Chandratal Lake

1 dayBest: Jun–OctLakes#lake#camping#high altitude

Crescent moon lake on the Chandra river

Why this weekend?

Moon-shaped lakeCamping by the lakeStargazing

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The crescent lake
- Arrival
- Lake circuit
- Camp setup
- Peak watch
- Star night

Geography & terrain

Chandratal Lake lies at 4,300 metres on the barren highland of Spiti's upper valley in Himachal Pradesh, 30 km from Batal and 90 km from Kunzum Pass — a crescent moon's lake of glacier melt at the road's end.

History & culture

The crescent lake of the Chandra river's headwaters has long been the sacred camping ground of the Spiti-Lahaul herders' routes; its modern story is the road journey from Manali — the Atal Tunnel's crossing, Kunzum Pass and the camping circuit making Chandratal the stunning far point of the high Himalaya's motor routes.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Crescent water
Glacier country
Alpenglow
Camp lines
Night sky

Eat & drink

Dham thali
Madra (chickpea curry)
Chha gosht
Siddu buns
Kaanji

Getting there

Fly: Kullu–Bhuntar (KUU) / Gaggal (DHM) / Shimla (SLV)
Train: Kalka–Shimla toy train (heritage); narrow-gauge to Joginder Nagar
Road from Delhi: 300–550 km depending on valley
Getting around: Taxis and HRTC buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Pahari dialects (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Jun–Oct
Connectivity: Patchy in deep valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The lake sits at 4,300 m — acclimatise on the way up and pace the walks
The route closes in winter — the camping season runs Jun–Sep
Permits and camp bookings run through the circuits' operators — arrange before the drive

Frequently asked questions

What is Chandratal?

The crescent lake of Spiti's high valley at 4,300 metres, fed by the Chandra's glaciers.

How do I reach it?

By road from Manali over Kunzum Pass — the last 30 km from Batal are rough.

When can I visit?

The summer months (Jun–Sep) hold the lake and its camping.