CHANDRABHAGA GLACIERS TREK

Your journey starts with a drive from Darcha, tracing the gurgling Bhaga River. The road climbs steadily, winding through a stark, high-altitude terrain. Soon after the Darcha checkpost, your phone network disappears. But in return, glaciated peaks begin to rise around you. You feel the remoteness set in. Take a moment to notice this — for most travellers, just the drive to Baralacha La is the highlight of their journey. For you, it’s just the beginning.

The landscape turns more rugged as you gain altitude. It starts sinking in. You’ll be trekking in this wild, cold-desert terrain. That’s exciting. You pass Suraj Tal, a turquoise glacial lake. This is where the Bhaga River begins. 

A few kilometres ahead, you reach Baralacha La — your trek start point.

You step out into a wide, open world of rock, snow and silence. The scale hits you immediately. It’s an endless cold-desert terrain, sharp ridges, and high jagged peaks. Around the 2 km mark, you cross the Yunam Cho stream. From there, a short climb leads you to a gentle hump in the landscape. This is Paralatse La.

There’s a small blue tarn here, set against the magical backdrop of massive snow peaks. The Kullu Pumori, Parvati range, and the mighty CB (Chandrabhaga) mountains rise in the horizon. 

From here, take a left towards a valley carved by two glaciers. This is where one of the early tributaries of the Chandra River is born. Pause here. This moment is special. Over the next few days, your trek will follow this river system, right up to its source.

Now you descend gently, tracing this glacial stream. It leads you to the stunning Lunar Campsite. It sits right in the middle of high-altitude meadows. A glacial stream flows close by. Right in front, the pyramid-like KR5 peak dominates the skyline. Behind you, Yunam stands tall.

Settle in for the day. As evening sets in, watch the light dance on the peaks. And if the skies are clear, prepare for a dazzling show of stars.

Start early from the Lunar Campsite. Carry just your daypacks. You’ll return to this very campsite by evening. The trail continues through beautiful alpine meadows. Small glacial streams crisscross the landscape. You'll need to hop across a few. 

Around the 2 km mark, you reach a sudden viewpoint. To your right, KR-5 stands taller and closer than ever. To your left and below, a magical sight of a high-altitude river delta.This is the Chandra River joining with its many early tributaries and beginning its journey. 

Here, the terrain changes. Meadows give way to scree and loose moraine. You're entering glacier country now. As you trek on, the valley to your left opens up dramatically. You start seeing a series of glaciers feeding into the Chandra River system. From a high ledge, you even spot the snout of the glacier — the very mouth where the Chandra River begins. You’ll visit it on your return, but for now, continue ahead.

One after the other, the KR peaks begin to reveal themselves. Each standing tall from base to summit. With every step, the scale of the mountains grows. Glaciers tumble down their slopes. The massive sheets of ice feeding into the Chandra river system form part of the Koa-Rong Glacial System — among the most significant glacier systems in Lahaul. The KR peaks are named after these very glaciers.

Soon, you’re surrounded by high peaks and active glaciers on all sides. The moraine becomes more rugged, and you’re carefully navigating boulder zones. After about 2.5 km, you reach the Chandrabhaga Glaciers Viewpoint, a massive amphitheatre of snow and ice.

From here, the entire KR range unfolds right in front of you. There are no obstructions, no ridges cutting across. Just peak after peak, glacier after glacier. You see everything — deep crevasses, icefalls, sinkholes — features you usually only read about. But here, you witness them up close from a safe, solid vantage point. This is perhaps as close you can get to a glacier without actually stepping onto it.

Spend some time here. Soak it all in.

On your way back, take a detour down to the snout of the glacier from where the Chandra River originates. You’re now at the very birth point of the river. Huge chunks of ice break off and melt into the stream that becomes the Chandra. It’s a powerful moment to witness the beginning of a river that later meets the Bhaga to form the Chenab. This river system flows through Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and finally drains into the Indus River in Pakistan. It is humbling to stand at the origin of this ancient river, which gave birth to the Indus Valley Civilisation.  

From here, trace the riverbed down to the delta you saw earlier. Then take a slight left, keep going until you find a small stream. Cross it and continue uphill along it. This will bring you out of the glacier zone and back into the familiar meadows. An undulating walk through the open landscape leads you back to the Lunar Campsite, with memories of an unforgettable day deep in the heart of the Chandrabhaga glaciers.

Some of the small streams you crossed in the morning may have swelled up by the time you return. Your Trek Leader and guides will help you navigate them safely.

Today is one of the most adventurous days of the trek. You’ll be visiting two stunning glacial lakes — Kya Tso and Ga Tso — and reaching your highest point on the trek.

You start from the Lunar Campsite. For the first 2 km, the trail is gentle. You walk across soft alpine meadows, with Mt. Yunam towering ahead.  Soon, the trail starts climbing. You begin to walk along the bouldery side of a glacial valley. Slowly, you gain height and step into a full-blown moraine zone.

In front of you, a steep moraine ridge blocks the view. You only get a hint of what lies beyond. A stream cuts through the ridge wall. That’s your clue that something incredible lies ahead.

Take this section slow. You’re now climbing to 16,800 ft. The altitude kicks in. You’ll feel it with every step. But when you finally crest the ridge, everything changes. Right in front of you lies Kya Tso — a dramatic, high-altitude glacial lake. If you’re early in the season, the lake is half-frozen — white and blue in patches. Later in the season, it turns a surreal turquoise.Mt. Yunam rises steeply behind the lake. Its glaciers seem to begin right at the water’s edge. It’s a picture-perfect sight.

Spend time soaking in the views. This is a rare lake, barely seen by trekkers.

Next, you begin the journey to Ga Tso.

You exit the Kya Tso bowl by climbing over its moraine walls. Then descend gently into the next valley. This valley is familiar. It holds the first stream you saw on Day One of your trek. That’s Yunam Cho. Now, you follow this stream straight upstream. 

The climb is gradual but steady. After about 3 km, you reach the origin of the stream — a beautiful glacial lake called Ga Tso. It sits at a staggering 17,200 ft. This is the highest point of your entire trek. The setting is unbelievable. The glaciers and mountain faces here are even grander than at Kya Tso. Everything around you feels raw and untouched.

Take in the silence, and enjoy your packed lunch.

When you're done, it’s time to descend. Right at the lake, cross to the other side of the Yunam Cho stream — it’s still small and easy to hop across near its origin. From here, you follow the stream back downstream, descending alongside it.

The moraines lead you down, back to the meadowy landscapes. In around 4 kms of descent, you will reach the River Campsite.

This campsite sits in the shadow of Mt. Yunam, close to the banks of the stream. After a high day, this peaceful setting is the perfect place to rest.

You’ve now seen the source of two major glacial lakes, traced a high-altitude stream to its origin, and reached one of the least-known viewpoints in this part of Lahaul. It’s a day you’ll never forget.