once we finish exploring, we’ll make our way back to the camp, where a hot meal awaits us. The descent is steep till the Litham Thatch.

Day 5 Litham to Dayara Thatch

Distance: 5 km
Time Taken: 4 hours
Altitude: 3,370 m (11,060 ft)

On the fifth day of the trek, we will retrace our steps through the lush pine forests and the undulating meadows. After a pleasant and filling breakfast, we will continue our trek back to Dayara Thatch. The 5 km stretch may seem like a cakewalk as compared to the previous days, but with the altitude of 3,370 m (11,060 ft), the descent may be quite challenging for some.

Dayara Thach is the most beautiful location on our trek to Chandranahan Lake. The vast meadows with herds of sheep and grazing horses will steal your heart. The picture-postcard landscape with the mountain ranges in the backdrop makes for a picturesque location to spend some time exploring.

We will pitch our tents and spend one more night in this beautiful meadow before starting on our last day of trekking back to civilization.

Day 6 Dayara Thatch to Janglik Village and Back to Shimla

Distance: 8 km (Trek), 150 km (Drive)
Time Taken: 3 hours (Trek), 10 hours (Drive)
Altitude: 2,276 m (7,470 ft)

This is the last day of our trek to Chandranahan lake. It’s sure to make us reminiscent of everything and each day of our lovely trek to Chandranahan Lake. We will follow the same route and head back to the Janglik village.

Once we reach Janglik, we will freshen up and finish our drive back to Shimla. Once you reach Shimla, you can explore the quaint city. You can visit the infamous mall road of Shimla, followed by Scandal point, Lakkar Bazaar, and so much more before you leave for home.

The trek ends here with refreshing memories of Chandranahan lake and the beautiful meadows.

Chandranahan Lake Trek Map

Chandranahan Lake Trek Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to do Chandranahan Lake trek?

The best time and season to do the Chandranahan Lake trek is in the pre-monsoon or post-monsoon seasons.
Pre-Monsoon: March to June
Post-Monsoon: September to November
If you want to beat the crowd, and can manage the cold, you can also attempt it in winter.

What are the requirements for participation?

All participants are expected to be confident that they are physically and mentally fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen event as defined in the itinerary.

Any minors between 10 and 17 years of age must accompany their parent or guardian who assumes full responsibility for them to participate in the adventure activity or event. Any unaccompanied, underage minor will not be allowed to participate in the adventure activity.

How to make a booking with us?

You can make your booking at our website www.advenchar.com or you can contact us at hello@advenchar.com.

You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking with us. After the booking, our team will send you a confirmation of the booking.

We understand that you may have to change your travel plans due to the Covid-19 situation, so considering this we have introduced a Book Now, Pay Later facility for all the participants. However, you will be required to pay the full amount at least 15 days prior to the departure date.

How do I cancel/modify my booking?

If you wish to cancel/modify your existing booking, you can do so by logging in to www.advenchar.com, and pay through the dashboard or you can drop us a mail at hello@advenchar.com with all the details of your booking, and we’ll cancel it for you.

What is cancellation policy?

You can claim a 100% refund if you choose to cancel your booking before 15 days. The refund will primarily be in the form of a voucher valid for 12 months. You can also opt for a cash refund provided the booking is not part of a promotional offer or a coupon code provided by Advenchar.

Refund

Cancellation before 15 days from departure date – 100% refund.
Cancellation between 15 days and 7 days from departure date – 70% refund.
Cancellation less than 7 days from departure date – You can modify your trek free of cost, and transfer it to a friend/family member.

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