Chandra and Bhaga rivers meet at Tandi Credit: Discover India

Chandra-Bhaga Valley
The rivers Chandra and Bhaga merge at Tandi to form the Chandra-Bhaga or Chenab River. Thereafter this river flows through an open valley to Thirot from where it enters Chamba District. In Lahaul, this valley is known as the Pattan Valley.

Great Mountain Mass
Ice and snow are important factors in the region. The great mountain mass occupies a position between the Chandra and Bhaga valleys. It extends as an offshoot of the main Himalaya with peaks soaring to over 6,400 m. The Baralacha Pass is also a part of this great mountain mass.

The lovely White Sail peak, viewed from Batal Credit: Karamjeet Singh

Standing like a huge fort, this mountain mass contains high peaks, valleys, snow-fed streams, glaciers and ice fields. Three important rivers -- Chandra, Bhaga and Yunam -- rise from near the Baralacha Pass.

This landmass is sparsely populated. Settlements are few, though graziers often ascend to the high alpine pastures in summer with their animals.

Lingti Plains
This is a desolate and barren tract located to the north of the Baralacha Pass. It covers an area of 260 square kilometers and average elevation is more than 4,400 m. The small rivers Lingti and Yunam flow through these plains before entering the Zanskar region of Ladakh.

The Lingti plains are largely uncultivated and uninhabited. In summer, a good growth of grass covers the slopes, which are grazed by the stock of migratory graziers.