Contents showSoothe your mountain buds in nature’s lap in Sangla valley, Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh, India.
Looking for an unheard destination in the Himalayas? I’m going to tell you how I found a gem of a place in Sangla Kanda Lake which we ditched for Chitkul as a day trip from Sangla valley. Read more how to reach the Kanda lake and trek till Sangla Kanda valley. If you don’t want to skip Chitkul, then here a perfect Chitkul guide for you.
Don’t miss my Sangla travel guide!
No matter how many days we spend in the mountains it will always turn out to be less. When we visited the picturesque Sangla valley, we had a to-do list prepared from the well-known travel site Trip-advisor. While on dinner, our hotel staff suggested us to visit Sangla Kanda ~ a trek to Sangla hill where there’s a small village with a lake at almost 2-hour drive or 5-6 hour trek the Himalayas. We decided to give this unheard & hidden place a shot and that turned out to be an amazing decision and it instantly became my one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh!
How to reach Sangla Kanda
We hired a 4X4 cab – a car with gears for front wheels. Why hire?? Because normal cars wouldn’t work on the undeveloped road with steep deadly turns. It was not a unanimous decision yet proved to be a great one on those roads!! If you have some time to spare, but not enough time to trek till rupin pass or even the lake then I highly recommend renting a car from Sangla. The route for Sangla is rough for a trek as the area is still highly undeveloped. So I recommend having the proper gear and proper clothing. To shield yourself from the biting cold opt woolen clothes, and see which ones to choose from this merino wool comparison.
As we started off the drive and reached the Baspa river the point till where we walked the previous day. We really couldn’t believe that any car/truck could cross those narrow lanes. After crossing the Baspa river bridge, the road turned bumpier and it was more of a walking path – read trek – rather than the road. As we were moving up the mountain we could see the entire Sangla valley and village right in front of us.
Must Read – An uphill walk to Kamru Fort, Sangla Valley.
Few locals also joined us in the back of the truck which actually proved helpful. It helped to manage the weight making the ride less bumpy, so the more the number of people the better. We also came across some trekkers going from Sangla valley till Reocong Pass and few coming back. After the super-bumpy ride which lasted 2 hours, we finally reached the base-camp in Sangla Kanda for trekkers. The Sangla Kanda lake was hidden somewhere on the back side of the camp.
How to find the Kanda Lake
There was no direct way to reach the Sangla Kanda lake, I literally had to cross bushes to reach the starting point of the lake. I must accept I was a little disappointed by such less water in the lake and should rather call it a pond. But as said something is better than nothing and I was rather loving that we took the lesser known path!! Well, later the locals told us the lake is sort of mysterious and no one actually knows where the water in the lake comes from and where does it go towards…quite intriguing..right??
Suggested read – Best places to visit in Sangla Valley!
Sangla Kanda Lake
A gorgeous lake at an altitude of 3,568 meters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains whose reflection is seen vibrantly in the algae encompassed water. Locals refer these snow coated mountains as Kailash ~ Residence of Lord Shiva. Stories rotate among the locals that no trekkers or locals dare to go up against these Kailash mountains as those who tried in past never came back. So as said, it is not easy to find God 🙂
Isn’t the lake worth visiting Sangla Kanda??
Basic facilities are available at the camp for the tourists including food and washrooms. No trip is complete without trying local cuisine no matter how simple it is. As it wasn’t lunch time yet so we chose Maggi along with chai(tea). The tea was too sweet and if you also wish to have tea then ask to keep sugar low.
P.S.It is advisable to reach Sangla Kanda before 12h00 noon as winds turn freezing after that and at the altitude of 3,568 meters, the weather is always unpredictable. It is better to stay safe and not regretting later!!
Black River
In the meantime when our tea/snacks were ready, we explored the entire Sangla Kanda hill. A meager river flows at the base of the hill known as ‘Black River‘. It finally merges in the Baspa river upon reaching Sangla valley. The river is slightly in black color, rumored to be cursed, that’s’ named as the Black River.
After enjoying the snacks amid windy weather and scorching sun, we headed back to Sangla valley. It is the place worth visiting from Sangla valley and wouldn’t take more than 6 hours by cab. If you choose to trek to Sangla Kanda base camp then it might take 10-13 hours. I highly recommend visiting Kanda from Sangla valley. It’s not only about the lake! The adventurous ride, the view of Kailash mountains and the amazing feeling from the top of the Sangla Kanda hill are enough reasons to visit.
Have you heard of Sangla Kanda near the famous Sangla valley before? Do share your experience with me!
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Stunning! It’s so rewarding to chance upon a lake, a waterfall, or an open view of the landscape on a hike, isn’t it?
What natural beauty! Sometimes I crave raw nature trips like this where you can really take in the outdoors. Great tips on the weather and what to pack as well!
Thank you, so glad you liked the tips 🙂
Kanda Lake looks like one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! I went to India in the past but only to cities! On my next visit I definitely want to visit some beautiful scenic places like this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Reblogged this on PALAMPUR PANORAMA.
Amazing hike! What is the best time out of the year to visit this area? Your pictures are also great, so I want to make sure when I visit I can take the best shots 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Probably May till September would be best as post that it will be all snowy!
Loved your tip of arriving in the village before the noon winds blow. I would have never known that. Also, 5-6h hiking there is quite a lot. Good thing you had a car. This looks like such a cool village!
I agree 5-6 hours is a little on the high side if one hasn’t planned a hike on the trip! Thanks for the lovely words 🙂
This doesn’t look like India at all, I adore it – the snowy mountains and the sun but yes your tip about it turning freezing after midday is a good one! I love that you decided to visit on a whim, sometimes the places we least expect turn out to be the best!
Wow, such beautiful scenery! I’ve wanted to visit India forever. This adds a whole new region to my bucket list.
Kanda Lake and its surrounds look absolutely gorgeous. They definitely look different to what my preconceptions are of what India looks like, but I always forget that India is such a massive country with varied landscapes. Is the weather cooler in this area or still really hot?
Weather is mostly cool here and despite the sharp sun, the chilly winds cool it down!
Wowww! I haven’t heard about Kanda Lake near Sangla before but what a stunning place <3
Thank you so much <3
This place looks so dreamy! I had never heard of it before I read this post. Love your photos and very helpful article! 🙂
I agree, so dreamy🙂 It was new for us too!
What a beautiful lake! I’m always so amazing by how green and lush some areas of India are. I can’t wait to visit one day. It sounds too chilly for camping.
Thank you 🙂 Yes it will get way too chilly!
Absolutely stunning photos, thanks for sharing this gem 🙂
Glad you liked it, thanks 🙂
What a beautiful place <3
Carmelatte
Thanks🙂
That looks like an amazing experience! And great photos, too — I can definitely get a feel for how chilly it can be there with those massive snow-capped mountains!
Yes I can’t imagine how cold the weather will be in winters🙂
Stunning photos! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’ve not heard of Lake Trek…. another for the bucket list
Thank you🙂
I hadn’t heard of this trek before but it looks beautiful. I’m surprised you were able to drive so high up in the mountains to start your trek – that must have been a crazy car ride!
Yes it was so bumpy🙊
What a wonderful trek and so beautiful that most places are remote and not accessible by trucks! Kanda Lake is gorgeous. Amazing to be able to hike to the altitude of over 3’500 meters! You must have had serious wind jackets there and the weather probably turns bad quite unpredictably!
Yes that’s why it’s recommended to come back after 12noon to avoid getting such there.
Kanda looks really beautiful, very lush and green and so striking a landscape. Sounds like the 4×4 was an absolute must for that kind of road but that the trip was still worthwhile. Love the photos!
Thank you🙂 Agreed, 4X4 was a must!
OMG! Can’t believe this is India! Looks so gorgeous.
Thank you so much🙂
The lake looks gorgeous, with its crystal clear waters. I love such treks, no matter how hard they are, that end up at a point which is so gorgeous that it makes up for the hardness of the trek. And to camp in that kind of destination is an icing on the cake! Thanks for sharing this detailed review, it’ll be very helpful for someone who plans to go for this trek.
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
Wow! These views are so gorgeous! Good on you for doing the trek! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you🙂
I’ve never heard of this lake, but my what a beautiful place!!!
Thank you🙂
Glad you took the time and visited! The views alone are worth the bumpy ride! Did you camped here, too? I’m sure the view during sunset/ sunrise is gorgeous with all those landscape!
I must confess I have never heard of Kanda before but I guess that’s what I love travel blogs more than any other niche: they teach me about new wonderful but hidden places on this Earth. Your photos are so amazing I wish I was there right now. I always loved mountain more than the ocean or the sea, so for me every post about traveling to a mountain area is captivating.
Thank you so much🙂
I haven’t heard of Kanda before either. The photos are stunning! Regions with rugged mountains are my favorite to explore, we will have to add this to our list!
Glad to know that🙂 Thanks for the lovely words!
I’ve never heard of Kanda or the lake, but both look so pretty! I’m not sure I could take 2 hours on a bumpy road, did anyone get sick?! Those snow-capped mountains look awesome too, though I’d never try to hike it!
Yes it was difficult but an adventurous one. Noone got sick fortunately 😀 Agree the hike to those mountains csn be tough and I’ll also give it a pass 🙂
Wow! Those are some incredible views. The lake looks beautiful, but the mountains are absolutely magnificent. I’d love to visit!
Thank you for your lovely words Kate 🙂
Wow! What a totally incredible suggestion by the dinner staff! I’d have been put off at the thought of a long drive, but from your images it was totally worth it. Thanks for the heads up on the whether situation too, there’s nothing worse than being cold and unprepared at altitude!
Yes it definitely was an incredible suggestion. Thank you for the lovely words 🙂
A very good write up about a place I had never heard off! However after reading your article and seeing the breathtaking pictures of the valley and the lake, has left me wanting to go! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Natasha for the lovely words 🙂
Wow Kanda looks simply amazing! Your pictures are stunning and makes me want to visit asap! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Katie. I hope you get a chance to visit there soon🙂
This place looks very similar to Switzerland actually, which might I add is my favorite country. The views are absolutely stunning. Sad that there wasn’t much water left in the Lake 🙁
That’s a lovely comparison!! Yes I also felt weird about such less water. Nonetheless something is better than nothing 🙂
Kanda Lake looks heavenly. Sangla Valley is so serene, stunning and a perfect blissful vacation destination. Will keep in mind to hire a 4 X 4 car to reach this place because it is a mountainous drive.
Thank you Yukti for the lovely words.
What a nice view. Guess you are in communion with nature. I’d not mind spending some days in Sangla community to explore the community. I’d stick around for more posts on Sangla
Yes it is a peaceful and beautiful valley. Thank you for the lovely words.
Wow, I’ve never heard about Kanda Lake, but I’m so glad you shared it! Your pictures are simply stunning and it looks so serene! I think it was a wise idea to hire a car. Sometimes getting to those out of the way locations are a little harder than they initially look!
Thank you so much!! Welcome to the blog🙂
Such a beautiful valley!! I’m actually planning a visit to Sangla Valley this year and your blog will I think will prove to be helpful.
Thank you James. Glad to help.
A friend of mine was working on a hydro project in Sangla. That’s when I first heard of the place. A year later I saw the pics when my Gurudev spent a week anonymously in Sangla. The pics of Gurudev in the beautiful snowy Sangla which went viral later were breathtakingly beautiful. I even have one in my room. I have wanted to visit the place ever since. May be some day!
It really is a gorgeous and peaceful place. I hope you go there soon!!
Hadn’t heard of it before, but how beautiful!
Thank you so much!!
OH MY GOODNESS! This place looks beautiful 🙂 it’s like the UK Lake District, but on steroids! Seriously, what an amazing place to trek! x
Thank you so much! Glad you liked the post & the place 🙂