Overview
Manali to Chandratal is roughly 110–130 km, usually 5 to 6 hours by taxi: through the Atal Tunnel to Gramphu, along the rough Chandra valley road past Chhatru to Batal, then about 14–15 km up a narrow dirt track to the camps near the lake. Chandratal, the 'moon lake', is a crescent of blue water at about 4,300 m, ringed by bare mountains, and one of the most beautiful places in Himachal. It's only reachable in summer, roughly mid-June to early October, and the road is rough, so we send only SUVs and Innovas. We pick you up in Manali and drop you at your Chandratal camp.
Usual route: Atal Tunnel to Lahaul, Gramphu, Chhatru and Batal, then about 14–15 km of rough track to the lake
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Manali
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Manali to Chandratal
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
2,050 m
Manali
Total climb
+2,250 m
over ~115 km
Finish
4,300 m
Chandratal
- Manali
- Atal Tunnel
- Gramphu
- Chhatru
- Batal
- Chandratal
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Manali to Chandratal taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~115 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹6,650
starting · one way
₹7,350
starting · one way
₹11,950
starting · one way
Your quote
Manali → Chandratal
SUV · one way · ~115 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in ManaliIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹6,650
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1Leave Manali by 6 am; stream crossings between Chhatru and Batal rise through the day.
- 2Beyond Gramphu, the road is largely unpaved and slow.
- 3The final 14–15 km from Batal to the lake is a narrow dirt track; high clearance is essential.
- 4Camping is not allowed at the lake itself; camps are a few kilometres away.
- 5There's no fuel after Manali (or Tandi, off-route); our drivers fill up before setting out.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Manali
Pickup
Atal Tunnel
Into Lahaul.
Gramphu
Junction where the Spiti road leaves the Leh highway.
Chhatru
Dhabas and the start of the rough stretch.
Batal
The famous dhaba and the turn-off for Chandratal.
Chandratal
Drop at your hotel
At the lake
From the camps, the lake is a short drive and a walk. The water changes colour through the day, from deep blue to green, and the reflections of the surrounding peaks on a still morning are why people come. A walk around the lake takes an hour or two at a gentle pace, but at about 4,300 m, every step is harder than it looks. Nights are very cold, even in July; the camps provide heavy blankets, but bring warm layers, a hat and gloves.
- Sunrise and sunset over the lake
- The walk around the shore
- Stars at night
- No camping at the lake itself
Altitude: the big caution
Chandratal is at about 4,300 m, more than 2,200 m higher than Manali, reached in a single day. That's a big jump, and altitude sickness is common on the first night at the camps. Spend at least two nights in Manali first, drink plenty of water, and don't exert yourself on arrival. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should talk to a doctor before booking. If someone feels seriously unwell at night, the only real treatment is to descend.
Chandratal on the way to Spiti
Chandratal is just off the Manali–Kaza road, so many travellers visit it as a night on the way into Spiti, or on the way back out to Manali. Going Kaza to Chandratal to Manali is easier on the body, because you're already acclimatised from Spiti. Ask us to add it to a Spiti trip; it adds a day.
Why SUVs only
The road from Chhatru to Batal is broken and crossed by streams, and the last stretch to the lake is a narrow dirt track. Sedans don't have the ground clearance, and a stuck car up here means a long wait. We send SUVs, Innovas and, for groups, Tempo Travellers, with drivers who run this road regularly.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Chandratal
Chandratal: Best: Jun–Sep
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Manali hotels (Mall Road, Model Town, Aleo)
- • Old Manali and Vashisht (nearest road point)
- • Manali bus stand
Other ways to travel
There's no regular bus to Chandratal. Seasonal buses to Kaza stop at Batal, about 14–15 km from the lake; shared taxis run from Manali in season.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Manali to Chandratal cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are SUV ₹6,650, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹7,350, Tempo Traveller ₹11,950, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Chandratal from Manali?+
Roughly 110–130 km, usually 5 to 6 hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
When can we visit Chandratal?+
Roughly mid-June to early October, when the road and camps are open.
Can we camp at the lake?+
No. Camping isn't allowed at the lake itself; the camps are a few kilometres away.
Can we do it as a day trip from Manali?+
It's possible but very long and tiring. A night at the camps is far better.
Is altitude sickness a risk?+
Yes. Chandratal is at about 4,300 m. Spend two nights in Manali first and rest on arrival.
Can we combine it with Spiti?+
Yes, it's just off the Manali–Kaza road. It's best on the way out of Spiti, when you're acclimatised.
Which vehicles do you send?+
SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers only; sedans aren't suitable.
Can we visit Chandratal on the way to Kaza?+
Yes, it's just off the Manali–Kaza road at Batal. Many travellers do it on the way out of Spiti instead.
Is there mobile signal at Chandratal?+
Generally no. Tell family your plans before leaving Manali and carry cash.
Reviews
We show only reviews from completed, verified bookings. None yet in this prototype.
