Logo
Chandratal Lake in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh.jpg

Chandratal Lake

The crescent moon lake in Lahaul Spiti at around 4,300 metres, where most travellers stop talking for a minute when they first see the water

Lake~4,300 mManali · ~120 kmJun to early OctRamsar site

What makes it special

Chandratal, which locals simply call Chandra Taal or the moon lake, sits quietly at roughly 4,300 metres in the Lahaul side of the Himalayas, just beyond Kunzum La. The shape is a soft crescent, the water shifts between turquoise, steel blue, and deep green depending on the light, and the first sight of it, after a couple of hours of bare brown valleys, is what most travellers remember more than any photograph they end up taking. It is a designated Ramsar wetland, which matters more than it sounds. Camping on the lake shore has been banned for a few years now to protect the ecosystem, and the authorised camps are set up roughly 2 to 3 km away, near the roadhead. You park, walk about 15 to 20 minutes up a gentle path, sit for as long as the wind lets you, and walk back. That is the real Chandratal experience, not the version some websites still sell. Honestly, it is worth the effort if you have two days in the area. If you are trying to squeeze it in as a same day detour from Manali, it is a very long, rough drive for a short visit, and most people come back wondering if it was worth the back pain. Our strong suggestion is to stay one night, either at a camp near the lake or at Batal.

Is Chandratal worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already doing a Spiti or Lahaul trip. The drive is rough, the altitude is real, but the lake itself is one of the genuinely memorable sights in the Indian Himalayas. Skip it only if you have less than two days in the region.

How much time do you need?

Plan one overnight near the lake or at Batal. A same day dash from Manali is possible but exhausting, and you miss sunset, sunrise, and the sky at night. One night is the sweet spot. Two nights is rarely necessary.

Can you camp at the lake?

Not on the shore itself. Shore camping is banned to protect the Ramsar wetland. Authorised camps operate roughly 2 to 3 km away near the roadhead, generally from June to early October, weather allowing.

Have a question about Chandratal Lake?
Our team has visited 50+ times. We're happy to help plan your trip.

Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance

At a glance

Altitude
~4,300 m / ~14,100 ft (sources vary slightly)
Location
Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, just beyond Kunzum La
Best season
June to early October, generally
Daytime access
Entry gate generally closes by around 6 pm, confirm locally
Entry fee
Forest dept fee applies, generally ₹150 per Indian, ₹500 for cameras and foreigners, subject to change
Nearest town
Batal about 16 km, Losar about 40 km, Kaza about 90 to 95 km
Time needed
1 night near the lake, 2 to 3 days from Manali
Effort
Gentle 15 to 20 min walk from parking, altitude is the real factor

On the ground

Mobile network
Assume none at the lake and on most of the access road. Inform people in advance
ATM
No ATM in the region. Nearest reliable ATMs are in Kaza and Manali. Carry cash
Fuel
No fuel between Manali and Kaza. Fill up in Manali and carry a spare jerrycan, especially for bikes
Food
Chacha Chachi Dhaba at Batal is the famous stop. Camps near the lake serve basic meals. Carry snacks
Washrooms
Basic toilets at the authorised camps. Nothing at the lake itself, follow leave no trace
Parking
Small paved parking at the roadhead, 15 to 20 min walk from the lake
Permits
Indian nationals generally do not need a permit. Rules can change, verify before travel. Foreign nationals should confirm current Inner Line Permit requirements
Drones
Drones are generally not allowed. Do not fly
Walk to lake
About 15 to 20 minutes from the parking on a gentle path

Seasonal weather

Jun to Aug
20°3°
Summer
Sep to early Oct
15°-2°
Autumn
Nov to Apr
0°-25°
Winter
May
10°-2°
Spring

Suitable for

CouplesFamiliesSeniorsSoloFirst-timersPet-friendly

How to reach Chandratal Lake

3 approach routes with seasonal access

From Manali

Typically late May or June to early October, depending on snow clearance
DistAbout 120 to 140 km, depending on route
Time6 to 8 hours one way
Road
Tarred till Gramphu, rough dirt and water crossings after that

The classic summer approach. Manali, Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Koksar, Gramphu, then the rough stretch via Chhatru, Chhota Dhara, and Batal to the Chandratal road. The last 14 km after Batal is genuinely rough, not travel blog rough. Not recommended as a same day round trip. Most travellers break the drive at Chandratal itself or at Batal.

Fuel stop: Fill up in Manali. Carry spare fuel. No pumps till Kaza

From Kaza

Generally opens a little earlier than the Manali side, typically by mid to late May
DistAbout 90 to 95 km
Time4 to 5 hours one way
Road
Mix of tarred and rough mountain road over Kunzum La

The gentler approach if you are already in Spiti. Drive from Kaza to Losar, climb to Kunzum La at about 4,590 m, then descend to the Chandratal road junction. The Kaza side is lower in altitude overall, which helps acclimatisation. Slightly less traffic than the Manali side.

Fuel stop: Kaza petrol pump. Fill up before leaving

From Shimla via Kinnaur and Spiti

Kinnaur side generally open most of the year, Kunzum access typically May or June to October
DistAbout 500 to 550 km, depending on stops
Time3 to 4 days with proper halts
Road
Highway to Shimla, then mountain road

The smarter loop if you care about acclimatisation. Come up slowly via Shimla, Sarahan or Sangla, Nako, Tabo, Kaza, then over Kunzum to Chandratal, and exit via Manali. Your body will thank you for the gradual gain.

Fuel stop: Shimla, Reckong Peo, Pooh, Kaza

Best time to visit

Season-by-season breakdown to help you plan

Recommended
Summer
Mid June to August

The main window, both approaches are usually open

Temperature
Roughly 3 to 20 C
Roads
Manali side usually open by mid June, Kaza side opens earlier
Crowds
Moderate to high, peaks in mid July
Photography
Deep blue water by midday, Milky Way from July onwards

This is when the Manali side opens up properly after snow clearance, camps start running, and the lake water turns its brightest blue. Expect warm afternoons and cold nights. Mid July to mid August is peak tourist rush, so if you want the place quieter, lean toward late June or early September.

Monsoon
July to mid August

Technically open, but landslide risk on the Manali side

Temperature
Roughly 5 to 18 C
Roads
Manali side can get blocked, Kaza side usually clearer
Crowds
Moderate
Photography
Dramatic skies, unpredictable light

Chandratal itself sits in the rain shadow and stays mostly dry, but the approach from Manali passes through monsoon affected sections of Lahaul. Landslides and flash flooding in the Chandra river crossings near Batal are real. If you are travelling in this window, build buffer days and prefer the Kaza side approach.

Recommended
Autumn
September to early October

The quieter, cleaner version, genuinely the best light

Temperature
Roughly minus 2 to 15 C
Crowds
Low
Roads
Generally open, watch for early snow at Kunzum in late Sep
Photography
Best of the year, honestly

Fewer travellers, cleaner air, and the sharpest light of the year. The lake sits still for longer stretches because wind drops a little. Camps start winding down by end September. If you can get your leave dates right, this is the window we recommend most.

Winter
Mid October to May

Snowbound, the lake is inaccessible

Temperature
Often well below zero, nights can hit minus 25 C or lower
Roads
Closed
Crowds
None
Photography
Not accessible

Kunzum La closes with the first heavy snow, usually by mid to late October, and stays shut till late May or June. Camps shut down, the gate is locked, and the lake freezes. Do not attempt winter access. The place is simply not reachable for regular travellers in this window.

Things to see & do

7 experiences at Chandratal Lake

1

Walk up to the lake from the parking

30 to 45 minutes total
A gentle 15 to 20 minute path from the roadhead to the lake, slightly longer on the way back because of the altitude. Walk slow. Sit at the lake edge for at least 20 minutes. Most people miss this because they rush.
2

Do the parikrama walk around the lake

1.5 to 2 hours
A loose walking trail runs roughly around the lake, often called the parikrama. It is about 3 to 4 km. Doable for most walkers with reasonable fitness, but the altitude slows everyone down. Skip if you are feeling any signs of altitude sickness.
3

Catch sunrise or late evening light at the lake

1 to 2 hours
The sunrise is the one people come for, but the late evening light just before the gate closes is actually better on most days. Water turns a deeper shade, the winds usually drop. Bring a proper jacket, it gets cold fast.
4

Stargazing and Milky Way photography from the camps

1 to 2 hours after dark
One of the clearest night skies in India, thanks to zero light pollution and the altitude. Best window is roughly July to September for the Milky Way. Point a camera on a tripod at the southern sky, 15 to 25 second exposure. Set your alarm for 2 am and brave the cold.
5

Stop at Chacha Chachi Dhaba in Batal

45 minutes
The famous rest stop on the Manali approach, run by Dorje and Hishe for decades. Hot rajma chawal, chai, and basic shelter. Almost every Lahaul Spiti traveller has a photograph here. Worth the stop regardless of meal time.
6

Short detour to Kunzum La on the way

30 minutes
Kunzum Pass at about 4,590 m is a small high pass with a temple and prayer flags. Usually a quick stop to acclimatise, take a round, and move on. Most drivers do a single parikrama of the temple, a local tradition that is considered auspicious before a Spiti trip.
7

Spend a slow afternoon at the camps

3 to 4 hours
Camps near the roadhead are simple, with basic tents, heavy blankets, and a kitchen tent that usually serves dal, rice, and chapati. Once you arrive in the afternoon, the best thing you can do is nothing. Lie down, let your body acclimatise, eat light, drink water. You will sleep better.

Know before you visit Chandratal Lake

Essential information for planning your visit

Nearby attractions

Other places worth visiting nearby

About 22 km, 1 hour
Kunzum La
The high pass at around 4,590 m that connects Lahaul to Spiti. Small temple, prayer flags, and the first real acclimatisation test for most travellers.
About 16 km, 45 minutes
Batal
The road junction with the famous Chacha Chachi Dhaba. Basic rooms, rajma chawal, and the closest non camp option to the lake.
About 40 km, 1.5 to 2 hours
Losar
The first proper village on the Spiti side of Kunzum La. A good halt if camps at Chandratal are full or if you want lower altitude.
KazaAbout 90 to 95 km, 3.5 to 4 hours
Kaza
The main town of Spiti Valley and the base for most onward travel. Fuel, cash, homestays, and the cafes of the valley.
Explore
Key MonasteryAbout 82 km, 4 hours
Key Monastery
Spiti's largest monastery, stacked like a fort on a hill at around 4,166 m. Usually combined as part of the same Spiti circuit.
Explore
About 80 km, via a separate route on the Manali Leh highway
Suraj Tal and Baralacha La
A small alpine lake near Baralacha La on the way to Leh. Not on the same drive as Chandratal, but worth a thought if you are combining a longer Ladakh trip.
Along the Manali side approach
Chandra River valley and Chhota Dhara
The stretch of wide glacial riverbed you cross on the way in. Worth a short photography stop, especially around sunset.
Jispa
Jispa
A quiet Lahauli village at around 3,200 metres on the Bhaga river, where the camping is the point and the Manali to Leh highway runs right through
Explore
Mud Village
Mud Village
The last village in Pin Valley at around 3,810 metres, where the road ends and the trekking trails take over
Explore
Losar Village
Losar Village
The first village of Spiti from the Manali side, at around 4,080 metres, where the cold desert really begins
Explore
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
A 500 year old self mummified monk in a glass case, in a tiny village above the Spiti River near the Indo Tibet border
Explore
Langza Village
Langza Village
A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres above Kaza, known for its giant seated Buddha overlooking the valley and the marine fossils scattered across its slopes
Explore
Kibber Village
Kibber Village
A high Spitian village at roughly 4,270 metres above the Spiti River, base for the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and the only realistic place in India to try and see a snow leopard in winter
Explore
Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office
Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office
A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres, home to a working post office that has been stamping postcards from the top of the world since 1983
Explore
Komic Village
Komic Village
A 13 house Spitian hamlet at around 4,587 metres, often called the highest motorable village in the world, with a fortress like Sakya monastery on the canyon edge
Explore

Our Packages with Chandratal Lake

Curated trips that include a visit to Chandratal Lake

Mini Spiti Circuit With Chandratal From Manali

5
(0)

Mini Spiti Circuit With Chandratal From Manali

2D Kaza•1D Chandratal Camp
₹ 21,999₹ 34,999SAVE INR 13,000
PhoneWhatsApp
Manali to Chandratal Lake Road Trip

5
(0)

Manali to Chandratal Lake Road Trip

1D Sissu•1D Chandratal Camp
₹ 14,999₹ 19,999SAVE INR 5,000
PhoneWhatsApp
Spiti Short Circuit With Chandratal Group Tour From Manali

4.8
(223)

Spiti Short Circuit With Chandratal Group Tour From Manali

3D Kaza•1D Chandratal Camp
₹ 12,999₹ 21,999SAVE INR 9,000
PhoneWhatsApp
Best Chandratal Camping Tour From Manali

5
(0)

Best Chandratal Camping Tour From Manali

1D Sissu•1D Chandratal Camp
₹ 25,999
PhoneWhatsApp
Best Selling Summer Spiti Circuit With Chandratal

4.9
(887)

Best Selling Summer Spiti Circuit With Chandratal

1D Sangla•1D Kalpa+3
₹ 16,999₹ 27,999SAVE INR 11,000
PhoneWhatsApp

Planning a trip that includes Chandratal Lake?

Not sure where to start? Just tell us your dates and what you're looking for, and we'll help you plan a trip that actually fits you.

WhatsApp us Call us

Frequently Asked Questions

Chandratal sits at roughly 4,300 metres, about 14,100 feet. Different sources quote figures between 4,200 and 4,350 metres, so treat this as a close approximation. It is high enough that acclimatisation matters.

Related guides

HomeHomeOfferChandratal 2026Group IconGroup Tours