Chandernahan : Majestic Lake trek near Shimla
Chandernahan is a sacred place located in the realms of Pabbar Valley in the Rohru town of district Shimla of Himachal Pradesh.
The town Rohru is situated on the bank of the Pabbar River and 115 km away from the main Shimla District the mighty river Pabbar has its origin in the lake of Chandernahan. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4200m in the lap of the divine Himalayas. Chandarnahan Lake is a group of seven different lakes situated at a particular distance from each other, as we keep on ascending toward a certain height we get to see them each after one. This place is considered sacred by the locals of the valley and it is believed that local gods (devatas) come here for a holy bath. The locals cover a long distance barefoot to visit the lake and worship it.
The trek to Chandernahan is a beginner-level trek. However, weather plays a prominent role in any Himalayan trek. The best time to trek to Chandernahan is from April to June and September to November. For the rest of the months whole place remains covered in snow and during monsoon it gets heavy rainfalls. The meadows on the way become lush green during April and June and the place becomes dry and barren during September to November with a tinge of cool breeze wooshing through your hair.
The journey to Chandernahan begins from Shimla, known as the “Queen of Hills”. It takes a drive of 6-7 hours to reach Rohru. It will take 6 hours to reach here if you travel by local transport in Himachal Pradesh (HRTC & private buses). You can go for a personal cab after reaching Rohru, it will take another 2 hours to reach Janghlik. Janghlik is a small, picturesque, remote town situated in the confines of Rohru. You will stay overnight in a local homestay in Janghlik to prepare for your next big day in the outdoors. The decent people of Janghlik also get a chance this way to show your hospitality and welcoming nature. You can hire a porter and a local guide for the trek if you are on a DIY trek, but is it considered not to go outdoors without prior knowledge of the area and the wildlife?
Most treks in the Himalayan region can take you through a diversity of terrains. The trail may pass through dense jungle, it can be muddy, it can be full of boulders and most of all these are secluded. They show a minimal presence of anyone passing your way. So it is always advisable to go for an experienced individual and a wilderness expert.
The very next morning after waking up in the chirping and cool breeze of Janghlik village you can have a walk around the village after wrapping up with your breakfast and everything it is time to move ahead with your team. The trek to Chandarnahan leads you further on a middle-file trail. The trail keeps on showing variations after certain intervals. If I talk about the trail from Janghlik to Simar Thach it is a mix of a muddy trail, a trail passing over the stream, and deep roots of the trees also forming a way to pass. From Janghlik to next 200 m. there is no sign of any water body so it will be good if you carry a filled water bottle from where you rather stay in Janghlik. After crossing this path of 200 m the trail starts to show hundreds of freshwater streams, running in between the rocks apt to quench your thirst while hiking. The water of the running streams possesses a high medicinal value as it is free of pollutants and any other human disturbance.
You will come across various kinds of flora along with its name mentioned on on a nameplate. It is always advised not to touch the wild plants as they can be harmful to you and your whole team. The pollens of the plants can give rise to serious allergies, or rashes and can easily spoil your whole trip. You will find snake lilies
After a gradual trek of 2-3 hours, the team reaches Simar Thach and you all stop here for a small break. Simar Thach is a huge stretch of one of the meadows on the way to Chandarnahan. This meadow is one of a kind for mountain peaks clearly visible from here on the other side, behind which the route to Rupin pass is, it is filling grazing land for the tiny little sheep in the herds that keeps on passing from here seasonally.
After a refreshing break, the team will start again and move ahead to Dayara Thach, On the way to Dayara Thach you will get to cross your path over boulders and after a continuous walk for another 2 hours will take you to the most beautiful and scenic campsite of the whole trek, Dayara Thach. It feels so surreal to pitch a tent here and end your day under the shimmering stars after getting done with your meal for the night.
The very next day, waking up at Dayara Thach and coming out of your tent and stepping on dew drops on the grass is going to be an experience that you will not be forgetting for years. The sharp and catchy beam of sunlight falling on you will feel like rejuvenating your existence. After having breakfast out in the woods the team will gear up to start the journey ahead to Litham. You will cross wooden bridges, shelters of shepherds (, often termed as ‘Dera’ in a local dialect), and stone benches made by shepherds. You will come across cute and joyful yet protective local breeds of dogs that stay with the shepherd and the herd and protects them.
The trail is heart-throbbing full of small rivulets and picturesque views it is nothing less than a treat for a nature lover and one who seeks peace in nature. After reaching Litham, you will witness an extensive waterfall that is going to vanish your exhaustion for the day. The source of the waterfall is collectively the lakes of Chandarnahan, which we will be visiting the next day. The water is unblemished with lots of medicinal properties. After a long day, the team of valiant trekkers and the instructors will camp at Litham for a night, recalculating the moments and learnings for the day. Litham is also giving out a way to one of the very popular pass crossover, Buran Pass, that will deport you to the Kinnaur region near the village of Barua.
The next day remains filled with exultation, courage and a motive. The team will freshen up and after breakfast start ascending a trail leading to Chandernahan, the destination for today. After visiting the lakes one by one and collecting memories for a lifetime we will feel the calmness in the lap of Mother Nature. We will descend down and trek back to Simar Thach which is going to be our campsite for tonight. Counting it as our last night outdoors for this trek, the team will call the day a day.
Start descending back to Janghlik giving an end to this adventuresome journey, we will drive back to Shimla and that is all going to be called a “trek to Chandarnahan.”
The places other than Chandarnahan that are accessible from Rohru are Buran Pass, Rupin Pass, and a motorable remote village via Chanshal Pass known as Dodra Kwar.
If you want to enter the remote realms of Himachal, you can contact us at teamhighinhimalayas@gmail.com